Wrist pain can turn out to be a major problem and irritant if not treated appropriately on time. As a result, an individual might find it difficult to carry out routine tasks efficiently. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what causes wrist pain, its symptoms, and how those can be treated to provide relief.

Among the major causes of wrist pain is the carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal bones are actually 8 small bones that make up the wrist. This syndrome occurs primarily due to compression of nerves in the wrist caused due to repetitive movements on a computer keyboard or similar such devices. The condition can also arise in people who are diabetic or obese, as well as in pregnant women. Arthritis is also a major cause of wrist pain.

Wrist pain can extend from the thumb right up till the elbow. Symptoms include a burning or tingling sensation in the wrists. One could also experience numbness. The muscles of the thumb and fingers become weak, making it difficult to carry out even a task as simple as grasping an object. Swelling is quite common.

Certain preventive measures should be taken at home in order to keep wrist pain at bay. For instance, you can make changes in your work setting in such a way that the wrists are properly positioned as you type on the keyboard. Take regular breaks while working so that the pain does not increase in intensity. For reducing the swelling in wrists, hot or cold compressions applied periodically will be helpful. You can also try wearing a wrist splint as it helps to lessen the degree of swelling.

All said and done, in certain cases, wrist pain can become too severe and unbearable. When the above measures do not help, you need to consult a medical expert to address the problem. Orthopedic doctors in Killeen provide professional help to comfort patients suffering from wrist pain.

Common forms of wrist treatment include:

• Medical examination by a Killeen Tx orthopedic doctor to look into the type and duration of pain. The doctor might advise some changes in your working habits, which might lessen the pain.
• X-rays are conducted to determine the presence of gout or other such syndromes. If the results are positive, then excess fluid can be removed from wrists to alleviate the pain.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs can also be prescribed for relief.
• Injections with steroid medication are given in cases where the pain is highly unbearable.
• If the above methods fail to yield good results, surgery is the only option available to treat wrist pain.

For complete treatment of Bursitis, kindly visit us at Lewis Orthopaedics. We are located at 2301 South Clear Creek Road Suite 204 Killeen, TX 76549. You can also call us at Killeen: (254) 634-2857 and Lampasas: (512) 564-0722.

Tendinitis is inflammation or swelling in the tendon; a fibrous connective tissue that links the muscles to the bones. This condition occurs when the tendons feel a lot of pressure due to occupational or athletic activities. The most affected part is the tendon sheath, which is positioned in the body where the tendon joins the muscle.

There are various types of tendinitis. Following are listed some of them:

• Medial epicondylitis
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Rotator cuff tendinitis
• Calcific tendinitis
• Bicipital tendinitis

There are many experienced orthopedic doctors in Killeen who can give you expert treatment for tendinitis. Read on to know for further information regarding the condition.

CAUSES:
As mentioned previously, tendinitis is mainly caused when the tendon is overused in any athletic, recreational or occupational task. Other risk factors that can lead to this problem are smoking as well as use of a couple of antibiotics such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. People suffering from diabetes, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis are also at a higher risk of getting affected by tendinitis. Killeen orthopedic surgeons can effectively determine the cause behind tendonitis, so you must visit one for proper treatment.

SYMPTOMS:
Following are the symptoms of tendonitis:

• The symptoms of tendonitis can cause inconvenience to the affected person while doing daily chores or can even lead to a complete disability.
• The pain from tendonitis reduces when a person takes rest but increases after doing some kind of activities.
• A person suffering from tendonitis can also experience muscle tension.
• Muscles start to feel weak because of tightness and pressure.

The symptoms can further aggravate over a long period of time, especially when the trouble causing activities are a part of the daily routine. For instance, typing can lead to contraction in the muscles and they can tear apart. Also, inadequate amount of rest, lack of water and a poor environment can worsen the condition.

TREATMENT:
The problem of tendonitis should be treated timely before it gets difficult to handle. The problem is that this disease gets diagnosed only when the tissue gets damaged severely and the pain goes beyond control. When diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated with some specific exercises.

The treatment for tendonitis consists of different stages. Firstly, you must stop all the activities that worsen this problem and only then tendonitis will start healing. You need to take complete rest so that the repair process can begin. When the swelling goes away, massage and stretching is recommended. This helps in enhancing the blood flow as well as strengthening the muscle. Your orthopedic doctor will give you proper advice as to what step is to be followed when. Therefore, a thorough consultation is a must.

The number of people suffering from various orthopedic conditions has increased over the years. But at the same time, availability of modern and effective treatments has helped patients resume their usual lifestyle. If you too are suffering from any such condition, visit an orthopedic doctor in Killeen Tx to determine the best treatment option for quick relief.

1. Fractured or broken bones: One can suffer from a fractured bone after an accident. But a bone fracture can be treated easily by using the following treatment methods:
   • A cast is utilized to hold the broken bones in one place so that they don’t move until and unless completely restored to health.
   • Traction might also be required to prevent the shortening of the limb while the bone heals.
   • Plates and screws might be aligned with the bone using a surgical procedure so that the bone heals properly.
   • Physical therapy might also be utilized to strengthen the muscles and increase the mobility of the affected joints.
2. Problems in hip bones: These can be treated by using the following treatment methods:
   • A fiber-optic instrument consisting of a lighted tip is inserted near the joint. This is known as arthroscopy. This treatment is used for repairing cartilage tears and other hip conditions such as arthritis. It is also helpful in removing bone spurs and treating chondromalacia.
   • Osteoarthritis is the major reason why so many patients require a hip surgery. There are many other hip diseases that can be treated by a surgery and these include: avascular necrosis and other hip fractures etc. An experienced orthopedic doctor carefully ascertains the condition and prescribes the best treatment option available.
3. Knee problems:
   • Steroid injections are used to treat inflammation in the knees.
   • Meniscal surgery is used for repairing cartilage problems in knees.
   • Knee arthroplasty or knee implants are required for patients who have advanced arthritis.
4. Shoulder problems:
   • Impingement syndrome is treated by a procedure known as subacromial decompression. It is usually done using arthroscopic subacrominal decompression.
   • Rotator cuff tears are repaired by arthroscopy or shoulder replacement therapy (in case the problem is severe.)

The treatment for the above mentioned orthopedic treatments is in a generalized form. Depending on the condition of the patient and his age, an orthopedic doctor decides on the best possible treatment. With the advancement in technology, a number of effective surgical and non-surgical treatments are available to provide relief to the patients.

The foot and ankle are most susceptible to getting fractures as they take the weight of our whole body for most part of the day. Stress fractures therefore occur because of two reasons: firstly, a person who has weak bones can break his bone even with a minimal amount of activity. Secondly, people with strong bones can have a stress fracture if they repeat a strenuous activity; such as athletes.

CAUSES:

As mentioned above, people who suffer from osteoporosis are more likely to get a stress fracture even with the slightest of force. In this case, the bone is unable to withstand even a normal amount of pressure and it is termed as ‘insufficiency fracture’. Apart from this, sportspersons are likely to get a stress fracture because they repetitively get involved in sports requiring a high amount of force.

When certain people start a new physical activity such as strenuous running or walking, they can suffer from a stress fracture. Therefore you must gradually increase a physically exhausting activity; else it might have a negative effect and cause a stress fracture.
Shoes that do not provide proper support or are uncomfortable to wear also put people at a risk of getting a stress fracture. Even high heels and a deformity in the foot can cause a lot of problem.

SYMPTOMS:

• A gradual increase in pain in the foot after heavy physical activity.
• Severe pain that hinders the normal daily routine.
• Tenderness in the place where the fracture has occurred.
• Inflammation in the outside area of the ankle or on the top of foot.
• Even external bruising can happen.

TREATMENT:

• First aid is required the moment you feel you have broken your foot or ankle bone. If you do not completely stop the activity that you were doing, the bone might break severely causing serious consequences. Applying an ice pack and raising the foot is the first thing that needs to be done.
• You must visit an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible to have a proper treatment to be able to return to the daily routine that you have been following previously.
• A fracture takes almost six to eight weeks to recuperate and you must not do any stressful physical activity during this time that can put pressure on your foot. Do as your doctor advises and you can get back into form soon.
• The doctor can also recommend wearing of protective footwear to decrease the stress on the affected foot.
• A cast can be applied by your doctor if the stress fracture is in the fifth metatarsal bone or in the navicular or talus bones.  The doctor can also ask you to use crutches till the bone comes back fully to the normal condition.
• On the other hand, some stress fractures can be healed only with the help of surgical treatment. In this case, the bones are supported by inserting a fastener.

For best treatment for stress fractures, visit us at Lewis Orthopaedics. We are located at 2301 South Clear Creek Road Suite 204 Killeen, TX 76549. You can also call us at Killeen: (254) 634-2857 and Lampasas: (512) 564-0722.

Cerebral palsy is not a single disease but a group of certain disorders that involves the brain as well as the nervous system. Many functions such as hearing, learning, thinking, seeing as well as learning are affected by this disease. Cerebral palsy can be of several types: spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, hypotonic and mixed.

ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENT:

Orthopedic treatment works very well for cerebral palsy and specific techniques are applied to improve the condition of patients suffering from this disease. Physical therapy is used to minimize spasticity and improve function. Orthopedic supports like braces are utilized by doctors in order to avert any sort of deformity. Even surgery is resorted to in case the deformities are not corrected by any other method.

Contractures can be fixed by an orthopedic surgeon after increasing the length or cutting short the tendons and muscles through a surgical procedure. These are the tendons and muscles which have lead to a distortion in the bones and affects various functions to be performed by the patient.

CAUSES:

• Cerebral palsy is basically caused when an abnormality develops in the brain. This usually happens to an unborn child and the exact cause is generally not known. The following listed factors can cause certain problems with brain function. They are:
• The mother can pass on any infection to the developing fetus.
• Sometimes there can be a lack of oxygen to the brain of the child during a difficult labor or delivery.
• There can also be an interruption in the blood supply to the developing brain. This is known as a fetal stroke.
•  Also, unsystematic mutations in the genes controlling the brain development can lead to cerebral palsy.
• Any kind of infant infections can cause swelling in and around the brain.
• A severe accident or head injury to the infant can also lead to this condition.

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary a lot. Following are some of the common symptoms associated with this disease:

• Stiffness in the muscles but normal reflexes.
• Stiffness in muscles coupled with exaggerated reflexes.
• Improper muscle coordination.
• Inability to develop proper motor skills.
• Difficulty in sucking or eating food.
• Problems associated with walking and standing up straight.
• Mental retardation and seizures.

All the disabilities associated with cerebral palsy can either affect one side of the body or even affect the whole of it. Since the brain injury that has lead to cerebral palsy does not alter with the passage of time, the symptoms also do not worsen.

For more information, visit us at Lewis Orthopaedics. We are located at 2301 South Clear Creek Road Suite 204 Killeen, TX 76549. You can also call us at Killeen: (254) 634-2857 and Lampasas: (512) 564-0722.

Rotator cuff is basically a group of four tendons that help in stabilizing the shoulder joint. The tendons join the four muscles and this makes the shoulder moves in different directions. The four muscles that constitute the rotator cuff are subscapularis muscle, the supraspinatus muscle, the infraspinatus muscle and the teres minor muscle.

The rotator cuff disease occurs when any damage occurs in the rotator cuff due to any of the various reasons mentioned below. Continuous strain or some acute injury can lead to this disease. It is one of the major causes of shoulder pain.

SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of rotator cuff disease are listed as follows:

• There can be a lot of difficulty in shoulder movement, especially while stretching the arm too far, or trying to make it reach behind the back. Even lifting or pulling an object with the help of the affected arm can lead to pain and tenderness. Sleeping on the side of the painful shoulder can also be very bothersome.
• In case of a severe injury, you can feel consistent pain combined with weakness in the muscles.
• There is a significant decreased range of motion of the shoulder caused by pain.
• Pain generally worsens at night and a person cannot sleep properly.

CAUSES:

• Lifting a very heavy object or lifting it in an improper manner, specifically when done over the head, can lead to a strain in the tendons or muscles.
• Wear and tear of collagen in the tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff increases significantly after 40. This degeneration makes them more susceptible to an injury.
• With the increasing age, calcium can get deposited within the cuff and this can irritate the rotator cuff.
•  Bad posture can also lead to the rotator cuff disease. The muscle or tendon gets tucked under the shoulder bones and lead to discomfort.
• Accidental falling can lead to an injury or tear in the rotator cuff tendon or muscle leading to rotator cuff disease.
• Increased overhead movement of the arms (especially in the case of athletes) can lead to a strain in the rotator cuff muscles as well as tendons. This causes swelling and breaking down causing the rotator cuff disease.

TREATMENT:

Giving proper rest to the shoulder combined with application of cold packs and consuming pain relief medications can provide some sort of temporary relief. But you must see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible so that your problem does not worsen.
The doctor will prescribe you certain exercises to improve the dexterity of rotator cuff. Apart from this, depending on the condition, the doctor can also prescribe medication. Sometimes, a surgery might be required to cure the disease by repairing the tear. 

Bone health is a major concern for the elderly, and the correct dietary intake is the single most effective way of keeping it optimal. Calcium is a major component of the diet that needs to be paid attention to in reference to bone health. The insufficient intake of this vital element can put patients at an increased risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and other bone-related complications. Vitamin D is another essential dietary requirement, which is essential for the absorption of calcium. According to dietary requirements published by the National Academy of Sciences, adults over the age of 71 should get at least 1,200 mg of Calcium per day. 

The dietary requirement of Vitamin D increases from 600 IU to 700 IU for the elderly. Interestingly, this requirement is said to be around 1,200 IU according to some osteoporosis experts. Considering the lack of exposure to sunlight in most places, and the risk of skin cancer associated with spending prolonged periods in the sun, there is an increased need to obtain Vitamin D from other sources like nutritional supplements. Another interesting fact that has come to light in recent years is that Vitamin D also helps to prevent falls in the elderly. 

Some of the best sources of calcium in our diet are:

• Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products- These are great for bone health, since in addition to calcium, they also contain other vital nutrients like phosphorus and protein, which are essential for healthy bones. Milk is also fortified with Vitamin D. 
• Calcium-fortified juices and cereals- Look for options that are Vitamin D- fortified as well. 
• Green leafy vegetables
• Seafood- Along with being rich in calcium, seafood is also a rich source of Vitamin D. 

If you opt to take supplements, it is important to remember that calcium supplements containing calcium carbonate are best absorbed when taken with food, and when taken in doses of no more than 500 mg at a time. If you would like a supplement that can be taken without food, one with calcium citrate is a better option. Supplements that provide both calcium and Vitamin D are a good choice. 

Elderly patients with weak bones are at a high risk of osteoporosis, which might lead to fractures. In case of a fracture, it is important to immediately see an orthopedic doctor, who shall look into the extent of damage and decide the best course of treatment for you. 

Hip pain not only causes major discomfort while performing everyday activities, but may also be a symptom of an underlying joint or muscle condition. Pain in the hip persisting for more than a few days or re-occurring in absence of pain killers must be brought to the notice of an orthopedic as soon as possible.

Hip pain may be experienced due to structural damage in the hip. The most common cause of hip pain is trauma. Sudden or continued stress on the tendons or the hip joint is common in people leading a physically active lifestyle. Such a hip pain may not be acute. Rest can also be a cure of the same. Groin pull or hamstring strains are also common reasons why people may experience hip pain.

The pain may be an early symptom of osteonecrosis. During osteonecrosis, the bone and the structures around it do not get sufficient blood supply causing death of cells and gradual break down of bones. Hip joint is most easily affected by onset of osteonecrosis. Your hip pain may also be caused by tendonitis. During tendonitis the tendons of the area becomes swollen and any movement causes severe discomfort in the area. Pain in lumbar region or spine ache can be extended towards hip and may cause hip pain. Patients of osteoporosis have weak bones. Any minor stress on bones during activities such as lifting weight or doing home chores could lead to fractures. Hip fracture is most often observed in patients of osteoporosis, which causes severe pain in the hip region. Arthritis, bursitis and snapping hip syndrome are also the causes of hip pain, though they are relatively less common factors. Any delay in diagnosis may allow life-long damage to the hip structure. Timely clinical examination is crucial.
  
The pain could either be sudden and intense or dull and constant. Hip pain may occur alone or with accompanied symptoms. Bruising or discoloration around hip area may occur. Inflammation, stiffness or fever due to infection may also be experienced. In some people it may become better with movement and may worsen by inactivity. In others, patients may only experience pain if pressure is applied in or around the area.

Consult the orthopedic about which treatment is most suitable for your hip pain. Application of ice packs and heat pads provide comfort but your orthopedic will be able to explain better which of the two to use. Physiotherapy helps treating hip pain, especially for strains and fractures. To patients with weak bones physical therapy is provided to increase strength of the bones and prevent hip pain due to minor bone or muscle stresses. NSAIDs can be prescribed for a short while or for a longer duration if hip pain has been caused due to some undying condition.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a muscular condition of the hand, when the tissues in the wrist swell and press the median nerve. The median nerve is responsible for stimulating the inner areas of the thumb, index and middle finger and tips of all the fingers on the outer side. When this nerve is compressed, these areas experience loss of sensation and other symptoms. In most cases, with orthopedic care, the condition is reversible at early stages.

Early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include dryness in fingers and weakness of the muscles. It prevents normal functioning of fingers and hand, which is experienced specially while holding a phone, driving car or any action that requires movement of the wrist. Needle-like pinch is felt in the fingers. Some patients may experience severe pain while asleep, so much so that it interferes with regular sleep. Grip of hand becomes poor. Loss of sensation and acute numbness in the fingers, especially thumb area, is experienced by the patient. The numbness increases as the condition worsens. The orthopedic shall conduct physical examination to check for occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, the doctor will press the area of the median nerve to see if it causes any pain.

In most cases the exact cause that triggers this condition is unknown, but genes have proved to play a significant role in occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome. It passes on from generation to generation. It is more common in women than in men. People who spend several hours typing on computer or doing any form manual labor that require extensive work from fingers and hands are at a greater risk of developing this condition than others. Due to hormonal changes, pregnant women may also experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity or menopause can cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Depending upon the stage, the treatment for this painful condition may be either non-surgical or surgical. Non-surgical options include medications, which cover NSAIDs and steroid injections to combat the pain. Splint or brace is introduced on that wrist to keep it in neutral position. Before performing surgery, the orthopedic doctor may first recommend non-surgical treatment to provide temporary relief. Even after the surgery, there is no guarantee that the condition will not re-occur. Thus, it is important to take proper physiotherapy sessions as directed by the orthopedic to reduce chances of re-occurrence. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented by doing proper exercises (especially hand exercises), healthy diet and weight watch. People who use their hands and fingers a lot on a daily basis continuously for several hours must take brief breaks and do exercises to relax.

For complete treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome, visit us at Lewis Orthopaedics. We are located at 2301 South Clear Creek Road Suite 204 Killeen, TX 76549. You can also call us at Killeen: (254) 634-2857 and Lampasas: (512) 564-0722.

Fibromyalgia is actually a chronic condition that may cause pain, tenderness and stiffness of muscles, joints and tendons. It can also be characterized by tiredness, restlessness, depression, anxiety and even irritable bowel syndrome. Some physicians or doctors also name it fibromyalgia syndrome. It is abbreviated as FMS. Let’s have a look at some causes, symptoms and treatment of fibromyalgia so that some patients can get bit of relief by reading this useful post.

Causes

You would be surprised to know that there are many causes of fibromyalgia and even sometimes it becomes extremely hard to recognize the root cause of this disease. According to some researchers, the underlying cause of fibromyalgia is very slow metabolism. However, there are some other causes that may include physical injuries, viral infections and emotional trauma as well. It has been believed that fibromyalgia is actually not a disease but a chronic painful condition that results due to abnormal or unnatural body responses. In the condition of fibromyalgia, the patient’s body becomes less responsive towards painkillers and other relative medicines.

Symptoms

Pain is the major symptom of fibromyalgia but unlike arthritis, pain or discomfort is in ligaments and muscles. Usually, the pain caused due to this disease is located near neck, back, hips and shoulders. The tenderness can be worse during mornings and in the form of burning, stabbing and throbbing.

Painful menstrual cramps, headaches, memory problems, fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and anxiety are some other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Pain is common in all the above symptoms. Due to itchy pain in muscles or ligaments, an individual is forced to see an Orthopedic Doctor. It is also true that some patients experience migraine problems as well if they are suffering from this disease. People with autoimmune diseases also experience the symptoms of fibromyalgia. People with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis and lupus are few who can face symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sleeplessness is another common symptom that most people face. People might also report pelvic pain, menstrual cramps and bladder irritability like symptoms.

Treatment

Low impact exercise is commonly suggested by doctors to such patients. It is essential to keep the muscles conditioned by exercising at least 3 days in a week. It really helps in reliving some discomfort in muscles. Other exercises include walking, water aerobics, biking, swimming and weight training exercises. These should be practiced in daily life. Such exercises help in boosting the energy levels resulting in better sleep. 
As the pain is the common symptom, it is recommended to apply moderate heat on sore muscles. An effective massage from a masseur can also prove to be beneficial.

For more information, visit us at Lewis Orthopaedics. We are located at 2301 South Clear Creek Road Suite 204 Killeen, TX 76549. You can also call us at Killeen: (254) 634-2857 and Lampasas: (512) 564-0722.