Orthopedic Treatment For Anterior Compartment Syndrome

Anterior Compartment Syndrome occurs as a result of increased pressure in a closed anatomical space in the body. It can affect your forearm, hand, hips, leg, foot, abdomen or the upper arm; however, it usually is known to occur in parts below the knee. There are mainly two types of Anterior Compartment Syndrome namely Acute Anterior Compartment Syndrome, which occurs as a result of leg injury and Chronic Exertional Anterior Compartment Syndrome, which is caused due to excess exercise.

Causes

• Injury in the leg, particularly crash injuries
• Injury that breaks a bone in your leg
• Increased pressure on legs
• Over exercise or excess walking/running
• Trauma
• Burns
• Infection
• Limb compression
• Fracture in the lower leg
• Blood clot in the leg
• Tight bandaging

Symptoms

• Difficulty while running and exercising.
• The pain disappears when you are taking rest and reappears when you resume exercising or running.
• Pain in your leg that worsens with time.
• Severe pain and inability in moving your leg and toes
• Swelling and redness on the affected leg
• Pale leg skin
• Numbness
• Tightness and bruising on the affected part of your leg

Treatment

In the event where you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is advised that you immediately see the orthopedic doctor. Anterior Compartment Syndrome demands prompt diagnosis so that treatment can be started immediately. 

Non-Surgical methods:

• Applying ice on the affected area may help to reduce pain, swelling, bruise and numbness in the leg. This will allow you to move your leg and toes a little easier than before.
• If you are suffering from acute Anterior Compartment Syndrome, then your orthopedic doctor may remove any splint or cast that may be confining your leg.
• Exercises can be prescribed by your physical therapist such as gently stretching your leg or altering your footwear in order to accommodate your feet easily inside it.
• Physical therapy is quite effective as it not only alleviates pain but it also helps in a speedy recovery.
• You must take proper rest and avoid excessive running and walking.

Surgical methods:
It is normally treated using non-surgical methods; however, in some cases the orthopedic surgeon may instruct you to undergo surgery. In order to relieve pressure and tension in your leg, your orthopedic doctor may perform surgery on the affected area in the leg that will allow the muscles of the part to swell.

Orthopedic Treatment For Diabetic Foot

Diabetic Foot is the condition where higher levels of glucose or blood sugar damage the nerves and blood vessels of the body. This leads to a decrease in the immunity of the body to fight infection in case of any injury. Most of the effects of diabetes are felt and seen on the foot which can quickly turn into serious illness. In most cases any minor foot injury turns into ulcers and infections, and may even lead to amputation of the feet. Therefore, one should be aware of the causes and symptoms of the condition in order to avoid any serious damage.

Causes

The condition usually develops in a person suffering from Diabetes. The risk factors which increase the chances of developing Diabetic Foot are:

• Poorly Fit Footwear: The most common cause is poorly fit shoes. They can cause red spots, blisters, corns, and calluses in the feet which can turn septic in people suffering from diabetes.
• Nerve Damage: Diabetes patients who have to be on foot for longer period and have poorly controlled diabetes are at a risk of having damage in the nerves. Such nerve damages can reduce the sensation in the feet due to which a person with diabetes may not be able to sense the minor injuries which can turn into infections.
• Other Infections: Infections like Athlete’s foot, Ingrown toenail may also lead to diabetic foot.
• Smoking:  Smoking can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the feet and legs. The damage can hamper the process of healing and can cause major infections. 

Symptoms

• Persistent pain at the site of injury
• Punctures
• Redness around the wound signifies infection
• Inflammation of the feet or legs
• Ulcers and blisters
• A sensation of warmth around the injured area
• Hard and shiny skin on the legs
• Interrupted growth of hairs
• Calluses and corns
• Seepage of pus from the bruise
• Fever
• Spreading of redness from the wound signifies worsened condition

Treatment
In case a diabetic patient suffers from an injury or wound, he must immediately seek the advice of an orthopedic doctor. If the above mentioned symptoms persist, there is an increased risk of the infection of the wound. Treatment for Diabetic Foot may include:

• Antibiotics: An orthopedic physician may prescribe an antibiotic depending on the severity of the condition. He may analyze the blood sugar levels before providing any medication. The patient should make sure to take the prescribed dosage of antibiotics to treat the condition completely.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery might be needed to heal the wound. The procedure may involve combination of treatments to give relief from the pain.

Intense care should be provided to people suffering from Diabetic Foot in order to save them from the extremity of the condition. The condition should not be ignored and the patient must immediately refer to an orthopedic physician in case of an injury.

Orthopedic Treatment For Turf Toe

Turf Toe is a condition in which pain is experienced at the base of the toe. The condition is caused due to a sprain in the big toe as a result of excessive running and jumping. Significant damage to the ligaments and the joint capsule adjacent to the toe joint causes its range of motion to be impaired. The toe becomes stiff and becomes painful due to swelling.  Commonly, this term is associated with players who play on artificial field like in football and basketball, but is also quite common in athletes involved in gymnastics, wrestling and dance. Turf Toe injury can be classified as:

Grade I: Minor swelling, some tenderness but no bruising
Grade II: Swelling ranges from mild to severe, with some bruising
Grade III: Moderate to severe bruising, with tenderness and swelling which is painful

Causes:

• The common causes of Turf Toe have been described below:
• When forefoot is fixed on the ground and heel is raised, some force pushes the toe into hyperextension.
• Artificial lawn surfaces are responsible for causing turf toe as they are hard and less shock absorbent.
• Shoes worn by athletes during sports activity provide flexibility but instability to the forefoot.
• A simple jamming or stubbing of the toe can also cause this condition
• Previous injuries to the toe and forefoot

Symptoms:

• Pain is experienced at the base of the toe
• Noticeable swelling both at the toe and the ball of the foot
• Popping sound at time of injury
• Bruising around the toe and ball of the foot
• Limited range of motion of the toe
• The toe becomes tender
• Mobility is reduced

Diagnosis:

Medical history and examinations can help orthopedic doctor determine the severity of injury to the toe. The doctor can check for signs of swelling, bruising and examine the range of motion of the joint. Imaging tests like X-Rays and MRI create clear pictures of bones and let the doctor detect the injured part. MRI creates better images of the soft tissues and help in determining the cartilage injuries.

Treatment:

Turf Toe can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) therapy when the injury is Grade I. Providing proper rest to the toe, icing several times a day, reducing the swelling with compression bandage and elevating the leg at a level higher than heart to reduce swelling can be effective in treating the injury when it occurs. Grade II injuries can be treated by prescribing a walking boot, with rest time varying from 3 to 14 days. Grade III injuries are treated by immobilizing the toe for several weeks. Walking boots or casts are used to keep the toe in a stable position. Physical therapy to help restore the strength of the toe is followed soon after. Surgery is performed in case the symptoms persist and athlete is not able to perform in sports. Grade III injuries may even require surgery if there is internal fracture and there is damage to the cartilage joint.

Turf Toe injuries heal fairly well. It may take a few weeks for pain to fully subside. It can be avoided by wearing comfortable shoes that provide support to the base of the foot. If possible, one should avoid playing on hard surfaces to prevent this condition.

Orthopedic Treatment For Scapholunate Ligament Tear

Scapholunate is the ligament connecting scaphoid and lunate, the two small carpal bones present in the center of the wrist. The ligament helps in ensuring that the wrist moves smoothly and the bones move together. When the Scapholunate Ligament tears, not only is the pain excruciating but the bearer loses his ability to grip objects firmly as well. Athletes mainly those who pertain to sports which involve gripping a racquet or a bat are quite susceptible to tearing their Scapholunate Ligament.
 

Symptoms: 

• Pain in the wrist
• Pain towards the thumb
• A popping sound in the wrist at the time of the injury
• Weakened grip
• Bruising or swelling of the wrist
• Difficulty while moving the wrist in a rotating motion

Causes:

• Taking a fall, wrist first
• Lifting excessive weight using the wrist
• Playing high impact shots in certain sports
• Any one of the above mentioned mishaps can lead to the separation of the scaphoid and lunate and ultimately cause a fracture.

Treatment:

• The following things are taken into consideration while treating this condition:
• The patient's age
• The extent of the damage
• Time passed between the injury and when you see a doctor
• Whether the patient is suffering from arthritis and its extent

An orthopedic surgeon will perform the necessary mobility tests to diagnose the condition up close and rule out any other possible damage. It is also essential to identify the precise point where you are feeling the pain. For this, apart from the said mobility tests, the doctor may also recommend X-rays and MRI scans. This will help rule out the possibility of fractures, tissue damage and cartilage damage.

Modes of treatment:
 

Non invasive methods such as a splint or a cast are generally used if the damage is not too much. To provide temporary respite to the patient, the doctor will likely recommend anti-inflammatory medicine and painkillers. In severe cases because of the extent of the damage, an arthroscopic surgery, using small incisions may be recommended. By removing the damaged ligament, the surgeon will create scope for a new healthy ligament to grow back in its place. In either case it is recommend to see a wrist doctor who can fully diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.

Hammer Toes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention

Hammer toes is a condition affecting the feet, in which one of the toes points outwards or curls instead of buckling. The condition is more likely to affect women than men, owing to the type of shoes they wear. People with diabetes or circulatory disorders should see their orthopedic doctor at the first sign of the development of hammer toes, since the disorder can take a serious shape in these patients. Hammer toes can be flexible or rigid. The former indicate that the disorder is in its initial stage and can respond to various stages, while in the latter, the toe can no longer move, and usually needs surgery. 

Causes:

Hammer toes are caused by an imbalance in the toe muscles, which in turn, can be caused by:

• Toe injury- This commonly occurs due to ill-fitting shoes that are too tight, too pointy, or high-heeled. 
• Genetic- People with flat feet usually have a tendency to develop hammer toes, even though those with high-arched feet can also get the condition. 
• Arthritis

Symptoms:

• A toe that assumes an upside-down “V” shape usually indicates a hammer toe
• Pain, at the top of the toe and the heel of the foot, especially when wearing shoes
• Corns at the top of the affected toe joint
• Redness and inflammation 
• Difficulty in moving the toe joint- at later stages it might become impossible to move the joint 

Treatment:

The treatment begins with a thorough medical examination to determine if you really have a hammer toe. This includes an X-ray to determine the extent of the condition. The treatment options that are offered include:

• Medication to relieve pain and swelling 
• Podiatrist-recommended footwear and padded inserts
• Foot exercises to restore muscle balance
• Splinting the toe- this can help at early stages of the disorder
• Surgical procedures might be needed in certain cases of hammer toe. Our orthopedic surgeons are well experienced in performing these procedures, ensuring speedy recovery and minimal side effects. 

Prevention:

Hammer toes can be prevented by taking the following simple precautions:

• Check your feet regularly and see your doctor immediately if you notice any abnormality. An early diagnosis goes a long way in ensuring quick recovery in case of foot disorders. 
• Improve circulation to your feet through a foot massage, a warm foot bath, or simply putting your feet up while sitting. 
• Most importantly, wear well-fitted shoes. If one of your feet is bigger than the other, make sure that you fit your shoes to the bigger foot. 
• Do not buy tight shoes hoping they will get loose through wearing. Ideally, there should be at least 1.5 cm between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. 

Partial Knee Replacement In Irving TX

A partial knee replacement, also known as a Unicompartmental Knee Replacement, is a minimally-invasive procedure involving the replacement of either the medial (internal) or lateral (external) part of the damaged knee. An artificial implant, known as a Prosthetic, replaces the damaged tissue and bone. The patient is administered with general or local anesthesia before the surgery is performed.

The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision that is 3-5 inches long over the knee. This is followed by a medical examination in which the doctor rules out damage to more than one part of the knee, in which case total knee replacement is required. The damaged bone and tissue is then removed, after which the prosthetic is placed into the knee, and sealed with bone cement. Stitches are used to close the wound.

It is advisable to get the procedure performed by a renowned orthopedic surgeon in Irving TX to avoid any post-surgery complications. Arthritis pain is one of the most common causes for which patients need to undergo partial knee replacement. Your orthopedic doctor might recommend the surgery if your arthritis pain is severely limiting the quality of your life, and the pain is not responding to treatment.

The major advantages offered by partial knee replacement over complete knee replacement are a smaller incision, less blood loss, and faster recovery. Patients who might not be suitable candidates for partial knee replacement include patients under the age of 55, obese patients, and undergo intense physical activity. When performed in the right patient by an experienced Irving orthopedic surgeon, partial knee replacement shows highly positive results, with most patients not requiring revision for up to two decades.

Patient selection is a key factor in determining the success of partial knee replacement surgery. Even though most patients do not need to undergo any further surgery once the procedure is performed, in some cases, the patient might develop arthritis in other regions of the knee. This might result in the need for further surgery or even a possible conversion to total knee replacement surgery. This conversion is not uncommon, and the results are usually positive.

It is important to have a detailed discussion with your doctor prior to the surgery, and make sure that you understand the risk factors involved in your case. Potential complications that you might want to look into include infection, blood clots, and problems related to anesthesia.