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Bodyhealth

Low Back Pain: What Are the Treatment Options?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Low back pain can be felt anywhere below the ribs and above the legs.

The condition is very common that almost everyone has experienced it at one point in their lives or another.

Treatment options for low back pain can range from noninvasive alternatives to surgery.

However, it is recommended that checking with orthopaedic specialists would be ideal so the best treatment alternative will be provided.

Causes

While low back pain can be attributed to a lot of things, below are some of the most likely causes:

  • Pressure placed on the nerve roots – this can be attributed to other medical conditions like a herniated disc or a spinal stenosis.
  • Injury or overuse – this involves sprains and strains on the soft tissues like the ligaments and the muscles. The condition can also be traced to injuries in the small joints found between the bones of the spine or to compression fractures of the bones.
  • Osteoarthritis – when the condition affects the small joints situated in the spine, it can become the cause of back pain. Osteoarthritis in other joints such as the hips can also change how an individual walks resulting to back pain.

Other conditions that can likely cause low back pain include:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Spinal tumors
  • Ankylosing spondylitis

Symptoms

Depending on what causes it, low back pain can have diverse symptoms.

For instance:

Back sprain or strain

Usual symptoms can include:

  • Cramping, muscle spasms, and stiffness
  • Pain in the buttocks and back that may come and go

Nerve-root pressure

Usual symptoms can include:

  • Numbness, tingling, and weakness in one leg or both
  • Pain in the leg (in majority of the cases, the pain will start in the buttocks and will travel back to the foot, leg, or ankle)
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control (this can also be a symptom for cauda equine syndrome and will need immediate medical attention)

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the spine can result to pain that:

  • More severe in the back and hip region
  • Starts gradually but can become severe eventually and can last up to 3 to 6 months
  • Gets worse after long periods without any activity

Treatment

Orthopaedic specialists diagnose, assess, and can recommend the best treatment alternatives for back pain.

Most cases of low back pain do not necessarily require a visit to an orthopaedic specialist.

However, if the pain gets too severe and it gets to a point where it hinders the patient from going about their usual routine, getting medical attention becomes a must.

Back pains are divided into two categories—acute and chronic.

Acute

Pain lasts less the 3 months but will respond to home remedies.

Chronic

Pain lasts more than 3 months and will require intensive treatment.

Treatment options for acute low back pain

If pain has persevered for a few days and does not respond to any noninvasive remedies (using heat or ice, taking painkillers, etc.), other treatment options like stronger pain medications and manual therapy might be recommended.

For those who experience severe pain, short-term use of opiate painkillers or muscle relaxants might be prescribed.

Epidural steroid shots might also be recommended.

Treatment options for chronic low back pain

For back pains that are chronic, one type of treatment will often not suffice.

Possible treatment options can include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation programs
  • Biofeedback

Since low back pain can have different causes, treatment approach can vary from one individual to another.

To play safe, it would be best to have the condition assessed by a seasoned orthopaedic specialist so the best treatment option can be identified.

Is low back pain keeping you sidetracked? Visit www.bjios.sg for help.

 

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Bodybonehealthinjury

Joint Pain Relief Options

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Joint pain can be discomfort, pain, and inflammation from any part of the joint like the tendons, muscles, bone, ligaments, and the cartilage.

In majority of the cases, joint pain is also the term given to arthralgia or arthritis.

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation or pain within the joint itself.

However, joint pain can also be attributed to several other conditions like gout, bursitis, osteoarthritis, sprains, strains, rheumatoid arthritis, and other injuries.

While it affects any part of the body, pain in the knee is the most common, followed by shoulder and hip pain.

As a person gets older, joint pain has the tendency to occur more often.

Joint pain can range from irritating to debilitating.

Acute cases will disappear after a few weeks while chronic cases can persist for several weeks or even months.

Unfortunately, however the short term the pain and swelling can be, it can still affect the patient’s life quality.

For those who are suffering from pain in the joint, some of the common treatment options can include:

Medications

For moderate to severe joint pain, prescription or OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are often recommended for pain relief.

Patients who experience only mild pain san swelling, acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be prescribed.

For joint pains that are severe, a strong opioid medication may be prescribed by the doctor.

Other medication that might be given to help ease the pain can include:

  • Muscle Relaxants – given to combat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants are often used with NSAIDs for more potent results.
  • Antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs – both interfere with pain signals.

Topical Agents

A substance found in chili peppers known as capsaicin has been known effective in relieving joint pains.

It works by blocking substance P, the substance known to help transmit pain signals.

It also triggers the release of body chemicals that help block the pain.

These chemicals are known as endorphins.

Ben Gay and other topical creams that contain methyl salicylate are also known to provide relief for joint pains.

Injections

When topical and oral medications won’t work, steroid medications might be the next treatment option recommended.

A steroid medication is injected into the joint every 3 to 4 months to help ease the pain.

This treatment route is often recommended for patients with joint disease, tendinitis, and arthritis.

Physical therapy

Physical therapists help patients with joint pain by strengthening the muscles around it, improving the motion range of the patient, and stabilizing the joint.

Techniques like ultrasound, heat and cold therapy, and electrical nerve stimulation may also be used.

For overweight patients, getting rid of the extra pounds might be recommended in order to take pressure off the painful joint.

While exercise is a good and effective way of losing the extra weight, not all exercises will do.

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you stick to low-impact exercises like swimming and bicycling.

Doing low impact exercises is recommended so joint irritation is avoided.

Home Remedies

To relieve short term pain at home, the following are recommended:

  • Protecting the joint with the use of a brace or wrap
  • Resting the joint and avoiding activities that might cause pain
  • Putting ice on the painful joint for at least 15 minutes, several times daily
  • Compressing the joint using an elastic wrap

Applying ice to the joints that are painful have also been proven to relieve both the inflammation and the pain.

Using a heating pad or a wrap several time a day is also considered an effective way to combat muscle spasms around the painful joint.

If joint pain is keeping you from doing your day-to-day activities, please visit www.bjios.sg for help.

 

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Bodyhealthhygiene

Ingrown Toenail: What are the Common Causes

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

When the edges or the corners of the nail will grow into the skin, a condition known as ingrown toenail develops.

In most cases, given that there is no infection, ingrown toenail will often respond to home remedies.

However, when the toenail has pierced the skin or when the affected toe has become infected, ingrown toenail surgery might be recommended.

Unfortunately, those with diabetes and other medical conditions that will cause poor circulation are at a higher risk for ingrown toenail complications.

Causes

Ingrown toenail can be attributed to a lot of causes, some of which include the following:

  • Irregular and curved toenails
  • Toenails that are cut straight across
  • Injuries
  • Lack of foot hygiene
  • Footwear that put pressure on the big toes
  • Socks and stockings that are too tight may also lead to ingrown toenail

Symptoms

Ingrown toenail can be very excruciating.

In some cases, it can get infected when left unattended.

That being said, treating it the soonest possible time is recommended.

In the early stages, common symptoms that will develop can include:

  • Pain when pressure is put on the affected area
  • Tenderness and swelling of the skin that is next to the nail infected
  • Noticeable fluid buildup around the toe affected

Once the affected toe becomes infected, some of the symptoms that will manifest may include:

  • Swelling and redness
  • Pus
  • Pain
  • Skin overgrowth
  • Bleeding

Diagnosis

In many cases, the condition can be diagnosed through physical examination.

However, once the affected toe becomes infected, an X-ray might be recommended.

An X-ray may also be necessary when:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • The condition was caused by an injury
  • Patient has a history of chronic infection

Treatment

If there is no infection, home remedies are often enough.

However, if signs of infection manifest or if the toenail has pierced the skin, seeking medical attention would be recommended.

Home Remedies

Treatment of ingrown toenail at home can involve:

  • Soaking the feet in warm water at least 3 to 4 times each day
  • Pushing the skin from the toenail edge using cotton balls that are soaked in olive oil
  • Using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to help alleviate the pain
  • Applying topical antibiotic to help combat infection

Surgical Treatment

In case the condition will not respond to home remedies, an ingrown toenail surgery will be the recommended treatment alternative.

Nail and tissue removal – if the condition has manifested more than once, removing the underlying tissue or the nail bed as well as a portion of the nail will be done. This is done to ensure the nail’s affected part will no longer grow back.

Partial nail removal – if symptoms like pus, pain, swelling, and redness will manifest, the doctor will likely remove or trim a portion of the nail. An anesthetic will be given to numb the affected toe before the procedure is carried out.

After Surgery

After the procedure, patients will be sent home with a bandaged toe.

Raising the foot for at least a day or two after the surgery will be likely recommended.

On the second day, the bandage is often removed.

Patients will also be instructed to wear open-toed shoes for the time being.

Saltwater soaks may also be prescribed until the toe heals.

Painkillers will be given to ease the pain and antibiotics will be given to keep any infection from developing.

Prevention

In order to prevent ingrown toenail from developing, the following tips should be kept in mind:

  • Make sure the nails are trimmed straight across and the edges are not curved in
  • Refrain from trimming the nails too short
  • Wear footwear, socks, and stockings that fit properly
  • When working in a hazardous environment, protect the feet by wearing steel-toed boots

If you have a problem with ingrown toenail, visit www.bjios.sg for appropriate help with the management and treatment of the condition.

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Bodybonehealthinjury

Hip and Knee Replacement: When is It Needed?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Even if once considered a “high-tech” procedure, joint replacement is now deemed very common.

Statistics indicate that at least more than a million hips and knees are replaced annually.

And that statistic is in the United States alone.

While the figures are no doubt staggering, it is not exactly surprising.

For the right candidates, hip and knee replacement can be a life-altering procedure.

When is the procedure necessary?

While often considered the last resort, hip and knee replacement is deemed the best alternative when the following factors are present:

  • When there is pain and stiffness – it might be time for a new joint when the patient experiences difficulty walking, getting up from a chair, climbing the stairs, and doing routine activities. Also, if pain has persisted for more than 6 months already, a joint replacement surgery might be the best alternative.
  • When it affects the patient’s quality of life – apart from the pain, another key element that needs to be factored in is if the condition already has a significant impact on the patient’s daily routine. Is it limiting what the patient can do? Does it affect the patient’s mood? Does it impact how they go about their day-to-day routine?
  • When there is damage to the bone – X-rays alongside other imaging tests can be used to check if osteoarthritis or any other medical condition has taken a toll on the patient’s joints.
  • When there is obvious deformity – when the patient’s leg has become bowed or the knees have become severely swollen, joint replacement surgery will be the likely treatment option.
  • When other treatment alternatives have become futile – when all the other non-invasive treatment options (injections, medications, devices) have been exhausted, surgery becomes the likely option.

What key elements should be considered?

Even for those who are perfect candidates for hip or joint replacement surgery, it is still necessary that the following key questions are addressed:

Has the possible impact of the procedure already been considered?

The likely effects of surgery on the patient’s life and job should be taken into account.

When necessary, talking to family members and friends will be encouraged so assistance is available while patient is recovering.

Have other perspectives been taken into account?

Just like any surgeries that are major, getting a second opinion would be recommended.

This is especially true for those patients who have any doubts if the procedure is the best recourse possible.

Has the procedure been discussed with the surgeon?

For likely candidates, it is important that the specifics about the procedure will be discussed thoroughly.

If patient has any doubts and queries, they should not think twice about discussing it with their surgeon.

Asking for enlightenment regarding the procedure and what the recovery would be like is also advisable.

Has proper research been carried out?

There are different kinds of joint replacement procedures so doing research and reading up on the matter is recommended.

There are a lot of reliable websites that can provide essential information on the matter so candidates for surgery will have a clear idea of what they will be getting themselves into.

Is there assistance available while recovering?

Recovering from joint surgery when living alone can be very challenging.

For the first few weeks after the procedure, help will be necessary when preparing food, getting dressed, changing the bandage, and moving around.

If no family members or friends will be around to provide assistance, finding a facility where they can rehabilitate would be ideal.

What necessary changes do candidates for surgery need to do?

In order to ensure the best results are achieved, candidates should be willing to commit and work hard prior and post-surgery.

Patients need to also be aware that significant lifestyle need to be made like losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking, and eating healthier, among other things.

If you think you are a candidate for joint replacement surgery, please visit www.bjios.sg.

 

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