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Myths About Slipped Disc

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  August 18, 2020 Bouts of back pain are common with up to 80% of people worldwide experiencing back pain at some point in their life. Most episodes are a result of minor problems such as a strained muscle, ligament and usually resolve soon. Less than 1 in 20 cases of sudden onset back pain are due to a slip disc and are often inappropriately managed. Here are some myths about slipped disc. Myth #1: Discs slip out of place The name slipped disc is a misnomer as the disc does not slip out of place. It is firmly supported in its place surrounded by strong ligaments on both sides. The discs have a tough outer layer that surrounds a jelly-like material in the centre. Slipped disc is used to refer to a condition where the disc looses its shape and/or consistency and either the central jelly-like material of the disc leaks or bulges out. In medical terminology other terms such as degeneration, bulging, protrusion, extrusion and sequestration are used to refer to varying magnitudes of the pro

Sports Injuries Prevention

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  Overuse and trauma are two common factors responsible for sports injuries. Both intrinsic (such as age, fitness level, muscle strength etc) and extrinsic factors (such as equipment, environment, type of activity etc) play a role in injuries. Prevention of injuries may involve changing of training schedule, gear, training, practicing environment and style and many other factors. Primary prevention deals with prevention of an injury whereas secondary prevention is about prevention of re occurrence of injury. As "Prevention is better than cure," here are some tips that can help you prevent sports injuries. Whilst most of these may seem like common knowledge, you would be surprised by how many injuries can be avoided by following these tips. Tip 1: Understand the importance of physical conditioning and know your limits This factor is often overlooked by amateurs who easily succumb to temptation and overindulge.  It is easy to get carried away when you return to sports after a l

Hamstring Sprain / Tendinopathy

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  Hamstrings are a group of muscles present at the back of thigh. They extend from the sit bones in pelvis to just below the knee joint and play an important an important role is daily activities such as walking & running. The names of the individual three muscles included in hamstrings are semimembranosus, biceps femoris and the semitendinosus. These, work in opposition to the muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) and the two group of muscles together stabilize movements of the knee and pelvis. INCIDENCE Hamstring injuries account for approximately 12–16% of all injuries in athletes. They are seen more commonly in sports that involve sprinting, acceleration, deceleration, rapid change in direction and jumping such as football, basketball, rugby and baseball. Runners, ballet dancers and older adults who do a lot of walking are also at increased risk. Reinjury rates are high and generally require more time away from the field. Although any injury for a sportsperson is painf

Iliotibialband Syndrome

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  What is Iliotibial band syndrome? Iliotibial band (ITB) is a thickened band of tissue that runs along the outer side of thigh from the pelvis to the shinbone (just below the knee joint). It helps to transmit forces from the hip to the knee and acts a stabiliser of the outer side of knee, playing an important role in postural control. With bending and straightening of the knee this band moves over the lower outer end of thigh bone and sometimes repeated motion can cause the ITB to irritate the surrounding tissues. This is addressed as iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) or IT syndrome. It manifests as pain along the outer side of knee after repetitive motion. Although anyone can develop this condition, it occurs more frequently in athletes and those participating in activities involving frequent knee bending and straightening. Key points about iliotibial band syndrome Iliotibial band syndrome causes pain on the outer side of the knee This condition can affect anyone, although is more comm

Non Surgical Treatment of Pinched Nerve in the Neck (Cervical Radiculopathy)

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  Cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck is a common problem. Irritation or compression of the nerves coming out of the spine can cause severe pain travelling (radiating) to the shoulders and arms. The arm pain is often more severe although the root of the problem lies in the neck. This pain can be associated with tingling, numbness, weakness in the arm and hand. To understand a bit more about these pains it is essential to have an understanding of the anatomy of the neck. The neck or the cervical region consists of seven bones (vertebrae) stacked one above the other. There are labelled as C1-C7, where C stands for cervical and 1-7 are the numbers to identify the level being referring to. These vertebrae are separated from one another by discs which are like cushions allowing the spine to move freely. Each vertebra encloses a hollow space which lines up with the space of the vertebrae above and below, running along the entire length of the spine. This hollow space is calle

Acromioclavicular Joint Arthritis

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  What is acromioclavicular joint and where is it located? The acromioclavicular (ACJ) is a small joint between the collarbone (clavicle) and the tip of the shoulder blade (acromion). It is located at the tip of the shoulder forming the highest point of the shoulder. Like many other joints in the body, it has cartilage covering the ends of the bone, is surrounded by a capsule and stabilised by strong ligaments. This joint has minimal mobility. It is involved in overhead arm movement and when the arm is moved across the body. Arthritis of this joint is more common than that of the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) although is less common than that of the hip and the knee joints. It is mostly seen in the middle-aged people and weightlifters and hence the other name of the condition “Weightlifter’s Shoulder”. What are the symptoms of ACJ arthritis? Common presenting features include: Pain over the top of the shoulder Difficulty reaching the arm across the body as while putting on a seat