To Control Joint Pains Take Preventive Measure From Earlier Age

In my long-term career, I have seen that most of the people come with the problems of arthritis or joint pains after the age of 50 years or more. However, I am sure that if those people would take proper care of the bones from an earlier age they could avoid such issues. Joints usually connect two bones such as knee joint, shoulder joints or hip joints and take the weight to allow you move in a fluent manner. Trauma, strains and sprains, bursitis are some of the causes of the joint pain. Here I am going to mention certain tricks, following which they can avoid arthralgia in the later age.

Ice Therapy: In order to reduce the tissue from swelling, the flow of blood is needed to be reduced. Ice temperature helps to decrease blood flow thus whenever you feel pain you must put an ice pack on the place in an interval of every hour for duration of 15 minutes time. Apply the same process even on next day at least for four or five times for the same duration. The process helps you to heal the pain. The process is also known as cryotherapy. However, in order to shun the ice burn it is advised to not place the ice directly on skin rather to apply it by wrapping it in wash clothes or towels.

Hydrotherapy: Pouring warm water can also does wonder in case of getting relieved from joint pains. Having a bath in mild warm water or immersed the area in the water can bring relief to you by stimulating the flow of blood.

Massage: Giving a proper massage to the area of pain can also help you in order to get relieved from pain and further knee joint replacement. Proper massage can help you to get over the joint pain of knee and hips. You can go for it by both own or professional. If you are doing it by own remember to keep the direction of the stroke to the upward. A topical menthol rub massage can also help to reduce the pain.

Medication: However, it is the least option that is suggested, but in case the pain is acute, ibruphen can be a good relief for the joint pain. Non-steroidal drugs can help to relieve from the joint swelling as well as stiffness of the muscle. However, it is recommended that to visit the doctor before you take the medicines.

Exercise: Doing regular exercise helps you to avoid the joint pains and later to avoid the joint replacing surgeries. Therefore, it is important to choose the proper exercise, which let you to stay within the limit and not cause further pain. Exercise extends the limits of you muscle and strengthens the joints thus it prevents the joint aches. Further doing the exercise helps you to control body weight. It helps the joints such as knees and the joints to get relieved from taking the extra burden. As example you are 10kg weighing extra it put pressure equivalent to 30 kg extra on your knee joints.

Adapting right technique: it is always advisable that you must sit, work or lift heavy things in the proper technique as it helps your joint to be protected from the external injuries. People who are associated with the sports must use different protecting gears that would help them from being injured or hip joint replacement.

Finally, the best possible way to keep the joint pain away is by having a plenty of time by taking rest. It helps you to reenergise yourself and to repair the body damages in a natural way.

These few tricks can be used in order to avoid the joint related problems. However, causes like aging or family history cannot be avoided all the time. Thus, it is advisable to stay in touch of the doctor to avoid the joint problems. Keep the joint pains away and stay happy.

11 Important Questions You Should Ask The Doctor About A Knee Replacement Operation

Right from a heavy fall in the playgrounds, to an on-road collision – there can be a variety of causes that can result in your knee joint getting severely damaged. There is no particular reason to despair on this count though, since complete or partial knee joint replacements (as the consultant doctor deems necessary) are performed regularly in India. The onus, however, is on you to clarify all doubts about the surgical process and the post-operative care regimen. Here are the eleven most important questions that you should ask your orthopaedic specialist:

1)      Can chronic blood clotting problems stand in the way of getting healed quickly? – If your blood does not tend to clot easily, inform the orthopaedic doctor about the same before the operation. In case you have a history of blood infections – make sure that the surgeon is aware of that as well.

2)      What is the quality of the prosthetic(s) to be used? – Request the doctor to use imported, top-quality artificial joints for knee replacements. Prosthetics of local make generally bear slightly lower price tags, but their efficacy and reliability over time remains suspect. You should not have to get the prosthetic replaced before 12-15 years (at the earliest).

3)      How long would the knee be in a protective cast? – For a few days after a complete knee joint replacement surgery, the limb would be encased in a cast. For partial replacements too, such casts would be used – albeit for a lesser number of days. Find out for how long the cast has to be retained, and make sure that the joint is not exposed to sudden, strong jerks in the interim.

4)      Would you need a blood thinning agent? – In order to prevent infections, orthopaedic specialists usually recommend using a blood thinner, right after an artificial knee joint has been inserted. Inquire in detail about the type of blood thinner you would require (if at all). You should also be aware of the duration for which the thinner has to be used.

5)      Can lung problems be an issue? – Yes they can – and that’s exactly why you should mention such problems (if present) to the orthopaedic surgeon. If you have lung clots and/or chronic asthma, acute respiratory problems can be experienced after the application of anesthesia. Even if it is a relatively minor custom fit knee surgery you are going for, lung problems should never be ignored.

6)      Would walking aids be required? – As you resume movements after a knee replacement surgery, you would probably be advised to use crutches, canes or knee braces for the first 2-3 weeks. Make sure that you follow the advice, to minimize chances of falls (which can cause further damages to the tender joint). In certain cases, special medical stockings might also have to be worn, to keep the knee joint properly compressed.

7)      What can be the probable after-effects of a knee surgery? – Most knee surgeons have the expertise and knowhow to complete joint replacement operations in the best possible manner – but the risks of problematic after-effects cannot be ruled out altogether. Find out about the inflammations, enhanced bone tenderness, and/or acute pains that might be experienced after the surgery. Make sure that you can get in touch with the doctor, in case of any such emergency.

8)      What would be the medications you need to have while recuperating? – Post-operative medications after knee replacements are not only about painkillers. You will, in all likelihood, have to take vitamin pills, anti-inflammatory pills, and other supplementary medicines. Get a thorough idea of the courses of these medicines, so that confusions do not arise later.

9)      Which knee rehabilitation exercises would be ideal for you? – To get back the lost mobility in your knee joint, you will gradually have to start following a regular exercise schedule. Application of heat and ice is necessary for the first 6-7 days after a knee joint replacement surgery. If there are no complications, you can proceed to light joint stretching exercises (as advised by the orthopaedic doctor).

10)   Will arthroscopic techniques be used for the surgery? – Advanced knee replacement surgeries are generally carried out with arthroscopic aids. This involves the insertion of a small camera-piece inside the joint – to provide a real-time feed about whether the joint is being inserted and set in the correct manner. In case your knee surgeon is in favor of using this technique, find out whether it would add to the overall expenses (and by how much).

11)   How long do you need to wait, before resuming your professional life? – If you are professionally employed, you need to know the duration for which you should stay on medical leave. Depending on whether you have undergone a partial or complete knee replacement, and whether yours is a desk job or not – a resting period of one to two months is recommended. Trying to rejoin work too soon might land you back at a hospital!

Inquire about how much the total bill for the knee joint replacement surgery is likely to be. While desperately trying to save money on a major orthopaedic procedure makes no sense at all, such information would help you arrange for the requisite funds from beforehand. Knee replacements are way less risky than what they used to be a couple of decades back – but that does not mean you can afford to be lax about it!

Top 8 Habits That Can Cause Serious Bone Damages

Orthopedic complications can jeopardize your ability to perform your daily tasks, and might adversely affect your movements too. Unfortunately, there are many common habits, which enhance the risks of potentially terminal fractures, and other bone damages. Say goodbye to the habits listed below, and lower your chances of requiring knee replacements and other such elaborate orthopedic procedures:

• An overall reckless attitude – Irrespective of whether you are crossing a busy road, or are moving about in your house – doing everything with a modicum of care and patience is essential. Accidental falls can result in serious fractures, while on-road collisions can be potentially fatal. Be careful in whatever you are doing – and keep risks of bone breakages minimal.
• Following an unhealthy diet – Having meals at irregular times, with lots of oil-rich items in them does not only increase your body weight – the habit makes your bones more prone to damages as well. Consult a professional dietician, about the necessary nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals, omega acids, etc.) that should be present in your meals. Of course, if you have undergone a knee joint replacement surgery or any other such orthopedic operation recently, you need to follow special post-operative diets.
• Heavy drinking and puffing habits – Regular smoking can leave you more prone to serious and long-standing bone damages. Frequent consumption of alcoholic liquors also has the same effect. Teenagers, in particular, need to stay away from such unhealthy habits – so that the development of their bone structure is not hampered in any way. 

• Staying at a single place for too long – Curling up on the sofa in front of the television is definitely an attractive idea – but don’t do this for hours on end every day. In general too, avoid maintaining the same body posture for too long. Obesity might be a direct result, which, in turn can lead to acute joint pains and aches. Often, such lazy habits can necessitate partial knee replacements and other such orthopedic treatments. Be a little more active – and stay healthier!
• Taking too many painkillers – OTC painkillers offer only temporary pain relief, and hardly ever provides any lasting solution to orthopedic problems. If you are experiencing muscular and joint pains often, get in touch with a specialist as soon as possible. For example, if there are problems in your knee joint, you will probably require a custom fit knee surgery in India. Popping a few pills will only aggravate the problem.
• Being too stressed out – While many don’t realize this, too much of stress has an unfavorable impact on the strength of your bone structure in particular, and your overall health, in general. Read books, listen to relaxation music, or perform any other task that helps you to get rid of daily stresses and mental strains. Your alertness levels will increase too!
• Missing out on the symptoms of bone infections – Find out the common symptoms of the different bone infections, from the web. Tumors in and around the shoulder and knee area also need to be diagnosed at an early stage. If you are negligent on this count, you might end up with having no other option than going for a shoulder joint or partial knee replacement surgery.

• Subjecting yourself to bone fatigue – Do not perform tasks that involve repetitive limb movements, for too long at a stretch. This is particularly important, if you are involved in any type of industrial activities. The resultant bone fatigue can leave you more vulnerable to fractures and other damages.

Get in touch with professional knee surgeons and other orthopedic experts, whenever you start feeling discomforts in the joints/bony areas of your body. Fractures caused by unforeseen accidents might be inevitable – but you can at least avoid the above-mentioned habits, and boost the general healthiness of your bones!