Month: March 2021

Spine Care: Proper Spine Postures For A Healthy Body

Inflammation of the knee joint is known as knee arthritis. The knee is the joint that gets most commonly affected by arthritis. This condition makes daily activities such as running, climbing stairs and walking very difficult. Although there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common forms of arthritis that affect the knee are osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.The knee joint is composed of three components – thighbone, shinbone and the kneecap. The slippery, smooth substance that covers the ends of the bones forming the knee joint is called articular cartilage. It cushions and protects the bones when the knee is bent and straightened. When the cartilage wears away, bones start rubbing with each other leading to arthritis of the knee.

Symptoms

Inflammation and pain in the knee is the biggest symptom of arthritis. Apart from that,there are other symptoms as well, such as:
● Swollen and stiff knee joint
● Difficulty bending and straightening the knee
● Feeling like the knee is locking or sticking
● Grinding, clicking, snapping or creaking sound while movement
● Increase in pain with the weather change

Types of knee arthritis

● Osteoarthritis – The most common type of knee arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage wears away. This causes the bones to rub together, leading to painful bone spurs.
● Rheumatoid arthritis – This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disorder,wherein the body’s immune system starts attacking healthy cells. The body starts thinking that healthy tissues are harmful which causes the immune system to destroy these tissues, ultimately destroying the joint.
● Post-traumatic arthritis – This type of arthritis develops after an injury. Old injuries put extra stress on the knee joint, leading to arthritis.
● Gouty arthritis – When crystals of uric acid start depositing in the knee joint,it is known as gouty arthritis. It can cause a lot of pain, inflammation and swelling.

Causes of knee arthritis

● Osteoarthritis – This type of arthritis is caused by the daily wear and tear of the knee joint.
● Rheumatoid arthritis – It is not known what causes this type of arthritis,however, genetic factors might be at play.
● Post-traumatic arthritis – As mentioned above, this type of arthritis is caused by previous injuries such as a cartilage tear or sprains.
● Gouty arthritis – This type of arthritis can be caused by various factors such as obesity, old age, family history of gouty arthritis or using certain medications.

Diagnosis

Germanten Hospital is the number one centre for orthopaedics in Hyderabad. The team of doctors at Germanten Hospital is led by Dr.Mir Jawad Zar Khan, a veteran of 20 years in the field of orthopaedics. A gold medalist of Osmania University, he has received advanced training in this field from Germany and the USA.To celebrate his achievements and effort, he was awarded the title of Best Doctor by
the ex-CM of Joint Andhra Pradesh & Former Governor Tamilnadu, Shri Roshaiah Garu in 2018. In 2019, he was honoured with the Vaida Ratna Award by the Honourable Health Minister of Telangana, Shree Etala Rajendra.At Germanten Hospital, a team of the best doctors will first perform a physical exam of the knee area. After that, imaging tests such as a CT scan, an MRI or an X-ray also might be performed, for better identification of damage to the tissues. Lab tests and uric acid tests are also performed to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as well as gouty arthritis.

Treatment

There are various methods to lessen the pain caused by knee arthritis. These include:
● At-home treatment methods – A few things that can be followed to reduce the pain, at home are:
● Losing extra weight
● Engaging in low-impact exercises instead of high-impact ones
● Physical therapy
● Wearing a knee bandage or brace
● Applying ice or heat
● Over-the-counter pain relief medication
● Non-surgical options – There are a wide variety of non-surgical options for knee arthritis. Some of these approaches include:
● Viscosupplementation- This procedure works by injecting hyaluronic acid into the joint. The thick fluid helps reduce swelling and pain in your arthritic joint.
● Radiofrequency (RF) ablation- It is a minimally invasive and non-surgical procedure and works by destroying the nerve fibers that carry the pain signals to the brain.
● Stem cells therapy- In this procedure, stem cells are used to reduce pain. It is a natural form of treatment wherein no anesthesia is required.
● Surgery – If at-home remedies and non-surgical options don’t work, the last option to consider is knee surgery. Various procedures can be performed, such as:
● Cartilage transplant – In this procedure, the damaged knee cartilage is replaced with tissue grafts that would help regain the normal function of the knee. This procedure might also eliminate the need for knee replacement surgery.
● Partial knee replacement – In this procedure, only the damaged cartilage is removed and the ligaments are kept intact. This technique
helps patients gain a better range of motion and also recover faster.There is minimal loss of blood in this procedure.
● Total knee replacement – In this procedure, the knee joint is completely replaced with a prosthesis or an implant.

At Germanten Hospital, knee replacement surgery is performed using a robotic arm.This technology is precise to the nearest half millimetre and makes the surgery much safer and advanced. Our hospital is the first one in India to have acquired robotic arm
technology for minimally invasive knee replacement surgeries.Germanten Hospital is NABH-accredited, has over 200+ beds and each operation theatre has a laminar airflow for total infection control. In 2019, Times of India graded it as the Best Emerging Orthopedic Hospital. It was also named the Best Orthopedic Hospital in South India by Economic Times 2021.

Spine Care: Proper Spine Postures For A Healthy Body

The position of our body when we are standing up or sitting is called posture. Ideally, the spine should be in a neutral position such that the joints, ligaments and muscle groups are aligned to maintain balance, keep the body flexible and reduce fatigue.In today’s lifestyle, a bad posture is quite common. Leaning over or slouching in a chair can lead to neck, shoulder and back pain as well as an injury during work or exercise and other such activities.

Types of poor spine posture

Most commonly, there are four types of bad postures:
● Kyphosis – Also known as a hunchback, the upper back is extremely curved and the shoulders are rounded forward in this position. It may occur to diseases such as Scheuermann’s disease or polio, infections and radiation or
chemotherapy in younger people. In older people, especially women,osteoporosis causes the shoulders to round forward due to weak spinal bones.
● Flatback – In this position, there is very little curvature of the spine. The back looks flat and it may seem like the person is stooping forward. A flatback can be present at birth or it may result from degenerative conditions of the spine such as ankylosing spondylitis, vertebrae compression or disc degeneration. It can also occur due to back surgery.
● Swayback – Also known as hyperlordosis, the lower back is curved inwards to an extreme level. The stomach and rear stick out and it may seem like the person is leaning back. This condition may develop if one sits a lot which leads to tightening of the muscles in the back. Obesity, neuromuscular conditions,spinal and vertebral abnormalities or an injury might also cause swayback.Apart from these bad postures, a few other types of bad postures include military-style posture, poking chin posture and uneven hips or shoulders.

Effects of bad posture

Poor posture can lead to various long term effects such as:
● Back pain
● Neck pain
● Shoulder pain
● Varicose veins
● Negative impact on digestive organs and system
● Impact on the cardiovascular system
● Change in the spinal curve

Apart from these effects, muscular stress caused due to poor spinal posture can also lead to the following conditions –
● Change in spinal curvature – Our spine is designed to make an “S” shape.When poor posture is practised, the natural curvature of the spine gets affected and this, in turn, impacts the spine’s ability to maintain the body’s balance and act as a shock absorber. This makes us more prone to spinal injuries.
● Nerve constriction – Due to poor posture, the shape of the spine changes. This puts pressure on the spinal nerves leading to neck pain, back pain as well as pain in other areas of the body.
● Blood vessel constriction – The blood supply to the cells of the spinal muscles can get cut off due to poor posture. This leads to a deficit of oxygen and nutrient supply to the cells. The chances of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis also increase.
● Vertebral subluxations – Due to alteration in the spinal curvature, vertebral subluxations occur, leading to chronic health issues.
● Stenosis – In this condition, the spinal canal becomes narrow. This causes pain and other symptoms such as numbness and weakness through the body, as the stenosis might press on the spinal cord and nerves.

What is the ideal posture?

A good spinal posture is when the three natural curves of the spine i.e. the curves at the neck, lower back and the mid-back, are maintained. Apart from that, the head should be above the shoulder and the top of the shoulder should be over the hips.
Benefits of good posture
● Good posture helps prevent backache and neck pain
● Reduced wear and tear of joints
● Reduced strain on spinal ligaments
● Joints and bones stay in alignment
● Prevention of spine getting fixed in an abnormal position
Tips to improve posture
● While sitting –
● Ensure that you sit at the end of the chair
● The back should be straight
● Shoulders should be pulled back
● Bodyweight should be evenly distributed on both hips
● Feet should be kept flat on the floor
● Instead of bending forward at the waist, while standing up, move to the front of the chair and straighten your legs to stand up

● While driving –
● Knees should be at par with your hips
● To support the curve of the back, the seat should be pulled closer to the steering wheel, in such a manner that the knees can be bent and the feet can reach the pedals

● While lifting –
● Avoid lifting objects heavier than 30 pounds
● Have a firm footing
● Instead of bending from the waist, keep your back straight and bend from the knees to lift an object
● Tighten the stomach muscles while lifting the object
● While sleeping or lying down –
● While sleeping, the best position is lying on the back. Put a pillow under your head, but not your shoulders
● Avoid sleeping on the side or on the stomach
● While standing –
● Feet should be shoulder-width apart
● The head should not be pushed out forward, rather it should be on top of the spine
● Stand tall and straight
● Keep shoulders upright
● Shift weight from one foot to another, if you are standing for a long period

If your posture is bothering you or appears to be problematic, you should come to Germanten Hospital, Hyderabad. It is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and is the number one centre for the diagnosis and treatment of all spinal issues. Germanten Hospital has over 200+ beds and a high-advanced laminar airflow in every operation theatre for total infection control. In 2019, Germanten Hospitals was ranked as the Best Emerging Orthopaedic Hospital by the Times of India. It has also been named the Best Orthopaedic Hospital in South India, by the Economic Times, in 2021.At Germanten Hospital, we have a team of the best orthopaedic doctors led by Dr Mir Jawad Khan, a pioneer in the field of orthopaedics with experience of more than 20 years. An expert in spinal surgery, he has been awarded the title of Best Doctor by the ex-CM of Joint Andhra Pradesh & Former Governor Tamilnadu Shri Roshaiah Guru,in 2018. He has also been honoured with the Vaida Ratna Award by the Honourable Health Minister of Telangana, Shree Etala Rajendra.

The position of our body when we are standing up or sitting is called posture. Ideally,the spine should be in a neutral position such that the joints, ligaments and muscle groups are aligned to maintain balance, keep the body flexible and reduce fatigue.In today’s lifestyle, a bad posture is quite common. Leaning over or slouching in a chair can lead to neck, shoulder and back pain as well as an injury during work or exercise and other such activities.

Types of poor spine posture

Most commonly, there are four types of bad postures:
● Kyphosis – Also known as a hunchback, the upper back is extremely curved and the shoulders are rounded forward in this position. It may occur to diseases such as Scheuermann’s disease or polio, infections and radiation or chemotherapy in younger people. In older people, especially women, osteoporosis causes the shoulders to round forward due to weak spinal bones.
● Flatback – In this position, there is very little curvature of the spine. The back looks flat and it may seem like the person is stooping forward. A flatback can be present at birth or it may result from degenerative conditions of the spine such as ankylosing spondylitis, vertebrae compression or disc degeneration. It can also occur due to back surgery.
● Swayback – Also known as hyperlordosis, the lower back is curved inwards to an extreme level. The stomach and rear stick out and it may seem like the person is leaning back. This condition may develop if one sits a lot which leads to tightening of the muscles in the back. Obesity, neuromuscular conditions, spinal and vertebral abnormalities or an injury might also cause swayback. Apart from these bad postures, a few other types of bad postures include military-style posture, poking chin posture and uneven hips or shoulders.

Effects of bad posture

Poor posture can lead to various long term effects such as:
● Back pain
● Neck pain
● Shoulder pain
● Varicose veins
● Negative impact on digestive organs and system
● Impact on the cardiovascular system
● Change in the spinal curve

Apart from these effects, muscular stress caused due to poor spinal posture can also
lead to the following conditions –
● Change in spinal curvature – Our spine is designed to make an “S” shape.When poor posture is practised, the natural curvature of the spine gets affected and this, in turn, impacts the spine’s ability to maintain the body’s balance and act as a shock absorber. This makes us more prone to spinal injuries.
● Nerve constriction – Due to poor posture, the shape of the spine changes. This puts pressure on the spinal nerves leading to neck pain, back pain as well as pain in other areas of the body.
● Blood vessel constriction – The blood supply to the cells of the spinal muscles can get cut off due to poor posture. This leads to a deficit of oxygen and nutrient supply to the cells. The chances of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis also increase.
● Vertebral subluxations – Due to alteration in the spinal curvature, vertebral subluxations occur, leading to chronic health issues.
● Stenosis – In this condition, the spinal canal becomes narrow. This causes pain and other symptoms such as numbness and weakness through the body, as the stenosis might press on the spinal cord and nerves.

What is the ideal posture?

A good spinal posture is when the three natural curves of the spine i.e. the curves at the neck, lower back and the mid-back, are maintained. Apart from that, the head should be above the shoulder and the top of the shoulder should be over the hips.
Benefits of good posture
● Good posture helps prevent backache and neck pain
● Reduced wear and tear of joints
● Reduced strain on spinal ligaments
● Joints and bones stay in alignment
● Prevention of spine getting fixed in an abnormal position
Tips to improve posture
● While sitting –
● Ensure that you sit at the end of the chair
● The back should be straight
● Shoulders should be pulled back
● Bodyweight should be evenly distributed on both hips
● Feet should be kept flat on the floor
● Instead of bending forward at the waist, while standing up, move to the front of the chair and straighten your legs to stand up

● While driving –
● Knees should be at par with your hips
● To support the curve of the back, the seat should be pulled closer to the steering wheel, in such a manner that the knees can be bent and the feet can reach the pedals

● While lifting –
● Avoid lifting objects heavier than 30 pounds
● Have a firm footing
● Instead of bending from the waist, keep your back straight and bend from the knees to lift an object
● Tighten the stomach muscles while lifting the object
● While sleeping or lying down –
● While sleeping, the best position is lying on the back. Put a pillow under your head, but not your shoulders
● Avoid sleeping on the side or on the stomach
● While standing –
● Feet should be shoulder-width apart
● The head should not be pushed out forward, rather it should be on top of the spine
● Stand tall and straight
● Keep shoulders upright
● Shift weight from one foot to another, if you are standing for a long period

If your posture is bothering you or appears to be problematic, you should come to Germanten Hospital, Hyderabad. It is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and is the number one centre for the diagnosis and treatment of all spinal issues. Germanten Hospital has over 250 beds and a high-advanced laminar airflow in every operation theatre for total infection control. In 2019, Germanten Hospitals was ranked as the Best Emerging Orthopaedic Hospital by the Times of India. It has also been named the Best Orthopaedic Hospital in South India, by the Economic Times, in 2021.At Germanten Hospital, we have a team of the best orthopaedic doctors led by Dr Mir Jawad Khan, a pioneer in the field of orthopaedics with experience of more than 20 years. An expert in spinal surgery, he has been awarded the title of Best Doctor by the ex-CM of Joint Andhra Pradesh & Former Governor Tamilnadu Shri Roshaiah Guru,in 2018. He has also been honoured with the Vaida Ratna Award by the Honourable Health Minister of Telangana, Shree Etala Rajendra.

Knee replacement or knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure used for resurfacing a knee that is damaged by arthritis. Plastic or metal parts are used for capping the ends forming the joint and the kneecap. It is the best procedure for someone who has severe knee injury or severe arthritis and hasn’t gotten any relief from any other form of treatment.

There are different forms of arthritis that might affect the knee joint. In middle-aged and older adults, the most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that breaks down the adjacent bone and joint cartilage in the knees. Another form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis that causes synovial membrane inflammation resulting in an excessive amount of synovial fluid that leads to stiffness and pain. The aim of the knee replacement surgery is to resurface the parts of the joint that have been affected and relieve the pain that is unmanageable by other treatments. Here are some other medical treatments that can be used for treating a degenerative joint disease:


● Anti-inflammatory medications
● Assistive devices for walking
● Cortisone injections into the knee joint
● Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate
● Limiting painful activities
● Pain medications
● Physical therapy
● Viscosupplementation injections
● Weight loss

There are two types of spine surgeries – open or conventional and keyhole or minimal access
surgery. Some spinal conditions like tumours and disc problems can be treated using minimally
invasive spine surgery or spine keyhole surgery.

If none of the above-mentioned treatments work, the doctor will recommend a knee replacement surgery.

Before the procedure, the doctor will perform a physical examination to make sure that you are in proper health before the procedure. These might also include diagnostic tests like X-rays and blood tests. Make sure that you ask all questions that you have regarding the procedure. Also, notify the doctor about any allergy or sensitivity to certain medications, anesthetic agents, or latex tape. You need to inform your doctor if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, prescribed or over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, etc. Based on your specific medical condition, the doctor might request some specific preparation.

The knee replacement procedure requires you to stay in the hospital, depending on your condition and the procedure. Here are the steps that will be involved in your procedure:

● The nurse will ask you to remove your clothing and give you a gown to change.
● Next, an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your hand or arm and you will be
asked to lay down on the operating table.
● The doctor will insert the urinary catheter. The excessive hair present at the
surgical site will be clipped off.
● An anesthesiologist will monitor your blood pressure, blood oxygen, and heart rate
during the procedure.
● An antiseptic solution will be used for cleaning the skin over the site of surgery.
● The doctor will make a small incision in the knee area and remove the knee joint’s
damaged surfaces.
● The damaged surfaces will be resurfaced with the prosthesis. This prosthesis will
be made up of plastic and metal. A cemented prosthesis is the most common kind
of artificial knee prosthesis. Uncemented prosthesis are not usually used anymore.
When the doctor uses a cemented prosthesis, it is attached to the bone using
surgical cement whereas an uncemented prosthesis is attached to the bone through
a porous surface. Sometimes, the 2 types are combined for replacing the knee.
There are three components of a prosthesis. The first one is the tibial component
that is used for resurfacing the top of the shin bone or tibia. The second one is the
femoral or thigh bone components that resurface the thigh bone’s end. The last one
is the patellar component used for resurfacing the kneecap’s bottom rubbing
against the thigh bone.
● Once the prosthesis is in position, the doctor will close the incision using surgical
staples of stitches. A drain will also be placed at the incision site for removing
fluid.
● Lastly, a sterile dressing or bandage will be applied at the incision site.

Once the surgery is completed, you will be kept under observation until your breathing, pulse, and blood pressure are stable. After that, you will be shifted to your hospital room. You will have to stay at the hospital for a couple of days after your knee replacement procedure.

It is important that you start moving your new joint after the procedure. You have to consult a physiotherapist soon after the surgery and have them create an exercise program for you. Physical therapy can be started by using a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine that moves the new joint through its range of motion. You will be given some pain medications to help you with pain so that you can start exercising. After you have been discharged, you need to continue physical therapy until you have a good range of motion and regain muscle strength.

At Germanten Hospital, we ensure that our patients have access to the safest and most advanced knee replacement procedure. Germanten is the largest hospital in Hyderabad that focuses on orthopedics trauma, joint replacements, sports injuries, and spine surgeries. We offer a wide range of operative and nonoperative treatment options. In 2019, Times of India graded it as the Best Emerging Orthopedic Hospital. It also was named the Best Orthopedic Hospital in South India by Economic Times 2021.

Germanten Hospital is a 200+ bedded NABH-accredited hospital and is equipped with German Precision Technology. We follow strict protocols to ensure that you and your loved ones have access to the highest quality healthcare facilities in the country. An example of this includes our high advanced Laminar flow Operation Theatres that ensure zero infection. Special anesthesia will be used during the procedure so that you remain free of pain. We also have special DVT pumps for preventing blood stasis-related complications. All patients undergoing the knee replacement procedure will have access to our expert physiotherapy team that will help them get early mobility. Through our stringent protocols and German standards, we assure that our patients have a successful and safe knee replacement procedure the results of which lasts for life.

The orthopedic team at the hospital is led by Dr. Mir Jawad Khan who has more than 20 years of experience in the field. He was awarded the title of Best Doctor by Shri Roshaiah Garu (Ex-CM of Joint Andhra Pradesh & Former Governor Tamilnadu) in 2018. In 2019, he was honoured with the Vaida Ratna Award by the Honourable Health Minister of Telangana, Shree Etala Rajendra.

So, if you have chronic knee pain and haven’t gotten any relief from nonsurgical treatments, you need to book a consultation appointment at Germanten Hospital to know if the knee replacement procedure is the right option for you or not.

 Radiofrequency (RF) ablation, a minimally invasive procedure, is used for destroying the nerve fibers that carry the pain signals to the brain. By doing so, it can provide long-lasting relief for people suffering from chronic pain, specifically for people with neck, lower back, and arthritic joints issues. If you have recurrent pain and have good experience with a nerve block injection, RF Ablation might be the treatment for you.

Also known as rhizotomy, RF ablation is a minimally invasive and non-surgical procedure that uses heat for reducing or stopping the pain transmission. The RF waves “burn” or ablate the nerve responsible for the pain which eliminates the possibility of pain signals transmitted to the brain. It is usually used for treating chronic pain and conditions like spondylosis (arthritis of the spine), and sacroiliitis. However, it can also be used for treating back, neck, knee, peripheral, and pelvic nerve pain. There are several other benefits to this procedure as well, such as immediate pain relief, avoiding surgery, improved function, minimal recovery time, quicker return to the normal routine, and decreased dependency on pain medications.

This treatment is the perfect option for someone who has experienced pain relief after a pain receptor/diagnostic nerve block injection. It is performed using X-ray (fluoroscopic) guidance and must not be performed on people with infection, bleeding problems, or ones who are pregnant.

The treatment will begin with the doctor reviewing the medical history and imaging studies to determine the best location for the procedure. If you are taking a blood-thinning medication, you will have to stop taking it before the procedure. Make sure that you tell your doctor about all the medications that you have been taking. This is an outpatient procedure that lasts for about 15 to 45 minutes.

During the procedure, you will need to lay down on an X-ray table. The doctor will use local anesthesia for numbing the treatment area. Then, they will use a special X-ray called a fluoroscope for directing a thin hollow needle into the area that is responsible for pain. Through the fluoroscope, the doctor will be able to see the needle in real-time and ensure that it goes to the right location. There will be some discomfort, but you will feel less pain and more pressure.

Once the needle is put in place, you will receive a numbing medication. After that, an RF current will be passed through the needle for creating a small, precise burn known as a lesion. This current will destroy the nerve or a portion of it that is transmitting the pain and disrupt the signal that is producing it. Each site will take about 90 seconds to get burned. Doctors can burn multiple nerves at the same time.

Most of the patients are able to walk immediately after the procedure. There might be some pain because of muscle spasms or residual effects of nerve ablation, but it will only last for about two weeks. The pain relief from this procedure can last somewhere between 9 months to 2 years. In some cases, the nerve regrows through the burned lesion. If needed, the procedure can be repeated.

If you think that this procedure might be right for you, then you need to get help from the best. Germanten Hospital is the largest hospital in Hyderabad dedicated to Orthopaedics Trauma, Joint Replacements, Spine Surgeries, and Sports injuries. Germanten offers advanced treatments that cover operative as well as nonoperative management. In 2019, Times of India graded it as the Best Emerging Orthopedic Hospital. It was also named as the Best Orthopedic Hospital in South India by Economic Times 2021.

Germanten is a 250 bedded NABH-accredited hospital with HEPA suite laminar operation theatres for total infection control. You can get diagnostic facilities like imaging, radiology, pathology, and laboratory services in the hospital itself. Apart from critical care facilities and highly-advanced ICU, we also offer post-operative rehabilitation services as well.

The reason behind the success of Germanten hospital is Dr. Mir Jawad Khan, who leads the orthopedic team at the hospital. He has been committed to providing the highest quality of medical services to the people for more than 20 years. To celebrate his achievements and effort, he was awarded the title of Best Doctor by Shri Roshaiah Garu (Ex-CM of Joint Andhra Pradesh & Former Governor Tamilnadu) in 2018. In 2019, he was honoured with the Vaida Ratna Award by the Honourable Health Minister of Telangana, Shree Etala Rajendra.

So, if you have been suffering from chronic pain for quite some time and haven’t had any luck with other nonsurgical treatments, the RF Ablation procedure from Germanten Hospital is your best bet. To know more about the procedure, book an appointment at Germanten Hospital.