DOC I HAVE ACHILLES TENDINITIS
Achilles Tendinitis is the inflammation and swelling of the Achilles tendon .
The cause of Achilles Tendinitis is due:
1.Injury or trauma to the Achilles tendon-minor tears in the tendon of these muscles are always present in injury
2.Repetitive over usage of Achilles tendon especially in a runner
The symptoms and signs of Achilles Tendinitis are:
Onset is usually gradual unless due to injury
Symptoms:
--------------
1.Pain on movement of the Achilles tendon
2.Swelling of the Achilles tendon affected at the lower leg and heel
3.Stiffness of the Achilles tendon - inability to stretch
4.Pain often radiates into the foot
Signs:
1.swelling of the affected Achilles tendon
2.pain and local tenderness of the affected Achilles tendon
3.dry crepitus on movement of the Achilles tendon is present
4. X-rays are usually normal although an ultrasound may show minor tears in the tendon.
The complications of Achilles Tendinitis are:
Fibrosis and rupture of the inflammed Achilles tendon of the heel area may occur leading to loss of function of the tendon in lifting the foot resulting in a drop foot.
The Treatment of Achilles Tendinitis is:
Conservative treatment:
1.rest of the tendon
2.hot compress may help reduce inflammation
3.Splints or bandaging of the tendon and heel area and ankle to rest the tendons
4.Pain killers such as NSAID(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain
5.Muscle relaxant to relax muscles
6.local injection of local anesthetic and long acting steroid should be avoided because of danger of rupture of tendon.
7.Avoid overusage of the Achilles tendon
Surgery :
Surgical reattachment of Achilles tendon may be necessary if torn .
The prognosis of Achilles Tendinitis is:
Prognosis is usually good although recurrence may occur.
The prevention of Achilles Tendinitis is by:
1. Avoiding any strenuous exercises
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
A Simple Guide To Dental Caries
A Simple Guide To Dental Caries
--------------------------------
What is Dental Caries?
------------------------
Dental caries is the decay of a tooth or teeth in the mouth.
The tooth decay is brought about by the acid erosion of tooth enamel.
What is the cause of Dental Caries?
-----------------------------------
Dental caries is caused by the action of the bacteria that lives in plague, a sticky coating of saliva and food debris that forms on the surface of the teeth.
Plague can occur in the mouth:
1.in the pits or grooves in the back teeth
2.in between teeth
3.around dental fillings or bridgework
4.near the gum line
These plaque bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates in the food particles into energy and in breaking them down produce acids.
These acids dissolves the calcium and phosphate minerals on the surface of the tooth eroding the enamel or creating cavities called dental caries.
If the process is unchecked the enamel and the dentin underneath is destroyed resulting in infection of the pulp and permanent damage to the nerves and the blood vessel it contains.
Early dental caries may be reversed if damage by the acid is stopped and the tooth is allowed to repair the damage naturally.
What are the Symptoms of Dental caries?
-------------------------------------------
The early stages of decay do not cause any symptoms and only regular professional examinations can help detect the decay in early stages.
Once the dental caries is established,
1.sensitivity of the tooth to hot/ cold foods and drinks.
2.Pain occurs when the dentin is damaged.
3.Visble pits or holes appear on the enamel
Diagnosis
Dental caries is diagnosed by:
1.Dental examination .
2.X-rays if the dentist suspects hidden caries.
Treatment
1.scrape the teeth to remove plague
A flouride gel may be applied to protect the teeth from plague
2.If a cavity is present, the dental surgeon may fill the tooth with fillings made of dental amalgam in molars and premolars and composite resins for the front teeth.
3.in the case of a large cavity, the dentist will drill the decayed portion of the tooth, fill the cavity and cover the tooth with an artificial crown.
4.root canal treatment involves removal of the tooth’s pulp and replacing it with an inert material.
5.The entire tooth is taken out if the decay is very advanced
Preventing Decay
Tips for preventing caries include:
1.diet low in sugar
2.good oral hygiene:
a.Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
b.Cleaning between teeth daily with floss.
3.regular dental visits and assessment.
4.a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
--------------------------------
What is Dental Caries?
------------------------
Dental caries is the decay of a tooth or teeth in the mouth.
The tooth decay is brought about by the acid erosion of tooth enamel.
What is the cause of Dental Caries?
-----------------------------------
Dental caries is caused by the action of the bacteria that lives in plague, a sticky coating of saliva and food debris that forms on the surface of the teeth.
Plague can occur in the mouth:
1.in the pits or grooves in the back teeth
2.in between teeth
3.around dental fillings or bridgework
4.near the gum line
These plaque bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates in the food particles into energy and in breaking them down produce acids.
These acids dissolves the calcium and phosphate minerals on the surface of the tooth eroding the enamel or creating cavities called dental caries.
If the process is unchecked the enamel and the dentin underneath is destroyed resulting in infection of the pulp and permanent damage to the nerves and the blood vessel it contains.
Early dental caries may be reversed if damage by the acid is stopped and the tooth is allowed to repair the damage naturally.
What are the Symptoms of Dental caries?
-------------------------------------------
The early stages of decay do not cause any symptoms and only regular professional examinations can help detect the decay in early stages.
Once the dental caries is established,
1.sensitivity of the tooth to hot/ cold foods and drinks.
2.Pain occurs when the dentin is damaged.
3.Visble pits or holes appear on the enamel
Diagnosis
Dental caries is diagnosed by:
1.Dental examination .
2.X-rays if the dentist suspects hidden caries.
Treatment
1.scrape the teeth to remove plague
A flouride gel may be applied to protect the teeth from plague
2.If a cavity is present, the dental surgeon may fill the tooth with fillings made of dental amalgam in molars and premolars and composite resins for the front teeth.
3.in the case of a large cavity, the dentist will drill the decayed portion of the tooth, fill the cavity and cover the tooth with an artificial crown.
4.root canal treatment involves removal of the tooth’s pulp and replacing it with an inert material.
5.The entire tooth is taken out if the decay is very advanced
Preventing Decay
Tips for preventing caries include:
1.diet low in sugar
2.good oral hygiene:
a.Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
b.Cleaning between teeth daily with floss.
3.regular dental visits and assessment.
4.a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
A Family Doctor's Tale - COCCYX INJURIES
DOC I HAVE A COCCYX INJURY
Coccygeal Injuries consist of Dislocation and fractures.
Dislocation of the coccyx is the dislocation of the coccyx bone forward following falls on the coccyx or repetitive injury to the coccyx.
The coccyx is the tail end of the spine and consists of 3-5 segments which angulates forward to a variable degree.
Fractures of the coccyx may occur as a result of traumatic separation of the segments of the coccyx due to injury.
The cause of Coccygeal Dislocation and fractures is due to:
1.Injury or trauma to the coccygeal bone from falls on the buttocks
2.Repetitive pressure on the coccyx during delivery of the baby during chuildbirths. Fibrosis and stiffness of the coccyx may result from the pressure on the coccyx.
3.Sitting in a slumping position may cause the tip of the coccyx to press upwards giving rise to pain.
The symptoms and signs of Coccygeal Injuries are:
Onset is usually gradual unless due to acute injury
Symptoms:
1.Pain on sitting on the coccyx
2.pain is aggravated by slumping or sitting on a hard seat
3.pain is also aggravated by constipation
4. the symptoms are more common in women.
Signs:
1.local tenderness on palpation of the coccyx bone and the side soft tissues
2.deformity of the cocygeal bone
3.rectal examination often reveal pain on sacrococcygeal movements
4.X-rays may show dislocation of the coccygeal bone inwards or bony ankylosis with the sacral bone.
Sometimes fractures of the tip of the coccygeal bone may be present.
Osteoarthritis may be noted at the sacrococcygeal joint.
The complications of Coccygeal Injuries are:
Fibrosis and inflammation of the coccyx bone.
The Treatment of Coccygeal injuries is:
Conservative treatment:
1.reduction of the dislocation or fractures of the coccyx bone can be done under local anesthesia
2.Pain can be relieved by sitting a warm sitz bath and a soft doughnut shaped pillow
3.Pain killers such as NSAID(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are given for pain
4.Muscle relaxant to relax muscles
5.local injection of local anesthetic and long acting steroid can be given for chronic strain or osteoarthritis.
6.constipation should be avoided
All acute injuries of the coccyx are treated conservatively for at least 6 months even with significant angulation of the coccyx bone.
Surgery :
Surgical excision of the coccyx is done only if there is severe pain or in patients who do respond to conservative treatment.
The prognosis of Coccygeal Dislocation is:
Prognosis is usually good although recurrence may occur.
The prevention of Coccygeal Injuries are:
1. Avoid any falls on buttocks
2. sitting in a slumping position.
Coccygeal Injuries consist of Dislocation and fractures.
Dislocation of the coccyx is the dislocation of the coccyx bone forward following falls on the coccyx or repetitive injury to the coccyx.
The coccyx is the tail end of the spine and consists of 3-5 segments which angulates forward to a variable degree.
Fractures of the coccyx may occur as a result of traumatic separation of the segments of the coccyx due to injury.
The cause of Coccygeal Dislocation and fractures is due to:
1.Injury or trauma to the coccygeal bone from falls on the buttocks
2.Repetitive pressure on the coccyx during delivery of the baby during chuildbirths. Fibrosis and stiffness of the coccyx may result from the pressure on the coccyx.
3.Sitting in a slumping position may cause the tip of the coccyx to press upwards giving rise to pain.
The symptoms and signs of Coccygeal Injuries are:
Onset is usually gradual unless due to acute injury
Symptoms:
1.Pain on sitting on the coccyx
2.pain is aggravated by slumping or sitting on a hard seat
3.pain is also aggravated by constipation
4. the symptoms are more common in women.
Signs:
1.local tenderness on palpation of the coccyx bone and the side soft tissues
2.deformity of the cocygeal bone
3.rectal examination often reveal pain on sacrococcygeal movements
4.X-rays may show dislocation of the coccygeal bone inwards or bony ankylosis with the sacral bone.
Sometimes fractures of the tip of the coccygeal bone may be present.
Osteoarthritis may be noted at the sacrococcygeal joint.
The complications of Coccygeal Injuries are:
Fibrosis and inflammation of the coccyx bone.
The Treatment of Coccygeal injuries is:
Conservative treatment:
1.reduction of the dislocation or fractures of the coccyx bone can be done under local anesthesia
2.Pain can be relieved by sitting a warm sitz bath and a soft doughnut shaped pillow
3.Pain killers such as NSAID(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are given for pain
4.Muscle relaxant to relax muscles
5.local injection of local anesthetic and long acting steroid can be given for chronic strain or osteoarthritis.
6.constipation should be avoided
All acute injuries of the coccyx are treated conservatively for at least 6 months even with significant angulation of the coccyx bone.
Surgery :
Surgical excision of the coccyx is done only if there is severe pain or in patients who do respond to conservative treatment.
The prognosis of Coccygeal Dislocation is:
Prognosis is usually good although recurrence may occur.
The prevention of Coccygeal Injuries are:
1. Avoid any falls on buttocks
2. sitting in a slumping position.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
OLECRANON BURSITIS
DOC I HAVE OLECRANON BURSITIS
Olecranon Bursitis is the inflammation or infection of the bursa at the olecranon which form part of the elbow joint.
The cause of Olecranon Bursitis is:
The Olecranon bursa overlies the olecranon process and is extremely vulnerable to:
1.Direct Injury or trauma to the bursa resulting in a painful swelling in the olecranon tip.
The bursa sac fills up with blood or clear fluid giving rise to swelling and pain.
Infection of the bursa may then occur with pus formation.
2.Repeated irritation of the bursa from rubbing of the elbow against the table or desk or wall.
With repetitive trauma or irritation a chronic inflammatory reaction may occur that results in the formation of a thickened rubbery bursa .
This swelling is usually not painful.
The symptoms and signs of Olecranon Bursitis are:
Symptoms:
1.Painful swelling at the tip of the elbow
2.Hardened Rubbery Swelling at the olecranon.
3.Stiffness of the elbow - inability to stretch
Signs:
1.swelling localized at the olecranon of the elbow
2.Palpation of swelling may be a tender fluid filled swelling in the acute case
3.In the chronic bursa palpation may reveal multiple small hard nodules that feel like loose bodies.
These are not loose bones but are villous thickenings of the bursa.
4. X-rays are usually normal.
The complications of Olecranon Bursitis are:
Olecranon bursitis can give rise to a chronic infection of the elbow which if not treated properly may lead to infection of the bone and generalized sepsis.
The Treatment of Olecranon Bursitis is:
Conservative treatment:
1.Aspiration of the bursa's fluid or blood under local anesthesia.
Sometimes pus may be aspirated.
Recurrence of bursitis is quite common
Sometimes the bursa may dry up by itself.
2.Aspiration followed by compression dressing or splinting may help to prevent recurrence of formation of the fluid.
3.Pain killers such as NSAID(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be given for pain in acute infections of the bursa
4.Antibiotics are given to stop infections and inflammation
Surgery :
Surgical removal of the bursa may be necessary if conservative treatment does not work.
Incision and drainage usually do not help because a chronic draining infection often results.
The prognosis of Olecranon Bursitis is:
Prognosis is usually good with repeated aspirations of the bursa or through surgical removal of the bursa.
The prevention of Olecranon Bursitis is :
1. Avoid any physical exercises which can cause injury to the bursa area of the elbow
Olecranon Bursitis is the inflammation or infection of the bursa at the olecranon which form part of the elbow joint.
The cause of Olecranon Bursitis is:
The Olecranon bursa overlies the olecranon process and is extremely vulnerable to:
1.Direct Injury or trauma to the bursa resulting in a painful swelling in the olecranon tip.
The bursa sac fills up with blood or clear fluid giving rise to swelling and pain.
Infection of the bursa may then occur with pus formation.
2.Repeated irritation of the bursa from rubbing of the elbow against the table or desk or wall.
With repetitive trauma or irritation a chronic inflammatory reaction may occur that results in the formation of a thickened rubbery bursa .
This swelling is usually not painful.
The symptoms and signs of Olecranon Bursitis are:
Symptoms:
1.Painful swelling at the tip of the elbow
2.Hardened Rubbery Swelling at the olecranon.
3.Stiffness of the elbow - inability to stretch
Signs:
1.swelling localized at the olecranon of the elbow
2.Palpation of swelling may be a tender fluid filled swelling in the acute case
3.In the chronic bursa palpation may reveal multiple small hard nodules that feel like loose bodies.
These are not loose bones but are villous thickenings of the bursa.
4. X-rays are usually normal.
The complications of Olecranon Bursitis are:
Olecranon bursitis can give rise to a chronic infection of the elbow which if not treated properly may lead to infection of the bone and generalized sepsis.
The Treatment of Olecranon Bursitis is:
Conservative treatment:
1.Aspiration of the bursa's fluid or blood under local anesthesia.
Sometimes pus may be aspirated.
Recurrence of bursitis is quite common
Sometimes the bursa may dry up by itself.
2.Aspiration followed by compression dressing or splinting may help to prevent recurrence of formation of the fluid.
3.Pain killers such as NSAID(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be given for pain in acute infections of the bursa
4.Antibiotics are given to stop infections and inflammation
Surgery :
Surgical removal of the bursa may be necessary if conservative treatment does not work.
Incision and drainage usually do not help because a chronic draining infection often results.
The prognosis of Olecranon Bursitis is:
Prognosis is usually good with repeated aspirations of the bursa or through surgical removal of the bursa.
The prevention of Olecranon Bursitis is :
1. Avoid any physical exercises which can cause injury to the bursa area of the elbow
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