After a tough workout session or a strenuous day at the office, your muscles may feel floppy and exhausted until you have given them a chance to rest. However, persistent muscle weakness with no apparent cause or explanation can be a sign of an underlying medical problem.

What causes muscle weakness?
Voluntary muscle contractions and movement are generated when the brain sends a signal through your spinal cord and nerves to the particular muscle. If there are any hindrances in the connections between them, it can result in muscle weakness. However hard you try, the muscle is such cases becomes abnormal.

Here are some common causes of muscle weakness:

Lack of Use: One of the most common causes of muscle weakness, lack of muscle fitness may occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. If the muscles are not used, then the fibers are partially replaced with fat.
Ageing: As we age, our muscles tend to get weaker and lose strength. Muscles become bulky and recovery times during injury are greater. However, with physical activity, it is still possible to increase the muscle power. So stay active and instill strength in your muscles.
Infections: Infections and inflammation can cause temporary muscle fatigue. Even though recovery is quick, if the infection is severe the weakness can last for some time. Without proper care, it can lead to permanent damage.
Pregnancy: During and just after pregnancy, high levels of steroid in the blood and low levels of iron can cause muscle tiredness. Lower back pain is common during pregnancy and all your muscles may feel floppy.
Chronic Diseases: With conditions of diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and anemia, it can lead to muscle weakness by thwarting the essential blood or nutrient supply to the muscles. Also, chronic pain related ailments cause weakness.
Injuries: Injury or trauma such as sporting injuries, pulls and sprains can deter the muscles. Along with localized pain, it can also lead to muscle weakness if not taken care of properly.
Sleep Disorders: With disturbed or reduced sleep there is a general sense of tiredness that leads to fatigue in the muscles. Insomnia, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders also affect the muscles a great deal.
Conditions affecting Nerves: Conditions like Myasthenia gravis or motor neuron disease affects the nerves and thereby fail to relay signals to the muscles, leading to weakness.
Genetic disorder affecting muscles: There are also certain inherited diseases which can affect the muscles like muscular dystrophy.
Spine-related disorders: Conditions like slip disc and other disorders affect the muscles served by the irritated or compressed nerves of the spinal cord.

Muscle Weakness - 10 Common Reasons Behind It!

Total Hip Replacement is also known as Total Hip Arthroplasty, in which the damaged cartilage and bones in the hip area are removed and replaced with prosthetic components. On the other hand, Total Knee Replacement, also known as Total Knee Arthroplasty or resurfacing, involves replacing the bone surface of the knee area. 

Causes of Hip and Knee Pain 

Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic hip and knee pain or disability. Other causes include: 

  Avascular necrosis or Osteonecrosis is a condition where there is an inadequate supply of blood to the femoral head due to a hip injury. The inadequate supply of blood may cause the bone surface to collapse and this can result in arthritis. 

  Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common inflammatory Arthritis. In this condition, the synovial membrane surrounding the joint begins to thicken and become inflamed. This results in cartilage loss, stiffness, and pain. 

  Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis, usually related to old age but can occur among young people too. The cartilage cushioning the hip and knee bones becomes soft and gradually wears off. The bones eventually start rubbing against each other which causes stiffness and pain in the knee and hip area. 

  Post-Traumatic Arthritis can follow a severe hip and knee fracture or injury. 

  Some children with hip disease or problem, even after treatment, can develop into arthritis later. This may be caused by uneven or unusual growth of hip which affects the joint surfaces. 

Knee Replacement Procedure 

  Bone Preparation: The surface of impaired cartilage at the end of the tibia and femur are separated besides a small extent of the underlying bone. 

  Locating the Metal Implants: The removed bone and cartilage are substituted by metal implants creating the joint surface. These metal pieces may either be press-fit or cemented into the bone. 

  Resurfacing the Patella: The undersurface of the kneecap or Patella is cropped and reformed with a plastic button. This process is variable depending upon the condition. 

  Inserting a Spacer: To form a smooth gliding surface, a plastic spacer of medical-grade is positioned between the metal components. 

Hip Replacement Procedure 

  Metal stem replaces the damaged femoral head and positioned into the femur s hollow center. 

  On the upper portion of the stem, a ceramic or metal ball is planted. This ball acts as a substitute for the damaged/detached femoral head. 

  The damaged Acetabulum or cartilage surface of the socket is discarded and supplanted by a metal socket. Cement or screws are used to sustain the socket in place. 

  A spacer, either metallic, plastic or ceramic is placed between the socket and the new ball for a smooth gliding surface. 

Take Away 

Knee and Hip Replacement are taken as the last option for the patient. The surgery and its outcome vary depending upon various factors. One should consult the doctor before undergoing for the Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery.

Primary Knee & Hip Replacement - Know More About Them!

It is quite likely for you to mistake fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) as the same condition because of the frequent overlap and similar symptoms. As a result, people with both conditions are diagnosed with only one and are treated for that. The major difference between PMS and FMS is that they need different treatment. The trigger points can be eliminated, and while MPS pain may exacerbate FMS, treating MPS can improve FMS.

About FMS and MPS

FMS is a disorder featured by musculoskeletal pain along with sleep, fatigue and mood swings. It affects the way in which your brain processes pain signals.
MPS is another chronic pain disorder in which the pain is caused in the body because of pressure on sensitive points in the muscles. It is known as referred pain.
Symptoms:
There are several symptoms of MPS which are similar to that of FMS, while there are some different symptoms as well. The common symptoms are as follows:

Soft tissue pain
Headaches or migraines
Disturbance in sleep
Problems with balance
Tinnitus or ear pain
Memory problems
Excessive sweating
Here are the symptoms which are associated with MPS only and not with FMS:

Extreme numbness
Clicking or popping joints
Reduced range of motion in the joints
Blurry and double vision
Unusual nausea
Here are some symptoms which are observed in FMS but not in the case of MPS:

Fatigue
Panic attacks
Developing allergies and sensitivities
Feeling overwhelmed because of high sensory input levels
Confusion and disorientation
Diagnosis
MPS is difficult to diagnose and treat because of referred pain. The symptoms have to be recognised and the trigger points need to be identified for detecting MPS. The trigger points are found on the basis of the symptoms. Several tests like magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and tissue biopsy are used for MPS diagnosis. On the other hand, there are no tests or scans which can detect FMS in patients.

Treatment
There are several overlaps as well as major differences when it comes to the treatment procedures of MPS and FMS. The treatment methods which are used for both MPS and FMS are as follows:

Acupuncture
Physical therapy which may be in different forms
Tricyclic antidepressant medicine
According to studies, trigger point injections are not too effective in giving relief to fibromyalgia tender points, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are not useful for the treatment of FMS pain as they are meant for inflammation. It is very important for you to visit a doctor if you experience any symptoms of FMS or PMS. You require proper diagnosis so that the right treatment can be undertaken.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) & Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) - Signs That Indicate It!

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

Mobility for a person is very important, and when you look through, the hip is a very important component to this. It connects the upper and lower parts of the body and helps in movement. It is a ball and socket joint, where the hip bone provides a socket, into which the upper part of the thighbone (femur) sits into, allowing for free movement.

Like any other human organ, the hip also is prone to damage. Be it natural ageing, infection, injury, or diseases, hip movement can be affected, leading to limited movement and increased pain and stiffness. For these people, being able to get back a hip which will allow them to be back on their feet is a boon for sure. It helps in relieving pain and improving mobility, almost giving people a second lease of life.

Reasons for hip replacement:

With natural ageing, the hip joint can lose its ability to move, due to normal wear and tear of the hip and thigh bones
Diseases of the hips (infectious or autoimmune) can also lead to hip replacement
Injury or trauma is another major cause that requires hip replacement
Joint problems, leading to repeated dislocations
Tumours of the relevant bones
Understanding the procedure in detail

The affected bones (whether diseases or worn out) are replaced with a prosthesis which is compatible with the normal body tissue.
While some materials fuse to the natural bone, others do not and are simply placed as a separate unit
This is a surgery which requires hospitalisation and stays for up to 5 days depending on patient s overall health condition
The entire procedure may take a couple of hours and is usually done under general anaesthesia
An incision is made through the side of the hip
Both the hip and the thigh joints are prepared, diseased tissue removed, re-shaped, etc. to make way for the prosthesis
The prosthesis is introduced through the same incision and positioned into place
As noted earlier, there are two types. The ones which fuse to the bone have pores in them into which normal bone eventually grows.
The other variety is the cemented version, and a glue is used to keep it in place
Most doctors now use a combination, that is cement a porous prosthesis, into which bone will grow, and the incisions are closed
The patient stays in the hospital for 1 to 4 days depending on overall health
Once discharged, infection and pain control are continued
Exercise and physiotherapy play a major role in restoring normal function
Weight management is also very important

Hip Replacement - Understanding The Procedure In Detail!

The toes and heels are the most load bearing components within your feet which take most of the weight when walking, running, exercising or even standing up. The heels are an especially vulnerable part of the body which can become painful either due to injuries or excessive stress put on it. Pain in your heels can also be a sign of other problems in your body.

Causes for heel pain:

1. Sprains or straining the leg: Exercising is one of the most common culprits behind heel damage. Wearing the wrong shoes over prolonged periods, which can cause your balance to be shifted and will lead you to put strain on your heels and cause pain. Falling or spraining during exercising or training can also cause heel pain.

2. Fractures: Stress or hairline fractures can occur even without impacts or trauma and also cause pain. It will slowly build up over time. In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor and take remedial action.

3. Achilles tendon: A common cause for heel pain, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel. If this is torn or damaged, it can cause pain in your heel.

4. Arthritis: The deposition of uric acid crystals in parts of your body may result in arthritis; this is a fairly common cause for heel pain as well.

Treatments available

1. Change in shoes: Shoes play a major role in the development of heel pain. You will either need to change the shoes or adjust the heels to ensure that they are at an equal and comfortable height and keep your posture natural and balanced.

2. Foot supports: There are specialized heel supports and wedges, which you can wear with the footwear. These supports help redistribute weight from the problem areas and uniformly distribute it among the other parts of the foot. Heel cups are also another form of supports you could try.

3. Pain relief medications: Sometimes aspirin or ibuprofen may be required to numb and dull the pain, if getting through the day becomes difficult or you are in the middle of work.

4. Resting: Sometimes resting is the only medication you can take to relieve the pain as it can only subside once the underlying conditions are corrected.

5. Ice packs: Cold compress and cold therapy would definitely help in numbing the area and providing temporary pain relief.

It is however, advisable to visit the doctor if the pain persists and take specialized medical care in more complicated cases wherein the pain is prolonged.

Heel Pain its Causes and Treatments

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