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Hip replacement surgery

One of the most delicate parts of your body is the spine- and one of the most common pain areas. Most people will experience some sort of back problems throughout their lives. The good news is that not every ache and pain needs surgery. In many situations, conservative treatment such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs might provide relief.

However, surgical intervention may be required for spinal deformities, spinal infections, trauma, spine tumors, and other degenerative spine disorders such as stenosis and herniated discs. We would highly recommend Radiance hospitals for a spine surgery team with extensive experience for the best results.

Our spine surgeon may choose a conventionally open spine surgery method, which requires an incision along the backbone or they may opt for minimally invasive procedures to lessen recovery time and problems.

We understand that spine surgery seems like one of the most life-changing decisions you will ever make. However, it is important to note that not every spine surgery has a considerable process tied to it and some surgeries are so quick and accessible that they have almost zero risks associated with them when done by spine doctors with knowledge and experience.

Another worry you may have is about recovery from surgery. So let’s dive into the blog and discuss any concerns you may have.

 POST-OPERATIVE CARE FOR SPINE SURGERY

As medical technology advanced, many treatments became minimally invasive, with the surgeon making only a few tiny cuts rather than huge incisions. These treatments have fewer problems and need lesser time for recuperation than open operations.

If you have any of the following problems, our spine surgeons will recommend minimally invasive spine surgery:

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Spinal infections
  • Spinal instability
  • Disc herniation
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Vertebral compression fractures

Spinal fusion operations, in general, take a bit longer to heal than other spinal surgeries. Some of these include Discectomy, Foraminotomy, and Laminectomy.

SURGICAL WOUND CARE

According to our spine specialists, you will need to relax, recuperate, get back into shape and care for your wound after spine surgery. You must carefully follow the set of instructions provided by the Radiance Hospital spine surgeons until it seals itself against bacteria, which normally takes around three weeks. But we know you have questions long before then, and we’re here to answer them!

According to our expert spine doctors, ice and heat serve very distinct functions. Ice is used to reduce swelling, whereas heat is used to relieve muscular spasms.

Most procedures done by spine surgeons involve sutures under the skin that are covered with tape. Although you shouldn’t go swimming or diving until the wound has sealed against germs, getting the tape wet isn’t a huge concern; simply pat it dry.

Remember that not every operation that our spine doctors do is the same, and thus not every wound or incision is the same. We are delighted to walk you through them all in general, but please follow your specific post-surgery incision care recommendations.

MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS

When patients first return home from the hospital, it is usual for them to feel exhausted. It helps to know what to expect and to receive help with essentials from friends or relatives to facilitate a seamless transfer home.

Our spine surgeons say that some fundamental activity limits must be maintained during the early phases of recovery following spinal fusion surgery:

  • Bending at the knees and hips is OK, but no back bending (spine).
  • Lifting anything heavier than 2 kg is not recommended.
  • Even though many normal tasks need you to twist the spine, it is best to avoid doing so at this time.
  • Driving is not permitted in the days following major surgery due to tiredness and decreased coordination, as well as the adverse effects of opiate medicines. Car journeys should also be reduced during the early stages of rehabilitation.

HOUSEHOLD WORK

Cooking, cleaning, washing laundry, grocery shopping, and caring for pets are all activities that should be avoided during the early days. It is recommended that such tasks be given to someone else prior to surgery. It’s also a good idea to have some quick meals on hand ahead of time, such as pre-made or microwaveable dishes. Having a nurse or helper with you is a great idea.

SLEEPING

Following spine surgery, a patient should follow the surgeon’s recommendations. It is a good idea to sleep on a firm mattress that maintains your spinal alignment. After spine surgery, a thin pillow is preferable. A cushion beneath your knees helps to relax your spinal muscles and reduces nerve tension. Turn your shoulder and hips together when turning on your bed to minimize twisting strain on the spine.

When you get out of bed, turn to the side and stand up. This technique reduces tension on the operated spine when standing. Similarly, while lying down, sit at the edge of the bed, then lie down sideways, then straight on your back.

Avoid sleeping on the floor for at least 4-6 weeks, especially if you have had fusion surgery. Getting up and laying down are connected with a variety of strange motions that place additional strain on the repairing spine.

Even while getting into and out of bed after spine surgery, the spine should be kept straight. The log-roll method is used to accomplish this, which requires keeping the knees together and maintaining a straight back while:

  • Taking a seat on the edge of the bed
  • Lowering the head to the bed while raising the legs
  • transferring to the back

Here are a few other suggestions:

  • Check that the bed is neither too high nor too low for the log-rolling technique to work.
  • Try out different pillows to find which one feels the comfiest.
  • Some people may also find that sleeping in a reclined position is more comfortable immediately following surgery.

 PHYSIOTHERAPY

An outpatient physical rehabilitation programmer may be initiated 6 weeks to 3 months after surgery. Techniques are adapted to the individual, with more activities being introduced as strength increases. Physical therapy helps patients maintain awareness of how they move, sit, stand, and lie down in order to avoid chronic back discomfort. Lifting, pulling, and pushing goods safely are also discussed.

Patients may proceed from short, gentle walks to more strenuous workouts like swimming. Special exercises are stressed to strengthen the muscles that support the lower back. Physical therapists usually recommend workplace modifications to assist patients in returning to work. If the job is physically demanding, it may take 6 months for the individual to return to work.

FACTORS THAT HINDER RECOVERY TIME

Spine specialists have found that while vertebrae normally fully heal after 3 to 6 months of surgery, the healing process may take longer in some people due to:

  • Tobacco or other nicotine products (which contain toxins that hamper bone growth)
  • Osteoporosis and obesity
  • Diabetes and other chronic diseases
  • Malnutrition
  • Depression
  • Long-term opioid usage prior to surgery
  • Prednisone

Other factors may also slow down healing, say our expert spine specialists. Engaging in higher-risk activities (such as bending, lifting, or twisting) during the early stages of recovery, for example, may result in a setback or necessitate a second operation.

Our well-trained spine specialists at Radiance Hospitals offer you sympathetic, supporting relationships that are targeted to your unique needs. From the first discussion of your problem and treatment options until the point where you are well on your road to recovery, we will be there for you every step of the way. Our spine surgeons, spine doctors and spine specialists combine their knowledge and technical skill with our cutting-edge facilities to provide you with the best possible outcome with the fewest complications before, during, and after surgery.

You will never be puzzled about what to do next or how to resolve any issues related to your procedure. We believe in honesty, so you will understand all you need to know about the procedure. Come have a consultation with our spine specialists and which options will suit you best.

Written By : Radiance Hospital

Stiff Joints: Why Do They Affect You and How Do You Treat Them?

Joint pain is one of the aches that are common to everyone. Studies show that everyone will suffer from joint pain and stiffness  at some point in their life. Joint pain commonly occurs in the hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine. There can be many types of joint pain like then stiffening, aching, swelling or feeling sore. Moreover, these pains may be chronic or temporary. In both cases, it may be constant or can fade in and out or come out of nowhere and be felt sharply and then dissipate.

The first step to solving this problem is to take a look at it.

 

Understanding Joint Pain

Joint Pain can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and forms and can be different for different people. The most common types of joint pains can affect a multitude of individuals such as some who:

  1. Has sustained an injury
  2. Repeatedly overuse a muscle group
  3. Repeatedly underuse a muscle group
  4. Have arthritis
  5. Suffer from mental illnesses like depression, anxiety or stress
  6. Suffer from obesity or other weight issues
  7. Have poor health
  8. Are older than 35

That said, let us get into some kinds of joint pains.

 

Stiff joints: causes

Some of the most common causes of joint pain and stiffness that occurs chronically include:

  1. Osteoarthritis

It happens as the protective cartilage that supports the ends of the bones deteriorates over a period. While osteoarthritis may affect any joint, it most usually affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

  1. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease in which your immune system mistakenly assaults healthy cells in your body, producing inflammation (painful swelling) in the afflicted areas. RA primarily affects the joints, often attacking multiple joints at once. The hands, wrists, and knees are the most typically affected joints by RA. The lining of the joint becomes inflamed in RA joints, causing joint tissue destruction. This tissue damage can result in persistent or long-term discomfort, unsteadiness (loss of balance), and deformity (misshapenness). RA can also affect other tissues and organs, including the lungs, heart, and eyes.

  1. Gout

Gout is a frequent and complicated kind of arthritis that can afflict anyone at any age. It is distinguished by abrupt, acute episodes of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints, most often the big toe. Gout attacks can be severe, waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire. The injured joint is heated, swollen, and so sensitive that even the weight of the bedsheet may feel unbearable. Gout symptoms might come and go, but there are strategies to control them and avoid flare-ups.

  1. Bursitis

Bursitis is a painful disorder that affects the bursae (bur-SEE), which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles around your joints. Bursitis develops when the bursae become inflamed. Bursitis is most commonly found in the shoulder, elbow, and hip. Bursitis can also affect your knee, heel, and the base of your big toe. Bursitis is frequently found around joints that undergo regular repetitive action.

  1. Viral infections

Infections can often lead to the joints being severely affected, especially if it is highly inflamed, swollen or bruised.

  1. Rashes

Rashes usually are a reaction to foreign matter that the body did not accept. It could lead to you breaking out in hives and is indicative of an oncoming allergic reaction. They can occur anywhere and may be due to clothes, environment, skin contact or even food.

  1. High fever

The body runs a high fever when it detects dangerous elements but sometimes it can also cause joints to ache more and fatigue can make the situation all the more painful.

  1. Injuries

Any injury to the joint can cause permanent or temporary problems. Broken bones and sprains are the leading cause of joint pain and stiffness today and can happen at any age to any gender.

  1. Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is one of the thick fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone. Pain and tenderness are felt right outside a joint as a result of the disorder. Tendinitis can affect any of your tendons, although it is most frequent in your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.

  1. Ageing

As in all other things, ageing brings about wear and tear with time which leads to joint pain and stiffness as the tissues of cartilage and bones suffer damage.

 

Now that we understand the causes, let us move on to the solutions.

 

How to Relieve Joint Stiffness

There are several remedies for joint pain and stiffness, depending on how bad the pain is or how severe the damage is. Joint pain and stiffness treatment can take just as many forms are the problems including:

  1. Home remedies

Home remedies are often quick, and simple and they work wonders as joint stiffness treatment. Some home remedies we would recommend that you try include:

  • Heating pads or hot water bottles
  • Ice packs
  • Soaking in a warm bath
  • Applying heating oils like ginger oil, eucalyptus oil, yarrow oil, arnica oil and lemongrass oil
  • Getting a massage
  1. Excercise

When joints are not exercised, they start to lose function. Regularly exercising all your joints will cause them to be much healthier and last much longer. Ensure that you don’t overdo it because that is bad too. Consult our experts to solve any question you may have about what the right amount of exercise is for you. Both joint and muscle pain can be avoided with good exercise, so this is a good joint stiffness treatment.

  1. Weight Loss

Usually, obesity or being overweight is the cause for joints to deteriorate because of the extra weight. In such cases, losing that extra weight is good for the joint because it does not have to work harder to accomplish the same task ad it causes lesser wear on the joint. Joint and muscle pain become less with weight loss.

  1. Acetaminophen, (Tylenol®) or anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen)

Over-the-counter painkillers are usually strong enough to work. However, if you have a medical history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or liver disease, please ask a physician if this is a good option for you.

  1. Ointments and gels

Many ointments and gels available over the counter like Iodex and Move- are good at their job. They will help relieve a lot of the pain in a short time. Do not forget to massage the joint while applying it. These are especially good for joint and muscle pain.

  1. Dietary Supplements

Some supplements like glucosamine may help when added to your diet. However, you must ALWAYS consult a doctor before you start including it in the diet.

  1. Doctor’s prescriptions for joint stiffness treatment may include:
    • Supportive aids like braces, cane, shoes etc
    • Physical or Occupational Therapy,
    • Antidepressants
    • Steroids
    • Painkillers
  1. Surgery

Finally, surgery. One of the more permanent joint stiffness treatments is surgery. You could go for Arthroscopy- a minimally invasive surgery- or Joint Replacement surgery. Our experts will be happy to investigate and find out which is the best option for you.

 

When to see your doctor

Thus it is clear that joint pain and stiffness all over the body have many facets and actors that make it difficult to categorise it into narrow fields. Home remedies are not bad, and sometimes they can be a good, unharmful option. Anything scientifically viable which has some medical standing is okay to try. It is, however, essential to keep in mind that while some of them can be categorised broadly, everyone’s body works differently and your pain may not be the same as others. Always consult a medical professional if joint pain and stiffness all over the body become worse, or increases or changes from how it used to be, especially if it is so bad that it impairs your ability to perform everyday tasks. There may be many underlying conditions that can be harmful in the long run.

Here are some symptoms that may indicate the need for a visit to the doctor:

  1. More swelling than normal, or that is different
  2. Stiff or enlarged joints
  3. Numbness
  4. Noisy joints- including, but not limited to, clicking, grinding or snapping sounds when moving the joint
  5. Pain while moving the joint
  6. Difficulty bending or straightening the joint
  7. Loss of motion
  8. A red and hot and swollen joint. This one can be especially concerning because it may indicate the beginning of an infection that should be treated as early as possible to ensure it does not spread anymore or cause further, possibly permanent damage.

 

Joint paint can be an incredibly difficult thing to live with. We at Radiance Hospitals understand how trying it can be, so we have experts trained in helping you go through this journey. This is your fight, but please remember that there are people out there who want to ensure that you are never fighting alone.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17752-joint-pain

Remedies:
https://www.jointhealthmagazine.com/home-remedies-for-arthritis.html

Oils:
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/essential-oils-for-sore-muscles#how-to-use

Written By : Radiance Hospital
Spine Problem

The term “Orthopaedics” signifies a medical specialty that focuses on the body’s musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

Pain that originates in the spine anywhere between the upper and lower back is the “back pain” we refer to in our daily lives, obesity caused ones are:-

  1. A herniated disc
  2. Spine osteoarthritis

It affects approximately three out of four adults during their lifetime. Many back-pain patients complain about symptoms like numbness and tingling sensations, stiffness, achiness, and weakness.

It is known that obese people are more prone to spinal issues than those who’re not. Deleterious weight stresses almost every organ in the body, so it is no surprise that it also increases the risk of back pain, joint pain, and muscle strain. Every extra inch adds strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back since the spine tends to become tilted and stressed unevenly to an extent that the back may even lose proper support.

Extra weight around the stomach pulls the pelvis forward which in turn strains the lower back thereby causing pain. The vertebral disc as well, of an obese individual, may get weak or damaged sooner. Excess weight is also known to worsen pre-existing spinal issues.

The four common disorders found out by researchers are:-

  1. Lower back pain
  2. Spondylosis (spine degeneration)
  3. Internal disc disruption (IDD)
  4. Neck problems unrelated to IDD or spondylosis

Due to Obesity, adipose tissue causes extra pressure on the lumbar spine and knee which exacerbates pain. Bariatric surgeries help weight loss thereby reducing pain intensity to as much as 75% to 80.8%  as cited by an article of Bariatric times. The pain score carried out in the study when compared to preoperative baseline, indicated significant symptomatic pain resolution of the pain of head, neck, shoulder and lower back. Pain relief was observed in day to day physical activities during sports as well as work. Use of Analgesic significantly reduced. An increase in Quality of life within 6 months to 1 year post operation was observed.  

As per UCLA Health article, Retrospective studies showed that after performing Bariatric surgeries, the frequency of back pain decreased in up to 83% of the patients, and lumbar back pain symptoms were reduced in 82–90% patients in a period of 6 months to one year.

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Obesity Causing Joint Problems

Written By : Dr. Apurva Vyas