Category: Dr Manu Mengi

Dr. Manu Mengi | Best Orthopedic Doctor in Chandigarh

Bursitis

Tender, swollen joints that ache when you move – you could be suffering from Bursitis, a painful medical condition wherein bursae – the small, fluid filled sacs that work as cushion between the bones, muscle and tendons around the joints have become inflamed. 

The human body has 150 plus bursae. Their primary function is providing lubrication to reduce friction between the tissue during physical activity. Joints like hips, shoulders and elbows that engage in frequent physical activity are the most commonly affected by Bursitis. 

Bursitis too can affect other joints, like the knee and the base of the big toe. Bursitis of the knee is commonly called “Housemaid’s knee” or “Clergyman’s knee”.

Symptoms

Bursitis is marked by easy to spot visual and physiological cues. These include – 

  • Stiffness and ache in the joint region.
  • Swelling and redness in the affected joint.
  • Experiencing increased pain when moving or putting pressure on the affected areas.

Causes

Bursitis is usually caused by repetitive movements that wear out or stress the bursae. Athletes and laborers whose daily routine involves lifting objects over their heads or kneeling for long durations are at a high risk of developing bursitis.

Something as seemingly innocuous as leaning on your elbows for long when studying or reading can also lead to bursitis. Ageing, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infections and injuries suffered to the joint region are other common causes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Bursitis involves an examination of the affected joint and inquiry into recent physical activities and injuries. In some cases, swelling and soreness in the joint can be accompanied by fever. In such an event, the doctor will draw a small quantity of fluid from the bursa close to the affected joint which will be tested.

You might have to undergo an X-ray if the doctor suspects a break or a fracture or MRI in case of torn tendons. If the doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis, you might have to undergo some blood testing. 

Management

Minor discomfort and inflammation can be managed and cured by ice packs and rest. Raising the affected joint to reduce the blood flowing into it can also sometimes help to reduce swelling. 

If you experience a sharp pain in the joint, are unable to move, develop a rash and/or a fever, consult your doctor. Based on the underlying cause and diagnosis, the doctor may administer steroid injections at the site of the pain and/or prescribe a course of antibiotics. Some cases may require intravenous administration of antibiotics and surgical draining to reduce fluid buildup. 

www.jointpaindoctor.in

July 8, 2019 / by Manu

Tips for Preventing Sports-Related Injuries

Sports injuries generally occur for two different reasons: trauma and overuse.  While traumatic sports injuries are usually obvious, dramatic scenes, like when we see a player fall down clutching their knee, overuse injuries are actually more common.

Traumatic Sports Injury

Overuse injuries often occur when the body is pushed past its current physical limits or level of conditioning — but poor technique and training errors, such as running excessive distances or performing inadequate warm-ups, frequently contribute. To help keep you or your young athlete from experiencing a sports-related injury following are the prevention tips:

1. Set realistic goals.

Setting goals and work hard to achieve them but it is crucial that our goals are realistic, achievable and sustainable. Whether your goal is to swim more laps, lift a certain amount of weight or run a specific distance, set an obtainable goal and gradually work to improve.

2. Plan and prepare.

If you plan to begin exercising regularly or want to begin a new program, take the time to learn the proper techniques required for your sport. Working with a coach or a knowledgeable group is often safe and enjoyable ways to start a new activity.

3. Warm up and cool down.

It is important to warm up before physical activity because research has shown that a heated muscle is less likely to be strained. To accomplish this some light walking or jogging before you start your exercise and then again afterward to help your muscles cool down slowly. Another important way to prevent injury is to increase your flexibility. Stretching before and after a workout can do this, but it is best to do so once the body is already warm.

4. Take your time.

Don’t push yourself too hard too fast. Getting in shape or learning a new sport takes time. We need to allow for adequate time to gradually increase training levels so that our bodies have time to adjust to the stresses on our bones, joints and muscles. For instance, when running, increase mileage gradually and give yourself plenty of time to recover between workouts. 

5. Listen to your body.

Adjust your activities if your body is showing signs of too much stress. While a mild and short-lived muscle ache is generally considered ‘good pain,’ pain in your joints is not normal and is a sign that you should cut back. Always listen to your body.

June 25, 2019 / by Manu

Proximal Fibular Osteotomy – A breakthrough procedure for treating knee pain.

Proximal fibular osteotomy (PFO) is a simple, innovative surgical procedure that’s fast becoming the go-to pain relief solution for knee osteoarthritis patients. It’s less invasive than other prevalent surgical procedures recommended for the same medical conditions, highly effective in treating knee pain and improving the patients’ quality of life, easy to perform and has a relatively short post-surgery recovery period. 

Who’s it meant for?

If you’re affected by medial compartment osteoarthritis and suffering from debilitating knee pain that’s affecting your ability to walk and engage in even basic physical activity, you might want to consult your doctor about Proximal fibular osteotomy. Total knee arthroplasty has been one of the most recommended treatments for osteoarthritis in elderly patients. For younger patients ailed by Varus knee deformity, High tibial osteotomy (HTO) and Unicondylar knee replacement (also known as partial knee replacement) have remained the physicians’ go-to solutions for long. These procedures, in addition to being rather invasive, require lengthy recovery periods, and pose restrictions on weight bearing and even on physical activity. In Proximal fibular osteotomy, you have a novel alternative to these popular surgical procedures, with proven success rate, minus the complications that can arise with the prevalent treatments.

What to expect from a Proximal Fibular Osteotomy?

Proximal fibular osteotomy is a cost-effective procedure requiring a shorter recovery span than other conventional surgeries. Patients can expect reduced knee pain within days of undergoing the procedure, and total pain relief in the following months. They can also look forward to becoming more active and self-sufficient than they’ve been in years, to a happier, pain free future. 

Contact Dr. Manu Mengi for further information.

May 22, 2019 / by Manu
Dr. Manu Mengi - Best Orthopedics Doctor in Chandigarh & Mohali.

Osteoporosis – Truth

Of patients diagnosed with Osteoporosis only 14% receive calcium & vitamin D supplementation along with proper treatment, according to the study presented at annual meeting of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Consult your doctor for further information on Osteoporosis (Reasons & Treatment)

April 11, 2019 / by Manu

Vitamin D Deficiency Side Effects

Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight. It also occurs naturally in a few foods — including some fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks — and in fortified dairy and grain products.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is one of the main building blocks of bone. Vitamin D also has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems. It also plays a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

You get vitamin D in three ways:

Through your skin

From your diet 

From supplements

 Your body forms vitamin D naturally after exposure to sunlight. But too much sun exposure can lead to skin aging and skin cancer; so many people try to get their vitamin D from other sources.

The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the vitamin D blood test. 

Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic proportions all over the Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70%–100% in the general population. In India, widely consumed food items such as dairy products are rarely fortified with vitamin D. Indian socioreligious and cultural practices do not facilitate adequate sun exposure, thereby negating potential benefits of plentiful sunshine. Consequently, subclinical vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in both urban and rural settings. 

Side effects

Moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets (soft bones) in infants and children.

Low vitamin D levels can lead to osteoporosis and increase your risk fractures (broken bones) following fall. Osteoporosis occurs when your bones lose calcium and other minerals, making them fragile and more likely to break. Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium, while not having enough can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.

A number of diseases have been linked to low vitamin D levels such as increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children and cancer. 

You may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency if you:

  • stay mostly indoors for health, work or other reasons.
  • have naturally dark skin.
  • cover your body for religious or cultural reasons.
  • avoid the sun for skin protection or due to medical reasons.
  • have a health condition that affects vitamin D absorption from your diet.
  • are a baby of a vitamin D deficient mother.

If you have a mild deficiency then 

  • increase your sun exposure
  • increase dietary calcium
  • increase physical activity
  • take a vitamin D supplement

If you have a moderate to severe deficiency then you might need to take a high-dose supplement. Check with your doctor about how much you need to take, how often you need to take it, and for how long you need to take it.

Keep up with your vitamin D levels and stay healthy.

NOTE: – High Levels of Vitamin D are known to cause toxicity so knowing Vitamin D blood levels is essential.

February 1, 2019 / by Manu