The carpal tunnel is the passageway for the median nerve to pass through on the inner side of your hand, when your palms are facing down. For example, while typing, there is a lot of movement of the fingers and this puts a lot of pressure on this tunnel. In fact, people who are involved in a lot of typing are one of the most prone people for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Other causes would include trauma, fractures, etc., where the tunnel is injured.

Conventional measures to treat CTS included a combination of exercise and pain killers in mild to moderate cases. In moderate (sometimes) to severe cases, surgery was also done. However, with advancements in medical technology, endoscopic surgical procedure is gaining popularity.

What is done?
In endoscopic surgery, a small incision is made in the wrist or one each in the palm and the wrist. Through this, a flexible tube with a camera and minute cutting tools are inserted into the wrist. Another ligament known as transverse carpal ligament is cut. This reduces the pressure on the median nerve, which provides relief from the CTS symptoms.

What to expect as benefits?
The intention behind the surgery remains the same in both traditional and endoscopic procedures. The pressure on the median nerve is released, restoring movement and reducing pain in the joints. In addition, the endoscopic procedure has the following benefits.

Less invasive: Needless to say, there are only one or two small incisions done for this procedure, so less surrounding tissue is damaged.
Same day surgery: No hospitalization is required, and unless required, the patient can return home on the same day of surgery.
Reduced recovery time: The recovery period is usually substantially less compared to the traditional surgical approach.
Back to work: Depending on which is your dominant hand, you would be able to return to your regular work earlier than with regular surgery. If your non-dominant hand is involved, a day or two of rest is required. If your dominant hand was involved, give it up to four weeks for complete recovery.
Reduced chances of nerve injury: The area of operation has many nerves and blood vessels, and endoscopic surgery reduces the chances of damaging adjacent nerves.
Anesthesia: This is done under local anesthesia. Therefore, complications arising out of general anesthesia are completely avoided.
Indications
While these sound promising, your doctor will decide if you are a candidate for endoscopic procedure depending on the following:

Nonsurgical treatment including exercise and pain killers have not provided relief, even after several months.
Severe symptoms including those of nerve damage, like loss of sensation, altered coordination, etc., is affecting your normal daily routine.
Person requiring bilateral surgery like severe trauma, wheelchair dependent, etc.

Carpal Tunnel - How Endoscopic Surgery is Beneficial?

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder, which causes fragility of bones. In the absence of proper prevention and treatment modalities, osteoporosis can cause a painless progression and subsequent fractures. Such fractures (broken bones) mostly occur in the hip, spine, or wrist. As per several past data-driven studies conducted in the United States of America, 1.5 million new fractures are witnessed in people with osteoporosis every year. Of these, spine fractures are seen in 700,000; hip fractures in 300,000; wrist fractures in 250,000; and fractures of other bones in 250,000 people.

Possible Causes of Osteoporosis

Hormonal imbalances Pregnancy
Metabolic diseases Cancer
Age beyond 60-65 years
Symptoms of Osteoporosis-Induced Compression Fractures 
Significant upper or lower back pain
Changes in posture
Difficulty with breathing and digestion 
Decreased ability to walk 
An overall decrease in the quality of life Increased tendency for fracture of adjacent vertebrae
Treatment

Compression fractures are usually managed with pain medications; narcotic pain medicines are administered for a few months until the pain decreases. Also, few available medications are known to increase the bone density. It is hoped that by building the bone density, future fractures can be prevented. Another method is immobilization of the spine with a brace that helps decrease pain from a broken vertebra; however, such braces are helpful only for the fractures of the lower back.

Role of Kyphoplasty in the Management of Osteoporosis

Kyphoplasty is a procedure that involves a new technology whereby an osteoporotic compression fracture can be treated with relief in pain, restoration of the lost bone height, and immediate stabilization of the fracture with the injection of bone cement. 

How is kyphoplasty done?

The procedure is carried out via two A  incisions on each side of the affected vertebra. The technique utilizes X-ray equipment to place working tools into the collapsed vertebra. This step is followed by an insertion of an inflatable bone tamp or expander into the fractured vertebra on each side, after which, the balloons are slowly inflated, lifting up the fractured portion of the vertebra to a more normal height. The balloons are then deflated, and cement is slowly injected. Excellent restoration of fractures, which are less than 4-6 months old and better than 90% success at reducing pain associated with the broken vertebra, is seen with kyphoplasty. 

Which patients can benefit from kyphoplasty? 

Patients with a recent vertebral compression fracture due to osteoporosis 
Patients with fractures which are less than 4 months old
Patients with fractures who are on chronic prednisone or steroids 
Complications from this procedure have been primarily related to patients who have been on blood thinner medications. 
Potential complications also include cement leaking out of the vertebra and into inappropriate areas. 

Kyphoplasty In The Management Of Osteporosis!

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the joints characterized by swelling, inflammation and pain in the joints. This disorder is an autoimmune disorder, wherein the immune cells of the body start to view the tissues of the body as a potential threat.

Homeopathy treats this condition very effectively as it focuses on treating the cause of the disorder. The remedies in homeopathy moderate the overactive immune system and thus help in reducing inflammation in the bones. The homeopathic practitioner starts the diagnosis by enquiring about your medical history, symptoms, working environment and provides treatment accordingly.

The various homeopathic remedies that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are: 
1. Calcarea carbonica: arthritis that leads to formation of nodes in the affected joint, accompanied by symptoms, which aggravate during damp weather, is very effectively remedied by this particular homeopathic medicine.
2. Arnica: arnica is a homeopathic remedy that is used to treat symptoms of chronic arthritis where you experience a sore feeling on a regular basis. The symptoms tend to worsen if you touch the affected area.
3. Bryonia: f you have a throbbing pain in your joints, then bryonia is recommended. The symptoms tend to worsen in cold weather.
4. Calcarea fluorica: this remedy is recommended if the pain tends to improve with the application of heat. The symptoms include swelling of the joints and formation of nodes. It is especially used if the arthritis develops after an injury.
5. Kali carbonicum: if the joints are extremely stiff with the pain aggravating during the early morning hours, then this remedy is prescribed. It also helps if the symptoms tends to worsen in damp and cold weather.
6. Pulsatilla: this remedy is prescribed in cases where the intensity of the pain keeps on fluctuating and also if the pain is not localized. The symptoms tend to worsen in warm conditions and improve in cold conditions.
7. Rhododendron: rhododendron is recommended if the symptoms of arthritis tend to flare up and aggravate in cold conditions. Generally the pain increases during the early morning hours or if you stay stationary for a long time.

Homeopathic Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Treatment

Cosmetic surgery is not restricted to the top half of your body. Today along with facelifts and breast implants, butt implants are also gaining popularity. This procedure is also known as gluteal augmentation. Butt implants are usually made of silicone. These soft, solid structures are implants under the gluteus maximus muscles and above the pelvic bone through an incision. The incision is typically made in the butt crease so that it is less noticeable. Here are a few others things you should know about butt implants:

It is performed under anaesthesia: Butt implant surgery may be performed under local or general anaesthesia and usually takes anywhere between 2 to 7 hours. However, this procedure is usually an outpatient procedure and no hospitalisation is required.
It takes time to recover: After the procedure, you will probably notice swelling and tenderness in the area. In most cases, the patient is advised to wear a compression garment for a few days after the surgery. This should resolve itself in about 4-6 weeks but complete recovery can take up to 8 months. This is because the tailbone muscles are cut during the procedure.
The effects are permanent: Silicone implants can last a lifetime and hence the results of this surgery are permanent. With time the body s natural tissues merge with the implant. However, in some cases, the implant may slip with time causing an asymmetrical appearance. This can be corrected through a follow-up surgery.
Anyone can get a butt implant: Butt implants are typically used for people with a flat posterior, but you don t necessarily need to have a skinny frame to undergo this procedure. Also, there are no size or weight limitations to getting the procedure.
It is customisable: Butt implants can be customised to suit the person s size and frame. A surgeon will typically take into account the shape of the patient s pelvic bone and natural butt contours to create a butt implant that enhances the patient s frame and does not look unnatural.
There are risks: Complications are rare but possible with this surgery. Making an incision under the butt crease reduces its visibility but increases the risk of infections. There is also a risk of allergic reactions to anaesthesia. Other possible side effects include pain, discomfort, nerve damage and reduced sensitivity.
They do not feel completely natural: Silicone butt implants may feel harder than normal tissue and at some angles may not look very natural remove these and post more of positive aspects.

Butt Implants - Things You Must Know!

Care for shoulder pain and related problems

Shoulder problems usually happen because of internal problems or external trauma. People who are into any form of manual labour, pick up a lot of heavy things regularly or play sports experience shoulder pain at some point of time or other. Shoulder pain can be detected by physical examination, mri, x-ray, ultrasound and medical history.

The most common types of shoulder problems are arthritis, fracture, dislocation, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tear, and rotator cuff disease. Cures for the different shoulder pains are different. Follow these simple ways to help you manage the pain.

1. Rest the hurtful shoulder: you need to take ample rest. Using the arm which is affected is not a good idea and needs to be avoided. If your job involves manual labour, it is advised that you stay at home to rest.

2. Ice pack healing: applying ice pack on the wound is also advised around 3-4 times in a day. This varies as per the kind of shoulder pain, so doctor's advice must be followed.

3. Be consistent with exercise: depending upon the source of pain, physiotherapist will advise certain sets of shoulder exercises. It is very important that they should be performed diligently for fast recovery.

4. Support it well: wearing a sling is extremely important and should not be taken lightly at any point of time. A good support will ensure there is no mislocation and faster recovery.

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Shoulder Pain Care - 4 things you must not ignore!

A Tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects the tendons due to a condition known as tendinitis, which causes inflammation. This condition will end up restricting the free movement of the elbow and the arm due to the pain and stiffness that it causes. This is due to the fact that these tendons are the tough band of connective tissues that hold the muscles and the lower arm with the bone. Repeated gripping motions and continued tugging as well as activities like weight lifting, tennis, squash and other like carpentry, painting writing and typing, can lead to this condition. 

Here are a few methods of treatment and the questions that revolve around them.

Do I have to restrict my movements: Yes, when you have tennis elbow, the very first thing you must do is to give rest to the tendons by curbing those activities that have caused the condition or those which can aggravate the pain and stiffness. Lifting heavy objects, gripping things for prolong periods, other physical pursuits like tennis and other games and more will need to stop so that you do not stretch, strain or pull the tissue.
Can I take pain killers: Yes, you can take pain killers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen in case the pain is unbearable? Always ensure that an orthopaedic specialist takes a look at your arm before prescribing the medicines to you.
Is an ice compress good for this pain: You can use the RICE method for acute pain that is less than 72 hours old. For more persistent pain, you must see a doctor. The RICE method refers to Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. In this method, you can keep your arm elevated and give it rest. You can also use an ice compress and keep it tightly wound with an elastic bandage so as to avoid swelling.
Can I take injections for this condition: Corticosteroid injections may be used for very severe cases. This contains the cortisol hormone and can give good results in the short run.
Are there any non invasive methods for treatment: You can try non-invasive procedures like shock wave therapy which will help in fixing the pain and promote motion gradually. This procedure is usually conducted with the help of shock waves that are passed to the skin.
Is exercising a complete no no: In this case, many orthopaedic surgeons and doctors will ask you to go through physiotherapy so that you can get used to movements and motion after prolonged pain. These exercises will also strengthen the muscles of the area.
Talk to your doctor if the pain is particularly debilitating and discuss surgery for the same.

Common FAQs on Tennis Elbow Treatment

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