High Five for World Arthritis Day!
Since 1996 October 12th has been recognized as World Arthritis Day. The aim of this day is to raise awareness of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (also known as RMDs). You might be wondering, however, what exactly is arthritis and how does it affect those living with it?
The term arthritis actually just refers to joint inflammation and describes more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints. Arthritis can affect anyone at anytime and is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with more 50 million adults and 30,000 children being affected. Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. There are many different types of arthritis and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Read more
Orthopedic Bone Drilling
Although it sounds extreme, bone drilling is sometimes a necessary part of orthopedic surgery. This is most common when a person suffers a fracture and it has to be treated with a direct approach. This means that plates, wires and immobilization screws have to be used inside the body. The drill itself is an electric device that is used by the surgeon to create holes in bones. Other common reasons for drilling bones in surgery are fixing implants and fitting prosthetic devices. The bone drill is sometimes referred to as a saw and certain types can also be used manually although this is less common at the present time.
Through extensive research experts have determined that the best orthopedic drill is one that has a split point and a quick helix. It is important to cause as little thermal damage as possible when drilling through bone and this is a prime consideration during the design process. If the area around a drill hole experiences a dramatic rise in temperature than this can negatively affect the healing process and even cause permanent damage. Infection is another risk factor and it is known that blunt drill bits are often the culprit for this temperature increase occurring. The angle at which the drill is applied is also an essential consideration of this type of orthopedic surgery.
Read more
Why Spine Care is Important!
The spine is certainly one of the most important parts of the body and an injury can drastically alter the quality of life of the afflicted person!
Although a small injury will often heal itself after a period of rest, more serious injuries will often require comprehensive treatment. For that reason it is important to seek a professional diagnosis soon after the injury has been experienced, so that the appropriate path of care can be arranged.
Read more
Eradicate Stress for a Better You
Stress is an everyday natural occurrence and is something that we all experience from time to time. It is how your body reacts to any changes in your environment or to demands that are being made of you. Stress can be a good or a bad thing dependent on the situation and how much stress your body is under.
Read more
How to Treat a Hamstring Injury
It is not uncommon for a person to injure their hamstring. As well as being quite painful it can also prevent the afflicted person from being able to pursue their usual activities and motion. The hamstrings themselves are the tendons which attach the large muscle at the back of the thigh to the bone.
Read more
Preventing Surgical Site Infections
A surgical site infection is something that can strike following absolutely any surgery! When this issue is experienced an infection will develop in the particular place on the body that the surgery took place.
Read more
Common Back Complaints
The back is one of the most important regions of the body when it comes to how mobile we all are. Almost every move we make is connected to the back and it is not uncommon for injuries to occur purely as a result of general wear and tear.
Read more
How to Care For Your Joints
As we advise frequently on the blog section of Onto Orthopedics, taking care of your body in order to prevent injury is always going to be preferable to seeking treatment for an issue or ailment! When it comes to your joints, this statement is especially true.
Read more
Understanding Orthopedic Care
There are many reasons why you might require the services of an orthopedic doctor or orthopedic surgeon. The practice itself is predominantly associated with the treatment and care of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up the muscles, tendons, bones and joints within your body. Today we are going to take a closer look at these parts of the body and learn a little bit more about them!
Carpal Tunnel: What is it and How to Treat it
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects a large number of people around the world. More common in those with jobs that involve repetitive motions, such as typing, this problem can be irritating and painful to deal with. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes feelings of tingling in the fingers, with numbness and potentially pain in the hands and fingers. These feelings develop over time, and feel particularly strong at night. Normally, the numbness or the pain is felt the most strongly in the thumb, index finger and middle finger. Sufferers can also experience pins and needles and a weakness in finger and thumb strength.
Read more