Category: Surgery

Whether from arthritis, injury, or another cause, many individuals turn to joint replacement surgery as a way to regain mobility and address pain. Unfortunately, however, these procedures aren’t a guaranteed solution to your joint problems. Although a joint replacement may indeed be necessary in some cases, many practitioners are now offering stem cell therapy as an alternative to invasive procedures. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering stem cell therapy vs. joint replacement surgery.

Possible Reasons to Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery

Most doctors attempt to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery unless necessary. This procedure is a considerable undertaking. Joint replacements are notorious for long recovery periods. For instance, a hip replacement may take up to six months to heal completely, but some joints can take months for a recovery – especially if complications arise. Patients also typically need physical therapy to restore movement in the joint.

Moreover, joint replacements often come with a need for repeat surgeries, as the replacements only last so long. Patients may also find themselves paying significant medical bills depending on what their insurance covers.

Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Issues

Stem cell therapy may prevent or delay the need for joint replacement. The treatment consists of targeted injections at the site of the affected joint. There, the cells trigger the body’s natural healing process, promoting pain relief and potentially improving mobility. While the treatment may not reverse the joint condition, it could offer improvements in discomfort and stiffness, among other symptoms. Plus, the treatment is minimally invasive and requires minimal recovery period.

As with many treatment options, stem cell therapy yields varying results from one patient to the next. Results may take eight weeks to emerge, and depending on degree of injury, additional treatments may be needed, or the option of surgery may be revisited. Stem cells offer an alternative option for those patients who wish to exhaust all possible options before resorting to surgery.

This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.

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The keratectomy photo-refractive is one of the surgical techniques that the excimer laser used to treat certain refractive errors such as myopia or astigmatism.

Like other laser techniques, its goal is to correct refractive errors by modifying corneal curvature, which is the cause of most low-grade myopia.

The greater the curvature of the lens, the greater its dioptric power, that is, the more magnification it has. You can make an analogy with a magnifying glass, the greater its curvature, the greater the magnification and, therefore, the better one sees near objects and less well at distant objects, this is what happens in myopia.

When is this technique indicated?

In general, laser Cataract Surgery techniques are indicated to correct low myopia, generally less than 7 or 8 diopters, depending on the characteristics of the cornea (thickness, regularity, shape, strength, etc.) which will be determined after a series of ‘complete preoperative examinations. Kraff eye institute Laser treatment is generally used to correct myopia and astigmatism below 6 to 8 diopters. The intraocular lens implant remains the technique of choice to correct the highest myopia.

The choice of LASIK or PRK technique depends on several factors.

Firstly, the thickness and resistance of the cornea, PRK being more suitable for the thinnest or most delicate corneas.

Likewise, by more effectively preserving the resistance of the cornea, PRK will be preferred for people who in their daily life are more at risk of suffering direct impacts on the eye, such as the practice of high-risk sports or contact.

So why isn’t PRK performed on all patients who want laser surgery? The answer is simple: due to the recovery time and post-operative discomfort the following days.

Removal of the epithelium requires re-epithelialization, or growth of new skin, which will take about three days, during which time the patient may experience discomfort and vision may not be optimal, which is why it is recommended to the patient to rest during this period.

Another problem that LASIK technique can present is that it can affect the sensitivity of the surface of the cornea a little more, which results in a greater likelihood of developing dry eye problems during the postoperative period in predisposed people.

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Tendons are the thick cords in a person’s body that connect their bones and muscles together. The medical condition called tendinitis occurs when tendons become inflamed or irritated. The symptoms of tendonitis include tenderness, pain and difficulty moving the affected joint. Many Tendonitis Treatment Services blue springs mo are available to help relieve the symptoms of this medical condition.

A Doctor May Recommend Certain Medications

Pain relievers may be recommended to relieve the pain of tendinitis. These pain relievers include aspirin and ibuprofen. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is also an option. The treatment involves taking a sample of the person’s blood. Platelets are separated from the blood. The solution is injected into the affected joint. Research is still needed to determine the exact concentration and technique needed. However, it is supposed to help relieve the irritation in the affected.

Corticosteroids is Injected Medication into the Tendon

Corticosteroids is another treatment option for people with tendinitis. This involves injecting cortisone medication around the tendon area to relieve tendinitis. The purpose of the inject is to reduce the inflammation around the affected joint and ease pain. Corticosteroid injections are a treatment option for everyone. They are not recommended for chronic tendinitis. Chronic tendinitis has the same symptoms as acute tendinitis such as stiffness and pain. However, chronic tendinitis lasts for more than three months. Also, the injections are for short-term use. Repeated injections may increase the risk of a ruptured tendon. Repeated corticosteroid injections may also weaken the tendon over time.

Physical Therapy is another Tendinitis Treatment

Some exercises are designed to strengthen and stretch the affected joint. Exercises such as range-of-motion exercises can increase flexibility in the tendon. Eccentric strengthening works on stretching the affected area.

Surgical Procedures Depend on if Physical Therapy Doesn’t Resolve the Problem

A person may need to undergo surgery to repair the tendon. This is the case when the tendon tears away from the bone. Dry needling is another treatment option that is considered surgery. The procedure involves making tiny holes in the person’s tendon with a very fine needle. The purpose is to stimulate the tendon to heal. Ultrasonic treatment is not as invasive as undergoing surgery. The procedure involves a doctor inserting a special device that removes the scar tissue on the tendons using ultrasonic sound waves.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Tendonitis

To temporarily relieve tendinitis at home, remember to rest, use ice, place a compression on the affected joint and elevate it. This is the R.I.C.E. acronym. Keep mobile. Inactivity causes stiffness in a person’s joints. After a few days of resting the affected joint, gently conduct full range of motion exercises to keep the joint flexible.

Be sure to discuss all available treatment options for tendinitis with the treating physician. Each case is different, and variety of treatment options are available based on the severity of the condition. The goal of tendinitis treatment to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected joint.

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If you have been told that you need to have surgery, you probably feel a little intimidated or maybe even a little scared. It is a scary thing. By asking your doctor questions about the surgical procedures Franklin TN, you can put your mind at ease and relax into about your procedure so you can properly prepare.

Important Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

There are a lot of questions that should be asked before surgery. Some questions, you should ask your surgeon, others you should ask your insurance company. Asking your friends and family questions along the way may help put your mind at ease too. Your initial questions should focus on finding out as much information as possible to make sure you do not have surgery that is unnecessary, while others should focus on making sure you are prepared for surgery and that you heal as quickly as possible after your procedure.

Determining Questions for Your Surgery

The first thing you should ensure is that there are no alternatives to the procedure that is being proposed. You should learn how your life will be different after the procedure has been completed, and what risks you are facing. These questions should cover everything from anesthesia, to the recovery room procedure.

Do any of the health problems you have put you at a greater risk than other patients face? Is there any specific reason the procedure should be completed on an inpatient basis, or can it be performed on an outpatient basis? While having a surgical procedure may make you feel as though your condition will be cured, this is not always the case. Many procedures do not cure a condition, but they do manage it.

Learn About Your Surgeon

Take time to learn about your surgeon. What credentials does the surgeon have and what is their specialty? How often do they perform the procedure and would your doctor use this specific surgeon if they were to need the procedure?

These questions can help you determine whether the surgeon being chosen is right for you, or whether you should continue looking for someone to perform the procedure. You do not have to settle for a surgeon that does not suit your needs, especially if the procedure is not considered an emergency.

Learn About Your Expected Recovery Process

Even if you asked your doctor about your procedure, you should still ask your surgeon important questions, as their approach can affect the results. The questions you ask your surgeon should focus on risks and benefits of their surgical approach, as well as the procedure. They will be able to provide more accurate estimate about the amount of time necessary for recovery.

You should also find out what type of scaring you can expect and learn whether there is any way for you to speed up the recovery process. You can gain a lot of information by reading about your procedure through reputable sources. However, learning about the surgical approach directly from the surgeon can help clear up specifics about your situation.

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