Tag: Fractures

Dr. Manu Mengi | Best Orthopedic Doctor in Chandigarh

How to Recognize and Treat Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition that affects the tendons of the elbow. It is caused by overuse of the arm, especially in activities that involve repetitive wrist and forearm movements, such as tennis, painting, carpentry, or typing. The pain usually starts gradually and worsens over time. It can affect your daily activities and limit your range of motion.

Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, which may radiate to the forearm and wrist. The pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with your sleep. The pain is often worse when you use your arm, especially for twisting or gripping motions. You may also experience:

  • Tenderness and swelling around the elbow joint
  • Stiffness and difficulty in fully extending your arm
  • Weakness in your hand and wrist
  • Difficulty in performing simple tasks, such as holding a cup, writing, or opening a jar

Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow:

The treatment of tennis elbow depends on the severity of your condition. The main goals of treatment are to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness, and to promote healing and recovery of the damaged tendons. Some of the treatment options include:

  • Resting your arm and avoiding activities that aggravate your pain
  • Applying ice packs or cold compresses to the affected area for 15 minutes several times a day
  • Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to ease pain and swelling
  • Wearing a forearm brace or strap to support the injured tendons and reduce stress on the elbow
  • Doing physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons of the elbow, forearm, and wrist
  • Getting steroid injections into the painful area to reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief
  • Undergoing surgery to remove the damaged tissue if other treatments fail to improve your symptoms after 6 to 12 months

Prevention Tips for Tennis Elbow:

Tennis elbow can be prevented by taking some simple measures to protect your arm from overuse and injury. Some of the prevention tips include:

  • Warming up properly before engaging in any physical activity that involves your arm
  • Using proper equipment and techniques when playing sports or doing work that requires repetitive arm movements
  • Taking frequent breaks and changing positions when doing tasks that put a strain on your elbow
  • Doing regular exercises to maintain flexibility and strength in your arm muscles and tendons
  • Seeking medical attention if you experience any signs or symptoms of tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a common but treatable condition affecting anyone using their arm frequently. By following the above tips, you can effectively prevent, recognize, and treat tennis elbow and resume your normal activities without pain.

August 25, 2023 / 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