AMRI Hospitals department of neurology is renowned for its expertise in neuro-care

One of the most advanced hospital chains in Eastern India, AMRI Hospitals offers premium healthcare services through each of its established units. Its department of neurology has been ranked highly amongst other neurological treatment providers.

AMRI’s medical team of physicians, surgeons, and nurses treat its patients with an aim to provide superlative neurological services, making it the best neurology hospital in Kolkata. The department gives equal weight age to research &development, to continuously optimizing their existing standard of services, and to making path-breaking discoveries in medicinal treatments, further evolving the field of study.

The department of neurology is led by some of the best neurosurgeons in the country, and it provides diagnosis, screening and extensive treatments for diseases related to the nervous system. This includes both neuro-surgery facilities as well as trauma management. AMRI Hospitals Bhubaneswar and Mukundapur  are equipped with advanced neuroscience departments with state-of-art technology and medical facilities.

It also provides a series of neuro-rehab services, which help accelerate the recovery process, after the patient has suffered a stroke or any other neurological problem. The department of neurology has advanced equipment and imaging techniques for the comprehensive evaluation of patients. Depending on the clinical needs of patients, customized treatments are also available. The hospital specializes in areas such as Neurosurgery, Neuro Anesthesia, Neurophysiology, Neuro-Psychology, and Interventional Neurology, along with Neuro Rehabilitation.Time and again, the department has been credited for successfully performing some of the most critical neurological surgeries, and treatments procedures, including brain tumor surgery, epileptic surgery, surgery of brain aneurysm, AVM surgery, and awake brain surgery.

The Neurosciences department provides round-the-clock service and facilities, with a dedicated team of doctors ready to handle complex medical situations that require immediate attention. The hospital’s neuro-emergency and trauma care center helps patients who are affected by neurological issues. AMRI Hospitals also has fully operative ambulance services to reach out to people in remote locations during medical emergencies.

The hospital has earned a prominent position in the field of neurology, with its team of doctors and staff delivering premium medical care, and diligently handling even the most complex cases. It lays great emphasis on providing timely treatments to all its patients.

Symptoms and Treatment of Neurological Disorders

Neurosurgery is a medical discipline concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders. Neurosurgery is often referred to as brain surgery, however, it’s much more than just the brain. The medical specialty deals with all kinds of neurological disorders including brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.

Nervous system

The nervous system is a highly complex, specialized network inside human body that organizes, elucidates, and directs human interactions with the world outside. The nervous system is primarily responsible for functions like:

• Five senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling
• Besides regulating things like blood flow and blood pressure, nervous system is also responsible for voluntary and involuntary functions, such as movement, balance, and coordination.
• The ability to think and reason.

The nervous system is divided into the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system, or CNS) and the nerve cells that control voluntary and involuntary movements (peripheral nervous system, or PNS).

Neurosurgeons treat patients suffering from back and neck pain, spinal arthritis, herniated discs as well as a host of other disorders ranging from trigeminal neuralgia to head injury and Parkinson’s disease.

Neurosurgery treatment at AMRI Hospitals, Best Neurology Hospitals in Kolkata, has considered amongst the best in the world thanks to top-class neurosurgeons who are trained at the best medical schools and have wide experience in handling various kinds of neurosurgery in India. Choosing the best and widely experienced neurosurgeon ensures minimum complications after treatments and much less stress for the patient and the family.

Neurosurgeons in India usually deal with the surgical treatment of the following:
Back pain
Neck pain
Brain tumors
Brain aneurysms
Brain hemorrhage
Spine arthritis
Erniated spinal discs
Spinal stenosis
Epilepsy
Hydrocephalus
Spinal fractures
Head injuries
Carotid Artery Disease
Spinal cord injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Acute and chronic pain
Tremors
Stroke
Artery blockages in the neck and brain
Pain caused by cancer
Parkinson’s disease

Causes Of Neurological Disorder

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The causes of neurological disorder may be quite diverse. Both the spinal cord and the brain are insulated by numerous membranes that can be vulnerable to force and pressure. This also includes peripheral nerves that are located deep under the skin. Neurological disorders can affect an entire neurological pathway or a single neuron. Even a small disturbance to a neuron’s structural pathway can result in dysfunction. As a result, neurological disorders can result from a number of causes, including:

• Lifestyle related issues
• Infections
• Genetics
• Nutrition related issues
• Physical injuries
• Environmental influences

Symptoms of Neurological Disorders

Symptoms of neurological disorders may be mild or severe depending upon which part of the nervous system is involved and what is the root cause of the problem. Nervous system disorders may happen slowly with gradual loss of function or it may be a sudden occurrence that becomes life-threatening.

Some of the symptoms of acute neurological problems and diseases include:

• Numbness, weakness, or problem in movement of a part or all of one side of the body
• Blurring, haziness, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
• Speech issues like trouble talking, or trouble understanding or complete loss of speech.
• Severe headache.
• Dizziness, unsteadiness.
• Persistent confusion in understanding things or a change in behavior.
• Nausea.

How Air Pollution Contributes to Lung Disease

When we breathe in dirty air, we bring air pollutants deep into our lungs, so it’s no surprise that air pollution causes serious damage to the respiratory tract. Air pollution exposure can trigger new cases of asthma, exacerbate (worsen) a previously-existing respiratory illness, and provoke development or progression of chronic illnesses including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. Air pollutants also negatively and significantly harm lung development, creating an additional risk factor for developing lung diseases later in life.

Asthma Over 20 million people, including six million children now gasp for breath due to asthma. Asthma, a chronic disease of the lungs characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causes a sensation of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. If untreated, asthma episodes can be near fatal or even fatal. Asthma is not currently curable, and damage that is done to lung tissue during asthma attacks may lead to permanent damage. Nearly 1.8 million emergency room visits were attributed to asthma in 2005, for treatment visit AMRI hospital, best onco hospital in kolktata

There are many triggers to asthma attacks, including dust, smoke, pollen, and volatile organic compounds. Common outdoor pollutant triggers include ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The Asthma-Ozone Connection Ozone, one of the most widespread air pollutants , is formed when volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight. Ozone irritates the lungs at concentrations which are fairly common in urban settings, particularly in summer months. Increases in ozone are linked to asthma and other lung diseases. For those with severe asthma, symptoms increase even when ambient ozone levels fall under the thresholds set by the EPA. Elevated ozone levels also aggravate pre-existing heart problems, like angina. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is another condition characterized by narrowing of the airways, but these changes are permanent rather than reversible.

COPD is caused by exposure to pollutants that produce inflammation, an immunological response. In larger airways, the inflammatory response is referred to as chronic bronchitis. In the tiny air cells at the end of the lung’s smallest passageways, it leads to destruction of tissue, or emphysema. Although current and ex-smokers account for most patients with COPD, exposure to air pollutants plays an important role in the development of COPD and the origin and development of acute exacerbations. Lung Cancer Lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in both men and women, is often (and accurately) associated with smoking tobacco. While that’s true, there are multiple other risk factors for developing lung cancer, including air pollution. Particulate matter and ozone in particular may affect mortality due to lung cancer.

Children are Especially Vulnerable Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution. They breathe through their mouths, bypassing the filtering effects of the nasal passages and allowing pollutants to travel deeper into the lungs. They have a large lung surface area relative to their weight and inhale relatively more air, compared to adults. They also spend more time out of doors, particularly in the afternoons and during the summer months when ozone and other pollutant levels are at their highest. And, children may ignore early symptoms of air pollution effects, such as an asthma exacerbation, leading to attacks of increased severity.

Combine those factors with the adverse impact of some pollutants on lung development and the immaturity of children’s enzyme and immune systems that detoxify pollutants, and you have a series of factors that contribute to children’s increased sensitivity to air pollutants.

Consult AMRI Hospitals, best hospital in Kolkata

Nephrotic Syndrome

Treatment for nephrotic syndrome includes treating the underlying condition that’s causing it and taking medications. Nephrotic syndrome can increase your risk of infections and blood clots. Your doctor may recommend medications and dietary changes to prevent these and other complications of nephrotic syndrome.

 Symptoms

 Signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Severe swelling (edema), particularly around your eyes and in your ankles and feet
• Foamy urine, which may be caused by excess protein in your urine
• Weight gain due to excess fluid retention
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Causes

Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of tiny blood vessels (glomeruli) of your kidneys.The glomeruli filter your blood as it passes through your kidneys, separating things your body needs from those it doesn’t. Healthy glomeruli keep blood protein (mainly albumin) — which is needed to maintain the right amount of fluid in your body — from seeping into your urine. When damaged, glomeruli allow too much blood protein to leave your body, leading to nephrotic syndrome.

Many possible causes

Many diseases and conditions can cause glomerular damage and lead to nephrotic syndrome, including:

• Diabetic kidney disease. Diabetes can lead to kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) that affects the glomeruli.
• Minimal change disease. This is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. Minimal change disease results in abnormal kidney function, but when the kidney tissue is examined under a microscope, it appears normal or nearly normal. The cause of the abnormal function typically can’t be determined.
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Characterized by scattered scarring of some of the glomeruli, this condition may result from another disease or a genetic defect or occur for no known reason.
• Membranous nephropathy. This kidney disorder is the result of thickening membranes within the glomeruli. The exact cause of the thickening isn’t known, but it’s sometimes associated with other medical conditions, such as hepatitis B, malaria, lupus and cancer.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus. This chronic inflammatory disease can lead to serious kidney damage.
• Amyloidosis. This disorder occurs when substances called amyloid proteins accumulate in your organs. Amyloid buildup often affects the kidneys, damaging their filtering system.
• Blood clot in a kidney vein. Renal vein thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot blocks a vein connected to the kidney, can cause nephrotic syndrome.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Medical conditions that can damage your kidneys. Certain diseases and conditions increase your risk of developing nephrotic syndrome, such as diabetes, lupus, amyloidosis and other kidney diseases.
• Certain medications. Examples of medications that can cause nephrotic syndrome include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs used to fight infections.
• Certain infections. Examples of infections that increase the risk of nephrotic syndrome include HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and malaria.

Complications

Possible complications of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Blood clots. The inability of the glomeruli to filter blood properly can lead to loss of blood proteins that help prevent clotting. This increases your risk of developing a blood clot (thrombus) in your veins.
• High blood cholesterol and elevated blood triglycerides. When the level of the protein albumin in your blood falls, your liver makes more albumin. At the same time, your liver releases more cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Poor nutrition. Loss of too much blood protein can result in malnutrition. This can lead to weight loss, but it may be masked by swelling. You may also have too few red blood cells (anemia) and low levels of vitamin D and calcium.
• High blood pressure. Damage to your glomeruli and the resulting buildup of wastes in your bloodstream (uremia) can raise your blood pressure.
• Acute kidney failure. If your kidneys lose their ability to filter blood due to damage to the glomeruli, waste products may build up quickly in your blood. If this happens, you may need emergency dialysis — an artificial means of removing extra fluids and waste from your blood — typically with an artificial kidney machine (dialyzer).
• Chronic kidney disease. Nephrotic syndrome may cause your kidneys to gradually lose their function over time. If kidney function falls low enough, you may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Infections. People with nephrotic syndrome have an increased risk of infections.

 Consult AMRI Hospitals, the best nephrology hospitals in Kolkata

List of Joint Problems

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a disease of the spine in which there is gradual loss of mobility in the joints between the vertebrae. It occurs mainly in males between the ages of 20 and 40.

Back Pain

Back Pain may be caused by muscular strain or a “slipped disk” or it may be associated with some disease of the bones and joints.

Behcet’s syndrome

Behcet’s syndrome is a disease that involves inflammation of the blood vessels. It causes problems in many parts of the body. The most common symptoms are
Sores in the mouth
Sores on the sex organs
Other skin sores
Swelling of parts of the eye
Pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is fairly common. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and a burning pain in the hand. The symptoms start off by occurring at night, often waking the patient, later they may also be experienced during the day and in some cases be so severe they can interfere with the normal use of the hand.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)

DISH is a form of too much bone growth along the sides of the vertebrae of the spine
It involves inflammation and bone growth where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, such as the elbows, knees and the heels of the feet.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a disorder that affects the connective tissues that support the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. People with EDS disorders tend to have loose joints, skin that stretches easily, and a tendency to bruise.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is the name given to widespread pain affecting the muscles but not the joints. It is a chronic condition, but it is not life-threatening or progressive and does not cause permanent damage to either muscles, bones or joints.

Gonococcal arthritis

Gonococcal arthritis is an infection of the joints, tendons and muscles that occurs in those suffering from gonorrhea. It affects more women than men and usually appears before the age of 30.

Gout

Gout is a chemical defect which causes the accumulation in the bloodstream of a waste product of metabolism also known as uric acid. It is the deposition of crystals of uric acid in the skin, joints and kidneys which is responsible for the symptoms.

Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

Juvenile arthritis refers to a “childhood arthritis” for children under the age of sixteen affected by inflammatory arthritis. Children can develop almost all types of arthritis that affect adults, but the most common type that affects children is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive and potentially serious disease. It can affect nearly every organ in the body. Among the complications that may be seen are inflammation of the membrane lining the heart and the smooth membranous sac enveloping the heart, pleurisy, kidney lesions and disorders of the central nervous system and skin rash.

Lymes Disease

Lyme disease begins by a bite from an insect that is infected by bacterium. The bacterium enters the body and travels to different parts of the body. If untreated, it can progress to produce an infection that involves inflammation affecting joints, the nervous system, the heart and the skin.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints, usually accompanied by pain and stiffness. It causes a great deal of pain and discomfort to a large number of people and affects both males and females alike. The cause of the disease is not known but it is described as a degenerative disorder developing with age.

Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a disease affecting mainly adult women, where the bones are generally softened due to the impaired deposition of calcium. It is thought to be caused by lack of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones are generally thinned. From the age of 20 everyone’s bones become progressively thinner with age. In osteoporosis this thinning becomes faster than normal.

Pagets Disease

Pagets Disease is a disease where areas of bone become thickened and soft and there is an increase in the total number of bone cells. It is quite common in old age especially in men.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is muscular pains throughout the body starting abruptly in the neck and shoulder muscles and then spreading down the back to the buttocks and the thighs accompanied by stiffness, headache, fever and generally feeling unwell.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of joint inflammation affecting individuals with the skin disorder psoriasis. Psoriasis affects 2-3% of the UK population.
Approximately 10-20% of those with psoriasis may develop some form of arthritis.
Joints are typically stiff after resting, early morning or resting in the evening.Tissues such as ligaments, tendons around the joints may be involved.

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is most common in young women. First the fingertips go white and cold, the fingers become numb and may become stiff due to the blood supply being temporarily cut off. The condition may be slight or severe. In severe cases small ulcers may form on the fingertips and the nails may also be affected.

Reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is caused by bacteria travelling through the body to the joints between bones. The joints swell and become stiff and painful. It normally affects the joints of the knees, ankles or toes. In extreme cases it can also affect the eyes or skin or muscles.

Repetitive strain injury

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is used to describe a range of painful conditions of the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is mainly caused by repetitive use of part of the body. It is usually related to a job or occupation, but leisure activities can also be a cause.

Rhematoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the connective tissue of the joints. At the onset there may be a general feeling of being unwell, fatigue, and pain and stiffness in the joints. It usually begins with the joints in the fingers spreading to the wrists and elbows.

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Is young India falling prey to orthopedic problems?

Lack of physical activity, low exposure to sun, poor eating and living habits and a high paced life full of stress, all these markers point to an increasingly dangerous threat our young generation is falling prey to – that of weak bones and early onset of osteo-arthritis.

Increasingly, we are getting more patients under 35 years of age with neck related, knee related or other joint related problems; some of the most common problems being reported by the young include knee pain due to early onset of osteo-arthritis and neck pain, primarily because of long hours of sitting in front of computers and televisions.

Lack of exercise and very limited sun exposure means that people are growing up with weaker bones. All this points to the fact that something is going wrong with the way we are living. And if efforts are not made to break this unhealthy cycle of life, long term impact might be dangerous,visit ortho oncologist in kolkata.

Hectic schedules and endless tasks, or wrong priorities I might say, leave little time for people to spare for some essential components for life. Basking in the sun, taking an evening stroll to a park, or spending some time stretching yourself; we keep pushing all these for some other good time.

However, to make sure we have a healthy tomorrow, our young generation should make some key alterations to their present ways of living.

Whenever we receive a young patient complaining of joint or neck pain, our first question to them is about their working patterns and lifestyle and in almost all cases they reveal a life that lacks in physical activity and sun exposure.

Osteoarthritis, a  degenerative joint disease involves degradation of the condition of joints mostly caused due to loss of cartilage and may cause stiffness, locking or pain. When the cartilage around the bone wears out, it leaves the bone of the joint extremely vulnerable to damage.

More often than not, such bone related disorders were associated with older people, but an increasing number of cases of young people presenting with osteoarthritis is indicative of the fact that our young generation has discarded certain crucial components of life – like exercising, playing and taking the right diet.

The young workers of today spend long hours sitting in the same positions, mostly in a wrong posture, at office and do not realize the importance of motion for the joints of the body. Walking or cycling is no longer considered viable; and once they return home they spend the remaining hours of the day watching television.

Lack of exercise and physical activities are most glaringly responsible for weaker bones and early joint related problems. Change in life style leads to unhealthy diet and increased stress at family and at work places.

Bone is living tissue which keeps on growing constantly, old bone tissues are continually replaced by new ones, but the process slows down by the age of 30. People having poor calcium intake, low sun exposure, exposure to polluted water and adulterated food products and sedentary lifestyle, may tend to start bone depletion.

If young people who are their productive best fall to health problems like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, this may put a great health burden on the country.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass that increases bone fragility and raises a person’s susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures, the study said, occur commonly in both sexes in India, and may occur at a younger age than in the West.

Poor sunlight exposure, skin pigmentation and a vitamin D-deficient diet were identified as some reasons and the study highlighted the need public health measures right from childhood.

Therefore, call of the hour is to take up this issue at a serious note. This primarily entails identifying and involving all those who can play a role in bringing about a behavioral change like promoting consumption of calcium and vitamin D rich diet and exposure to sun right from childhood.

These decision makers may be fitness trainers at schools, health practitioners in hospitals, fitness counselors at healthcare centers at Amri Hospitals, Best Hospital in Kolkata

Youth should be motivated and educated to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle. Education is must, but for the health and overall development of our young generation sporting activities should be given importance in our education system. Sports not only benefits them in maintaining good health but also inculcates leadership qualities and also gives them self confidence.

Doctors could contribute by making it a point to underline the importance of physical activity, balanced diet and sun exposure, while counseling patients. When it comes to bone health, prevention is inarguably the best thing to do.

What is Orthopedic Trauma

Orthopedic trauma is a broad term describing all kinds of injuries affecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in any part of the body that are caused by trauma. The term is wide-ranging and may refer to minor fractures or severely broken bones with a direct threat to the patient’s life. It is considered as a sub-specialty of orthopaedic surgery, ortho oncologist in kolkata and is focused on treating fractured bones and making sure the injured part of the body regains its original strength and maximum function it used to have prior to the injury.

Cause of Condition

The many different types of orthopedic trauma are classified based on the affected body part.

• Upper extremity injury, which includes a broken arm or wrist, collarbone, or ribs
• Lower extremity injury, which includes a broken ankle, hip, or legs
• Soft tissue injury, which affects the muscles, tendon, and ligaments

The most common causes of traumatic injuries are:

• Falls
• Twisting the ankle
• Sporting accidents
• Other types of accident
• Severe coughing
• Blows to specific parts of the body

Some people also have a greater propensity to broken bones after a fall or accident. For example, a person suffering from osteoporosis, a condition wherein the person’s bones are weak and fragile, can easily break a bone even with a minor fall or slip. Some people may also suffer from conditions that affect their eyesight or their balance, causing them to fall more frequently and raising their risk of injury.

Additionally, bones do not always break the same way. The break can occur in a straight line, diagonally, or in a spiral manner. Bones can also break into several pieces and, in open fractures, they may stick out of the skin.

Key Symptoms

Trauma to the bones and soft tissues that fall under orthopedic care may be accompanied by several possible symptoms, depending on which part of the body is affected. The most common symptoms of a broken limb or body part include:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bleeding, but only if the break in the bone damages the skin
• Major bruising
• Inability to move the affected part without experiencing pain
• Bone sticking out at an abnormal angle
• Bone sticking out of the skin
• Numbness
• A pins and needles sensation if some nerves are injured
• Inability to lift or rotate the injured part
• Inability to put any weight (for leg injuries)
• Severe pain when breathing in (for broken ribs)
• Shallow breathing
• A grinding, cracking, or snapping noise is heard at the time of the fall or accident

Minor injuries are sometimes difficult to treat, as there are cases where there’s no sign of a broken bone. Thus, patients don’t go straight to the emergency room. However, it is best to get checked up after a fall or accident to make sure there are no fractures.

Regardless of the severity of the injury, during the ride to the hospital, Amri Hospitals Best Hospital in Kolkata it is important to keep the injured body part stable by using temporary slings. Meanwhile, applying an ice pack to the injured area will help reduce the pain and inflammation. If the pain is unbearable, over-the-counter pain relievers may be taken; some examples are paracetamol and ibuprofen. If there is nobody to drive the patient to the hospital, it is best to call for an ambulance. If there is a bone sticking out at an odd angle, no attempt should be made to re-align it. If there is an open wound, it should be covered with a clean cloth and pressure must be applied to minimize the bleeding.

Who to See and Types of Treatments Available

Orthopedic trauma is treated depending on its severity. Those who have minor injuries such as fractures can be easily treated by general orthopedists, although in some cases, the expertise of fracture specialists may become necessary. However, some types of trauma such as multiple broken bones and fractures in sensitive locations such as near the joints or affecting the pelvis may require trauma specialists.

Orthopedic trauma uses both surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat the affected bones and soft tissues. Minor fractures and dislocations of specific bones such as the scapula, humerus, and clavicle, among others, can be treated non-surgically through an external fixation method. This means that orthopedic devices such as casts, braces, and splints are placed outside the body to keep the injured part stable during the recovery period.

Surgical means, on the other hand, include:

• Minimally invasive surgery
• Conventional surgery
• Internal fixation method, which refers to surgically installing orthopedic devices on the bone itself

The following procedures are reserved for more severe injuries and may be done either conventionally or through minimally invasive techniques.

• Bone grafting and bone/joint transplantation
• Bone-forming
• Limb lengthening
• Lower limb joint reconstruction, such as hip and knee replacements
• Upper extremity reconstruction
• Soft tissue repair

Orthopedic trauma is usually followed by a long recovery period, depending on the severity of the injury and the affected body part. The shortest recovery period is usually three weeks for minor injuries. Arm or wrist injuries, as well as a fractured collarbone, may take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, while ankle injuries may take up to 6 weeks. There are also cases in which the bone fails to heal, leaving a permanent injury. However, the healing time tend to be shorter in children, whose bones heal more quickly. Most patients recovering from orthopedic trauma are advised to undergo a post-treatment program to avoid joint or muscle atrophy, which may occur as a result of long periods of inactivity.

Among all types of orthopedic trauma, one of the longest to heal is a broken hip, which is especially dangerous for the elderly. Many individuals find it difficult to regain their original condition after suffering a fracture in the hip bone, and studies show that there is a 1 out of 3 fatality rate within 12 months post-injury among people who experience hip fractures; in many cases, the death is caused by a pre-existing illness that may or may not have been aggravated by the injury.

Causes of Joint Pain and Treatment Options

Joint pain can occur for a number of reasons. For many people, it is due to arthritis (joint inflammation), of which there are several types. For others, such as those with fibromyalgia or an underactive thyroid, pain occurs with no underlying inflammation at all. Joint pain may range from a mild ache to a severe, burning or sharp sensation in one or several joints. In some instances, joint pain is associated with other symptoms, like joint swelling and stiffness, overlying red and warm skin, and whole-body symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, or fever.

Causes

Due to the multiple causes of joint pain, it is perhaps best to separate them into two classes— joint pain from arthritis versus joint pain unrelated to arthritis.

Arthritis-Related

Joint pain related to arthritis indicates that inflammation is occurring within the joint space. There are several types of arthritis and their causes differ.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA develops as a result of age-related breakdown of cartilage, which serves as a cushion between the bones of a joint. This type of arthritis tends to affect the knees, hips, neck, lower back, and fingers.The pain of OA, which often progresses from a sharp, intermittent pain to a constant aching, worsens with movement and eases with rest. Joint stiffness and a restricted range of motion are also characteristic of OA joint pain.While classic OA is actually a non-inflammatory arthritis (even though it is still classified as an arthritis), an aggressive sub type of OA, called erosive osteoarthritis, is inflammatory. Erosive OA is most common in postmenopausal women and causes a gradual onset of joint aches, stiffness, and swelling in multiple finger joints.For treatment consult Amri Hospitals Best ortho oncologist in kolkata

Gout

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in some people with high levels of uric acid in their blood. As the uric acid builds up, it may form crystals in certain joint spaces, like the big toe, ankle, or knee.A classic gout attack refers to a sudden episode of severe, often burning joint pain that usually occurs in one joint (for example, the big toe). The joint pain of a gout attack is often extreme and associated with redness, swelling, and warmth of the joint. Without treatment, the episode will remit on its own, often within a week’s time.The “why” behind gout joint pain is attributed to the rapid, inflammatory response of the body’s immune system to digest the unwanted and foreign crystals.

Pseudogout

Pseudogout, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs as a result of calcium crystal buildup in certain joints, most commonly the knee, wrists, shoulders, ankles, feet, and elbows. Like gout, the pain of an acute pseudogout joint attack is sudden, severe, and associated with other symptoms like joint swelling and warmth. Unlike gout, the attacks of pseudogout may last longer before remitting.

Septic Arthritis

With septic arthritis, a joint becomes infected, most commonly with a bacteria and rarely with a fungus (for example, Candida) or mycobacteria (for example, tuberculosis).Septic arthritis tends to affect a single joint, usually the knee, ankle, wrist, or hip. The affected joint is swollen, warm, and stiff, and a fever is also present. In most cases, septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection in the blood that then travels to the joint space. Less commonly, joint surgery or trauma (for example, a tick bite) may be the culprit.

Viral Arthritis

Several different viruses may cause arthritis. The most common ones include hepatitis B and C, parvovirus B19, and alphavirus (viruses transmitted by mosquitoes), such as the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) found in the Caribbean.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that develops gradually over a period of weeks to months. While the disease predominantly affects the joints, early symptoms may not involve them, but instead include fatigue, muscle pain, low-grade fever, weight loss, and numbness and tingling in the hands.

When the joints become affected, which is a gradual process, small joints on the same side of the body—such as the joints in the fingers and toes—tend to be affected first. Eventually, other joints follow suit like the wrists, elbows, hips, and spine.

In addition to joint pain, stiffness, warmth, redness, and swelling occur. Unlike osteoarthritis, the stiffness of joint pain in RA tends to be worse in the morning (lasting for more than an hour) and improve with movement.

Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that includes the following four conditions:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): AS is an axial spondyloarthropathy because it affects mainly the back and neck (i.e. spine) and the sacroiliac joints (which connect the spine to the pelvis). The joint pain of AS tends to begin in early adulthood before the age of 45, come on gradually, and improve with activity (similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but the opposite of osteoarthritis). Morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes is also common in AS.

• Psoriatic arthritis: Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis—a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of thickened skin covered by silvery scales—have psoriatic arthritis. It most commonly affects the end joints of the fingers and toes, causing a throbbing pain, along with stiffness and swelling. Other symptoms may include swollen fingers and toes that look like sausages and nail problems (for example, pitted nail beds). Interestingly, the severity of a person’s psoriasis does not correlate with the severity of their arthritis—and in about 15 percent of people, joint pain shows up before the psoriasis appears.

• Reactive arthritis: This type is characterized by the development of joint pain and swelling one to four weeks after an infection in the urinary tract, genitals, or intestines. Specific bacterial organisms linked to the development of reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, Yersinia, and Chlamydia. Typical joints involved in reactive arthritis are the knee, ankle, and foot

• Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Throbbing joint pain and swelling, especially in larger joints like the knees and hips, may occur in people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). The arthritis tends to be more active when bowel symptoms are flaring.

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Everything You Need to Know About Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic (long-lasting) joint condition.

A joint is where two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered with protective tissue called cartilage. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together. This can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.

OA occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults of any age. OA is also called degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis.

A leading cause of disability, OA affects more than 30 million men and women in the Country. Here’s everything you need to know about OA, from treatment to prevention and more visit Amri Hospitals Best ortho oncologist in kolkata

Osteoarthritis causes

OA is caused by joint damage. This damage can accumulate over time, which is why age is one of the main causes of the joint damage leading to osteoarthritis. The older you are, the more wear and tear you’ve had on your joints.

Other causes of joint damage include past injury, such as:

• torn cartilage
• dislocated joints
• ligament injuries

They also include joint malformation, obesity, and poor posture. Certain risk factors, such as family history and gender, increase your risk of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage

Cartilage is a tough, rubbery substance that’s flexible and softer than bone. Its job is to protect the ends of bones within a joint and allow them to move easily against each other.

When cartilage breaks down, these bone surfaces become pitted and rough. This can cause pain within the joint, and irritation in surrounding tissues. Damaged cartilage can’t repair itself. This is because cartilage doesn’t contain any blood vessels.

When cartilage wears away completely, the cushioning buffer that it provides disappears, allowing for bone-on-bone contact. This can cause intense pain and other symptoms associated with OA. Here’s what else you need to know about cartilage, joints, and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis symptoms

OA can occur in any joint. However, the most commonly affected areas of the body include the:

• hands
• fingertips
• knees
• hips
• spine, typically at the neck or lower back

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• pain
• tenderness (discomfort when pressing on the area with your fingers)
• stiffness
• inflammation

As OA becomes more advanced, the pain associated with it may become more intense. Over time, swelling in the joint and surrounding area may also occur. Recognizing the early symptoms of OA can help you to better manage the condition.

 Severe osteoarthritis

OA is a progressive condition with five stages, from 0 to 4. The first stage (0) represents a normal joint. Stage 4 represents severe OA. Not everyone who has OA will progress all the way to stage 4. The condition often stabilizes long before reaching this stage.

People with severe OA have extensive or complete loss of cartilage in one or more joints. The bone-on-bone friction associated with this can cause severe symptoms such as:

• Increased swelling and inflammation. The amount of synovial fluid within the joint may increase. Normally, this fluid helps reduce friction during movement. However, in larger amounts, it can cause joint swelling. Fragments of broken-off cartilage may also float within the synovial fluid, increasing pain and swelling.
• Increased pain. You may feel pain during activities, but also when you’re at rest. You may feel an increase in your pain level as the day progresses, or more swelling in your joints if you’ve used them a lot throughout the day.
• Decreased range of motion. You may not be able to move as well, due to stiffness or pain in your joints. This can make it harder to enjoy the day-to-day activities that used to come easily.
• Joint instability. Your joints may become less stable. For instance, if you have severe OA in your knees, you may experience locking (sudden lack of movement). You may also experience buckling (when your knee gives out), which can cause falls and injury.
• Other symptoms. As a joint continues to wear down, muscle weakness, bone spurs, and joint deformity may also occur.

The joint damage caused by severe OA isn’t reversible, but treatment can help reduce symptoms. Learn everything you need to know about advanced osteoarthritis.