Is Arthritis Causing Your Backache?

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in hips, knees, and fingers but can affect your back also. Osteoarthritis of the spine involves wear and Tear of the joints of the spine causing low back pain. Pain develops gradually and may range from mild pain to severe pain and stiffness.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

·       1. Low back pain

·       2. Stiffness

·       3. Decrease in movements of the spine

·       4. Weakness or numbness in the legs

Pain is generally more when sitting upright or standing and decreases when lying down.

Relation Between Knee Pain and Back Pain

Any condition affecting the stability and flexibility of the knee joint may lead to stresses on the back resulting in back pain. Normally our hips knees and ankles are in a straight line. Any condition affecting this normal alignment in the knee may lead to stress on the spine leading to back pain. Patients with knee pain have an abnormal walking pattern which leads to an increase in stress on the other joints especially the spine which may lead to back pain.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to decrease back pain and increase movement and improve the quality of life.

Consult Your Doctor

Based on the severity of the pain, the doctor can prescribe painkillers for pain relief. Also in the elderly various supplements can be added for weak bones.

Treatment of Knee Conditions Which May Affect Your Back:

Osteoarthritis of the knee in severe cases leads to back pain. Treatment of your knee pain can significantly improve your back pain.

Physical Therapy:

Back exercises help to strengthen the muscles of the back which increases the support to the spine and decreases back pain. Also, it increases the movement of the spine.

Lifestyle Changes:

Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can improve your symptoms. A moderate exercise routine is also very effective.

Only a doctor can diagnose your pain's cause and devise a treatment plan. We at Medstar healthcare help you figure out where to start. Dr. Ankur Dogra is the best ortho doctor in Kharar and Mohali. Call today at 084271-02508 to book an appointment.

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Should I Consider Bilateral Knee Replacement?

 

Osteoarthritis of the knee is gradual wear and Tear of the knee joint leading to pain and stiffness in the knees. The condition can start in one knee and progress to both the knees. When  discomfort is severe enough that your mobility and quality of life is affected, you should consider knee replacementsurgery. Knee replacement surgery can be performed simultaneously of both the knees or one by one. 

Eligibility for bilateral knee replacement

Not everyone qualify for bilateral knee replacement simultaneously. It is performed in patient having severe pain in both the knees. Your overall Medical health and fitness influences the decision to perform single or bilateral knee replacement surgery .

There are various pros and cons of knee replacement surgery:

Pros of Knee Replacement Surgery:

1. One time surgery

The main benefit of bilateral knee replacement is one time surgery of both the knees as opposed to two surgeries in staged knee replacement.

2. Single anaesthesia

Patient requires medical fitness prior to surgery which includes various tests required for anaesthesia and is given for single time.

3. Single recovery period

Patient undergoing bilateral knee replacement follow exercise program for both the knees  only once.

4. Lower infection rate

Risk of infection is generally lower in bilateral knee replacement surgery then single knee replacement surgery.

5. Financial benefit

Generally the cost of bilateral knee replacement is less than that of staged knee replacement.

Cons of Knee Replacement Surgery:

1. Longer anaesthesia

Bilateral knee replacement takes longer time and so require longer anaesthesia which may increase risk in patients with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

2. More blood loss

Generally the blood loss during surgery has decreased with advancement in technique. But bilateral knee replacement leads to more blood loss than single knee replacement surgery.

3. Blood clot risk

The risk of blood clot after surgery is more in bilateral knee replacement then in single knee replacement surgery.

4. Increase risk of complications

Heart and lung complications after surgery are more common in bilateral knee replacement due to longer anaesthesia.

Summary

Overall Medical health and medical fitness is the single most important factor in deciding whether to go for single or bilateral knee replacement surgery in patients with bilateral knee pain.

To know more, you should consult an orthopaedic doctor that is near to you. Dr. Ankur Dogra is one of the best orthopaedic doctors in Kharar that helps you to give the right decision for your health. We, at MedStar Healthcare, want to assure you that we stand by your side for all your joint-related healthcare needs. Contact us at 084271-02508 to book an appointment.

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Why Are Women More Prone to Osteoarthritis?

 

Osteoarthritis is age related wear and Tear of joints due to the rubbing of the joint surfaces. One important factor that makes one more prone to it is gender. Women tend to suffer more from osteoarthritis of the knee than men. 

Here are some reasons that make them more prone to arthritis:

Hormones

Female hormones protects the joint surfaces and allow free movement of the joint. As the female hormones decrease after Menopause, this protective effect is lost resulting in in increased wear and Tear of the joint.

Joint Stability

Women have more flexible joints than men. Can joints book more they are less stable and are more prone to wear and tear.

Wide Hips

Women tend to have wider hips which affects the alignment of the knee and cause extra space on the knee joint increasing  the wear and tear of the joint.

Genetics

There are few studies which suggest link between specific genes and  women in development of knee osteoarthritis.

Muscle Strength

Strong muscles around any help to provide sports support to the knee joint and decrease wear and Tear of the joint. Women tend to have relatively weaker muscles strength than men.

Prevention

Maintaining Healthy Weight

Decreasing stress on the  joint helps to decrease  the wear and tear of the joint.

Regular Exercise

Muscle strengthening exercise helps to support the knee joint and decrease wear and tear.

Reducing the Risk of Injury

Decreasing the scope for injury by proper fit shoes and protective gear helps to decrease the wear and Tear of the joint.

Avoiding Over Use

Some activities or sports may involve repetitive movement of the joint surfaces which leads to increased wear and Tear of the joints.

Consult Your Doctor

If you have a constant pain that is interfering with your daily activities, then you can contact the best ortho doctor in Kharar that help with the right diagnosis and start the proper treatment. In MedStar Healthcare, the doctor helps with your lifestyle modifications and gives you a proper treatment at an affordable price. Call today at 084271-02508 to book an appointment.

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Mobility After Hip Replacement: What to Expect and How to Adapt During Recovery

Total hip replacement is a major surgery and one of the most rewarding surgeries. After your hip replacement, you must know what to expect from your joint and what changes you need to bring for recovery. Following your doctor’s advice, maintaining your exercise routine, eating healthy diet, and watching for any sign of infection will help you in achieving successful total hip replacement. Every individual is different so recovery Part and time may also differ in different patients.

During Hospitalization

With advancements of techniques and pain medicines, patient can walk after hip replacement on the same day of surgery with support. Your doctor may advice pillow between the legs and knee brace initially and continue for one month. Your hip strengthening exercises are started at this time.

3-4 Days After Surgery

Patient is able to go to the washroom with help of support and can walk with support independently.

4-12 Days After Surgery

This is an important time when the patient can walk with support inside the house and continue the exercise Routine. Also patient must look for any sign of infection like redness, excessive swelling or pain, high grade fever with chills.

12-14 Days After Surgery

During this time your doctor will Call you for follow visit and your sutures or staples will be removed. After suture removal, you can take your shower.

3-6 Weeks After Surgery

During this period you may do light activities  light activities and also walk without support. Stair climbing is allowed after 5 weeks and driving after 6 weeks.

10 Weeks – One Year

Most patients are able to do routine daily activities during this period. Generally, the pain goes during this period. Patient is walking without support and follows hip strengthening exercises. Patient can travel during this period.

Patient can resume sexual activities after Consulting your doctor.

After One Year of Surgery

Your doctor may call you for a follow-up visit at 1 year of surgery to get check X-rays. Subsequently, you are required early follow ups and X-rays. Generally the implants last more than 30 years now a days but you must take care air of any loosening or infection. Any new pain arising in the Hip or symptoms of infections will require follow up with your doctor.

Don’t compromise on quality if it involve your health. Choose the one of the best ortho surgeon Dr. Ankur Dogra to treat you well. At MedStar Healthcare, get best diagnosis and treatment by one of the best ortho doctor in Kharar. To book an appointment, you can contact at 084271-02508.

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How to prepare for joint replacement surgery?

When one's knees are not in the condition to take the weight anymore they might need replacement. But before that, there are many preparations that need to be taken care and here Best Ortho Doctor in Kharar Mohali who will tell you about them. 

Healthy joints are required for movement and performing day to day activities. Joint damage severely affects your movement and decreases the quality of life . Rubbing of the bones leads to wear and Tear of the joint and damages the joint . Your doctor may advice for joint replacement surgery if the damage and symptoms are severe. Here are some tips to prepare for joint replacement surgery.

1. Consult Your Doctor

You can consult your doctor regarding what happens during surgery. What type of implants are available and will be used during surgery. What type of anesthesia will be given and surgical time. What will be the recovery process like and what all activities you can do after the surgery.

2. Maintain Healthy Diet and Weight

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight will help recover faster. Also you will be able to perform your exercise goals better.

3. Exercises Before Surgery

If you have some time before surgery, you can make an exercise routine which will help to strengthen your muscles which will help you in your recovery process.

4. Mental and Emotional Preparation

Joint replacement surgery is a major surgery. Many patients are anxious and have fear of pain. Talking to your doctor and family support can help you prepare mentally for the surgery.

5. Quit Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking and alcohol slows the recovery process and so it is better to quit smoking and alcohol.

6. Medicines as Advised by Your Doctor

During your pre-surgery checkup, you may require to take some medicines for sometime before surgery. Make sure you take the medicines prescribed timely.

7. Preparation at Home

After discharge , patient’s room must be clean and minimum visitors must be allowed into the room for some days. Prepare the room and living room so that patient can have adequate space to walk around.

8. Dental Checkup

Dental checkup can be done to look for any cavities or tooth decay as these can be potential source of infection.

9. Lifestyle Preparation

Patient must be mentally prepared for any Lifestyle modifications which may be required after your joint replacement surgery.

If you are also planning for knee surgery or want your knee to be checked by the Best Orthopedic Doctor in Kharar Mohali we at Medstar Healthcare can help you with that. Dr. Ankur Dogra (Senior Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy Surgeon) will be there to treat you with the best care. For more information, you can reach us at 084271 02508. 

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How to avoid infection after knee replacement?

Planning for the knee surgery? Here are some related information by the Best Orthopedic Doctor in Kharar Mohali which can be beneficial before you go for surgery. 

Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most rewarding surgery. With advancement of technique and implants, risk of complications is very low. However, infection after knee replacement occur sometimes. 

Symptoms

 Mild pain and swelling is normal for few months after surgery. But if you are falling short of your goals in the recovery period, you may have an underline joint infection. Signs of infection to watch out for are severe pain and swelling, redness and warmness around the knee, fever with chills, smelly discharge around the knee.

Prevention

 Joint infections are difficult to treat and so we must take adequate steps to prevent it.

Before surgery

Dental checkup: our mouth is a source of many bacteria which may go into the blood and to the knee joint. Any tooth decay or cavities must be Treated before surgery.

Proper hygiene: Proper hygiene and regular showering must be done to prevent any source of bacteria in the body.

Mouthwash: Gargling for twice a day can decrease the bacteria in your mouth.

Skin scratches or abrasions: Let any scratches for abrasions over the skin to heal before going for knee replacement surgery.

Choose your surgeon wisely: Chances of infection increases with increase in the time for which the wound is opened during surgery. Make sure your surgeon performs many knee replacements in a week and is expert in joint replacement surgeries.

After Surgery

Limit visits by your relatives  and friends during hospitalization and even after discharge. Limit the number of persons meeting the patients they are potential source of infection for the patient.

Wound care: any redness, bleeding or excessive swelling must be reported to your doctor.

Discharge advice: take all the medicines and follow the activity schedule given by the physiotherapist during discharge.

Other sources of infection: any other source of infection in your body must be promptly treated to prevent infection from spreading to the knee joint.

If you are also looking forward to get your knee surgery done by the Best Ortho Doctor in Kharar Mohali we at Medstar Healthcare can help you with that. Dr. Ankur Dogra (Senior Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy Surgeon) will be there to treat you with the best care. For more information you an reach us at 084271 02508. 

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Ortho related problems these days

Life of everybody has become so busy. Everyone is running after making more and more money and nobody is taking care of their health. People are so busy that they concentrate on their health-related problem when it has become so big for them. It same goes for Ortho-related problems. 

The changed lifestyle and diet imbalance are the root cause of ortho-related problems. Most of the people these days working on computers have sitting jobs. They have less physical activity for the day and spend the whole day sitting in the same place. So there is no workout for bones they are losing their strength. Most employees these days complain about cervical-related problems which have become a serious problem.

People these days are also not taking care of their diet. Which actually causes a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. According to doctors' studies will there is more chance that a person would not be having sufficient calcium in it. Vitamin D is also getting deficient in many people. This cause joint pains low bone density and many more problems like This.

Now we have the problem but what can be the best solution for the same? 

We should consult with a doctor who can help us with our lifestyle and add diet plans which can bring back good bone health in our life. One should go for the best orthopedics doctor  in Mohali to get advice that how they should proceed with their lifestyle further. If you are living in Mohali then look no further than Medstar Healthcare which is the one-stop solution for any ortho-related problems. Your one consultation with Doctor can change your life. 

For more information, you can call us at 084271 02508 and we will help you lead a healthy life ahead. 

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