Trigger Finger

A Trigger Finger occurs when the motion of the tendon that opens and closes the finger is limited, causing the finger to lock or catch as the finger is extended. Symptoms of trigger finger usually start without any injury.

What causes Trigger Finger?
Trigger Finger is caused by a narrowing of the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. It is usually associated with activities that involve repetitive gripping actions or repetitive usage of the fingers.

Symptoms of Trigger Finger
The most common symptoms of Trigger Finger are:
- Stiff finger
- Clicking sound when you move your finger
- Bump or tenderness in your palm, at the base of the finger
- Swelling

How to prevent Trigger Finger?
It is preventable. The most important action you can take to prevent Trigger Finger is to avoid overuse of your thumb and fingers. If you have a job or hobby that involves repetitive motions of the hand, you can take the following steps:
- Adjust your workspace to minimize the strain on your joints
- Alternate activities when possible
- Take breaks throughout the day
- Use proper methods for carrying items
- Use instrumental or machines instead of bare hands

Care & Share : “Bone and Joint Center”, Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
http://www.phukethospital.com/eng/center_bone_joint.php
eMail: info@PhuketHospital.com

Exercise for Osteoporosis

Did you know…?
One of the best ways to strengthen your bones and prevent osteoporosis is by getting regular exercise such as walking, dancing, jogging, weight bearing exercise or playing tennis. Even if you already have osteoporosis, exercising can help maintain the bone mass you have.

Other possible benefits of exercise include:
- Increasing your ability to carry out daily tasks and activities
- Maintaining or improving your posture
- Relieving or lessening pain
- Increasing your sense of well-being

Walking outside in the sunshine not only gives bones the strengthening benefits that come with the weight bearing exercise of walking, but the skin’s exposure to sunshine also helps with the absorption of Vitamin D. It is needed to absorb calcium from the intestines and into the blood. Statistically, about 30 - 40 percent of the people who get hip fractures, a common occurrence with osteoporosis, are vitamin D deficient.

For additional information please contact info@PhuketHospital.com
Care & Share by Bone and Joint Center, Bangkok Hospital Phuket : http://www.phukethospital.com/eng/center_bone_joint.php

Knee Replacement

Knee Replacement
An artificial knee joint (prosthesis) is made of metal and high-grade plastic components, which replaces the worn surface within severe knee joint damage.
The prosthesis is made of a durable and inert metal such as stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloy and titanium, and hard plastic, which is abrasion resistant such as polyethylene.

Knee replacement surgery
A knee joint replacement is recommended for patients with severe knee joint damage, which can be caused by how it is used, increasing age or osteoarthritis of knee such as rheumatoid arthritis or an injury from the accidents. This causes knee joint to become pain or loose, leading to the feeling of instability in the knee. Typically, patients undergo this surgery after non-operative treatments have failed to provide relief of arthritic symptoms.

Types of knee replacement surgery
1. Total condylar knee replacement is a surgery that involves removal of all the knee joint surfaces. The surgical procedure may or may not include the part of patella or kneecap depending upon the damaged surfaces.
2. Uni-condylar knee replacement is a surgery that replaces only one side of the knee joint. The decision as to whether to use which types of knee replacement depends upon patients’ condition.

Preparation for knee replacement surgery
Before the surgical procedure, your heart disease, blood pressure, a physician, who will determine when you are ready to have an operation; will monitor diabetes and kidney function.

During knee replacement surgery
- The procedure usually takes about 2- 3 hours.
- Anesthesiologist will determine whether anesthesia or pain shots, which may be regional or general, will work best for each patient.
- After surgery, a drainage tube will be inserted to drain excess fluid or any blood from the new joint.
- A sterile bandage or splinting will then be applied on patients’ knees.
- The bandage or splinting will usually be removed after the second day of the surgery.
- Patients will begin a rehabilitation program.
- Patients are expected to stay in the hospital for approximately 5 – 6 days after the surgery.
- Patients will start to walk with the help of a walker. It may be needed for about 1 month after the surgery.

Advantages of knee replacement surgery
- The surgery will relieve your pain and stiffness when you bend or straighten your knee.
- Your leg will be straighter if you have a knee deformity, such as joint that bows in or out.
- You may feel more stability or comfortable in the knee when you bear weight on your knee.

Disadvantages of knee replacement surgery
- The knee prosthesis components may loosen or wear out. The average artificial knee joint replacement lasts 15 – 20 years. Durability of the prosthesis depends upon how the knee joint is taken good care of or used (a patient’s activity level).
- Avoid “impact loading” sports such as jogging. You can enjoy a variety of low-impact activities such as swimming, biking on level surface and playing golf.
- Avoid heavy lifting.

Further information please visit : www.PhuketHospital.com
eMail: info@PhuketHospital.com

Neck Pain

Most people who never experience neck pain would not pay much attention to this part of the body. This is despite the fact that neck has the duty to protect and look after the spinal cord, cranial nerves, and brain arteries. Moreover, it also carries the weight of the skull and brain, the heaviest and most important organs of human body. Our neck is thus designed to be flexible and can rotate in several directions.

Common causes of neck pain
1. Bad posture habits, e.g. hunching your back, arching your abdomen, or overworking during the day
2. Mental stress
3. Stiff neck
4. Degenerative joints
5. Injury of the neck bones, e.g. from fallings
6. Arthritis, e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis
7. Herniated disc, or when part of your spine presses against a nerve

Treatment
1. If you have neck pain or abrupt stiff neck, your symptoms may result from bad posture or improper sleeping position. Try not to move your neck. Flatten yourself against the floor for a while. Apply ice pack or hot water on the pain area. If your pain does not get better, use painkiller.
2. If you have chronic neck pain, the symptom is usually not severe, though annoying. There may sometimes be difficulties when bowing, turning, or twisting your neck. You may have pain after work or your neck is stiff very often. Apply ice pack or warm water on the pain area. Use painkiller, or give your neck a proper massage.
3. Give your neck an exercise to strengthen and improve the flexibility of your muscles.
4. If the pain does not get better, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Prevention of neck pain
1. Mind your posture. Do not bend or bow your neck too much or too long.
2. When at work, you should take a break and change the position every hour.
3.Your seat, especially if you have to drive long hour, should have firm backrest or have neck support being the proper level.
4. Sleep on a firm mattress with your head level to it. Do not lie on your face while reading or watching television.

Most important!
- Give your neck an exercise every day and try to reduce the pain from your daily life by doing exercise for a healthy body.
- Nowadays, neck pain is becoming a common illness because of the stress of your neck muscles. This may result from a long day work, brain overuse, frustration, car accidents, or sport activities.
- If you overly or improperly use your neck, you will experience different symptoms, e.g. neck weakness or stiffness, shoulders pain, throbbing pain in your head or arms, numbness down your fingers, nausea and vomiting, or dizziness.

Further information about Bangkok Hospital Phuket's Bone & Joint Center, please visit www.PhuketHospital.com

eMail : info@PhuketHospital.com

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that features loss of bone mass or the normal density of bone as well as deteriorates bone micro architecture. As a result, bone becomes fragile and prone to fracture.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

- Menopausal women or older age.

- Family history of osteoporosis or osteoporosis- related fracture such as in mother or siblings.

- Thin and small body frames.

- Low diet in calcium-rich foods.

- High diet in protein and in salt.

- Lack of exercise.

- Excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking or regular consumption of more than 2 cups

of coffee.

- Long-term use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsant and thyroid

hormone.

- Chronic illness.

Osteoporosis—The Silent Threat

The osteoporosis condition can progress silently without any symptoms until a bone fracture. When fractures occur, it can cause height loss of more than one cm per year, muscle emaciation, spine malformations such as a stooped or hunched posture or severe back pain, which can sometimes appear and disappear spontaneously. Fifty percent of patients suffering a hip fracture result in deaths. Another fifty percent experiences long-term disability. Therefore, patients are not being aware of their osteoporosis until they start to suffer some deformities.

Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

- Consume a healthy and well-balanced diet.

- Consume a balanced diet with adequate calcium.

- Exercise regularly.

- Avoid risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing the disease.

- Prevent fall among elderly people that can result in fractures.

- If you are at high risk of developing the disease, consult your physician for recommendations.

- Take medications that slow or stop bone loss and breakdown under physician supervision.

For further information please contact : www.PhuketHospital.com