Can neck pain be a sign of something serious?
Can neck pain be a sign of something serious? Hi, this Dr. Salam and I practice at One Care Medical Center and International Ortho hospital in Coimbatore. Neck pain is an exceedingly common orthopedic issue and it affects both men & women of all age groups. In this short read, I am going to tell you everything about neck pain and other associated neck disorders. Neck pain issues are fairly common. Common causes of neck pain can occur due to an incorrect posture or while hunching back over the laptop.Neck pain may signal something serious if there is sever shooting/radiating pain associated with numbness in the arm. This is when it would be wise to seek medical attention Well known causes of neck pain Muscle strain A muscle strain can commonly result from spending prolonged hours spent on the computer hunched over or by a long-standing improper posture. Nerve root compression Another very common cause of neck pain includes nerve compression. Nerve compression can occur due to a disc bulge occurring in the neck/cervical region of the spinal column. Whiplash injuries Whiplash injuries commonly result from motor vehicle accidents and more commonly from rear-end collisions. In these injuries, the neck forcibly flexes backward and forward thereby straining the muscles/ligaments in the neck region. Certain medical conditions like cancer, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis & meningitis can also lead to severe neck pain. Diagnosis of neck pain Your orthopedic consultant will do a full-fledged physical exam to ascertain the cause of neck pain. The range of motion of your neck will also be assessed. Neck pain treatment pulley’s, weights and other devices that can provide some relief in the event of nerve root compression. Steroid injections, which are rarely used when conventional therapy fails. How to prevent neck pain? Neck pain prevention can be fairly simple and straightforward. These include Maintaining the right posture Getting some breaks in between your work schedule Sleeping in the right posture. In fact, keeping a pillow under your thighs can relax your spinal muscles Avoid lifting heavy objects. I hope you enjoyed reading this article on”can neck pain be a sign of something serious”. Do watch this space for more interesting articles and do of course share this article with all your friends and loved ones! Reference https://www.spine-health.com/blog/9-lesser-known-tips-easing-neck-painhttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-you-have-a-stiff-neck-try-these-simple-remedies/
The 4 signs that show you need a hip replacement
The 4 signs that show you need a hip replacement The 4 signs that show you need a hip replacement Hi! My name is Dr. Salam and I am a consultant orthopedic surgeon at the One Care Medical Center, which is an international ortho hospital in Coimbatore. 1 in 10 patients who I see in my day to day practice suffer from severe and debilitating hip pain. When we do a physical exam and imaging study, we find severe degenerative changes in the hip joint. This can occur due to aging, being overweight or even due to the use of some medications. Past fractures, surgeries, and osteoporosis are other causes of hip problems. All said and done, hip pain can be terribly limiting. Unfortunately, on the subject of hip replacement, there are no set rules at all. Inability to walk Do you feel your general ability to walk is limited?. In some instances, you may not be able to walk to your post-office or nearby grocery store. You might have been able to walk these distances in the past. If this is the case, you probably need a full-fledged evaluation Difficulty wearing your footwear Another common sign of hip damage is when you are unable to wear your foot wear/shoe. This is more so if one foot is worse than the other. Pain Do you have chronic pain while you walk?. Or maybe you have pain after your walk? Do you walk with a limp?. Then these are all possible signs of a hip arthritis. Sometimes you may have pain despite the use of pain medications. Hip pain can wear you down emotionally, mentally and physically. If you are suffering from intractable hip pain, consulting your orthopedic specialist may be the best thing to do!. I hope you enjoyed reading this short article on the ‘4 signs that you may need a hip joint replacement”. Do watch this space for more interesting articles and of course do not forget to share this post with all your friends and loved ones!. Cheers! Reference https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/6-signs-that-it-may-be-time-to-have-a-joint-replacedhttps://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/4-signs-you-may-need-a-hip-replacement
Can bone fracture heal itself?
Can bone fracture heal itself? So, can bone fracture heal itself? The sad truth is, fractures are fairly common!. If you are reading this, then probably you have suffered a fracture or know someone who may have recently suffered from one. Fracture is an exceedingly common condition that occurs when an injury or stress from an injury exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the bone. The severity of the fracture depends upon the force applied and also to a certain extent on the angle of application. To put simply, there are multiple types of fractures, moreover depending on the bone involved healing time will also vary drastically. Some common fractures that we routinely come across include Fracture of the clavicle Fracture of the arm Wrist fracture Ankle fracture Foot fracture Multiple fractures The severity of the fracture depends upon the force applied and also to a certain extent on the angle of application. To put simply, there are multiple types of fractures, moreover depending on the bone involved healing time will also vary drastically. Your orthopedic doctor will first align clean the wound and then take an X-ray to assess whether the fractured bone is suitable for the cast procedure. Complex fractures where the bone is grossly broken in multiple places is usually not suitable for cast in general. One your fracture is assessed and set right, keeping the bone in alignment, a cast is then placed. It is highly crucial to ensure that the cast is protected from water or moisture, this is because an improper cast can could potentially compromise would healing significantly. A few tips that can heal the bone quickly include A. Providing the body with a healthy intake of calories preferably from a protein-rich diet. Restricting carbohydrate intake also helps the fracture heal faster due to a reduction in the oxidative stress created at the site of healing. Numerous clinical studies have clearly suggested that oxidative stress is significantly associated with poor wound healing. A bone can be visualized as a sponge of live protein upon which mineral crystals are embedded. Even a modest increase in protein intake of 20 gms per day will help accelerate fracture healing tremendously. B. Antioxidants intake, especially that of Vit A, E and C can greatly help improve fracture healing. C. Adding Zinc and Calcium rich sources of food or supplements to the daily diet have also shown to vastly improve the healing of broken bones. D. Tendon gliding exercises as advised by your doctor can also accelerate post fracture recovery significantly. For example, if your forearm is broken, exercises would commonly include movements of the fingers, hands, and shoulder joint. Interestingly numerous studies have suggested that these specific exercises help in improving bone healing. E. Abstaining from smoking and alcohol also goes a long way in helping broken bones heal. To conclude, as frightening as a fracture may sound, healing times and full recovery is usually possible following the right combination of exercises, diet, and nutritional habits. I hope you enjoyed reading this article on ‘can bone fracture heal itself’. Please do share this with your friends and loved ones Reference https://www.brownmed.com/blog/cast-and-bandage-protection/casts-work-heal-broken-bone/
What is the best treatment for Knee osteoarthritis?
Can bone fracture heal itself? What is the best treatment for Knee osteoarthritis? honestly what is the best treatment for Knee osteoarthritis?. The answer is not a straightforward one at all!. Aging is a major risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. However, this degenerative joint disease can also affect younger individuals. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disorder that affects the knee joint and can result in significant pain, stiffness combined with joint swelling Your orthopedic surgeon will recommend different treatment options depending on a number of factors that are unique to your health. The advantage of regular exercise is that it helps with Weight loss, which in turn reduces the load on your joints Helps improve the range of motion/movement Exercise also helps improve muscle strength and also significantly reduces joint pain/swelling Simple exercises like walking, biking, and swimming are usually excellent in nature. Cycling is particularly beneficial as it helps maintain the strength of both your quadriceps and hamstring muscle group. The advantage of this exercise is that strengthening these 2 muscle groups helps in greatly stabilizing the knee joint. Painkillers Many individuals who suffer from OA usually take over the counter pain killers for pain relief. Some common drugs include paracetamol, aceclofenac or other combination based painkillers. Some surgeons would use Hyaluronic acid based injections. This is used as a joint replacement fluid to both absorb and lubricate the joint. There are some side effects and this treatment modality should be used only with caution Alternative OA therapies There exist numerous alternative therapies for OA knee, not all of them are however proven. Hydrotherapy, acupuncture, massage and a host of other interventions have been tried with variable results Viscosupplements These injectable preparations are directly injected into the knee. They usually replace the joint fluid with a gel like substance. This gel-like substance can then provide cushioning and lubrication for the joint and thereby relieve pain Arthroscopy Arthroscopy is a procedure used to clean debris from the joint. If you are under 40 years of age, this procedure can be of tremendous benefit in relieving joint pain. However, what is not known is whether the procedure will help prevent further joint degradation Joint Replacement surgery Joint replacement is a much more complex procedure that involves replacing injured parts of the joint. Joint replacements, in general, have been studied extensively and are also well researched. Most joint replacement procedures give excellent long-lasting benefits to patients. At our orthopedic hospital in Coimbatore, we specialize in giving patients the absolute latest in terms of joint replacement procedures OA of the knee, if left untreated eventually worsens over time as you age. If you are suffering from severe pain and notice a reduced range of motion, you should visit your orthopedic surgeon. I hope you enjoyed reading this short article “what is the best treatment for knee osteoarthritis”. Do share this article with your friends and loved ones! Stay healthy and stay happy! Cheers Reference https://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoarthritis-pictures/natural-osteoarthritis-treatments.aspxhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/
A-Z about Hip fracture treatment
A-Z about Hip fracture treatment Hello!, Dr. Abdul Salam here, consultant ortho doctor in coimbatore and in this post we are going to discuss choosing the right shoes for Hip. Hip fracture treatment can be very complex. Hip fractures are fairly common after a fall. Hip fractures are also pretty painful in nature. Hip fractures are nothing but breaks in the bone (femur) that occur near the hip joint. Hip fractures occur commonly in older women who have osteoporosis and who sustain a fall. Hip fractures can also occur in women who have cancers Hip fracture Symptoms : Common hip fracture symptoms include 1. Severe Pain 2. The inability to stand, lift yourself or rotate your leg 3. Swelling and redness in the hip area 4. Leg, in general, turning outwards in the injured side When you suspect you have a hip fracture, you should see visit an orthopedic hospital immediately. Our orthopedic hospital in coimbatore is among the cities premier ortho hospitals for hip fracture treatments. Hip Fracture Treatments : Surgery remains the only mainstay management strategy for hip fractures. Surgery can sometimes be delayed up to 48 hours but nor beyond. In most patients, a complete or partial hip replacement is the recommended modality of treatment. Some patients may require surgery combined with plates/screws/rods The type of surgery done however depends on a number of factors. These include the location of the fracture, your age, your range of movement before the actual fracture. Recovery post a surgery for hip fracture involves aggressive physiotherapy that is tailored. Early rehabilitation post-surgery usually gives patients excellent recovery and helps patients gain mobility earlier in general. Hip Protectors : Hip protectors are specifically useful to protect old people from an impact after a fall. Hip protectors are made of specialized plastic shields housed within the inner garments. They specifically help in absorbing the impact of the fall. One major pitfall of the hip protectors was that most older people found them to be uncomfortable and stopped wearing them. Recent devices however offer a more comfortable fit and are also well ventilated in nature. I hope you enjoyed reading this short article on Hip fracture treatment. Do share this article with all your friends and loved ones. Stay healthy and stay happy! Cheers Reference https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hip-fracture/https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-fractures/
Patellar (Knee Cap) Fractures
Patellar (Knee Cap) Fractures The Patella is a small bone that sits right in front of your knee. It is type of joint that is particularly vulnerable for fracture. Direct injury by a fall or a motor vehicle collision in which the knee joint hits on the dashboard also result in knee cap fracture. As one of the leading orthopedic hospital in coimbatore, we get a large number of patients with patellar fractures Patellar fracture is fairly serious in nature and can make bending or even straightening your knee exceedingly difficult. Simple patellar fractures can be treated with the help of a cast or splint but complex fractures in which the bone shatters definitely requires surgery and stabilization to stabilize the kneecap. Patellar fracture symptoms:- Pain and swelling are probably the most common cause of patellar fractures. Other reported symptoms of a patellar fracture include 1. The inability to straighten the knee joint or keep it straight while raising the leg 2. Inability to bear weight and walk 3. Bruising Physical Exam However, stability shoes are strictly not recommended for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Some patients utilize insoles for stability, but recent research suggests that, these do not really work. Going barefoot helps with knee joint arthritis and low heeled flip-flops also are useful. I hope you enjoyed this short article on choosing the right shoes for osteoarthritis. Keep watching this space for more interesting reads Patellar fracture treatment strategies Non-surgical management In simple fractures where the pieces of the bone are not out of place, a surgery is usually not required. Your doctor may apply a simple cast to stabilize the knee joint and restrict mobility. The idea here is to keep the broken bones in proper alignment/position so as to help healing The type of fracture will also determine if you can actually bear weight on your leg while you are wearing the cast. In the event your fracture is really large, weight-bearing will not be allowed for at least 8 full weeks. In case of simple fractures, weight bearing to a certain extent may be allowed Surgical Management In complex fractures, where the pieces of the bone are displaced, you will probably require surgery. Since the muscles of the thigh are very strong, the pull exerted by the muscles can also separate the bones impairing normal healing. Complex fractures in most patients require immediate intervention. Screws and pins combined with wires are usually used during surgery to fix the bone. Small plates may also be sometimes be used to fix the patella. Painkillers will usually be prescribed after the surgery. Because the leg will be immobilized for a few days post surgery, the thigh muscles may weaken and the knee joint may become stiff in general. Tailored physical therapy and rehabilitation will help speed up your recovery from the fracture. Maintaining a healthy diet, combined with regular exercise is usually all that is required for you to heal completely. Reference https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/patellar-kneecap-fractures/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020138300001704
Hairline fracture : Everything you need to know
Hairline fracture : Everything you need to know Hello! My name is Dr. Salam, and a full time practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the One Care Medical Center, which is a 100 bedded international Orthopaedic Hospital in Coimbatore. In this roundup article, we are going to discuss everything under the sun about Hairline Fractures. A hairline fracture also commonly referred to as a stress fracture is usually caused by tiny breaks in the bone from a repetitive activity such as running or some other sports based activity Hairline fractures are a type of fracture that typically results from overuse as compared to a sudden fracture from a major impact. Either way, hairline fractures can be just as painful as a major fracture. Hairline fractures can heal with sufficient rest though. Rest again is probably the most important strategy in the treatment of hairline fractures Quick facts on hairline fractures Typically a hairline fracture results from overuse or repetitive activity The core symptom is probably dull pain that increases in intensity over a period of time Even light pressure can actually trigger significant pain What exactly causes a hairline fracture? Bones, in general, are pretty rigid in terms of their structural integrity. However, bones can slightly bend to absorb impact. But, what happens when strain is continuously placed over the bone?. Microscopic cracks, or hairline fractures result. A good example would be long-distance running, wherein the bones in the lower leg, foot and ankle are susceptible to injury. People who engage in high impact sports are usually at risk of developing hairline fractures. These include Those people engaged in 1. Basketball 2. Tennis 3. Football and 4. Soccer Hairline fracture symptoms:- The typical symptoms of a hairline fracture differ as compared to a simple fracture. The pain from a hairline fracture will usually only intensify when the person in question engages in physical activity that puts severe stress on the bone/affected area Other notable symptoms usually include swelling, tenderness and bruising. Hairline fracture diagnoses Hairline fracture diagnoses involve a full-fledged physical exam combined with imaging utilizing either an MRI, or an X-Ray. Hairline fractures usually require prompt medical attention. If left untreated, a more serious break can ultimately result Treatment Most hairline fractures will spontaneously heal if the patient refrains from adding undue strain on the affected area. Keeping the affected area elevated and applying ice is particularly helpful in the first 24hours. Weight-bearing activities can be slowly introduced as the pain subsides A full recovery though will take typically 8 weeks post which full mobility if often restored. Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend a protective footwear, splint or crutches during the healing phase to minimize pain on the affected leg. I hope you enjoyed reading this short article on hairline fractures. Keep watching this space for more interesting reads and do share this article with all your loved ones. Reference https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319822.phphttps://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/stress-fractures-of-the-foot-and-ankle/
Broken Toe
Broken Toe Choosing the right shoes for arthritis Hello, My name is Dr. Salam and I am a consultant orthopedic doctor in Coimbatore. I practice at One Care Medical Center, which is a state of the art 100 bedded orthopedic hospital in Coimbatore. In this article, we are going to discuss everything about a broken toe. So, a broken toe is a very common injury that’s most frequently caused by accidentally dropping something really big on your foot. Broken toes are also common from stubbing your toe. A simple strategy for broken toe management would be tape or bind the toe the neighboring toe. However in the event, your big toe is damaged, or if there is too much apparent swelling, taking an X-Ray then followed by a protective cast is what would be recommended While most broken toes heal exceedingly well within 4 or 6 weeks, in some instances the broken toe may become infected. Symptoms of a broken toe The three typical signs of a broken toe include A. Pain B. Swelling C. Lastly discoloration Diagnosis of Broken Toe When you have a broken toe, your doctor will first check for tender areas. Your orthopedic doctor will also assess and see if the skin on your toes is intact and also if all your sensations are in place. X-Rays are also commonly ordered from different angles. Treatment of broken toe Broken toe treatment is usually straightforward. Simple over the counter medication can be used for broken toe treatment. Simple medications like paracetamol, aceclofenac or other combination painkillers can be utilized. Fractured toe reduction can be done if your bones are not fitting well together. Your orthopedic doctor will usually manipulate the bones of the fractured toe back into its anatomical normal position. Liberal use of ice or an injection of local anesthetic can help numb the toe effectively reducing the pain during manipulation. Broken toe immobilization Simple treatment strategies for such fractures include A. Buddy tapes– A simple fracture in any of the smaller toes can be easily handled by taping the injured toe to an adjacent non-injured toe. The non-injured toe would act as a splint. B. Specialized shoe- Your orthopedic doctor may also prescribe, a specialized shoe to prevent toe movements and to also accommodate swelling. I hope you enjoyed reading this short article on broken toes. Do share it with your friend’s and loved ones! Keep watching this space for more interesting reads Reference https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-toe/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370468https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320203.php?sr
Spiral fractures
Spiral fractures Hi, Dr. Salam here, I am a full time practicing orthopedic consultant in One Care Medical Center which is a premier orthopedic hospital in Coimbatore. In this amazing article, we are going to discuss everything about Spiral fractures and its management A spiral fracture is a type of fracture that results when a major twisting force is applied to a long bone. The twisting force usually tears the bone in half. Most spiral fractures usually occur in the leg or the arm. All said and done, spiral fractures are serious injuries since the broken ends of the bone have rough edges and are quite difficult to align. Spiral Fracture Causes Snowboarding or skiing where the leg is twisted and stuck on the ski, while the remainder of the leg continues moving Football injuries Wrestling Motor vehicle accidents Child abuse, where the child’s arm or leg is jerked off aggressively Machinery based injuries Symptoms of Spiral fractures Spiral fractures cause excruciating pain. Common symptoms associated with the injury include Losing consciousness Inability to bear weight on the affected bone Tenting of the bone, where the fractured bone is ready to come through the skin Inflammation, redness, and swelling. Sometimes a loss of the pulse in the ankle or the wrist. Diagnosis Imaging techniques like X-Ray, MRI and blood tests are usually the first line of management. Spiral fractures can be frequently confused with Oblique fractures Treatment strategies The treatment of a spiral fracture depends on the severity of the said injury and associated damage to the surrounding vessels and nerves. Post an injury, weight bearing is to be strictly avoided. Where possible immobilization should be done immediately. Ice must be applied immediately where possible to reduce swelling. All spiral fractures will invariably require surgery with general anesthesia. Broken stray shards have to be removed before the bone can be fixed and aligned. Use of appropriate screws, rods or pins is definitely required. Post surgery, splints or casts may be applied depending on the nature of the injury. Use of medication, ice, and antibiotics combined with full rest will facilitate excellent healing. Weight-bearing is usually started only after 8 to 12 full weeks post the injury. Some severe injuries may take months to completely heal. Complications of spiral fracture:- Spiral fractures can be life-threatening and definitely require aggressive management Commonly reported complications of spiral fracture include, A. Blood vessel and nerve damage B. Muscle Tears C. Compartment syndrome, where the blood flow to the leg gets cut off due to inflammation D. Osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone E. Pulmonary embolus wherein a blood clot can get loose and go to the lung F. Lastly shock and sepsis. G. Spiral fractures can be quite traumatic, visiting the right doctor and getting the right treatment can go a long way in helping you recover completely. Reference https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319174.phphttps://www.healthline.com/health/spiral-fracture
How many years does a knee replacement last?
How many years does a knee replacement last? How many years does a knee replacement last? Hello!, My name is Dr. Salam, and I am a consultant orthopedic surgeon in One Care Medical Center, a premier 100 bedded orthopedic hospital in Coimbatore. In today’s post, we are going to discuss exactly ‘how many years does a knee replacement last?’ Lets first answer a few questions about knee replacement though. So, When do you actually need a knee replacement? You only ever need a knee replacement, if your knee joint gives you chronic pain, stiffness, instability or an utter loss of your day to day function. In a healthy knee joint, protective cartilage covers the ends of the bones that actually form the joint, allowing it to smoothly move against one and another. In patients who develop arthritis though, damage occurs to these cartilaginous structures. So what basically happens is that the cartilage wears out. The bone starts rubbing out on each end leading to severe pain and joint wear & tear. In a typical knee replacement procedure, the worn ends of the bones are replaced with metal/plastic components that fit the bone. These components allow the joint to move freely. Because, these parts interlock as well, the joint will be stable. How long does a knee replacement last? An artificial knee can never give the same longevity of your true biological knee joint. Since most replacement parts are made of plastic or metal, they are also subject to routine wear and tear. Many studies have shown that good quality implants can last the better part of 20 years in most patients. While this result cannot generalized to all patients undergoing knee replacement, a small proportion of patients will require a second replacement after the first one. The actual number is usually less than 5%. Several factors apart from intrinsic implant-related factors can affect the outcome of a knee surgery. These include 1. The age of the patient:- The younger patients require the implant to last longer in general. Thus, the younger patient may require a revision replacement later in life. 2. Activities:- Some activities are OKAY with knee replacement, but some activities are not. High impact sports may not be safe post a knee replacement 3. Body weight:- Overweight individuals are at an increased risk at making knee joint last less long. 4. Osteoporosis:- Osteoporosis of the bones around the joint should be adequately managed before contemplating on a knee replacement. Choosing newer implantsChoosing newer implants may sound exciting with a lot of manufacturers claiming tall results on their product. However, long-term safety data is seldom available with newer implants in the industry. Thus, it would be wise to discuss with your orthopedic surgeon on the safety of proceeding with newer implants/technology.Reference https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-do-knee-replacements-last-2549612
