Clubfoot is a deformity of the foot in infants. The condition is usually present from birth. This happens when the tissues linking the muscles to the tendons are shorter than usual, as a result of which the infant s foot appears twisted and out of shape. The condition can be mild or severe, depending on the symptoms. Often times, babies who are born with clubfoot have it in both the legs.

How to identify if your child has clubfoot?

Since the condition is present from birth, the symptoms are also easily observable. Identifying the following signs can help detect if your child is born with clubfoot-

  A foot that turns downward and inward and toes that point towards the opposite foot
  The affected foot may appear half an inch shorter than the normal foot size
  The heel of the affected foot may be smaller in size than it normally should be
  The calf muscle on the affected leg will be underdeveloped (appear slightly smaller)
  If the condition is severe, the foot may be twisted upside down

Despite its unusual shape, clubfoot does not cause pain or discomfort. The doctor will most likely notice the symptoms after the infant s birth. He/she will recommend appropriate treatment of the condition, or refer to an orthopaedic who specializes in muscle and bone ailments.

What is the treatment of clubfoot?

Clubfoot is curable so parents need not worry about their child living with a lifelong deformity.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the orthopaedic will either use devices, resort to stretching methods, or will recommend surgery.

  Ponseti Method (stretching and casting) - It is the standard treatment worldover. It starts at birth or anytime within two weeks of age and has best results in younger kids. It involves stretching the clubfoot and casting it in correct position several times over the months to restore the foot shape.
  French Functional Method (stretching and taping) - The doctor will stretch the affected foot and tape it in position several times over a couple of months to realign the shape. It, however, has very limites following.
  Surgery - Surgeries may be needed in older neglected kids or adults. The surgeon performs a surgical procedure (Achilles tenotomy) to lengthen the tendon of the clubfoot and realigns the joints and bones. Following the surgery, the child will need to be in a cast for about 2 months. Further, to prevent the recurrence of the condition, the child will be advised to wear braces for a year at least.
  Devices - They are adjunctive maintenance devices which are used by doctors in treatment of clubfoot. They are applied to the body to stabilize and limit or protect the movement of the damaged joint.

Parents should seek medical intervention if their baby is born with clubfoot. If the condition is not treated early, the child may face difficulty walking, or may even develop other disorders affecting the joints, like arthritis.

Clubfoot - Ways To Identify & Treat It Well!

Spondylolisthesis refers to the condition which affects your spinal bones or lower vertebrae. Due to this condition one of the lower vertebrae overlaps the bone directly beneath it. Although a painful condition, it can certainly be treated with both surgical and therapeutic methods.

People with spondylolisthesis often find it difficult to perform routine activities. They usually encounter symptoms such as- persistent pain in the pelvic region, lower back; stiffness in the legs, hamstrings and hip muscles.

What causes spondylolisthesis?
The causes of spondylolisthesis can vary with lifestyle, heredity and age. Children may develop this condition due to an injury or birth defect. Nevertheless, people belonging to all age groups are susceptible to spondylolisthesis if the condition is genetic.

Over exercise or strenuous physical activities can cause spondylolisthesis because over stretching and carrying heavy weight or strain puts too much stress on the lower back.

Participating in sports like football, gymnastics, weightlifting are likely to trigger spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis can also be triggered due to sondylolysis. The vertebrae safeguard the spinal cord and work with tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles to provide flexibility, structure and support to the neck. Any sort of damage or wear and tear in the protective cartilage and bones in the neck can lead to cervical spondylosis, which in turn leads to spondylolisthesis.

What is the treatment for spondylolisthesis?
Treatment of spondylolisthesis depends on the severity of the pain. While non-surgical methods help ease the pain, a surgery is recommended when the bone has slipped to such an extent that your spine doesn t respond to medications.

Non-surgical treatment includes the following-

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to ease pain.
Practicing a few physiotherapy exercises to reduce lower back pain.
Use of minimally invasive Epidural Steroid Injections (EPIs) to get relief from lower back pain and pelvic pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. When over-the-counter medications fail to treat tSpondylolysthesishe condition or ease the symptoms, then a surgery is inevitable.
Discectomy- It is a surgical procedure that makes small incisions to remove a part of the damaged disc to relieve pressure from the surrounding spinal cord or nerve root.
Laminotomy- This refers to a minimally invasive procedure that removes a part of the lamina which is the upper surface of the vertebra. This process is used to create more space within the spinal canal.
Foraminotomy- With this method excess bone tissues are removed so that they don t make the foramen narrow and compress the nerve root. Removing these extra tissues reduce back pain and ease symptoms triggered by nerve compression.
Medical attention is crucial for countering symptoms of spondylolisthesis. Although this condition may not seem life-threatening, if left untreated, it can lead to chronic, persistent pain and permanent nerve damage.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Spondylolysthesis - A Condition Which Affects Your Spinal Bones!

Bone loss is a silent condition that occurs over the years as you age. It is a condition when the bones become weak and fragile. Many people may not even know that that they are suffering bone loss until it leads to serious conditions such as Osteoporosis. Bone loss resulting in osteoporosis is more in women than men. It is estimated that one of every three women above 50 years suffers from osteoporosis related fracture.

What causes bone loss?
Bones are made of minerals, calcium, and phosphate. Bones are being constantly destroyed and refoemed within the body. As long as your body balances the process, your bones stay strong and healthy. However when the bone decay out grows the bone formation process, bone loss and a host of other problems occur. Some of the common causes bone loss are:

With growing age, the body starts to reabsorb phosphate and calcium instead of keeping it in the bones. This makes the bones weak. When the process continues for a long time, it leads to osteoporosis.
If your diet doesnot contain high calcium foods, then your bones donot get enough calcium.
Smoking and drinking can make your bones weak.
Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease can cause bone loss.
Sometimes medicines can also result in bone loss.
What are the symptoms of bone loss?

Receding gums: Our teeth are connected to the jaw bone and if the jaw starts losing bone then it causes receding of gums. Loss of jaw bone is linked to lower bone mineral density.
Decreased grip strength: Hand grips strength decreases due to low bone density.
Weak and brittle fingernails: You may find your fingernails have become weak and brittle.
Cramps,muscle pain, and joint ache: Pain in muscles and joints are an important indicator of vitamin D deficiency, which is a vital component for healthy bones. Cramps in legs and foot at night are an indicator of deficiency of potassium and calcium in the bones.
Height loss: This is a common problem that comes with age. But there are other factors that lead to height loss such as poor posture and fractured vertebra. Poor posture can cause bone loss.
Overall low fitness: If you notice that your overall fitness has declined which includes your balance, muscle strength then you may be suffering from bone loss.
Can homeopathy treat osteoporosis?
Homeopathy has the most effective and holistic approach to treat osteoporosis. Homeopathy doesn t intend to cure bone loss, instead, it tries to treat the underlying health condition that leads to osteoporosis. Some of the important homeopathy remedies are:

Calcaria Phos: It is a very effective remedy for osteoporosis It helps in increasing the absorption of calcium from the food. It is a bone builder and creates new cells.
Calcaria Iod: This is a great remedy to treat loss of bones as well as loss of muscles and fat.
Alendronate: Alendronate is given to patients suffering from osteoporosis which is caused by steroid treatment. It reduces the release of calcium from the bones to the blood.
Calcitonin - Salmon: Calcitonin-Salmon is a man-made hormone used to treat osteoporosis.

Bone Loss - Can Homeopathy Help Treating it

The spine or the backbone is responsible for the fluid movement of the body, especially standing, bending, and sideways movement. It also is an important part of the nervous system and carries multiple nerves to the lower part of the body. The lower spine has sacral and iliac vertebrae, which have disks between the vertebral bones where these nerves are located. With age, infection, tumors, or injury, this soft tissue becomes hardened and get the bones to fuse. This is a type of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis and limits movement between the disks.

Causes: With age, the soft vertebral tissue gradually hardens. There is a genetic component also to this, so it runs in families. In addition, infection or tumors of the spine and injuries involving the spine can also lead to this condition.

Symptoms: When AS ankylosing spondylitis (AS) onsets, there is usually morning pain and stiffness in the low back and upper buttocks. The intensity of this gradually reduces over the course of the day. The range of movement also is reduced, with bending, stooping, and sideward movement becoming gradually difficult. It is believed that people with AS have an overactive immune system, and homeopathy helps by suppressing this activity. A homeopath will have a detailed discussion with the patient and based on the presenting symptoms, an appropriate product would be prescribed.

Aesculus: The patient would have extremely painful and stiff low back and hips. It would be constant ache with walking and stooping, and it is not easy to rise from a sitting position. The patient also feels that the legs would give way, making them hesitant to walk.
Rhus Tox: When the patient presents with low back pain that is present at rest, with sitting and inactivity, Rhus is usually preferred. The pain improves with activity and movement and radiates down the legs all the way to the foot.
Kali Carb: If the patient presents with extreme weakness also and feels like a paralytic attack, as if the back is broken. The patient feels the symptoms are worse in the morning and changing position in bed.
Kalmia: If the patient has pain associated with a prickly, numbing sensation, then this is used. There also could be burning sensation. The pain appears in bursts in the late evening and early night hours and could also go down the legs or up into the neck.
As with any other disease, homeopathy looks at the person holistically and treats the symptoms. The patient should not go for self-medication based on some reading and friends suggestions. Each person is unique in terms of symptoms and treatment, and so the doctor is the best person to decide the appropriate medicine.

Homeopathy Treatment For Ankylosing Spondylitis!

 Movement disorders    the term refers to a class of neurological conditions, which lead to either an increased/abnormal movement or a scarcity of involuntary and voluntary movements.

Types of Movement Disorders- 
The most common types of movement disorders are  
  Myalgia   More commonly known as muscle pain, myalgia originates in any part of the body. A person with myalgia will experience achiness and soreness in the muscles, which may range from severe to mild.

Myalgia does not occur from an underlying disease. Rather, the pain develops over time, mostly due to prolonged sitting, lying down, a strenuous physical activity, strains or sprains.

  Muscular dystrophy   This refers to a group of genetic disorders that lead to weakness and loss of muscle mass. The abnormal genes cause muscle degeneration and usually begins in early childhood. Myotonic, Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD), and Limb-girdle are a few forms of muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy is characterized by symptoms like   difficulty jumping and running, muscle stiffness and pain, walking on toes, waddling gait, trouble swallowing and breathing etc.

  Dystonia   The condition involves continuous involuntary muscle contractions with repetitive, twisting movements. Dystonia may affect either a specific body part (known as focal dystonia) or the full body (known as generalized dystonia).

  Huntington s Disease   This is an inherited, neurodegenerative condition, where the brain s nerve cells break down over time. Huntington s disease usually kicks in, in the 30s or 40s. The disease results in psychiatric and cognitive symptoms   amnesia, confusion, slowness in activity etc.

  Multiple System Atrophy   This is a rare neurological disorder, which affects both the autonomic nervous system   the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions like digestion and blood pressure   and movement. Multiple System Atrophy leads to movement disorders like Parkinsonism or ataxia.

Symptoms of this disorder include   double or blurred vision, visual disturbances, unsteady gait, loss of balance etc.

  Tourette Syndrome   This is a disorder of the nervous system, which occurs usually between one s childhood and teenage years. The disorder is associated with vocal sounds (vocal tics) and repetitive movements (motor tics).

Physiotherapy for Movement Disorders-
In most cases, movement disorders cannot be completely cured. However, with physiotherapy, you may be able to manage the symptoms and live a better life.

Physiotherapy is based on a few physical activities or mild exercises that help improve your joint movement and builds muscle strength. This particular treatment approach centres on  

  Exercises based on daily tasks that improve muscle strength
  Activities that improve your balance and reduce the chances of falling
  Exercises to gain control over the uncontrolled movement of legs, arms, and head
  Correct posture while standing or sitting to reduce pain and increase comfort
  Cueing, repetition and movement strategies to reduce the effects of freezing
  Participating in certain functional activities that make it easier for you to move around
  The repetitive movement to trigger pathways to the brain and improve movement accuracy
  Exercise to reduce fatigue and increase stamina
  Hydrotherapy and relaxation therapy to ease muscle stiffness

Neurological disorders affect people in different ways. Physiotherapy for movement disorders is tailored according to the patient s goal and needs so that they are able to achieve maximum physical potential.

Movement Disorders - Its Types, Symptoms & Physiotherapy Treatment!

The shoulder is one of the most intricate joints in the body and given that it is subjected to a lot of lifting and movements, there are chances for it to tear or dislocate. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with the socket in the shoulder, and the ball in the upper arm. The joint space between the two bones is surrounded by cartilage, and the space between the two is filled with fluid. Especially in athletes, due to forceful movement, this joint could get dislocated or the cartilage could tear.

The Bankart lesion is when there is a tear of the cartilage in the central anterior shoulder. This causes the cartilage to be damaged, allowing the humeral head to slip down from the socket. When the arm is extended down or to the side, it is commonly dislocated. This can happen posteriorly also, but this movement and so the injury is less likely than an anterior dislocation. If there is also a fracture of the shoulder bone with this dislocation, then it is known as bony or osseous Bankart lesion.

Causes: Bankart lesions can be acute or chronic. Acute is when there is sudden dislocation due to sports activity or accidents. Repetitive use of the shoulder can also lead to chronic Bankart lesions. This is usually seen in sportspersons like swimmers, tennis players, and weightlifters.

Signs and Symptoms:

Pain: The most common symptom with Bankart is shoulder pain that restricts any kind of movement. One may find it difficult pick up things or lifting your hands and in some cases, it is difficult to even sit straight.
Weakness: The shoulder feels weak and one is unable to perform normal activities
Instability: One may lose the grip and strength.
Limited movement: The range of motion of the shoulder may be reduced compared to before the injury.
Crackling: The damage to the fibrous cartilage produces a crackling sound, which can be heard during the movement of the shoulder.
Diagnosis: A combination of symptoms, physical examination, X-ray, and MRI can help in confirming the diagnosis.

The course of treatment depends on the cause and condition of the patient. An exercise regimen is prescribed as the first step in the treatment process. If there is inadequate progress, or if the pain seems to be recurrent, open or closed shoulder surgery may be recommended to include the following:

Arthroscopy (closed surgery) to repair the cartilage damage
Ligament re-attachment
Bone reshaping
Cartilage build up and reshaping
Ligament repair to improve stability
Any of these shoulder surgeries would be followed up with measures to reduce further injury. It is therefore advised to visit a doctor in case of any such discomfort as he/she will be able to find out the severity of the situation and devise a treatment plan accordingly.

Bankart's Lesion - What Exactly Is It?

Don't wait any longer, manage your Bone Necrosis online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for Bone Necrosis - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES