Month: April 2023

29 Apr 2023
Are you suffering from chronic back pain this blog is for you

Are You Suffering from Chronic Back Pain? This Blog is for You.

Many people around the world are suffering from chronic back pain. It is a persistent condition that weakens a person and affects their lifestyle. Acute back pain comes and goes in a few days or weeks, but chronic back pain lasts for months and sometimes years. Living with chronic pain impacts daily activities, causes trouble sleeping, and decreases quality of life.

If you are suffering from chronic back pain, you can find various non-invasive and invasive treatment options for back pain management. However, you must consult your doctor or physical therapist about developing the most suitable treatment option for your condition. The type of treatment varies from person to person. However, with the right determination and patience, one can find relief from chronic back pain and enhance their quality of life. 

  • Physical Therapy
    Exercises and stretches relax stiff veins and help to relieve pain, and improve mobility. It would help if you worked with your physical therapist to plan suitable exercises for managing chronic back pain. They can help you provide manual therapy and educate you on correct posture and body mechanics. Physical therapy is a non-invasive option and hence a great option for patients. Performing the therapy regularly can reduce the need for pain medication.
  • Chiropractic Care
    In Chiropractic care, the spinal cord is adjusted to help relieve pain and improve mobility. It can also include manual therapy, soft tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercises. Chiropractic care improves flexibility and motion and reduces inflammation. It is a safe and effective way for managing chronic pain.
  • Pain Medications
    Pain medications are known to reduce pain and inflammation. If your condition becomes too severe, you must take prescription pain medications. Before taking any medications, you should consult your doctor about their possible side effects and associated risks. These chronic pain remedies can lead to tolerance and dependence on the medicine, so use them responsibly and under the supervision of a doctor.
  • Heat and Cold Therapy
    Heat or cold therapy tends to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Heat therapy relaxes muscles which improve blood circulation. On the other hand, cold therapy reduces swelling and numb pain. However, some medical conditions do not allow certain kinds of therapy. So it is recommended to consult your doctor about the right therapy.
  • Massage Therapy
    Massage therapy is an incredible option to relieve tension and improve circulation. It helps to improve mobility and reduce pain. Various techniques can be used, such as deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, or trigger point therapy. Massage therapy provides chronic pain relief from muscle tension and improves the range of motion. It is one of the most effective ways for treating chronic back pain
  • Acupuncture
    The traditional Chinese medicine technique, Acupuncture, is one of the effective treatments for managing chronic pain. It involves inserting fine needles at particular points on the body that helps to reduce the pain. The process stimulates the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals, improving circulation. It is a safe and natural way for treating chronic back pain and helps with chronic pain management. 
  • Mind-Body Techniques
    Mindfulness, meditation, and visualisation are some techniques that help with chronic pain management. These exercises help to minimise stress and improve relaxation. With meditation, you can get your mind focused, which reduces pain perception. On the other hand, visualisation allows imagining pain-free movements that tend to eliminate the fear of future injury. Mind-body techniques are an excellent option to treat chronic back pain by improving mood and reducing stress. 
  • Surgery
    Sometimes, for managing chronic pain, certain surgery is performed. It usually happens when all the other options have failed to treat the underlying issue. Some common surgical procedures include spinal fusion, laminectomy, and discectomy. However, one must thoroughly understand the risks and benefits of the surgery with their doctor.

Everyone’s experience of chronic back pain management varies. The treatment options can work for some and fail for others. It would help if you worked with your doctor to plan the best chronic back pain solutions. The most important thing is never to give up and to continue seeking treatments until you are thorough with chronic pain management. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, visit Germanaten Hospital now and get effective treatment for your condition. 

15 Apr 2023
What is nephrology do

What Is Nephrology and What Does a Nephrologist Do?

Who is a Nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a doctor who specialises in kidney and hemodialysis treatment disorders. The kidney is a vital part of the excretory system as it is the centre for filtration and removes excess salts, electrolytes and water from the body through urine. 

Who is a paediatric Nephrologist?

A paediatric nephrology specialist is a doctor who has specialised training in kidney treatment of infants, children and adolescents.

What is the work of a Nephrologist?

A nephrologist would examine and treat kidney problems. Also, they would explain the effects of kidney disorders on other parts of the body, such as:

  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Cardiovascular system
  • High blood pressure 

What training does a nephrologist undergo?

Nephrology specialist undergoes the following training to become a professional:

  • Four years of medical college
  • One year of internship
  • Three years of residency ( specialised training in nephrology)
  • Two or three years of fellowship. There can be one more year of fellowship to get more training in transplant treatment or interventional nephrology for kidney disease specialists.
  • The nephrology specialist should also have board certification in internal medicine and nephrology from the medical council of India. 

What is transplant nephrology?

Transplant nephrology is a technique which covers both kidney transplant surgery and pancreas transplant, as well as taking care of the patients after the procedure. 

What is interventional nephrology?

Interventional nephrology ensures proper blood supply to the blood vessels for dialysis. The interventional kidney disease specialist performs a kidney biopsy. They have specialised training in removing or playing catheters, blood clot removal, and placing stents and fistulograms.

What other disorders can be treated by Nephrologists? 

Some of the common problems that nephrology specialists treat include:

  • Diabetes 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Kidney failure 
  • Cystic kidney diseases 
  • Kidney stones
  • Nephrotic syndrome 
  • End-stage renal disease
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome 
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Kidney infections
  • Hyponatremia and electrolyte imbalances
  • Toxins accumulations which require hemodialysis treatment 
  • Glomerulonephritis 

What are the tests and procedures done by the nephrologist?

Some of the common tests performed by kidney disease specialist include:

  • Imaging tests: Kidney imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds. 
  • Kidney function tests: It is done to determine the glomerular filtration rate. It includes blood tests and urine tests. 
  • Dialysis: If the kidneys are not functioning as required, dialysis is done, which purifies the blood and removes the waste products. 
  • Kidney biopsy: To better understand your condition, the nephrologist would take a small sample of the kidney to perform a biopsy. 
  • Kidney transplant care: In kidney transplant surgery, the surgeon would replace your damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor. A lot of post Kidney transplant surgery care is necessary; hence, the nephrologist and transplant surgeon would work together to help you recover. 

What is the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist?

Both of these specialisations are closely related. Nephrologists work on kidney disorders, whereas urologists work on disorders related to the urinary tract. Urologists also treat problems in the reproductive system. 

Urologists have specialised training in surgical training and intervene in kidney disorders which require surgery, such as kidney stones or kidney cancer. Nephrologists do not perform surgeries. 

When to see a Nephrologist?

You should consider visiting a nephrologist if you feel any kidney-related issues. Some of these include: 

  • Family history of kidney disease
  • Diabetic patients 
  • Patients suffering from high blood pressure
  • If you notice any change in your urine colour 
  • If you have noticed that your thinking speed has decreased and you cannot concentrate properly, visit a neurologist. It is termed brain fog which is a symptom of kidney disease. 

What happens in the first consultation with a Nephrologist?

 In the first meeting with your nephrologist, they would do the following things:

  • Look over your medical history.
  • Inquire about your present conditions and the symptoms you are facing.
  • Perform a physical examination.
  • Ask for blood, urine, and imaging tests to understand the glomerular filtration rate and check the extent of the damage. 

Before visiting the nephrologist, prepare a list of questions you want to ask and inform them of all your medical conditions for better diagnosis and treatment. Ask any question which comes to your mind. The nephrologist would answer all your queries and try their best to support you. 

 

08 Apr 2023
Robotic Knee Replacement vs Traditional Knee Replacement

Robotic Knee Replacement vs Traditional Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is a procedure for end-stage osteoarthritis patients or those with severe physical damage. It is done by placing implants in place of the original knees; the age category of the patients now includes younger patients looking for some of the best traditional knee replacements. The procedure is also known as total knee arthroplasty.

What is traditional total replacement surgery?

The old style of knee replacement is practised and still preferred by many surgeons in traditional knee replacement surgery. It depends highly on the surgeon’s expertise and keen vision to get an idea through x-rays. Traditional knee replacement surgery involves making an incision of 10 to 12 inches with surgical machines and tools.

Even though the procedure has been fruitful for many in the past years, it is an invasive procedure with a long recovery period. The traditional knee replacement dryer relies on the surgeons’ skills and their judgement ability through which they do bone section and soft tissue balancing. 

Disadvantages of traditional knee replacement surgery

  • The procedure is invasive and hence needs a longer healing period
  • A good amount of soft tissue and skin has to be stretched and involved during the surgery 
  • Higher chances of wear and tear of the knee components due to improper alignment
  • It depends mainly on the experience of the surgeon, who should be an expert in ensuring the success of the surgery

What is robotic knee replacement?

In robotic knee replacement surgery, the medical procedure prepares a virtual mode of the patient’s knee to prepare a plan before the surgery. With a computer, the doctor would guide the robotic arm, which is programmed and successfully replace the damaged knee tissue. 

There are many robotic knee versus traditional knee replacements where the former is the winner. The major difference between robotic vs traditional knee replacement is that only the damaged portion of the knee is removed, and the other healthy intricate parts and tissues are not affected by the surgery. An implant is placed inside, allowing free movement after the knee has healed. 

Benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery

Getting one of the best robotic knee replacements is a safe and informed decision. There are multiple advantages of robotic knee versus traditional knee replacement. Some of these are:

  • The robotic knee replacement involves using smaller incisions, hence quick recovery and gaining back mobility. 
  • A major robotic vs traditional knee replacement advantage is the higher probability of long-term success of the procedure.
  • It is better for those who want a safe and less invasive procedure. There is also laser damage done to the surrounding tissues. 
  • In traditional versus robotic knee replacement, the accuracy of the implant position does not completely rely on the surgeon. Robotic arms have better accuracy and hence give a more natural feeling post-surgery. 
  • Those who want a more customised and dedicated plan should go with robotic surgery. It is a major advantage of robotic knee versus traditional knee replacement.
  • The chances of complications are much less.
  • The robotic method employs the exact pattern of the patient’s joint movement and reduces the risks of damage to nearby cartilages and tendons. 
  • The procedure is mostly a success on the first attempt, and no cases of correction arise. 

 

Who is an ideal candidate to undergo robotic knee replacement surgery?

If you are suffering from knee pain, you should consider visiting an orthopedician to get a better idea of the cause and available treatment options. The decision of surgery whether you are suitable for the surgery or not depends on several factors such as lifestyle habits, age, diet, the extent of the damaged portion of the knee, etc. 

Those who are suffering from severe osteoarthritis are ideal candidates for the surgery. Those with severe pain and knee stiffness due to which daily activities have become a menace should consider understanding traditional versus robotic knee replacement and choosing the ideal option. It is suggested to the patient only when all forms of physical therapy and medication fail to deliver results. 

Visit Germanten Hospital if you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your knee. The experienced medical team, with the availability of advanced technology, can conduct effective and safe knee replacement surgery. So, book your appointment now!