FAQ Category: General

Diastrophic dysplasia is a condition that affects the bones. It causes curving or bowing of long bones such as the femur in the thigh. This shape of the bones causes the muscles to become short or contracted. The change in the shape of the bones and the shortening of muscles keeps the hips from extending.

There are stretching programs to help keep the muscles from getting tighter. Often, the loss of motion is combined with joint pain, making these exercises difficult. Hip joint replacement is helpful when there is severe pain and difficulty walking or performing daily activities.

There is some truth to this statement. There are many things that can affect patient recovery. The presence of other diseases such a diabetes, cancer, or high blood pressure can delay healing, even in physically active adults.

In general, patients of all ages who are in good physical condition seem to get better faster compared to similar patients in poor physical condition. This is true after an accident, illness, or injury.

A recent study of exercise before and after total hip replacement supports this idea. This study showed that hip strength is linked with how long patients are in the hospital. The greater the muscle strength, the shorter the hospital stay.

Another study from the University of Western Australia shows that patients who exercise before hip surgery have less stiffness, less pain, and more motion compared to those who didn’t exercise. These gains made it possible to get back to daily activities, recreation, and work.

A rare muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis was linked to Baycol, a cholesterol-lowering statin. Most cases occurred when patients were taking a combination of two or more different drugs. Rhabdomyolysis is a rare problem. About 100 deaths and 1,600 injuries were reported worldwide. This drug has been removed from the market.

Rhabdomyolysis causes muscle cells to break down, allowing their contents to flow into the blood. Mild cases can cause severe pain and muscle weakness. Serious cases can shut down the kidneys and cause death.

Currently, there is no test to see who might be at risk for this muscle condition. Patients taking statins to reduce cholesterol are advised to watch for muscle pain, weakness, and change in urine color. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking the drug and call your doctor right away.

Mechanical compression is gaining favor in this area. A compression pump is used to keep the blood from collecting in the feet and ankles. By using a burst of air at high pressure, the pump moves blood from the foot to the calf and up the leg.

These are placed on the legs right after the operation. The patient wears them as much as possible. The device is removed during bathing, walking, or exercising.

Movement is the key to preventing blood clot formation. The pumping action of the muscles is a natural form of prevention. Getting up and moving around as early and as often as your doctor allows is still the number one prevention strategy. Activity, compression pumps, and drugs combined together gives patients added protection against blood clot formation.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer during her life is one in eight chances. Her risk of hip fracture from osteoporosis (brittle bones) is equal to the risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer all added together.

Both of these conditions are concerns. However, your chances of having osteoporosis are greater and more easily prevented. Diet, exercise, and supplements (calcium and vitamin D) are key to preventing bone loss.

A small difference in the group sizes won’t affect the results. Researchers have a way to mathematically figure this out. Too many patients in one group compared to the other could make a difference. The total number of people in the study is also important. The larger the number, the more everyone in the population is represented.

Many researchers begin with a small sample as the pilot project. Once the study has been finished, a second, larger study is often done. This confirms the results of the first study and offers a broader group to sample.

Certain species of sea coral can be harvested for calcium carbonate. This is then converted into a substance called hydroxyapatite. A product called ProOsteon 200 has been made with hydroxyapatite for use as a bone substitute.

Bone substitutes have been used in studies to repair bone fractures. Studies in animals and humans are underway with this compound. A new study from the Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery in England is not so favorable.

ProOsteon 200 was used in a group of patients with neck problems. Two or more bodies of the cervical spine were fused together using ProOsteon 200. Two groups were compared: those with neck fusion using bone substitute and those with human bone graft. For this use, the ProOsteon 200 didn’t hold up. The study was ended early. More research is needed in this area before sea coral can be used for all bone fusions.

To best understand the connection between body parts in sports and activities, we must look at the kinetic chain. This is a series of links and segments of body parts that work as a unit. Together, they make a force and send it through the body.

For example in swimming, the legs are moving the swimmer through the water. At the same time, the muscles of the hip, abdomen, and low back (lumbopelvic region) are the base of support for the trunk and arms. This is where abdominal muscle strength and coordination are part of the swimmer’s kinetic chain.

Likewise, the larger muscles of the trunk hold the body steady while the arm is raised out of the water. The abdominal muscles work together with the trunk muscles. This happens as the swimmer starts the pull phase of the freestyle stroke. Without this coordination of movement, the swimmer would lose speed and start to sink down in the water.

The word “chain” suggests a series of links held together. In the human body, this is a group of links and segments or body parts. These links and segments work together to generate a force. This force is used to hold or move a body part.

For example, when using the arm overhead in tennis or pitching, there is an entire sequence of actions needed. First, there is a ground reaction force as the foot and leg push against the ground. This force moves through the legs to the knees and hips and then into the trunk. The legs and trunk produce about half of the energy and force needed for this motion.

The trunk and scapula (wing bone) then work together to funnel this force to the shoulder, arm, and hand. This allows the smaller muscles of the arm and hand to position the hand to control the throw. Each activity has its own kinetic chain and energy. These depend on the position of the body (e.g., sitting, standing, kneeling) and where the activity takes place (e.g., on the field, in a pool).

Ski injuries have fallen over the past 30 years, even as more people are taking up the sport. Injuries are measured by the number of days people are on the slopes. In the 2000 to 2001 ski season, there were 15 million skiers and 57.3 million skier days.

Earlier reports placed rates for skiing injuries at seven to 10 per 1,000 skier days. Today, these rates have fallen to 2.5 per 1,000 skier days.

Improved equipment has made much of this difference. Better ski-lift equipment and ski instruction are part of this. Improved ski boots and bindings can also be thanked.

There is a lower rate for ankle and lower leg injuries, but knee injuries are on the rise. Knee injuries make up about one-third of all injuries in adult skiers. These injuries are expected to drop even more with continued improved lift equipment, instruction, and boots.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is the separation of cartilage from bone in a joint. Usually, this occurs in children where the ends of bones aren’t completely formed yet. Athletes such as gymnasts and baseball pitchers seem at risk.

OCD is uncommon, but overuse injuries has put it on the rise. It occurs most often at the knee, elbow, or ankle. Continued microtrauma from overuse can tear the cartilage even more. Then, a loose fragment may occur in the joint. This causes painful swelling and loss of motion. The patient may describe the joint as “locking up.”

Children under the age of 12 seem to do well with rest. Older children may need surgery. Anyone with cartilage fragments will need surgery to remove the loose tissue. Early surgery is advised before continued trauma causes more damage.

Many studies have been done to study how much is “too much” for the young baseball pitcher. Similar studies haven’t been done for gymnastics. The average serious gymnast puts in 14 to 20 hours a week.

Coaches, doctors, and parents are concerned about practice schedules. Doctors report that overuse injuries are on the rise. Injuries never seen before in children and young teens are now reported in emergency rooms and doctor’s offices.

More studies are needed to answer this question. Until then, parents and coaches can work together to find out what’s best for each athlete. This is based on body size and type. Muscle strength is important, too.

Proper nutrition, rest, and adequate warm-ups are needed for all athletes. Pre-teen and adolescent girls must also take into consideration changes in hormones and the start of their menstrual cycle. Training hours may need to be adjusted around these issues.

Yes, a self-propelled vacuum moves forward without being pushed, but still must be pulled back. However, the units are lighter in weight and easier to move around. Most women don’t find pulling it back is a problem at all.

A second option is a canister-type model with a power head. This is even lighter than moving an upright self-propelled unit. Both types have been shown in studies to require less energy. With either unit, you can also slow your pace and take frequent breaks. Avoid vacuuming the entire house on one day. Try vacuuming just one room each day.

MET stands for metabolic equivalent of the task. It’s a system used to avoid overtaxing the heart during activities. Patients use METS to measure the amount of oxygen needed to perform an activity. One MET is the amount of oxygen a person needs when resting.

Right after a heart attack, patients are advised not to go past one or two METs. This includes activities such as eating or brushing the teeth. After all phases of cardiac rehab, exercise can be done to eight or more METs.

METs for vacuuming range from 2.4 to 3.5. This depends on type of vacuum used, type of carpet being vacuumed, and your pace of vacuuming. To increase the METs, use a more vigorous pace. To decrease the METs, use a self-propelled or power assist vacuum and slow your pace.

Studies show that of all the household chores, vacuuming does cause women the most problem. Even though vacuuming doesn’t take any more energy than walking, it still brings on chest pain and other symptoms.

Doctors aren’t sure why this happens. One study at the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center looked at types of vacuums. They found that self-propelled upright and canister models with a power head require less energy to use.

Besides using a power assist vacuum, slow your pace when vacuuming. Vacuum small portions of your home. Take frequent rests and check your heart rate. When your heart rate comes back down to normal, vacuum another section. Repeat this until the task is done.

Some women are simply advised to quit vacuuming. If you have symptoms that can’t be controlled, stop vacuuming. Find a friend or helper willing to come and vacuum for you.

It’s never too late to exercise for your overall, general health. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases including diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.

The data on breast cancer isn’t complete. Many studies are underway to answer these important questions. Some researchers are trying to find out what kind of exercise is needed to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Others are asking if there is a “best” time in life to exercise.

So far, it looks like exercise has the best preventive effect when women are active in their early years. Even so, there is a positive effect of physical activity in the postmenopausal years, too.

Many researchers are looking at this question. Some studies show that exercise does reduce the risk of breast cancer. Other studies report little or no effect.

The National Cancer Institute has found a way to measure activity on the job. This is called a physical activity index. Researchers report that a lifetime of physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer. Activity on and off the job counts. The benefit is even more if the activity takes place before menopause.

It’s not clear how much exercise and physical activity is needed to prevent disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that even 10 minutes of activity each day is helpful. This can include housework, walking, gardening, bowling, or other similar activity.

A large study of pre- and post- menopausal women in Buffalo, New York tested exercise as a way to prevent breast cancer. These researchers found that women who exercise long enough to work up a sweat have less risk of breast cancer.

Some, but not all, risk factors for breast cancer are known. Some are “modifiable,” meaning they can be changed. Others can’t be changed and are “nonmodifiable.”

The top risk factors are age over 60 years, early menstruation, and family history of breast cancer. Women are at greater risk if they have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer. These are all nonmodifiable risk factors.

Other risks include high-fat diet, late menopause (after age 50), never having been pregnant or giving birth, and white race. Many scientists are trying to find a link between exercise and breast cancer risk.

A large study of 1550 women at the University of Buffalo in New York was done. The goal was to find out if total number of hours per year exercising changes the risk of breast cancer. In other words, is exercise a way to prevent breast cancer? If so, how much and what kind is needed? The answers to these questions aren’t clear at this time. More studies are needed to guide women in this area.

Substance P is a fairly new discovery. It is a chemical released by nerves. It sends pain messages to the spinal cord and then to the brain. Substance P is also present in the intestines. It increases the contractions of muscles along the GI tract.

Animal studies show that substance P causes pain, swelling, and inflammation. It’s part of inflammation associated with arthritis. Once this was discovered, it was only a short time before scientists found a way to reduce substance P in the nerve endings.

Capsaicin cream for arthritic joints is one of these important discoveries. This cream, made from hot peppers, reduces joint pain but doesn’t change the arthritis.

A recent study showed that the bones of the spine contain nerve cells that release substance P. Perhaps a new way to treat back pain will come of this discovery.

Complementary therapy (also known as complementary and alternative medicine or CAM) is any treatment used outside of traditional medicine. This includes hundreds of possibilities. Some examples of CAM are acupuncture, reiki, music therapy, essential oils, and reflexology.

Not so long ago, doctors and other health care workers ignored CAM. They felt it had little effect on their patients. There was no proof that these methods helped. This is changing as more and more patients seek out CAM for injuries and illnesses.

Today, many medical schools offer courses in alternative medicine. Some doctors practice Iwhat they call Integrative Medicine. This explores all options and methods to help healing.

Medical researchers have “heard” the patients’ request for other ways to treat them. Studies are being done to look at these therapies. How effective are they? Do they cause harm? How does the cost of CAM compare to medical treatment? These and other questions are now on the table.