Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement in India - High Flex TKR

Minimally invasive knee replacements are popular amongst patients. The perceived benefits are less post op pain, less requirement for analgesics, and faster return to normal activity. The surgeon performs through traditional open surgery, downsizing the incision. The instruments used are miniature versions of the standard instrumentation. Through smaller incisions standard and high flex knee replacements can be done.

High flex knee replacements are the latest advance in Knee replacement surgery in India. Indian orthopedic surgeons are now able to provide this operation to patients with a higher functional demand of knee bending. Arabs, South Indians, Japanese customs call for knee bending in activities like sitting cross legged, kneeling, stair climbing, use of Indian toilet and prayer. Hitherto knee replacements only afforded ninety degrees of bend. A new knee prosthesis allows 155 degrees of bending. Even computer assisted navigational surgery cannot achieve this degree of flex if improper implants are chosen.

Many patients who were in dire need of knee replacement for arthritis are now thronging to have their operations done in Chennai. Although TKR is not new to Indians, the procedure did not find many takers earlier, about 12,000 knee per year before for the whole of India. These numbers are poised to grow exponentially, with the advent of newer designs and inflow of patients from abroad.

Orthopedic surgery is affordable in Chennai's hospitals and is world class.
Another attraction is Minimally invasive surgery an operation in which incisions are smaller than usual. This reduces blood loss and post operative pain and allows quicker return of function. Again MIS and High flex knee replacements are world class operations available in India at very affordable costs minus the hassles of grappling with insurance companies, Medicare, Government NHS etc.

Hip Replacement

After years of a deteriorating hip joint, you are left with almost constant pain and decreased mobility. Eventually, your personal and social life suffers. You are no longer able to do all the things you could once do with ease. If you've exhausted all other attempts to relieve the pain and stiffness, it may be time for you and your doctor to consider hip replacement surgery. You don't have to live with pain for the rest of your life. Hip replacement is a common surgery with a high success rate.

Depending on your age and the condition of your hip, total hip replacement surgery (total hip arthroplasty) may offer the best solution to your problem. Hip replacement hardware (ball and socket prosthesis) can last up to 20 years. And it can often be replaced if the first prosthesis wears out (though second surgeries are not always as successful as the initial hip surgery). If you are fairly young, your doctor may suggest delaying surgery. If so, medications or lifestyle changes may help control your symptoms until the time is right for joint replacement. Losing weight can take a tremendous amount of stress off your hip and knee joints.

Surgical Procedure

Most hip replacement surgeries involve the traditional approach to the hip joint (lateral/posterior or posterior approach). With the common lateral approach, an incision (8-12 inches long) is made down the outside of your hip. The ball at the upper end of your femur (thigh bone) is cut off and replaced with a ball/metal stem component. The stem is placed into the marrow cavity of the thigh bone and the ball portion at the top fits into your new ceramic or plastic socket that is implanted into your pelvis (the cartilage from your hip socket is removed or smoothed).

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System (BHR) is relatively new (introduced in 1997). Long term studies are still in progress, but so far results have been favorable. The BHR method eliminates the need to cut off the ball at the top of the femur. Instead, the ball is left intact and merely resurfaced (reshaped) to allow an anatomically shaped metal sphere to be attached. The socket is replaced with a metal implant. The procedure is bone-saving and results in a stronger hip joint than the traditional total hip replacement. The chance of hip dislocation is greatly reduced. For younger and active people, this may be the procedure of choice.

Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery involves an anterior approach to the hip joint. An incision is made along the front of the hip, which allows a more direct route to the hip joint. The major hip muscles are not in this area, so there is minimal tissue/muscle damage during surgery. This usually results in a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery/rehab period, and less pain. The only downside to this method is there are few surgeons performing the anterior approach surgery. It requires a special surgery table (which few hospitals have) and special surgical training.

Total Hip Precautions

After traditional total hip replacement surgery, patients are required to follow strict precautions that restrict certain movement/positions of your new hip. This is to prevent your new hip from dislocating. They are commonly called total hip precautions, or total hip protocol, and include the following:

• Do not cross your legs


• Do not point your toes inward (no pigeon toes)


• Do not bend your new hip more than 90 degrees

Your doctor may also restrict the amount of weight you can put on your new surgery leg while walking. This is called your weight-bearing status. This should be strictly followed so you do not damage your new hip while it's healing.

Surgery Complications

All surgeries carry risk. Hip surgery complications include, but are not limited to, infection, DVT (deep vein thrombosis- blood clot), dislocation of your new hip, leg length discrepancy, vascular damage, nerve damage, just to name a few.

Surgery Recovery

Recovery after hip surgery depends on the amount of cartilage damage, your age, and your fitness level prior to surgery. Exercise before your surgery and your recovery will be easier. Approximately 4-6 months after surgery you should be fully healed, but you must take an active part in your recovery by doing daily exercises and taking daily walks.

How To Treat Sprains, Dislocations and Fractures

Sprains, dislocations and fractures are the type of injuries that involve a lot of pain and swelling. Also, walking becomes very difficult, so it's even harder to get help if you don't have your phone around. And if it happens during a disaster, when there's nothing but chaos all over the place, you're in for the time of your life!

Now, I don't mean to get all apocalyptic about this, but I do believe it's very important that you know basic measures when you're dealing with bone and joint injuries.

So let's take them one by one and go through the whole process together:

Sprains

Most people get a sprain at least once in their lives, so you're probably familiar with the symptoms: pain and swelling mostly, but also discoloration (when the sprained area turns black and blue).

Now, even if it hurts, do not call 911 for a sprain. Those guys take on more severe cases. However, according to firstaid.about.com, you should go see a doctor if there's one close to you, especially if you're experiencing:

• severe pain


• inability to put any weight on it victim unable to put any weight on it


• inability to move it


• inability to walk


• numbness


• redness or red streaks spread out from the injury


• pain, swelling, or redness over a bony part of your foot

When it comes to treating sprains, you should think RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate):
REST the sprained joint. Don't try to walk if you're feeling severe pain whenever you take a step or two. But if you have to walk, use a cane to take most of your body weight.

ICE the sprained area with an ice pack.

COMPRESS it with an elastic bandage. Like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTAJ2qbYxNw

ELEVATE the sprain above the level of the heart during the first 48 hours. Just place your foot on top of some pillows or a rolled blanket and keep it that way as much as possible.

Dislocations and Fractures

According to eMedicalHealth.com, these are the guidelines to treat a fracture or dislocation if medical help is not available:

• Apply a cold pack to the area of fracture or dislocation to decrease swelling and to relieve pain.


• Flush open wounds associated with compound fractures with clean, fresh water and cover them with a dry dressing.


• Splint the injured area to keep it from moving. Support a broken limb by using the best material available for a splint, such as sticks, part of a backpack frame, or other stabilizing device. Wrap tape around the splint and the extremity affected. For example, if a forearm is broken, the splint should run from the wrist to the upper arm and support the arm without repositioning it.


• Monitor the extremity near the fracture or dislocation, assessing any loss of sensation, decreased temperature, and pulse.

However, the first thing to do is call 911. ALWAYS.

Pain can get pretty nasty in case of dislocations or fractures, so take 1-2 tablets of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours or 1-2 tablets of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6-8 hours.

I really hope you'll never have to take these measures, not for yourself or for anyone else. But if you do, I hope they help you treat your injury and relieve your pain. Make sure you stay safe, alright?

Knee Replacement Surgery - Your Last Option to Get Rid of Arthritic Knee

People that have generative joint disease or arthritis of their knees, often suffer from chronic pain for quiet a long period of time. Conservative treatments such as steroid injections, pain management and therapy are sometimes not enough to get rid of the pain and stiffness. Knee replacement maybe right for you, if you have a great decline in your daily living activities, that is related to pain with decrease in knee mobility and function.

The knee is the largest joint in the body. A person needs a healthy knee to be able to perform daily activities such as walking, climbing and running. More people ages 60-80 years old, that have some type of chronic arthritis such as Osteoarthritis, often choose to have a knee replacement. It is also performed on younger adults, depending on the severity of pain and damage to the knee. Your Orthopaedic surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate to undergo a knee replacement. You will be expected to stay in the hospital for several days after surgery.

Knee replacements are one of the most painful joint surgeries and dealing with post operative pain is one of the most important aspects of your care. Your therapy usually starts right after the surgery and it is important that you take pain medication prior to your therapy sessions to be able to participate fully with therapy. Your pain usually subsides in a few days, to a week and it may differ from person to person.

Most common complications after surgery are blood clots in the leg veins and you will be given a blood thinning agent to prevent this complication. You will also be taking iron supplements, depending on your laboratory result after surgery, since post operative anemia is also common to patients that undergo a knee replacement. Wound infection although rare will also occur so it is very important that you check your incision daily for signs and symptoms of infection.

Your therapy will usually focus on your balance, strength and mobility. You will be expected to use assistive devices during ambulation, such as a walker to prevent accidental falls for a few weeks. You will notice a marked improvement of your knee function, usually within 2-6 weeks of continued physical and occupational therapy, with a safe and fast recovery as a main goal.

The Benefits Of Going To An Orthopaedic Clinic

An average orthopaedic health facility brings surgical and medical expertise to patients. Such a clinic usually offers an all-in-one solution for anyone's orthopaedic-related problems. Other than providing diagnostic and radiology services, these clinics similarly offer acupuncture and physiotherapy complementary services. They also supply surgical and medical solutions for those suffering from arthritis in the hips, knees and joints.

A good orthopaedic clinic is more than ready to offer 24-hour emergency assistance. Patients with any orthopaedic-related injury could go to such a clinic and have access to specialists. Take note that health screening is extremely important in the early detection of diseases and conditions which could cause death or disability. Also, do be aware of the fact that stress and a lifestyle associated with modern unhealthy living could have a negative impact on health.

The best orthopaedic facilities offer personalised treatment. Their goal is to enhance your well-being as well as improve your own knowledge on your personal health. Screening services are ideal for corporate organisations and individuals. Remember that you have to be responsible for how you take care of your well-being. Do have yourself evaluated in order to halt any possible health risks. Expect an individualised detailed medical report from an orthopaedic clinic. This will then be reviewed while you are in a private consultation with your preferred doctor.

Pain management is also addressed by such clinics. A few of these ailments include neck/shoulder/arm pain, musculoskeletal pain, back/leg pain. whiplash injuries, work-related injuries, sports injuries, chronic post-surgical pain, arthritic pain, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, phantom limb pain, peripheral nerve pain, spasticity complex regional pain syndrome and HIV-related pain.

However, though these clinics are more than willing to provide extensive services for patients experiencing these physical discomfort, there are cases where severe problems are evident which not even the most intensive therapies might not be able to fully relieve. This could similarly apply in cases where there is neglect or when a physical condition has been left to degenerate to a serious state. When this happens, it is a must for patients to consider procedures which are invasive.

A few of the surgeries include Slipped Disc Replacement, Knee Replacement, Nucleoplasty, Bunion Corrections, Hip Replacement, Shoulder Operation. Also, there are numerous orthopaedic surgeons all of whom differ in experience, skill and sub-specialty. It is a fact that it might be difficult and confusing to select the proper orthopaedic surgeon for your case. Also, do not forget that cost could similarly be a contributing factor specially when you select private specialists. If you want to find the doctor that is suitable for your specific condition, do research and locate those which are experts in their field.

Severe Elbow Joint Pain - Possible Causes And Ways To Deal With It Effectively And Safely

When it comes to joint pain, arthritis is undeniably one of the biggest culprits, but we should not let that cloud our judgment. Yes, arthritis can cause severe elbow joint pain, but surprisingly enough, this is less frequent than what many people believe.

One common cause of elbow pain is a condition known as tennis elbow, and no, it does not only affect tennis players. Approximately 50% of people who participate regularly in a racquet sport will get tennis elbow at some point, but even so, the vast majority of cases involve people who do not play any type of racquet sport. Anyone with a job that is demanding on their forearm muscles is particularly at risk. Plumbers, electricians, painters, and even butchers are prime candidates.

Conventional treatment usually involves physiotherapy and pain relief medication, and sufferers are instructed to avoid using their elbow or elbows excessively. In more severe cases, patients may receive corticosteroid injections which are administered into the immediate area. Having said all that, many people are reluctant to have these injections, and many also can not afford to pay for physiotherapy. Instead, they tend to opt for natural remedies such as fish oil supplements and supplements containing New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel extract.

Nerve entrapment is another very common cause of elbow pain, but fortunately it is relatively easy to determine whether or not this is the cause of your elbow pain. In most cases of nerve entrapment, a person will also experience a tingling sensation in their little finger and their ring finger. If there is enough pressure being applied to the nerve which is trapped, the tingling can be replaced with near total numbness.

Nerve entrapment is usually self-correcting. In other words, with enough rest, the pain should eventually go away, although there are cases where surgical intervention is required so that the ulnar nerve can be repositioned.

Bone tumors can also cause a significant amount of pain in one's elbow, but in truth, this is actually very rare. As with bone tumors, septic arthritis is yet another disease which can certainly cause severe elbow joint pain, but it too is very uncommon. Additionally, it is more often than not easily treated with antibiotics, although surgery may be necessary in very severe cases.

While joint pain is often caused by medical conditions such as some of those I have discussed above, it can also quite often be caused by nothing more than a nutrient deficiency. Joints are generally high maintenance body parts, and as such, they are dependent on a healthy diet. If you know your diet is not providing you with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, you really should try to make a few changes, or alternatively, you should consider supplementing your diet.

Total Knee Replacement - Why You Shouldn't Wait

Undergoing surgery is not something that anyone looks forward to. Sometimes people will learn to live with pain rather than going under the knife to repair any damage but when it comes to your mobility it's never a good idea to wait. Total knee replacement becomes necessary when the patient's mobility is hampered and typically more damaged is caused when arthritic conditions are ignored. This is especially true for female patients. It is thought that women can bear more pain than men so they wait longer to consider surgery.

What is a total knee replacement?

A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces the ends of the damaged femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) and creates a smooth knee joint. The prosthetic components are made from metal or plastic and are secured to the bone with cement. Depending on the extent of the damage, a partial knee replacement or uni-compartmental replacement can be done in which only a portion of the joint is replaced. (The knee is comprised of three compartments).

What causes degeneration in the knee joint?

When bones become degenerative it is most commonly associated to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis is common in older patients and is caused by aging joints, obesity and prior injuries. Symptoms associated with osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness and decreased mobility. Weight loss can improve osteoarthritis and has been shown to decrease symptoms.

What to expect after Surgery

After undergoing a total knee replacement, patients are instructed by their physician to under go physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Depending on the amount of trauma, rehabilitation time will vary in patients. Rehabilitation is extensive but is necessary in the process. It is very important to manage weight gain because one of the contributing factors to osteoarthritis is obesity. Throughout the recovery process it is vital to maintain constant communication with your doctor.

Knee Replacement Surgery: Does It Have To Happen?

Although many that have knee replacement surgery do so because they have a medical condition that may cause it, it is also important to realize that you don't have to have it. There are many reasons why you may feel like this is not the right thing for you to do. Many patients struggle with the decision to have it done. Usually, it is a case of the 'what ifs." What if your new knees don't work right? What is the surgery is too expensive? What if you can't do the things you are doing now? But, the end result is simple. Without a knee replacement surgery, you may not be able to walk again.

The scary truth about this surgery is that it may be the only thing that can be done to help treat your condition. For example, one of the most common reasons to have this surgery is due to the condition known as rheumatoid arthritis. In short, this condition affects millions of people each year to different extents. If you don't get treatment and it progresses significantly, you can find your knees hurting day in and day out. It hurts to walk, it hurts to stand and it hurts to move at all. Eventually, arthritis can take over your knees function completely leaving you without the ability to move.

Knee Replacement Is Good

When you begin to work with your doctor about this treatment option, he or she has probably found that your condition is one that simply can not be improved with medications either to treat the arthritis pain or to help in slowing the progression of the condition. Most that have knee replacement surgery have no option in improving their condition through other means of treatment either. But, the alternative is to have a knee replacement surgery, which doesn't have to be a bad thing.

In fact, this surgery can be a turning point in your life. Today, the metals and plastics that are used in knee replacement are completely dependable and long lasting. They are easy to use and they function with your body when you want them to. Although there is a few weeks of time where physical therapy is needed to help educated you on how to use and get the most out of your new knees, you'll find that this process is nothing compared to the pain that you are currently facing.

For those that are dealing with the possibility of a knee replacement surgery, the first step should be to fully understand what your doctor wants to do and have him or her walk you through the surgery step by step. During this process, you should determine with your doctor the prognosis for what happens afterwards. If you have questions, get them answered. Find out what if anything can be done to ease your worries. Most importantly, make it a point to find others that have had knee replacement surgery and learn what their experience has been. Whether you are online or through local contacts, you deserve the opportunity to fully explore this treatment options that you have.

Degenerative Knee Problems - Are Your Knees Screaming!? Improve Your Knee Stability

Case Studies Of Degenerative Knee Problems

Degenerative knee problems, also can be referred to as Osteoarthritis, are typically progressive and incurable. What starts off as stiffness and swelling of the joint will eventually develop into a severe deformity of the joint wherein even walking becomes a major chore!

While degenerative knee problems are incurable, there are several ways that an individual can deal with this condition. Treatment depends upon age and the severity of the condition as well as the frequency of the flare ups. These two case studies offer valuable insight into making the right choices when it comes to treating osteoarthritis.

How Beth Treated Her Degenerative Knee Problems

Beth was only 42 when she began to experience pain and swelling in her right knee. She figured she had twisted it and used an ice pack to alleviate the symptoms. The pain continued to get worse and she experienced flare ups more often. Finally, Beth decided that she had to go see a doctor. He diagnosed her with osteoarthritis of the knee and recommended that she use an ice pack to keep the swelling down and to wear a knee brace to support the knee.

Wanting a second opinion, Beth consulted with another doctor who advised her to undergo knee surgery. This involved complete knee replacement. The problem was Beth did not have insurance to cover the operation. Moreover she would be 'out of the running' and would need full time care for at least a few weeks post surgery. After all of this, there was still no guarantee that surgery would render the knee fully functional and pain free.

Beth chose to take the advice of the first doctor. The knee brace provided much-needed support to her knees as she want about her daily activities and the ice pack helped keep the swelling down. Today, Beth is only bothered periodically by knee pain.

How Dave Treated His Degenerative Knee Problems

Dave played softball all of his life. At the age of 53, he developed pain in both of his knees but it was worse in his right knee. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, he opted to go in for surgery. He got a full knee replacement, went through rehab and was off work for nearly a year. The knee worked well but it was not as good as new. It still troubled him occasionally but what bothered him now what that his left knee had started to really hurt.

Instead of undergoing another surgery for degenerative knee problems, Dave decided to treat the left knee conservatively and use a knee brace in addition to some exercises that he learned in rehab. Today, Dave walks fine and uses the knee brace on his left knee when he experiences knee pain. He does not recommend knee surgery to anyone as his right knee still feels stiff.

While there are several different ways to treat degenerative knee problems, it is always best to first opt for more conservative treatment methods, which will help manage the symptoms without any adverse effects. As these case studies demonstrate, using a knee brace in addition to doing a select few knee strengthening exercises and using an ice pack to control flare-ups can be extremely effective.

Total Knee Replacement Surgery Abroad

One of the ways that some people are looking to cut the overwhelming medical costs or extensive waiting lists (in Canada or the U.K.) is by looking abroad for total knee replacement surgery in India or Mexico. The typical cost for a total knee replacement surgery in India is around $7,000. Compared to U.S. costs, that is very reasonable. How do you go about investigating a total knee replacement surgery in Mexico or India, for example?

There is the old standby of asking around to your co-workers, your family, or acquaintances. Statistically, you will either know someone or be connected to someone who has had surgery abroad. Their experiences can be a testimonial about the care they received, but it is ultimately hearsay. Unless your friend, family member or personal source happens to be a medical professional, their testimony about a total knee replacement surgery in Mexico or india is going to lack important information about the technology being used, the sanitation procedures, and the competence of the staff.

Then there is the seemingly omniscient internet. Without a doubt, it serves a vital function in the distribution of vast amounts of information. It does have certain drawbacks. Unlike the New England Journal of Medicine or the British Medical Journal, the internet is not a peer-reviewed source. Its greatest strength, the ability of almost anyone to acquire a website, is also its greatest weakness. In a situation in which anyone can post virtually anything, most information becomes suspect. Nonetheless, a keyword search on "total knee replacement surgery in India or mexico" or "total knee replacement surgery in Mexico or india" can provide you with a starting place in your search.

If you do choose the internet as your primary search tool, make sure to use due caution. At the very least verify your information from multiple sources. Hospitals are like any other business and will work to put the best foot forward. The only way to be sure that the facility you choose overseas is a safe environment is to make sure that it has JCI accreditation.

The JCI or Joint Commission International, an international accrediting body for medical facilities that has been approved by the International Society for Quality in Health Care, maintains a listing of accredited facilities.

The simplest and probably best way to find safe facilities overseas is to employ the services of Medical Travel Facilitation group. These businesses find facilities and make arrangements with them to provide services such as total knee replacement surgery in facilities in either india or Mexico to prospective clients. They will often assist in dealing with the paperwork and travel arrangements prior to the surgery. Again, it is best to employ some due diligence and make sure the facilities these facilitators work with have JCI accreditation.

What Is Medical Tourism? Medical Tourism Facts Explained

Medical tourism is the practice of travelling to different countries to get quality and affordable healthcare services. It is also referred to as global healthcare, health tourism, and medical travel. The term 'medical tourism' was created by the media and travel agencies to popularize this form of practice. Today, medical tourism has grown to become an official industry in more than 50 countries.

Why is Medical Tourism Popular?

So, what exactly are the benefits of medical tourism and why do people travel abroad for simple and complex medical procedures? The main factor that encourages medical travel is undoubtedly the high cost of medical care in developed countries like the United States. Most medical travel destinations offer surgeries at almost one-third the costs of developed countries. This translates into bigger savings for a person who has to undergo a complex medical procedure like a liver transplant or even for a cosmetic surgery procedure.

Another reason is the high costs of medical insurance in western countries which have led to many people not opting for any medical plans. The high unemployment rates in the U.S and other European countries are another major contributing factor. Today, due to the deteriorating unemployment levels millions of people can no longer afford health insurance. So, a person not covered by health insurance has very less options other than seeking cheaper treatment elsewhere. As a result, medical travel has gained rapid acceptance and popularity in a short period of time.

Medical Tourism Costs Comparison

Here are some surprising cost comparisons which justify the existence of the medical tourism industry. A liver transplant in the U.S would cost close to a whopping $300,000, while a person who opts to travel to Taiwan would end up paying just around $90,000. This translates into savings of around 70 percent. Similarly, a heart valve replacement costs about $10,000 in India, whereas it costs around $200,000 in the United States. Women who plan to undergo complex cosmetic surgery have to spend a fortune in the U.S. In this case, a full facelift in South Africa would cost just around $1250 compared to about $20,000 in the United States. These glaring price cost savings are the most important reason for the huge growth in the medical tourism industry

Pros and Cons of Medical Tourism

Medical travel abroad isn't just popular because of the cost savings. There are many other benefits too. For example, the waiting times for medical procedures in the U.K are long and cumbersome. On the other hand, in medical tourism, a patient's entire procedure is planned and scheduled well in advance. Once the patient arrives in the host country, there is little to no waiting time. Here is another example to illustrate this point. In Canada, during the year 2005, more than 750,000 Canadians had to wait for an average of 9.5 weeks to get their medical procedures done. Canada also sets long waiting benchmarks ranging from 16 to 26 weeks for non-emergency medical procedures like cataract and hip replacement surgery.

While the medical travel industry has its benefits it also has its share of drawbacks and concerns. For example, a medical tourist can easily be susceptible to many diseases in the host country, where high standards of hygiene may not be available. A person from the United States may have low to no natural immunity levels to these diseases. These diseases could hamper or complicate existing health conditions. Some of the diseases that could weaken or complicate the recovery of the person are amoebic dysentery, influenza, typhoid, and tuberculosis. Health complications could also arise during travel due to cramped seats in airlines and long distance flights.

Even accredited hospitals in countries like India lack adequate complaint registering policies. This leads to a lot of patients being totally dissatisfied with the services offered. There are also many legal and ethical issues involved during organ transplantation in India and China. This primarily is due to the large-scale illegal purchase of tissues and organs in these countries. Despite these shortcomings, medical travel seems to be the way forward unless countries like the United States can manage to cut their medical costs drastically or start providing medical tourism insurance.

Popular Medical Tourism Destinations

Many people are on the lookout for both simple and complex procedures like cardiac surgery, hip and knee replacement, dental surgery and cosmetic surgery. For these procedures the most popular medical travel destinations are India, Argentina, Cuba, Hungary, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, The Philippines, Ukraine, Lithuania, and South Korea. High quality cosmetic surgery at affordable prices is available in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Turkey, and Colombia. Over the last few years, South American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia have become a hot destination for world-class plastic surgeries. These countries boast of talented and experienced cosmetic surgeons of repute. Most medical tourists come from countries like the United States, Canada, the U.K, and Japan.

Implications for the Healthcare Industry

Medical travel has created implications in countries from where they originate. In 2007, more than 750,000 Americans sought healthcare services outside the country and more than 1.5 million are expected to seek offshore healthcare in 2008. This has resulted in the United States health care industry losing billions of dollars and is set to lose even more in the future. According to a Deloitte Consulting report of 2008, medical tourism in the United States could most likely increase by almost 10 times in the next decade. This trend is alarming and can hardly be ignored by the healthcare industry. While this may spell trouble for the healthcare insurance industry, it could also be a motivating factor for the healthcare industry to lower its premiums to stay competitive. This major shift towards medical tourism has opened the doors for medical tourism insurance. Currently, very few medical insurers cover medical tourism. However, there is a growing demand for medical tourism insurance and we might soon see major healthcare insurance providers offering people the option to travel abroad. This would definitely be an important step in making healthcare more affordable.

Monitoring Industry Best Practices

To ensure higher standards of healthcare quality a growing number of international healthcare accreditation organizations are now certifying international hospitals. This accreditation is awarded based on the level of healthcare services and quality of medical procedures provided. Since 1999, the Joint Commission International (JCI), a non-profit organization based in the United States has been authorized to certify and accredit hospitals and medical facilities outside the country. Medical tourism providers in many countries are now seeking accreditation to keep on track with healthcare best practice norms and gain patient confidence and trust.

The medical tourism industry is growing and will continue to rapidly surge unless healthcare providers and insurance companies make sincere efforts to lower the costs of health insurance. Medical travel is not a problem; it is an answer to cheaper medical solutions. And unless the healthcare industry in western countries finds answers to reducing costs, medical tourism will definitely be the most convincing answer.

Multipurpose Hip Replacement Rehab Exercises

A physical therapist working with a patient in hip replacement rehab will introduce the patient to a variety of exercises; exercises that may include both standing and lying flat.  Initially it may seem as if all the exercises introduced are only benefiting the successful movement and use of the hip. However, these exercises your physical therapists introduce are known to help a lot more areas of your body.

Gluteal sets is an exercise that requires an individual to lay flat on their back, preferably on the floor, while squeezing the buttocks for an interval of time before releasing.  The  move is to be performed several times in succession.  Whether starting out slow with just a few reps or digging in to do 10 reps in 4 sets, a person doing this move will appreciate the results. 

This exercise is designed to work 3 muscles at once: the gluteus maximus, medius muscle, and minimus muscle.  These muscles work together and help make everyday situations easier to handle, like climbing stairs and getting up from a seated position.  By mastering this routine, you're doing more than making sure life is easier, you're helping the look of a very prominent part of your body.

Arc quad sets is another exercise you may be introduced to.  You complete this exercise by lying flat on the floor while tightening your thigh muscles and straightening your knee.  This is a power move that strengthens all four muscles that run up the front of your thigh. 

If an individual is introduced to this exercise, they can rest assured that walking, running, or even jumping will be a lot easier to do.  When looking at someone standing sideways wearing a pair of shorts it's, easy to see if there's a defining line from working out; this is one of those moves that can help you achieve that look.

The standing knee raise exercise is as simple as lifting one knee at a time upward towards the chest.  This move can be done standing free or with the assistance of a chair.   The importance of this exercise during hip replacement recovery is that it works vulnerable skeletal muscles that surround the hip joint area.  These skeletal muscles are what keep your hip joints from feeling or remaining stiff. 

Everyday movement often taps into the flexibility of the hip joint and if the joint is in pain, the movement is painfully hard to achieve.  The great thing about working on this activity is that you actually begin to work stomach muscles.  While it may not be the move that can turn a stomach into an instant six-pack, it is one that well help you on your road to achieving it.

Facing your physical therapy appointment with the understanding that your whole body can benefit is one way to make sure that your hip replacement rehab visit is a productive one.

All About PABA - Learn What it is Used For and the Amazing Health Benefits of PABA!

Para-aminobenzoic acid, or as is more commonly referred to - PABA, is also known by the name of vitamin Bx. Although this nutrient is so known, it is not exactly a vitamin. PABA is contained in a form of folic acid. And folic acid being a B vitamin, thus PABA is a B complex factor (a co-factor).

The Actions of PABA

Paba occurs naturally in the human body. It is metabolized from good bacteria which are found in our intestines. The following are some of the actions of PABA in the human body.

• PABA assists in the creation of folic acid.
• It is an imperative constituent in the break down of proteins.
• Paba helps in the formation of red blood cells.
• It has potent antioxidant actions, as a result of which PABA is helpful in maintaining the health of body cells and skin.

The Therapeutic Advantages of PABA

Even though Paba is a natural presence in the body and has many useful benefits, it is not considered to be an essential nutrient. Here are some of the therapeutic benefits of PABA, which will help you to decide whether it should be considered indispensable or not.

1. PABA for the treatment of Peyronie's Disease: Peyronie's disease is a condition that affects the penis and causes problems and difficulties in penile erection. A study conducted on men with the peyronie's disease, who were given supplemental PABA for a minimum of three months, revealed some interesting facts.

Of all the studied patients, about 45% of the patients had significant reduction in general penile distress. 60% of the patients noticed a remarked reduction in the size of plaque, whereas 65% of the patients had considerable improvement in the angulations of the penis. Although much more research is required in this area, the initial findings do suggest that PABA can be a very effective treatment for peyronie's disorder.

2. Want to have a baby? Take PABA: Supplemental paba has also proved to increase the fertility in women. Although it is not entirely clear why this benefit occurs, it is believed that since paba helps in the production of folic acid, which is an important fertility booster, it too helps to make women more fertile.

3. Reverses graying of hair: One of the causes of hair fall and premature graying of hair is a deficiency of B vitamins. If you have lost hair, or if your hair has turned gray, you can bring it back to its normal pigment by taking paba supplements. However, this action of paba holds true only if your hair graying is a result of such a deficiency or because of stress.

4. PABA for your skin: Paba has antioxidant properties and also helps to reduce the damage caused by harsh sun rays. Because of this property, paba has found a place in many sunscreen products, which can help to lower the damage caused to your skin when outdoors.

Side Effects of PABA Supplementation

Skin rash, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are some of the side effects that have been reported with the use of paba supplements. These side effects are temporary however, and usually disappear on discontinuation of the supplements.

Tips On Choosing A PABA Supplement

• As the supplement industry is not regulated in the United States, you need to be careful while purchasing any kind of nutritional supplement. One way to ensure that you get a reliable product is to buy a PABA supplement that has been made by a pharmaceutical GMP compliant maker only.

• Do not buy any PABA supplement if it has sugar, silica, gluten etc as these are harmful fillers which are bad for your health.

• As there is a danger of PABA toxicity when taken in doses higher than 8 gm daily, look for a PABA supplement that contains the nutrient in a dose lesser than this.

Studies have shown that when different ingredients are blended together, they form a synergistic effect, which means the health benefits are multiplied many times over.

When you're out there looking for a PABA supplement, look for something that has many different vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, trace elements, flavonoids, herbal extracts and other specialty ingredients, because you know it WILL make a dramatic difference in your health.

Cervical Disc Replacement: Risks and Benefits

People who have tried and failed conventional non-surgical treatments such as exercise, anti-inflammatory medication, chiropractic, physical therapy, etc. to relieve their neck pain can benefit from cervical disc replacement surgery.

Discs in the entire spinal column, which are 23 in total, 6 of which are cervical discs, act as cushions or shock absorbers between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. These discs may deteriorate due to cervical disc diseases like failed cervical fusion and degenerative disorders in the cervical, which can cause neck pain, arm pain, arm weakness or numbness.

When non-operative methods like physical therapy and drugs fail to provide back or neck pain relief, patients suffering from neck (cervical) disc disease often turn to replacement surgery as a last resort.

The Surgical Overview
Cervical disc replacement involves inserting an artificial disc in the space between two vertebrae (spinal bones) to replace the painful, diseased or damaged disc while keeping your normal neck motion. The artificial disc mimics the function of a natural spinal disc.

In the surgery, the damaged disc is completely removed including any impinging disc fragments or osteophytes (bone spurs) and the disc space is returned to the height it was prior to disease.

The cervical disc(s) may degenerate or damage as a result of direct trauma, arthritis, gradual changes or an unknown cause, leading to neck pain from inflammation or muscle spasm and severe pain, weakness and numbness in the arms from pressure on the cervical nerve roots.

Surgical replacement of a disc with an artificial device is a relatively new procedure. The first replacement surgery for the low back (lumbar spine) was approved by America's Food and Drug Administration in June 2004 for use in the country.

As a matter of fact, disc replacement surgery is not a procedure suitable for everyone. Patients with brittle bones from osteoporosis or other significant diseases may not be good candidates for this type of surgery. Problems like infection or severe degeneration of the spinal joints may also keep a patient from having this operation.

Potential Risks and Complications
As with any spine surgery, cervical disc replacement surgery is not without risk. A variety of complications with an artificial disc may occur, either alone or in combination. Although rare, but these complications can be severe.

The potential surgical complications may include:

Wound infection
Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
Spinal fluid leak
Blood loss
Nerve injury or paralysis
Need for further surgery
Injury to the spine's nerve tissue and veins, and arteries near the spine
The injured spinal cord or the nerves can result in impairment or complete paralysis of all four limbs.
Paralysis of certain muscles in the arms or legs may also occur following the injury to the nerves.
Inability to resume routine activities, including sexual activity, following the surgery.

Benefits

Normal neck motion can be maintained
The artificial disc absorbs some of the daily stresses of the neck.
The procedure eliminates the need for a complex and painful bone graft, which can be difficult to heal and has a risk of an infection transmission from grafting material.
Following cervical disc replacement, the adjacent spinal discs don't have to bear the extra stress (versus a fusion procedure).
The artificial disc surgery patients recover more quickly than the spinal fusion patients.
The surgery has lesser chances of requiring a revision surgical procedure.
The chances of device failures (breakages) are significantly less.
Lesser number of cervical disc replacement patients need a hard collar surgery.
Since the healing time from a cervical disc replacement is quicker, the patient is able to return to almost every type of activities faster.

What Is an Unloader Knee Brace?

An unloader knee brace is designed to treat osteoarthritis. It is not suitable for everyone but can be a valuable tool for the right person. The following questions can help determine if this form of treatment will be of benefit to you.

1. 
   Do you have osteoarthritis, the "wear and tear" type of arthritis (as opposed to Rheumatoid Arthritis).


2. 
   Is the arthritis limited to one half of the knee? Either the inside half (the most common type) or the outside half?


3. 
   Do you want to delay the need for major orthopaedic surgery or have you been told you are too young for a joint replacement?

If all three points apply to you an unloading knee brace may be of benefit. This form of knee support is designed to reduce the amount of body weight taken through the worn half of your knee. It does not make the knee "unworn" but by decreasing the workload of the worn surface it can lead to a reduction in pain and stiffness and slow the progression of the arthritis.

Unloader knee braces are described as functional braces. This means that they are designed to allow you to go about your normal daily activities without restriction. Many people use them to return to recreational activities they were forced to stop due to the pain of arthritis. They are used by golfers, skiers and outdoor walkers, particularly those on uneven ground.

Your doctor may use medical terms to describe your arthritis. Unicompartmental osteoarthritis is the diagnosis you are looking for as this means the wear is in one half of the knee only. If you are confused ask your doctor if an unloader brace will be of benefit to you.

Arthritis Knee Pain - 3 Tips to Decrease Arthritis Knee Pain

So you have arthritis knee pain? You are not alone. Unfortunately it is a reality for many of us over the age of 50. We suffer from arthritis pain in some form.

I know for many of us, we have been so consumed with our careers and family life that we have neglected to take care of ourselves to our own detriment.

All of a sudden we are faced with aches and pain in our knees and other joints that we never intended to have at this point in our lives.

Arthritis knee pain affects our mobility and freedom to do the activities we enjoy like walking, golfing, biking and fishing. So what can we do about it? Well we can sit back and do nothing or we can learn ways to alleviate arthritis pain.

Here are 3 great tips to decrease arthritis knee pain.

1) Exercise - Exercise is one of the most effective thing we can do to decrease arthritis pain. Simple exercises like walking 30 minutes a day has so many benefits. Exercising causes us to release endorphins which are our natural pain killers. The result is decrease pain and improve joint mobility.

2) Epsom Salts - 2 cups of Epsom salts in a tub of warm water do wonders for arthritis knee pain. Not only is it relaxing but Epsom salts when absorbed in the body causes us to release toxins and excess mineral deposits. Excess mineral deposits in the joints has been linked to one of the causes of arthritis.

3) Omega 3 Oil - Eating fish such as salmon and mackerel has great benefits also. These fish are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids which is known to decrease arthritis inflammation.

These tips can work wonders for your arthritis pain if they are implemented. Remember - Arthritis knee pain did not happen over night so implementing these tips now will help prevent further knee damage later on.

Knee Replacement With Cement Fixation

Having your knee or knees replaced is something that many Americans have to face each year. After having tried other conservative measures, there may be no other choice then to have the procedure done to alleviate the pain once and for all.

Depending on your age, your orthopedic surgeon may determine that having your prosthetic components cemented may be the best option to take. Generally you will find patients over 65 having their knee components cemented in place. Those of you who are younger may be in line for an un-cemented knee replacement.

The advantages of a cemented knee replacement is that you can immediately bear your full bodyweight after surgery. In most cases though you are given instructions to weight bear as tolerated initially on the affected leg.

The dis-advantages of a cemented replacement is if you ever need a knee revision from either excessive wear and tear on the prosthesis or an infection develops, the cement will have to be chipped away during surgery. In doing so causes some further damage to the end of the femur and top of the tibia where the components were fastened.

This is why most cemented knee replacements are completed on older individuals. The physical demands that are placed on the knee are less then the younger patient. it is generally accepted also that they will not outlive the replacement therefore it will not have to be revised.

You as a patient should discuss this option with your orthopedic surgeon prior to surgery so that you have an understanding what procedure the surgeon will use.

You as the patient will not be able to tell physically after the surgery what procedure was used until you start physical rehabilitation. If you are a healthy vibrant babyboomer for instance then more than likely your surgeon will choose to go with an un-cemented replacement. It can also depend on what the surgeon finds when he gets into your knee regarding your bone stock and soft tissue condition surrounding the knee.

Ask your surgeon during your consultation prior to surgery what he will recommend.

Become a Physical Therapy Assistant - Top Four Tips for a Successful Career

Have you always had a flair for helping people? Then you can do even more by becoming a physical therapy assistant. Through this concise guide, you will learn four tips that will not only help you start your career in this field, but will also ensure you of making it a successful one.

Tip # 1) Learn your responsibilities.

You need to understand this job to be able to succeed. You will be asked to perform duties that are similar to those of a physical therapist. This means that you will conduct therapeutic exercises and provide massages. However, because your main duty is to help the physiotherapist, you will be in charge of observing patients and evaluating their progress. Plus, as a physical therapy assistant, you may also perform clerical duties like ordering supplies and completing forms.

Tip # 2) Understand what you, a physical therapist and a physical therapist aid do.

To avoid any mix ups, you should understand the job descriptions of a physical therapist and physical therapist aid. A physical therapist will help patients with therapeutic exercises and massages. He/she will design the patient's rehabilitation therapy and works with him/her for weeks, months or even years. An assistant will be supervised by the therapist while performing treatments. As for an aid, his/her duties differ from those of a physical therapy assistant. An aid helps in making therapy sessions more productive, keeps the treatment area clean, and prepares the patient for therapy. An aid is also supervised by the physiotherapist, but he/she may report to the assistant.

Tip # 3) Choose the right training for you.

Choosing the right training program is one of the factors that can affect your employment chances and expected salary. You need to enroll in an associate's degree in physical therapist assisting to be allowed to practice. However, make sure that the program is an accredited physical therapy assistant program. Call the institute offering this training and ask whether it is accredited or not. Also, make sure that your curriculum includes basic medical sciences and other general education courses.

Tip # 4) Ask around for your state's licensing requirements.

In most states, all you need to start practicing as a physiotherapist's assistant is an associate's degree from an accredited program. However, you should always check whether your state requires that you have a specific license to practice. At most, you may have to sit for a state examination, earn a CPR and First Aid certificate, and complete a physical therapy assistant internship.

With these tips, your career as a physical therapy assistant is going to be smoothly paved out for you.

Knee Replacement Surgery - When is it Time to Have It?

Knee replacement surgery is typically performed for individuals who have severe osteoarthritis also known as arthritis in the general community. The surgery replaces the joint surfaces of the knee that have been affected by arthritis therefore allowing the individual to walk and move about with less pain and have better function.

In making the decision about knee replacement surgery, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration.

Quality of Life

If your knee arthritis is significantly affecting your quality of life, you should seriously consider having a knee replacement. The inability to get out and about in your later years not only affects your mental health and attitude but it also impacts on the progression or development of other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Disability

This factor should be considered in conjunction with an individual's quality of life. Specific things to consider include: Significant pain at night keeping you awake A lot of difficulty with climbing stairs Walking distance is significantly limited Difficulty with bending your knee to put your shoes and shocks on or cutting toenails

Amount of Pain

In the early stages of arthritis, medications such as simple paracetamol or anti-inflammatories work well in controlling the pain of arthritis.

However, as time progresses, medication may not work as effectively. If the pain of knee arthritis is unrelieved by medication, it may be time to consider having a knee replacement surgery.

The time for knee replacement surgery varies depending upon the individual. The individuals overall health needs to be taken into consideration, the specific symptoms experienced due to the knee arthritis as well as the individuals stage of life.

A good outcome is experienced in around 95% of cases. An individual usually requires rehabilitation after surgery for around 6 weeks in order to improve their muscle strength and to ensure good movement of the knee that has been replaced.

Knee Manipulation After a Total Knee Replacement

After you have had your knee replacement surgery, you enter a physical therapy program almost immediately to begin the process of gaining adequate range of motion with your knee. In most cases the range of motion to strive for is 125 degrees of flexion and 0 degrees of extension at the end of your rehabilitation, Of course these numbers will differ from patient to patient.

Knee manipulation is a procedure used to obtain a more productive range of motion for your knee if your physical rehabilitation efforts have not worked. During physical therapy your goal should be to have at least 90 degrees or more of knee flexion in two weeks. Lack of functional knee flexion is the reason most receive a manipulation to begin with.

Lack of using adequate pain control after surgery can be a reason someone will under achieve in their physical therapy program. If you are in constant pain you will not put in the effort needed to get your knee to bend and extend sufficiently. If your are not getting at least 90 degrees of range of motion within two weeks your surgeon may consider manipulation as an option after your initial office visit.

Excessive scar formation is a problem with some patients for several reasons. Either from not being as aggressive as they should be with their physical therapy or in many case patients they have prolonged the knee replacement surgery to begin with has allowed their body to build adhesions throughout their knee causing poor results in gaining motion during rehabilitation.

In some cases implant mal positioning can be a cause. In this case your surgeon may try manipulation to correct your lack of mobility in the knee initially however, if the implant is too far out of alignment than a new prosthesis will have to be inserted. Some of these problems can be avoided today by having a computer assisted total knee replacement.

If manipulation has been considered and recommended by your orthopedic surgeon than you are given an appointment to report back to the hospital and under anesthesia, your knee is manipulated. This is best performed within 4 to 12 weeks from the date of surgery. Manipulation is not a delicate procedure. Your surgeon who is trained in this procedure uses great care as not to injure the knee joint. In the osteoporotic patient your surgeon has to be careful for instance not to cause a fracture around the implant.

Surgical removal of excessive scar formation is also an option however the results have not been very good.

You are sent home the same day of the procedure. You are then started back on an aggressive physical therapy program.

Make sure once you get back home and continue with rehabilitation or continue at an outpatient facility, that you put your best effort into maintaining and advancing your knee mobility.