Surgery: Archives

Hip Replacement June 23, 2022

All That You Need to Know About the Causes and Treatment Options of Joint Pains

Introduction

Joint pain is a common condition affecting many people at some point in their lives. It can also be a symptom of other conditions. The causes of joint pain vary from person to person and often depend on the specific joint involved. Painful joints are usually caused by overuse, injury, or inflammation. Treating joint pain requires addressing the underlying cause and reducing any aggravating factors that could lead to further problems in the future.

What is joint pain?

The medical term for joint pain is arthralgia and must not be confused with arthritis (means inflammation of the joint). Joint pain is a generalized discomfort in the joints. It is generally felt in the joints and surrounding tissues such as muscles. The joints most commonly affected by joint pain are the hip, knee, and shoulder joints. The intensity and duration of joint pain can be influenced by genetics, age, gender, and lifestyle (such as diet and exercise).

Kinds of joint pain

There are 3 categories of joint pain, namely the following,

1. Non-displaced pain – The most common type of joint pain affecting around 70% of the population is non-displaced joint pain. It occurs due to wear and tear of the joint, injury, or arthritis and is often a result of ageing.

2. Displaced, subluxation and pathologic joint pain – Displaced pain is pain that is located outside of the joint. Subluxation is joint pain that results from the abnormal movement of the joint, and pathologic pain is pain that is caused by an underlying disease and typically results from inflammation.

3. No joint pain – Joint pain that does not have a specific cause is known as “no joint pain.” It is uncommon and can occur due to systemic diseases such as kidney stones or hormonal changes.

Causes of Joint pain

The possible causes of joint pain will depend on age and activity. The joint pain reasons in children will differ from the causes of joint pain in adults. The commons causes are

1. Overuse or repetitive joint movements – Over time, the muscles around a joint can become weak or damaged. This can lead to joint pain due to the inflammation that the damaged muscles try to repair themselves.

2. Articular cartilage damage – Overuse and repetitive movements can damage the cartilage in the joints, leading to pain and inflammation.

3. Muscular injuries – Unintentional or overexercised muscles can become too tight, causing pain and signals to the brain.

4. Arthritis – Joint inflammation is the common cause of joint pain. It can occur due to an injury, joint damage, or an underlying disease such as arthritis.

5. Infectious diseases – Joint inflammation caused by an infection can occur due to an existing injury, damage to the joint, or a viral infection like COVID.

6. Congenital joint abnormalities – Joint abnormalities at birth (congenital) can lead to pain and disability.

Symptoms of Joint Pain

The symptoms of joint pain depend on the cause of the pain. The symptoms of joint pain can vary depending on the person but may include:

1. Swelling – This is a common symptom of joint pain and accompanies periods of inflammation.

2. Pain – Joint pain is the most common symptom of joint inflammation.

3. Weakness – Joint pain can also result in muscle weakness, preventing the person from performing joint-related activities such as walking or standing.

4. Reduced range of motion – Joint pain can restrict joint movement, preventing full movement in the joint.

Risk Factors of Joint Pain

The factors that can increase one’s risk of developing joint pain include:

1. Overuse or repetitive joint movements – Overuse of a joint can damage muscles and ligaments that support the joint. This can result in pain and reduced joint movement.

2. Age – As people age, their joints become more susceptible to damage and inflammation, causing joint pain.

3. Injury – Joint damage can also cause joint pain.

4. Arthritis – People with arthritis are more likely to develop joint pain.

5. Heredity – Certain genetic conditions can predispose people to joint pain.

6. Smoking – Smoking dramatically increases the risk of developing joint pain.

Foods and activities that cause Joint Pain

The following are some foods and activities that we must avoid to curb joint pain,

1. Overeating – Excessive weight and overconsumption of certain foods are both associated with an increased risk of joint pain.

2. Lack of sleep – Sleep is essential for the repair and maintenance of the joints. Lack of sleep can lead to joint pain. Heavily exercised muscles – Exercising a joint leads to muscle damage, which can result in joint pain.

3. Back pain – Weak or injured muscles in the back can lead to back pain and joint stiffness.

4. Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to joint pain through damage to muscles and ligaments.

5. Foods – Sugar, Alcohol, Processed Food, Salt, Processed Meat, and Gluten-rich food.

Foods and activities that relieve Joint Pain

The following are some foods and activities that relieve joint pain,

1. Rest – Resting the joint after exercise or performing joint-related movements like walking.

2. Ice – Ice applied to the joint can reduce inflammation and pain by reducing swelling.

3. Heat – Warmth applied to the joint has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and swelling.

4. Elevation – Keeping the joint above the heart level can prevent damage to the joint and reduce pain.

5. Gentle movements – Gentle joint movements, such as rotating the joint instead of swinging it, can prevent damage to the joint.

6. Foods – Omega 3 Fatty Acids rich foods, Nuts and Seeds, Lentils, Colourful Fruits, Whole Grains and Root Vegetables

Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery From Joint Pain

You should immediately see a doctor if you experience joint pain with swelling, redness, tenderness, and warmth around the joint. While joint pain can be frustrating and inconvenient, it is essential to remember that it is usually not a severe life-threatening health problem. It can also signify a serious underlying condition such as arthritis or covid in the backdrop of the pandemic. The underlying cause will determine the mode of treatment.

The analysis of pain will also determine the next steps like

– Losing weight (for overweight and obese patients)

– Regular exercise and physiotherapy

– Avoiding overuse or exertion of the affected joint

– Healthy nutrition

– Regular massage to help relieve the pain until resolution

-Rehabilitation exercises, medical treatment, and joint strengthening to restore joint function and prevent further damage

By taking appropriate steps to treat the underlying cause and strengthen the muscles around the joint, joint pain can be easily resolved without treatment or with medicines and some self-care. Some joint pains may require long-term treatment and involve a rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, or physiotherapist.

FAQs

1. What is the leading cause of joint pain?

Answer – The leading causes of joint pain are Overuse or repetitive joint movements, Articular cartilage damage, Muscular injuries, Arthritis, Infectious diseases and Congenital joint abnormalities.

2. How to stop joint pain due to age?

Answer – We can delay joint pay due to age by adopting Moderate Exercise, Adequate Rest, Healthy Nutrition and avoiding excess sugar, salt, processed food and alcohol.

3. What is the best treatment for joint pain?

Answer – The best treatment for joint pain is rest, ice, compression and elevation of the affected joint in terms of self-care.

4. What foods cause joint pain?

Answer – Sugar, Alcohol, Processed Food, Salt, Processed Meat, and Gluten-rich food.

5. What foods to avoid in joint pain?

Answer – Sugar, Alcohol, Processed Food, Salt, Processed Meat, and Gluten-rich food.

6. Will drinking water help in relieving joint pain?

Answer – There is no scientific evidence that drinking water relieves pain though it can keep the joint sufficiently hydrated to ease inflammation.

7. Is sunlight good for joint pain?

Answer – Yes, sunlight is good for joint pain. Though they don’t help reduce inflammation, they improve muscle health.

Knee Replacement April 7, 2022

A Guide to Robotic Knee Surgery

You might feel that your life has changed after arthritis, but the advent of robotic knee replacement surgery and new treatment methods are working wonders to improve the lives of those suffering from osteoarthritis. A knee replacement surgery adheres to traditional methods, but the assistance of a robotic arm helps in reducing recovery time. Read on for greater insight.

If you suffer from severe knee pain and feel that your life, independence, and confidence have suffered a significant setback as no other therapy is helping to reduce pain, it is time to go for robotic knee replacement surgery. Your knee follows simple body mechanics and is an exceedingly hardworking joint. When you walk, you use the knee, couch, stand, and sit. Your knee works with a system of bone, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and nerves. All it takes to upset the balance is an injury at any stage of your life or arthritis or other causes that damage the area. In such a condition, when your knee fails to perform, a knee replacement surgery is the only way to enjoy a better life.

How successful is knee replacement surgery?

Expert surgeons in India claim that knee replacement can have a 95% success rate. Patients experience pain relief after surgery, which remains for the next 15-20 years. Patients, too, must follow post-operative care suggested by the physicians. A combination of the correct lifestyle with the proper operative procedure will increase the lifetime of the implant to even 30 years.

However, with the advantage of Robotic Knee Surgery, the success rate is almost 100%. The recovery rate is also higher, and the effects of the surgery last longer than traditional surgery. Nonetheless, before undergoing robotic surgery, doctors advise many lifestyle modifications. The original mechanics of the knee are, without a doubt, irreplaceable. Therefore, losing weight through exercising, physical therapy, intra-articular shots, and knee braces are recommended. Suppose none of these impact the patient’s knee; robotic knee surgery or a knee replacement surgery is the only way out. The surgery is not just confined to those in the higher age group. Still, those below 60 suffering from knee injuries or other knee irregularities can seek surgery as a better option to alleviate their pain.

How is a Robotic Knee Surgery done?

The operative procedure, using robotic technology, is connected to hardware calibrated with a handpiece. Surgeons perform surgery through minimally invasive means. This mode of surgery limits blood loss to a minimum. The active robotic sensors map the replacement location and proceed with autonomous resection with utmost precision. The machine alerts the surgeon of movement and guides them to replace the prosthetics at the exact location. The procedure leaves nothing to chance, and the degree of accuracy is 100%.

What post-operative care must you follow?

After the operation, patients are encouraged to move their foot and ankle, increasing the blood flow in the area and the muscles, preventing swelling or blood clots. The patient will be directed to perform breathing exercises, and a physical therapist will instruct the patient to include some activities in their lifestyle. If followed by patients, the care instructions will help them recover faster and reap the benefits of a healthy operated knee.

What are the benefits of robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

Before undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery, one must understand that the surgeons introduce prosthetics in the knee area. Each human knee is shaped differently; the surgeon removes the cartilage and installs prosthetics of the right size in place. The shape is mapped in a 3D image, and the size is maintained to the nearest millimeter. The replacement procedure ensures greater accuracy, less post-operative pain, and better longevity with the exact specifications and size.

Faster Recovery

The recovery rate is faster than any other surgical procedure. Pain is reduced to a minimum of 2 weeks post-surgery. The chances of infections are minimized with recovery time reduced to half of the traditional surgery, allowing patients to return to their everyday lives faster.

Remember that your orthopaedic surgeon controls the surgery throughout the operation procedure, and robots are just additional assistant tools. The surgery procedure is enhanced with the collaboration of robots delivering many successful outcomes. After recovering, you can engage in various tasks, from generally walking to swimming and biking; sports like golf is advocated. However, high-impact activities that include running or jogging, running sports should be limited, and you must always stay in touch with your doctor.

Hip Replacement February 5, 2022

When is the right time for hip replacement? Do you need Hip replacement Surgery?

Do you suffer hip discomfort that makes it difficult for you to move? You’re not alone if you feel this way. Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that patients discuss with their doctors. Anyone who has ever suffered from hip pain understands how vital these joints are to leading a normal life. Arthritis of the hip affects a variety of activities, including walking, bending, and sitting.

What Happens When You Get a Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement surgery is a medical operation in which a doctor removes affected part of arthritic hip joint and replaces it with an artificial joint components made of metal and plastic materials. When all other treatment options have failed to offer significant pain relief, it is frequently done. The operation should alleviate pain in the hip joint, allowing you to walk more easily.

Hip replacement surgery can be done the old-fashioned way or with a minimally invasive procedure. The size of the incision is the key variation between the two treatments. You will be given general anaesthetic to relax your muscles and put you into a temporary deep sleep during conventional hip replacement surgery. This will keep you from feeling any pain or being aware of the process during the surgery. As an alternative, a spinal anaesthetic may be used to help prevent pain. To expose the hip joint, the doctor will make a cut along the side of the hip and move the muscles attached to the top of the thighbone. Following that, the ball component of the joint is removed by sawing the thighbone. Then, either with cement or a specific material that permits the remaining bone to adhere to the new joint, an artificial joint is attached to the thighbone.

Arthritis in the hip can be caused by a number of different conditions, but the most prevalent cause is osteoarthritis, or degenerative wear-and-tear arthritis. The smooth surface of this “ball-and-socket” joint can become uneven over time, producing pain and movement interruption. While osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause, hip arthritis can also be caused by inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, lupus), avascular necrosis, and injury. As a result, you may have pain and dysfunction, which can have a significant impact on your quality of life. The good news is that, since the first hip replacement surgeries in the 1960s, it has become one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures available. But not everyone with hip arthritis requires surgery, what indicators should you look for to see if you need hip replacement surgery?

What Are the Signs That You Might Need a Hip Replacement?

How do you know which option is best for you? Take a look at the below indicators to see if you need hip replacement surgery.

1. You’re in excruciating pain that’s been bothering you for a long time

Damage to your hip joint, not only in your hip, but anywhere between your hip and knee, can cause chronic and substantial discomfort. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see an orthopaedic specialist very away:

To deal with the pain, you take medications on a daily basis.
Despite taking pain medications, your pain keeps you awake at night.
It’s tough for you to walk or bend over because of your pain.
Resting during the day or night does not relieve your pain.
Your pain has not been relieved by conventional therapy.
You compensate for your discomfort by limping.
Your hip pain is relieved by using a walking assist.

2. Routine Tasks are Difficult for You Due to Your Hip Disability

When considering whether or not to have hip replacement surgery, the most crucial thing to consider is how much your injured hip is hurting your life. Even if the discomfort is manageable, substantial hip joint impairment can make even the most basic tasks difficult or impossible, such as:

Putting your shoes on or your socks on
Normal walking distances
Even with aid for balance, standing on one leg

3. Hip Stiffness Limits Your Joint’s Normal Range of Motion
Stiffness is another sign that your hip has been significantly wounded and has to be replaced. If you’re having trouble walking or bending your hip joint, or if you can’t lift your leg, see an orthopaedic specialist as soon as possible.

4. Conventional treatments for hip pain are ineffective.

Many persons with hip joint problems, such as arthritis, do not require hip replacement surgery right away. Initially, your doctor will most likely try conservative treatment alternatives, such as:

Physical therapy: Muscles surrounding the hip joint are strengthened and stabilised, and the hip’s range of motion is preserved.
Injections of steroids: Swelling is reduced, and pain sensations are blocked.
Medications that reduce inflammation: Reduces inflammation in the hip joint, resulting in pain relief.

These procedures are not effective in curing hip problems. They can, however, enhance hip function and make hip pain more bearable. Regrettably, there may come a time when these cautious methods are no longer helpful and provide no relief. Your doctor may recommend hip replacement surgery if this occurs.

Having hip pain can slow you down and can be mentally and emotionally heavy for an individual. Its important to recognise the severity and go ahead with the treatment. Sit down with your doctor and discuss about your symptoms and level of pain. So that they can help you with best possible results for your problem.

Peripheral Vascular February 1, 2022

What is Peripheral vascular system, and Peripheral vascular disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

The Peripheral Vascular System is part of the body’s circulatory system which supplies to & receives blood from all parts of the body except Heart and Brain. The Peripheral Vascular system consists Peripheral Arteries which are responsible for oxygenated blood to get supplied from heart to all body parts, and Peripheral Veins carry deoxygenated blood from the extremities back to the heart.

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD is a blood circulation disorder.

In this condition, your blood vessels narrow or get blocked or spasmed outside the heart and brain.

Peripheral vascular disease can happen in both arteries and veins throughout the body, but often affects the leg’s arteries the most causing fatigue particularly during exercise. This is called intermittent claudication.

One of the major causes of it is arteriosclerosis which is Plaque building up in a vessel and limiting blood flow and oxygen. As plaque build up progresses, it can reduce or completely block the blood flow in that artery leading to organ damage, loss of fingers, toes, etc.

This condition is different from Coronary Artery Disease and Cerebrovascular disease; these are when the narrowing happens in the heart or the brain respectively.

The Types of PVD

There are two types of Peripheral vascular disease: Functional and Organic

Functional PVD

Vessels widen and narrow in response to brain signals, temperatures changes, etc causing a decrease in the blood flow when vessels are narrowing.

There is no physical damage to your blood vessels’ structure in functional PVD

The common causes of Functional PVD are emotional distress, colder temperatures, operating vibrating machinery or tools, drugs.

Organic PVD

This is caused due to Physical damage like plaque Built up, inflammation and more. There is damage to the physical blood vessels’ structure. The primary causes of Organic PVD are diabetes, high cholesterol levels, smoking and high blood pressure.

Risk factors

Some lifestyle factors majorly affect your body, hence putting you at a higher risk for PVD. For instance,

Overweight,
Age above 50,
History of stroke or cerebrovascular disease,
Abnormal cholesterol levels,
Family history of
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease,
- Blood pressure
- PVD
- Kidney disease on hemodialysis.

Symptoms of Peripheral vascular disease

For majority, the first sign of PVD is fatigue and discomfort in your legs and feet, which gradually gets worse due to physical activity and lack of blood flow. This sign is rather slow and irregular but persistent.

The major symptom is Claudication. Claudication is lower limb muscle pain experienced while walking. You may notice the pain increasing when you walk long distances or faster and the pain subsides after some rest, but when the pain returns it takes some time to recede.

Other than the pain, some other symptoms also include

Reduced hair growth in the legs,
Cramps while lying in bed,
Arms or legs turning reddish-blue or even page,
Legs feeling thin,
Paler skin,
Weak pulses,
Wounds or ulcers that don’t heal,
Thick opaque toenails, and
Numbness and heaviness in the muscles.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, do visit a doctor for a further look. More often than not these symptoms are disregarded as a sign of old age, but delayed diagnosis can lead to complications.

In extreme cases of blood loss, dead tissue can occur. If you suddenly develop a pale, cold limb with weak to no pulse, this is a medical emergency and you require treatment as soon as possible. Untreated limbs as such can lead to amputation.

Treatments for PVD

The treatments for PVD are directed to lower your risk of serious complications and manage your pain and symptoms helping you remain active.

Major lifestyle modifications – Initially treatment.

Regular balanced diet,
Exercise daily
Losing some weight.
Discontinuing Smoking as it directly causes the reduced blood flow in the vessels, and increases your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Medication

Prescribed by your doctor in order to treat the symptoms.

For instance, medications could be suggested to

Increase blood flow and relieve symptoms of leg pain
Reduced blood clotting,
Lowering high levels of cholesterol and for diabetes may be prescribed

Angioplasty or Vascular surgery

Intervention recommended in cases major artery blockages are diagnosed.

Angioplasty is when your doctor inserts a catheter into the artery and a balloon is inflated and open into the artery. In some other cases, a stent is used to keep the artery open.
Vascular surgery, on the other hand, allows the blood to pass the narrow arteries through vein grafting.

If PVD is diagnosed in time, many cases will respond to lifestyle treatments. The best way to examine whether improvement has taken place is to see how far you can walk without pain.

Conclusion

It is imperative to contact your doctor for a clear diagnosis if your legs look pale or blue to you if your legs become cold or you experience chest pain along with leg pain if you find new sores or ulcers have developed but they don’t heal, fever or any other sign of infections.

Bariatric December 15, 2021

Obesity And Its Treatment

Most people enjoy their leisure time binge-watching movies and shows, this sedentary behavior has contributed to the development of obesity. Obesity is viewed by many individuals as a moral failing rather than a disease.

According to the World Health Organisation (2016), there are around 2 billion adults overweight, of those 650 million are considered to be affected by obesity.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a complicated condition characterized by an excess of body fat. Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic problem. It’s a medical condition that puts you at risk for various diseases and health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

It is typically caused by a mix of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors, as well as nutritional, physical activity, and exercise choices.
The good news is that even minor weight loss can assist or prevent obesity-related health issues. A healthier diet, more physical exercise, and behavioral adjustments can all help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss treatments can also be used to treat obesity.

So, how can you treat obesity?

Overweight and obesity are commonly treated with a combination of a healthier diet, increased physical activity, and other lifestyle changes. Some people may benefit from weight-management programs to lose weight or avoid regaining it. Some obese people are unable to either lose enough weight to improve their health or maintain their weight loss. In such cases, further treatments such as weight-loss medicines, weight-loss gadgets, or bariatric surgery may be considered.

Regular physical activity and a healthy eating plan

Following a healthy eating plan with fewer calories is typically the first step in reducing overweight and obesity. People who are overweight or obese should begin regular physical activity as soon as they start a healthy eating plan. Physical activity can assist you in burning calories more quickly. Physical activity can help you stay in shape and maintain a healthy weight.

Making a habit change

Start with small changes and include positive habits in your lifestyle. Your weight loss starter kit must have – a concrete healthy eating plan, dedication to follow, regular workout, and proper sleep.

The following suggestions may assist you in considering ways to lose weight, increase your exercise, and enhance your long-term health.

– Expect setbacks since they are unavoidable: If you experience a setback, such as overeating during a family or company gathering, try to refocus and get back on track as soon as possible. Only eat in your dining room or kitchen when seated at a table. Avoid trigger areas where sweets may be offered. Track your progress with online food or physical activity trackers which help you manually track your progress.

– Make a plan: Having precise objectives can assist you in staying on track. Rather than “be more active” set a goal to walk 15 to 30 minutes before work or at lunch on Monday and Friday. If you skip a stroll on Monday, make up for it the next day.

– Seek help: Seek help from family, friends, or medical experts if you need it. You can seek assistance in person, via email or text, or over the phone. You can also become a member of a support group. Health specialists with specialized training can assist you in making lifestyle changes.

Programs to help you lose weight

Some people benefit from a structured weight-loss program. In a weight-loss program, professional weight-loss specialists will create a customized strategy for you and assist you in sticking to it. The plan includes a lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and tools to help you adjust and sustain your behaviors. You can work with the specialists in individual or group sessions on-site (that is, face-to-face). To support your plan, the specialists may contact you frequently by phone or via the internet. Smartphones, pedometers, and accelerometers can all help you keep track of how well you’re sticking to your diet and exercise plan.

Medicines for weight loss

Your doctor may prescribe drugs to manage overweight and obesity if healthy eating and physical exercise habits aren’t enough. While taking weight-loss medications, you should endeavor to keep to your healthy eating plan and maintain regular physical activity.

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery refers to a variety of procedures that alter your digestive system to help you lose weight. If you’re severely obese and haven’t been able to shed enough pounds to improve your health or avoid regaining the weight you’ve lost with conventional therapies, bariatric surgery may be a possibility. If you have major health problems associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, bariatric surgery may be an option at a lower degree of obesity. Many medical disorders connected to obesity, particularly type 2 diabetes, can be improved by bariatric surgery.

Obesity has the potential to reduce one’s overall quality of life. It’s possible that you won’t be able to participate in physical activities that you used to like. Long-term weight reduction success requires being motivated to decrease weight. Various variables motivate different people, therefore it’s crucial to figure out what motivates you particularly. Remember to be flexible with yourself and to enjoy your small victories as you lose weight. Also, don’t be scared to seek assistance when necessary.