If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you may be at a high risk of developing Carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a very painful condition in which the hands and wrists are affected. The Carpal tunnel refers to a structure which is formed by the bones present in the wrist and the surrounding connective tissues, through which the nerves and tendons controlling the thumb movement pass. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the connective tissues get swollen because of inflammation and the nerves passing through the tunnel are crowded and squeezed.

Ways to get relief from Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Here are some common ways by which a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis can get relief from any discomfort caused due to Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Get your Rheumatoid arthritis treated. Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly caused because of an underlying sickness such as rheumatoid arthritis. Medicines such as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used to manage the condition and for reducing inflammation which causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
Getting enough rest is also very important. You must avoid using that hand or wrist, which has been affected for some weeks. This will allow the inflamed tissue to heal. 
You may wear a wrist splinter. A splint is suggested for resting your wrist therefore, it is kept in a neutral position. It can be worn during the day or when you are sleeping.
You can take prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief. These also help in reducing the swelling of tissues within the carpal tunnel.
A Cortisone shot may also be effective for easing the carpal tunnel syndrome. These steroid injections are given directly into the carpal tunnel. You will be able to get temporary relief from pain.
A set of Carpal tunnel exercises have been developed by doctors. These are designed for stretching the wrists and for keeping them limber. You must perform these exercises on a regular basis for best results. Yoga is also effective for easing carpal tunnel syndrome. Performing regular yoga will help you to improve your wrist pain. The upper joints of the body are strengthened. 
Take breaks at work on a regular basis. By changing your position and taking short breaks, your Carpal tunnel symptoms are bound to improve. This is more essential for people who do a job where great stress is placed on the wrists. If you are into typing, you need to take breaks and stretch your wrists.
There are several alternative therapies for easing carpal tunnel syndrome, which  are being studied and researched on. They include the likes of acupuncture, chiropractic care, magnets, botox treatments and vitamin B6 supplements. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - 7 Ways to Ease the Pain

Hip replacement surgery is a method wherein a defective hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial hip joint. This procedure is only opted for after all the other treatments have failed to yield the desired effects. Hip replacement surgery removes damaged or diseased parts of a hip joint and replaces them with new, man-made parts. The goals of this surgery are to:

Relieve pain

Help the hip joint work better

Improve walking and other movements.

Who Should Have Hip Replacement Surgery?

The most common reason for hip replacement is osteoarthritis in the hip joint. Your doctor might also suggest this surgery if you have:

Rheumatoid arthritis (a disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling)

Osteonecrosis (a disease that causes the bone in joints to die)

Injury of the hip joint

Bone tumors that break down the hip joint.

Your doctor will likely suggest other treatments first, including:

Walking aids, such as a cane

An exercise program

Physical therapy

Medications.

These treatments may decrease hip pain and improve function. Sometimes the pain remains and makes daily activities hard to do. In this case, your doctor may order an x ray to look at the damage to the joint. If the x ray shows damage and your hip joint hurts, you may need a hip replacement.

The Procedure-

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure that can either be performed by traditional means or a minimally invasive procedure. The primary difference between the two procedures is the size of the incision. The procedure begins with the doctor administering local anesthesia, though in certain cases, general anesthesia is also administered.

An incision is then made along the hip and the muscles that are connected to the thigh bone are shifted, so that the hip joint is exposed.

An equipment is then used to remove the ball socket of the joint by cutting the thighbone.

The artificial joint is then fixed to the thighbone and it is allowed to adhere properly.

Once the joint is fixed, the ball of the thighbone is then put in the hip socket.

The fluids from the incision area are then allowed to drain.

The hip muscles are then put in place and the incision is closed.

Post -surgery-

After the surgery, the recovery stage begins. The period of hospital stay post-surgery usually lasts for 4-6 days. A drainage tube is attached to the bladder to get rid of waste products from the body. Physical therapy begins immediately after the surgery and you will be able to walk after a few days with walking aids. The physical therapy continues for a few months after the surgery.

After care-

It is advised to avoid activities that involve twisting your leg for at least half a year. You should also avoid crossing the leg along the mid portion of your body. Your physiotherapist will provide you with exercises that aid to help you recover. Avoid climbing stairs and sit on chairs that have strong back support.

Know Everything About Hip Replacement Surgery

The human hand has multiple bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles which in unison help us to grip things and manipulate other objects to do our work. Within the wrist lies a narrow passageway on the palm side which houses the main nerve for movement of the nine tendons. These tendons help us to move our fingers individually and grip things or accomplish any task we want with our hands.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where this nerve gets pinched due to variety of factors and may have adverse affects. Some of the symptoms include tingling, numbness and pain with movements of the arm.&nbsp;

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome-
The nerve within the wrist which is known as the median nerve can be pinched due to a variety of factors:

Movements where the wrists are always higher and in an angle - repetitive movements of the wrists where the hands are always at a lower angle can increase the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome. This is usually a workplace related problem and thus be caused by bad hand posture.
Medical conditions - there are certain medical conditions that may also trigger the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome such as diabetes, thyroid, menopause and other problems.
Pregnancy - pregnancy has also known to cause carpal tunnel disorder as it can alter the balance of fluids within your body. However, other factors could also put your fluids in imbalance and cause problems with the median nerve.
Conditions that may cause inflammation - certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause the inflammation within the joints which might lead to the median nerve being pinched which in turn might lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some preventive measures from carpal tunnel syndrome-

Breaks from repetitive work - it is important for your wrists to have a break when you are doing repetitive tasks that might cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Relax and stretch your muscles within the break time
Wear wrist splints - these are support devices which can help correct problems for repetitive actions throughout the day while you are sleeping.
Take pain reliever if you start having chronic pains - if your wrist pain is not letting you functions normally, take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or aspirin and go to a doctor as soon as possible for a more thorough treatment.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - An Overview

What is paralysis?
Paralysis is a loss of muscle power and function of any part of the body. It is seen in the form of weakness of body parts, loss of sensation, and loss of movement of that part.

What is physiotherapy and why it is used?
Physiotherapy includes massage, therapeutic physical activities, scientific procedures, and education. Physiotherapy should be started as soon as possible, and it needs to be regularly followed, on a daily basis to see its best results. If it is not done under the proper guidance, it may worsen the condition of the patients. It is helpful in the following ways:

Helps to improve blood circulation and relax muscles
Slows down the progress of paralysis
Improves muscle tone
Maintains the respiratory function
Prevents pressure sores and contracture in the bedridden patients
Helps to build up strength in the affected muscles which helps to prevent the limbs from becoming deformed
Helps in building up the motivation and morale of the patient
Helps improve balance and coordination of the muscles
What therapies are included in it?
It includes the following therapies:

Aerobic exercises: It encourages a rapid exchange of oxygen to muscle tissues which increases sensory and motor function.
Method of physical conditioning: It is conducted via active or passive ranges of motion which help improve the muscle strength and also help the patient to adapt or learn how to use the paralyzed limb.
Exercises: Exercises, such as hip rotation exercise and its variation, ankle rotation exercises, and toe rotation exercises are advised in lower limb paralysis.
Electric stimulation therapy: It helps restore the motor function in paralyzed patients where electrical stimulation is done via a low-frequency device.
Mobility aids: Mobility aids, such as a wheelchair, help to move from one place to another place.
Hydrotherapy pool: It helps assist patients to overcome conditions where movement is limited because of paralysis and where muscles are weakened.
Massage therapy: Massage therapy helps regain control of muscles and boost the range of motion by improving blood circulation to the affected part.
Hand muscle exercises: It includes exercise with the balls or any other toy to improve hand grip and muscle power.
Speech therapy: In patients with aphasia, speech therapy is given to improve the speech.
Parallel bars: It helps practice walking and balancing when there is impairment.
Physical training: In physical training, various exercises are taught to improve the muscle strength of the affected part.
Use of teaching transformers (wheelchairs, bed, car, or toilet): It helps improve safety and also promotes independence.

Role Of Physiotherapy In Patients With Paralysis!

Muscle contusion is a condition that is characterized by bruising in the muscles. It generally tends to occur in athletes who play a lot of contact sports. Repetitive blows in any part of the body may cause damage to the underlying muscle tissues. These blows may lead to internal bleeding, resulting in blood clot formation. The most common site where it occurs are the quadriceps.


The various causes of this condition are:
1. Direct repetitive blows to a part of the muscle in contact sports such as football
2. If you fall on a hard surface 
3. It may also occur if the muscle comes in contact real hard with sports equipments like soccer balls

The symptoms of a muscle contusion are:
1. You may experience swelling of the muscle
2. Excessive pain
3. Decrease in range of motion in the concerned body part
4. It may lead to leaking of blood vessels
5. You may also experience hematoma where a lump is formed over the affected spot
6. Symptoms of broken bones, dislocations and fractures may also occur

Complications
This disorder may also lead to various complications such as compartment syndrome, which leads to compression of blood vessels resulting in pain. 

Treatment
The basic treatment for this condition is the rice protocol which is rest, ice, compression and elevation. You should rest the muscle, then apply ice to the affected area to reduce the pain. You can also take nsaids (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce the pain. In severe cases, the doctor may drain the lump surgically.


It is advisable to not return to your normal sports routine in order to allow the muscle to recover. If you carry on with your regular routine, it may result in further complications like the formation of scar tissue. You may undergo various stretching exercises to relieve the pain and make a gradual return to your normal sporting activities.


Causes and Symptoms of Muscle Contusion

Yoga is recommended for people with joint inflammation or arthritis. In the case of certain individuals with different sorts of arthritis, studies have shown that consistent yoga practice can lessen joint pain, improve flexibility of the joint and release the stress and strain to provide better rest. Yoga comes with a wide range of practices; however, for the most part, it includes adopting specific bodily postures. It also includes breathing and meditation exercises. 

Some of the yoga postures to cure arthritis are as follows:

Sun salutations: They are the perfect way to begin a day. They can be reflective and calming as you develop the strength to breathe fresh air. Stand with both feet touching, and afterwards, join your hands, palm-to-palm, and place them on your chest. Breathe out and raise your arms upward. Gradually twist backwards and extend your arms over the head. Unwind your neck and breathe in. You must keep in mind that it is one breath for every movement.
Kid's pose and child's pose plus: This is a truly gentle and simple approach to stretch the lower back. Get into the stance by dropping down onto your knees, spread your knees wide and join your toes. Place your hips back onto your feet or heels and stretch your arms forward onto the ground.
Bovine pose (cow pose): Get on all fours with your hands; keep your wrists directly under the shoulders, and spread your fingers wide. Your knees need to be at the hips' width and directly under your hips. Point your abdomen upwards, as your shoulder bones push down towards your abdomen, and tilt your pelvis up and back so that you are sitting.
Furious cat: Turn around the cow pose to do the furious cat pose. From all fours, pull your belliy in and your back arches into a back bend. Point your hips back toward your lower legs to build the space between every vertebra.
Prostrate twisting: Bending should be very useful, but if the bending or twisting brings on any pain, leave it quickly. Lie on your back, draw your knees toward your abdomen, and wrap your arms around your legs, giving yourself a little hug. Shake yourself from side-to-side or forward and backward.
Bridge pose: Lie in a straight position on the floor, twist your knees, and set your feet on the floor. Breathe out and press the inner parts of your feet and your arms into the floor. Push your tailbone up, tighten your hips, and lift them off the floor until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your knees right above your heels and lift the upper part of your hips toward your stomach.

Arthritis - 6 Yoga Positions That Are Beneficial for You

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