Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which doctors view the joint problem without making any cuts through the skin and other soft tissues. Hip Arthroscopy is performed to treat several hip problems.

In Hip Arthroscopy, the doctors insert an arthroscope (a small camera) into the hip joint. The pictures are displayed on a video monitor with the help of an arthroscope. The surgeons will use these images to guide the surgical instrument.

As the surgical instrument and arthroscope are very thin, the surgeons make a very small incision compared to the one that is done in open surgery. As a result, patients feel less pain and stiffness in joints. This type of surgery also takes less time to recover and one can return to their normal life within a short period of time.

Hip Anatomy:

The hip is a socket and ball joint. The socket is formed by a part of a large pelvis bone called acetabulum. The ball joint is on the upper end of the femur (thighbone). Articular cartilage is a slippery tissue that covers the surface of the socket and ball. It creates a frictionless and smooth surface that helps the bones to glide across each other easily. Strong fibrocartilage is ringed on the acetabulum called labrum. It creates a gasket around the socket.

The joint is surrounded by a ligament, which creates a capsule to hold the joint together. The inner surface of the capsule is lined by a membrane called synovium. It produces a synovial fluid that helps in lubricating the joints.

When to Recommend Hip Arthroscopy?

If a person is suffering from chronic pain and does not respond to any other nonsurgical treatment, including physical therapy and medication, doctors may recommend a person opt for hip arthroscopy.

Hip arthroscopy helps a person to get relief from many problems that cause painful symptoms including damaged articular cartilage, labrum, or other soft tissues. The damage can be the result of any form of injury. However, there are other orthopedic conditions that can also lead to damage. The orthopedic conditions include:

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI):

In this type of disorder, an extra bone is developed on the femoral head (cam impingement) or along the acetabulum (pincer impingement). The overgrowth of the bone is known as spurs that damage the soft tissues surrounding the hip joint. In most cases, the bone spurs develop in either part. However, there are cases in which the bone spurs develop in both femoral head and acetabulum.

Dysplasia:

In this condition, the hip socket is abnormally shallow. Due to this problem, more stress is put on the labrum in order to keep the femoral head within the socket. This may raise the condition of the labral tear.

Snapping Hip Syndrome:

In this condition, the tendon rubs across the hip joint repeatedly. This type of popping or snapping is generally harmless and can be repaired without any treatment. However, the tendon may be fully damaged due to continuous rubbing in some cases.

Other conditions where hip arthroscopy is recommended include synovitis, hip joint infection, and labral tear.

Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Surgery:

If the diagnosis results show that damage is caused by femoroacetabular impingement and a patient is not getting relieved from pain by any nonsurgical method, doctors recommend going for Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Surgery.

In this type of surgery, the doctor repair and clear out the damage of the articular cartilage and labrum. He may also trim the rim of the acetabulum bone and shave the bump of the femoral head.

Arthroscopic Labral Repair:

If patients are not getting relief from conservative treatment, doctors recommend Arthroscopic Labral Repair. In this type of surgery, surgeons cut out and remove the damaged or torn part of the labrum. He further repairs the torn part by sewing it.

Take Away:

Both treatment methods are minimal incision processes and require fewer hospital stays. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before opting for any treatment.

Know More About Hip Arthroscopic Surgery!

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is also known as Ulnar Neuropathy, a nerve compression syndrome where the Ulnar nerve, also known as the funny bone nerve, gets compressed due to heightened pressure or stretching. It can lead to numbness or a tingling sensation in little and ring fingers, sometimes pain in forearm and an overall weakness in the hand. Ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in the arm. It runs in a groove on the inner side of the elbow. Since it travels through a narrow space and has very little protective tissue, the nerve is quite vulnerable to compression.

Symptoms
The symptoms of this condition may range from mild to severe. Some of the mild symptoms include:

Numbness in little and ring finger as the fingers fall asleep
A tingling sensation, usually like the pinch of pins and needles in ring and little finger
Pain in forearm
Weakness in the hand
Some of the severe symptoms include:
Reduction in overall hand grip
A claw like deformity in hand
Wasting of muscles of the hand
Bending elbow over a long period of time like while using cell phone or during sleep can cause ulnar nerve compression. Resting the elbow for a long period over a hard surface can also cause an irritation of the nerve, leading to such symptoms. In some cases, the nerve snaps back and forth over a bony bump, resulting in an irritated nerve. People who undertake intense physical activity, especially using their arms, are more likely to develop this problem. Eg. baseball pitchers. Apart from this, people who have suffered from a dislocated elbow or have arthritis are also at risk.

Generally, doctors diagnose this condition through the symptoms. However, nerve tests are also conducted to check the level of nerve compression. Electromyography is a procedure in which electrodes are placed on the skin and muscles to measure muscle health. Determining muscle health and level of compression helps decide the mode of treatment. Generally, the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome are managed through a conservative treatment. However, in cases of severe compression, surgery can be considered as an option to relieve pressure, moving nerve to the front of the elbow or removing a part of the bone.

For mild cases, a towel or a protective cover for elbow is recommended. The towel should be wrapped around the elbow loosely. An elbow splint can be worn at night to protect the elbow from being bent for long time.

How can a physical therapist help?
A physiotherapist has an essential role to play in treatment of this syndrome. A therapist can help the patient to learn ways of avoiding pressure to the nerve. After surgery, with restrictions of movement, a therapist can help achieve smooth recovery and movement of the elbow. Your physical therapist will determine the activities that bring on your symptoms. The recommendations at this point will be to avoid those activities for a time. Remember, the nerve is irritated and at times swollen. If the irritation and swelling are reduced, the symptoms should resolve.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome  - How Physiotherapy Can Help You?

The human body allows for movement through the complex system of bones, muscles and joints. A break in the bone is medically known as a fracture and can be caused by constant stress, pressure or impact. It is common knowledge that with age, the bone strength decreases and incidence of fractures (osteoporotic fracture) increases. Based on the affected bone and impact, different types of fractures are commonly identified as:

Complete: When the breakage of the bone is complete, producing two or more pieces, it is referred to as a complete fracture.
Incomplete: When the breakage is incomplete, where the bone has cracked, but does not break into pieces, it is known as an incomplete fracture.
Another type would be the open or closed fracture:
Open fracture: When the skin is exposed and the bone breaks through this exposed skin, it is known as compound or open fracture.
Simple or closed fracture: The bone breaks, but the skin continuity is maintained. Again, here are different types including hairline, greenstick, oblique, etc.
What is the reason behind a fracture?
A bone will fracture when force is applied to it that is stronger than the bone itself. A key factor in a bone s susceptibility to fracturing is age. Both children and older people are prone to bone fractures. Children s bones are constantly growing and have not reached their full strength. Elderly people have brittle bones with old age and are prone to develop bone diseases, making them susceptible to fractures.

How they are treated?
Splint and pain medications are commonly used. Closed reduction where the fracture is reduced without opening up the tissues and open reduction, where the tissues are opened up are common approaches to managing fractures.

Can they be prevented?
Especially with children and in the elderly, extra precaution should be taken to avoid any kind of injury and fracture.

Develop an exercise routine to strengthen the muscles
Manage weight
Use the right footwear and exercise gear
Watch your medications (avoid sleep inducing ones)
Increase lighting in the room/home to improve clarity of vision for elderly
Make the home/living area fall-proof by reducing clutter, using railing in the bathroom and bedroom, using rubber mat, etc.
While a fall may seem inevitable, taking the above steps can help reduce the incidence and severity of a fall, thereby minimizing damage.

Bone Fracture - Common Types and How They Can be Prevented?

Spine surgery is conventionally performed as  open surgery , which means the region being worked on is opened with a long entry point to permit the surgeon to view and access the area. Technical and scientific advances have permitted more back and neck conditions to be treated with a less obtrusive surgical technique. The minimal invasive spine surgery (MISS) does not include a long cut, and it prevents causing damage to the muscles around the spine. As a rule, this causes less pain after the surgery and a speedier and healthy recovery.

Spine surgery is normally suggested when non-surgical treatments like medicinal or exercise based methods have not helped in lessening the excruciating symptoms of your back problem. Moreover, surgery is just considered if your doctor can pinpoint the correct reason of your pain, for example, a herniated circle or spinal stenosis. 

MISS is also called less obtrusive spine surgery. In these procedures, surgeons utilise particular instruments to get to the spine through little cuts. The surgery process is as follows:

During the surgery, a little entry point is made and the tubular retractor is embedded through the skin.
It is also inserted into the delicate tissues down to the spinal cord.
This makes a passage to the little range where the problem exists in the spine.
The tubular retractor holds the muscles open and is set up all through the surgery.
The surgeon gets to the spine utilising the little instruments that fit through the focal point of the tubular retractor.
Any bone or disk material that is expelled goes out from the retractor.
Any gadgets needed for the fusion process, for example, screws or rods, are embedded through the retractor.
A few surgeries require more than one retractor.
Keeping in mind the end goal to see where to put the entry point and embed the retractor, the surgeon is guided by fluoroscopy.
This strategy shows ongoing X-ray pictures of the patient's spine on a screen throughout the surgery.
The surgeon additionally utilises a microscope to enlarge the view through the retractor.
Towards the end of the procedure, the tubular retractor is expelled and the muscles come back to their original position.
This restrains the muscle damage that is more ordinarily found in open surgeries.
It is very important to talk about these risks with your doctor before your surgery or procedure.

Infection: Antibiotics are consistently given to the patient some time before, during, and regularly after the surgery to reduce the danger of infections.
Bleeding: A specific measure of bleeding is normal; however, this is not commonly dangerous.
Pain in the grafted area: Some patients will encounter surgical pain at the bone joint site.
Recurring symptoms: A few patients may encounter a repeat of their side effects.
Pseudarthrosis: Patients who tend to smoke are more prone to pseudarthrosis. This is a condition wherein there is insufficient bone formation. In case that this happens, a minor surgery may be required.
Nerve damage: It is possible that the nerves or veins might be harmed during these operations. These complications are extremely uncommon.
Blood clots: Another complication is blood clots in the legs. This poses a threat because these clots can break off and settle in the lungs.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - A Guide On What To Expect?

People who suffer from arthritis are more likely to experience osteoarthritis symptoms. The intensity of the feeling of knee pain in winter is often linked to barometric pressure. In winter, there is a reduction in the pressure exerted by the air around us. This drop in pressure can cause the tissues around the joints to swell resulting in increased pain. The other possible cause of knee pain in winter can be explained from the influence of heat. Fluid in tissues becomes more viscous during winter. As a result of this increased viscosity, the elasticity of the muscles decreases, resulting in winter aches and pains. 
Some scientists believe that the higher pain intensity in winter is to be more of a psychological thing. Seasonal affective disorder is more during winter, and people suffering from mental depression seem to sense more pain during winter as the weather restricts outdoor activities. Improper intake of food also causes knee pain in winter due to undigested material. Even though winter arthritis is uncomfortable, the following tips help to make the joints work better and make you withstand the season easier.

Tips to Manage Joint Pain in Winters

Physical activity in winter can reduce winter aches and pains and enhance overall health benefits. Low impact activities like aerobics, swimming in a heated pool, weight training, and riding a stationary bicycle can reduce stiffness, increase the blood flow, and support the knees. Thus, winter arthritis can be well managed by doing exercises.
Diet also plays a vital role. Eating a balanced diet that comprised of low saturated fat, lean proteins, more fiber, and refined carbs helps to improve body functions during the winter. Drinking water throughout the day helps to reduce winter aches and pains. It is essential to consume easily digestible foods like vegetables. Consuming vegetables like carrots and cucumbers that have diuretic properties can help to eliminate waste products from the body.
Vitamin D deficiency may worsen osteoarthritis. It is necessary to take a supplement vitamin D or ensure to make your diet is vitamin-D rich. Fish oil is a potent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Increase your intake of milk, a rich source of protein and calcium that help to strengthen the bones. Exposing the body to sunlight help to obtain vitamin D.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be used to reduce inflammation and pain. Injecting a viscous substance can decrease the friction of the bones and ease the condition.
Home Remedies for Knee Pain in Winters

Wrap the inflamed knees with blanched cabbage leaves. This can cool down inflamed knees.  Aloe vera also helps to reduce inflammation.
Comfrey (symphytum officinale) can act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Create a compress using mashed root or comfrey tea soaked bandages can also be used to reduce inflammation.
Applying an ice-pack can help to reduce swelling and alleviate winter aches and pains. While applying ice-pack, ensure to cover the entire knee. Applying a bag of frozen peas to the area also works well. While using ice or heat therapy, make sure to do them carefully as over agressive and over doing it, can cause problems. 
Steam therapy also helps to reduce pain in your knees. Soak your knee in a steaming hot water for 15 minutes. Applying hot water bag also can relieve knee pain in winter effectively.
Winter aches and pains all over the body can be relieved by administrating massage therapy by a professional.
Avoid applying strain or pressure on your knees. Take adequate amount of rest to reduce pain and swelling.
These are basic guidelines to help you. Contact your doctor for further management.

Tips For Managing Joint Pain in Winter

The bones are the bits and pieces which form the framework of the body. Each bone is placed in the correct position to give your body the structure it has. It is of utmost importance for you to have healthy bones so that the structure or frame of your body is maintained. A lot of times, due to the stress of your daily life, you tend to neglect the health of your bones. But remember that if you want to have a fit body, you will have to keep your skeletal system fit as well. Here are a few tips on how to keep your bones healthy:

1. Family history: Having a knowledge of your family history is extremely important as there may be cases where you might suffer from a particular disease which is hereditary. If your family has a history of osteoporosis, there is a high chance of you suffering from it. 

2. Increase your regular calcium and vitamin D intake: Calcium is extremely essential for your bone health. If you want your bones to be healthy and strong, you need to take a regular calcium dose in order to achieve that. But there is a catch to this. Although you might have food containing calcium every day or take calcium tablets, it won't be helpful until you also get a supply of Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the bones to absorb the calcium.

3. Maintain a healthy bone density: To do this you need to eat food which will supply you with vitamin K. Vitamin K boosts bone density by enabling the body to make proteins required for healthy bones. Vitamin K also helps the bones absorb calcium just like vitamin D although this function is not predominant for vitamin K.

4. Exercise: The secret to healthy bones is exercise. The more you exercise regularly, the fitter your bones and muscles will be. Regular exercise helps to keep bone problems at bay. Leading a sedentary lifestyle heightens the risk of suffering from osteoporosis. It can also mess with your bone density and weaken your bones. Hence, exercise regularly for healthy bones.

5. Cut down on your caffeine intake: Too much of caffeine can mess up the calcium absorbing power of your bones. If you have more than two cups of coffee every day, your bones will gradually become weak.

So, if you want to remain as fit as a fiddle, then try these tips out, and you will not complain.

Tips And Tricks To Keep Your Bones Healthy!

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