Osteoporosis and Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become very brittle and break easily.  There are a number of factors that put people at risk for this disease, including poor lifestyle choices around diet and exercise, age, smoking, a history of taking certain medications and being female.  Bone fractures from osteoporosis can be large and dramatic, like breaking a hip, or they can be tiny hairline fractures that are not even noticed, though they may accumulate over time, causing eventual pain and/or disability.  One specific injury that can happen as a result of osteoporosis is a compression fracture of the spine.  It occurs when the vertebrae break down.  A compression fracture may or may not be painful, though it is likely to cause some pain eventually.  The individual or their family may notice a stooped posture or a loss of height first.

Spinal Fusion Baltimore and Other Compression Fracture Treatments

When a compression fracture is very severe and painful, a spinal fusion Baltimore MD surgery may be desired to fuse together two or more remaining vertebrae in order to create a stable spine and reduce the pain of the condition.  Surgery is not always a desirable treatment, particularly for those individuals who may be elders who already have multiple other health conditions that may put them at risk from general anesthesia or other parts of the surgery process.  While spinal fusion surgery Baltimore  may be almost unavoidable for some patients, alternative treatments may be sufficient for others.  Here are a few things that can help with osteoporosis and compression fractures:

• Increasing exercise can improve bone health for all individuals, including those who have a diagnosis of osteoporosis.  Being sedentary can cause bones to become even more extremely fragile.  A good program of walking, gentle yoga, dancing, or even weight lifting, with the help of a physical therapist or sports medicine trainer, can increase strength and build muscle that can take the weight off of stressed bones.
• Certain medications can increase bone density.  Pain medications can sometimes be used to relieve the worst symptoms of a compression fracture.  Supplementation of certain nutrients, especially vitamin D, is recommended.

A Procedure to Heal Painful Small Back Bones Baltimore MD

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones and sometimes causes them to collapse.  It has a number of known causes, including smoking, low hormone levels or menopause, low body weight, age, being female and the long-term use of certain medications.  Prevention of osteoporosis can include hormone supplementation, exercise, calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements and exercise.  There are also some medications that are specifically meant to prevent or stop the progression of osteoporosis.  Preventing this bone disease is often difficult because most often, individuals are not aware they have it until a bone fracture occurs.  One of the most common areas for the fracture to happen is in the small bones that make up the spine.  Symptoms of these fractures may include a loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture, or a backache or more severe back pain.

Heal Painful Small Back Bones Baltimore MD

Once this type of break in the small bones of the the spine, also called a compression fracture, has occurred, there is obviously a need for a Procedure to heal painful small back bones Baltimore MD.  Often, compression fractures caused by osteoporosis can be healed without surgery.  A few non-surgical interventions are discussed here:

• Since compression fractures most often heal on their own within three to four months, one goal of treatment is to control pain while the healing occurs.  Over-the-counter pain medications can sometimes be sufficient for this purpose.  It is always best to check with a doctor before taking any medication to find out which one they recommend.  If OTC medications are not strong enough to relieve the pain, the doctor may prescribe a stronger medicine for a short period of time.
• A compression fracture will require an adjustment to activity levels for a few weeks.  Bed rest may be recommended for a short period of time to avoid aggravating the painful small back bones Baltimore MD.  After a few days, it is important to resume some light exercise because bones are further weakened by just lying around all of the time.
• A physical therapy program might be prescribed for some individuals who have suffered a compression fracture.

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD: Taking Care Of Yourself

What comes after total knee replacement Baltimore MD?

Most people are familiar with what comes after having a medical procedure done, even if they have not experienced one firsthand. It’s important for people to understand that their preconceived notions are not always the ones that turn out to be true, but at the same time, that they should be prepared for anything. After having something like total knee replacement Baltimore MD, there are a few things that patients should remember in order to make the healing and recovery process go more smoothly and to keep them from being overly ambitious or even discouraged.

Recovering from total knee replacement Baltimore MD

First, the most important thing for patients to remember is that every single person’s experience will be different than the next. While you should pay attention to the “expected” course of action and the outline that others have followed, be willing to make changes and to adapt as the situation unfolds. Being open to taking things as they come may seem like something that would be unnerving, but it will actually be a good way to keep you on your toes.

Be willing to ask people for help. You just had a total knee replacement surgery, so it’s only natural that you won’t be able to do the things that you used to, at least for a while. You’ll need someone to drive for you for a few weeks, you’ll need someone to help you with household chores… and the people that care about you will be more than willing to help out as long as they know you appreciate it.

Don’t worry if things take longer than expected. The recovery process will depend on the overall health of each patient, and sometimes, it just takes people longer to heal. Your body will know what’s best, so it is imperative that you listen to what it says. Don’t be afraid to tell your medical team that you’re feeling pain, or that you’re feeling great - the more they know, the more they can tailor each rehab stint to your particular needs.

Take time for yourself. An invasive surgery like this one that can take months to totally heal is something that you should take seriously. This means that there will be time spent way from work and focusing on your health - so make the most of it. You will have downtime, so choose a hobby to keep yourself occupied. Read a book, binge a TV show, and simply enjoy the time off. Physically, you’ll need to recover, but this is also a great opportunity for a good mental refresh.

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore: The Recovery

Getting Total Knee Replacement Baltimore

Surgery can be kind of scary, especially when it’s a major procedure that will sideline you for a long period of time like knee replacement surgery. Not only will you have to deal with the pain of recovery, but you’ll also have to find ways to stick as close to your typical, daily routine as possible without the ability to move around freely. This can be quite concerning, frustrating and difficult… but it can be done as long as you prepare properly for the period of time that comes after having a total knee replacement Baltimore done.

Recovering from Total Knee Replacement Baltimore

Starting out slow is important. As soon as the surgery has been completed and patients come out of the recovery rooms, they can begin the process of getting into and out of bed. This does not mean that they can (or will) immediately begin walking around, but before releasing them to the care of their loved ones at home, it’s necessary to prove that patients can get into and out of bed, use the bathroom, and stand on their own.

When arriving home, knee replacement surgery patients will notice that they have a lot of pain. This is normal, since the procedure that they had done is an extensive one. The most important thing that can be done is that the pain should be managed carefully with the medication and advice from the medical team. It will hurt when bending or moving the limb, but this won’t be done for a while, so the important thing is staying comfortable.

People often assume that they will be able to go home and let the healing process happen naturally. While this is the case, there is a lot of additional things that must be done. The knee must be stretched gradually. Many patients will wear a brace that can be adjusted without removing it, meaning that as time passes, the angle that the knee is kept at can be changed in a controlled manner… this will help to ensure that the muscles do not get too weak, and that there is little chance for the surgical site to be disturbed.

When the knee has healed enough, it will be time for physical therapy and putting weight back on the leg. This will take a lot of time - sometimes weeks, other times months… but it is an important milestone. This means that patients can begin learning to walk again. This again will cause pain - but the pain is a reminder that the healing process is occurring, and it is also a natural stopping point. Working through a little pain is necessary, but if it gets too bad, it’s time to take a break for the day.

Slow and steady progress is key to total knee replacement Baltimore recovery - it’s not a race!

Lumbar Laminectomy Baltimore

A lumbar laminectomy Baltimore is one kind of surgery that is offered to some individuals who are suffering from specific kinds of back pain.  Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people in the United States are unable to work or do other activities.  So, what is involved in lumbar laminectomy surgery Baltimore?

Finding a Facility and Doctor for Back Surgery Baltimore

A lumbar laminectomy involves the removal of the bony arch of the vertebra when it is squeezing a nerve and subsequently causing pain at the site of the compression, or numbness somewhere in the extremities below.  This bony arch is also called a lamina; and, this is how the surgery was named.  An orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon will perform the operation.

For the surgery itself, the patient is placed on their abdomen, in a kneeling position to take weight off of the spine.  General anesthesia is used for this surgery, so there is no pain or awareness on the part of the patient throughout.  An incision is made by the surgeon in the lower back area, also called the lumbar region, down to the lamina that is slated for removal.

The ligament joining the vertebrae is removed, along with some portion of the lamina, with the goal of exposing the root of the involved nerve.  The root is moved back toward the center of the spinal column and also removes all or part of the disk.  The incision is then closed so that a large back muscle is now in the correct position to protect the spine and/or nerve root.

The lumbar laminectomy takes only one to three hours from start to finish and often does not require that the patient receive any units of blood throughout.  A follow-up appointment with the surgeon usually occurs in about one week after the surgery, with any staples or stitches that were put in being removed at that time.  The doctor will also check for infection or any other post-operative complications that might have arisen.  A more comprehensive follow-up usually occurs eight or so weeks after the surgery, at which time it should be clear what benefits the patient has realized from the procedure.

Total Hip Replacement Baltimore for Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis is a condition that literally means bone tissue has died as a result of not having an adequate blood supply.  It can occur anywhere in the skeletal system of the body, including the hip.  Some mild to moderate cases of avascular necrosis that are in the early stages can be treated in a way that preserves the bone tissue in the hip, which includes the ball found on the head of the femur and the socket that is located in the pelvis.  More advanced cases may require a total hip replacement Baltimore.

Causes and Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis has a number of different causes.  These include accidents and other kinds of trauma, excessive consumption of alcohol, long-term use of certain medications like corticosteroids, and as a result of various diseases.  Any event that limits the blood supply to the bone, particularly to the femoral head, is a possible cause.

Symptoms caused by avascular necrosis are variable depending upon the cause.  Hip pain, from mild to severe, is common.  Treatment depends upon the stage at which the disease is caught.  Avascular necrosis in the early stages may be treated without removing any of the existing structures of the hip joint.  If the diagnosis is not made until later, after the bone may have already collapsed, hip replacement surgery Baltimore may be indicated.

About Hip Replacement Surgery Baltimore MD

While replacement of the entire hip joint sounds like a major operation that would be really scary and painful, it is actually one the the most common surgeries performed with the most success every year in the United States.  Prosthetic hip joint replacements, that include both the ball and the socket part of the joint, have become so advanced that they are hardly noticed by the patient once they have been implanted for a while.

During the surgery, the doctor removes the diseased part of the femur and the pelvis and then implants the new ball piece in the long, hollow, part of the bone.  Likewise, a bit of the pelvis is removed and the socket portion of the new joint is placed there.  After recovery, the patient can sometimes do more activities than they could pre-surgery.

Practical Considerations for Spinal Fusion Baltimore

While there are a lot of really good non-surgical interventions for chronic back pain, like medication and physical therapy, some percentage of chronic sufferers will not obtain relief from them.  These individuals may opt for some kind of surgical intervention with an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon.  Those considering spinal fusion Baltimore should make note a few practical considerations before making a final decision to undergo the procedure.

Before Having Spinal Fusion Surgery Baltimore

• It is important to understand that spinal fusion Baltimore MD involves grafting some bone mass from another part of the body.  The bone graft is often taken from the femur, which is the large leg bone that runs from the hip to the knee.  Obtaining this graft requires the separation of a large muscle mass in the thigh, which some patients report is more painful post-surgery than the spinal surgery site.  Some surgeons are able to harvest the bone graft from the pelvic area, which, reportedly, makes for a less painful recovery.
• Most patients have quite a bit of pain for the first two days after surgery.  Spinal fusion surgery generally requires at least a three day hospital stay.  During this time, post-operative pain can be controlled with oral pain medications, or with injections or a pain pump that allows the patient to self-administer pain control as needed.  It is important to schedule enough time to stay in the hospital so that the worst of the pain can be effectively managed.
• About 20% of individuals who have this surgery are fairly nauseated during the first day.  A smaller amount still feel ill up to 72 hours later.  In any case, it is important not to eat too much too soon after surgery.  Expect to start with ice chips and clear liquids and move onto solid foods over a couple of days.  Eating too much too soon can cause bloating and make it difficult to move around, which is important for recovery.
• On a related note, expect to start walking within the first day or two after surgery.  This mild exercise is really beneficial for recovery; and, along with special breathing exercises to clear anesthesia from the lungs, it helps prevent secondary complications like pneumonia.