What is the role of a neurologist?
A neurologist is a medical professional that specializes in treating diseases and conditions related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. These doctors are also responsible for diagnosing, managing and treating neurological disorders.
What is neurology?
It is one of the bigger domains of neuroscience that deals with nervous system disorders of the brain, blood vessels, muscles and nerves.
What is neuroscience?
Neurosciences is a scientific study of the nervous system. This is a multidisciplinary branch that deals with the cellular, functional, behavioral, evolutionary, computational, molecular, and medical aspects of the nervous system. Neurosciences also focuses on the human brain and analyzes how it regulates our body and our behavior.
What should you carry on your first appointment?
For your first visit to an orthopaedic, you must carry the following documents - A list that describes your symptoms in detail - Duration, time and severity. Any blood test or X-Ray report (<1 year). List of current medications and documents with details about existing medical conditions. Insurance details.
When should you see an orthopaedic doctor?
You must visit an orthopaedic doctor if you are undergoing excruciating pain in your bones, muscles and joints and have the following symptoms - Experiencing stiffness, uneasiness and pain while doing daily activities. Unbearable pain in the musculoskeletal system. No improvement in the soft tissue injuries.
What are the treatment options that are available to treat common orthopaedic conditions?
Orthopaedic surgery is the last option that doctors use to manage severe arthritis like carpal tunnel syndrome and several other treatment options are available to manage and treat orthopaedic conditions. These include - For arthritis and osteoarthritis, your doctor may prescribe you anti-rheumatic drugs and other medications to manage the pain. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe steroid injections to treat certain orthopaedic conditions. To manage bursitis and other orthopedic conditions, you can look at using R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) technique or can massage yourself. Braces and splints are a part of treatment plans for most orthopaedic conditions and are often used by doctors to provide the necessary support to the affected joints.
How can you prevent orthopaedic disorders?
While certain arthritis conditions like arthritis and osteoarthritis cannot be prevented as they are mostly age-related or genetic, However, other conditions like bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis and other conditions can be prevented by taking these precautions - Carpal tunnel syndrome - Take a break from repetitive activities to prevent yourself from this syndrome. Bursitis - Do a proper warm-up activity before doing any physical activity to prevent yourself from bursitis. Osteoporosis - Avoid alcohol and caffeine and have a calcium-rich diet to prevent osteoporosis.
What are the risk factors that increase the risk of an orthopaedic condition?
Several risk factors can increase your risk of acquiring an orthopaedic condition. These include - Age - The risk of orthopaedic conditions increases with age. Orthopaedic conditions like arthritis and osteoarthritis are prevalent among the elderly. Heredity - A family history of arthritis or osteoporosis can often boost your chances of developing an orthopaedic condition. Weight - Both underweight and overweight people can suffer from orthopaedic conditions Lifestyle factors- A sedentary lifestyle can increase your chances of arthritis. Additionally, in case you are doing excessive exercise or any activity that puts too much pressure on the joints without the proper padding of the joints then it can lead to bursitis. For instance, many people are diagnosed with Carpal tunnel syndrome because of repetitive hand movements such as typing or a sport involving the use of hands, done over a long period.
What are the most common types of orthopaedic conditions?
Some of the most common types of orthopaedic conditions are - Arthritis - It is a condition that affects the tendons and the ligaments attached to the bone, making them swell or become stiff. Arthritis can also result in redness and inflammation of one or more joints of the body and often increases the friction between them. Due to this increased friction the movement between the joints becomes extremely painful. Osteoarthritis - It is a type of arthritis that affects your knees, hips and spine. Osteoarthritis destroys the tissues connecting the bones, increasing friction and thereby causing pain. Bursitis - It is an inflammation of the bursa, a sac filled with fluid between all the major joints of our body such as shoulders, knees, Achilles tendon, hips, and elbows. While it is a short-term condition if left untreated can be painful and may limit the motion of the affected joint. Carpal tunnel syndrome - In this syndrome a nerve passing through the carpal tunnel is compressed or pinched, causing pain to the thumb or the three middle fingers. Osteoporosis - An orthopaedic disorder is quite common among ageing men and women. This condition impacts the bones of elderly people, making them weak and brittle and increasing their chances of fractures. Hips, spine, and wrists are most commonly affected areas by this condition.
What is Orthopedic surgery?
This is a type of surgical intervention that is performed to treat injuries and issues related to the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons provide consultation and diagnosis to help patients affected with mobility disorders recover properly and lead a more healthy life.
