Robotics:An interesting new innovation in surgery

Times of India in its today's edition has reported about the use of Robotics in treatment of Spinal problems.It is indeed a revolutionary change but to say the role of surgeons will be reduced or eliminated is not correct.Where the Robotic will help in reducing human error ,improve precision ,it is the surgeons alone who shall monitor them.

Early attenetion to back pain can save you from lot of trouble

Back pain initially gives you signals.It starts as diffused pain-sometime one feels the pain and other times one feels ok.Mind you,this is body's warning to you.It is asking you to pay attention to it.At this STAGE if you pay attention,meet the doctor and follow the instruction,then you shall save yourself a lot of trouble.But majority chooses to IGNORE the signals and ends paying a huge PRICE.

Tips on how to prevent back pain

People keep asking for tips to prevent back ache and slip disc.Watch this live show of mine telecasted on Shakti Tv recently and you will find answers to your questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ6goH76Q1o

Surgeons need to enhance their social skills

Earlier times just being good in your profession was enough.But nowadays doctors and surgeons are incomplete without social skills. There are many a times when we have to give difficult news,this is where soft skills play a major role.There are surgeons who are simply outstanding in their skill,but when it comes to interacting with patients on explaining on their conditions,they are found wanting in expressing themselves in the right way.

Physical activity combats back pain far better than either pain killers or bed rest.

What I c'd say with my observation is now backed with medical research.According to a study published in World famous medical journal 'Lance',taking pain killers for back pain or going on a bed rest does not help in relieving the pain.Instead, using heat packs or physiotherapy can be far more effective.However, this again comes with a disclaimer,that this works only in the case where pain is not too acute.The best bet is to take the specialists advice and act accordingly.

Tremendous potential of medical tourism in India

India has huge potential in terms of medical tourism.According to a report published in business paper Mint “the potential is as big as 6b US$ “.All of us know about the potential but the moot question is,is any thing being done to realise it?Having good surgeons,good tertiary care is one part but the air connectivity,visa issuance and other physical and social infrastructure needs to be in place.

How to prevent Scoliosis

Though what causes Scoliosis (twisting of back) is not conclusively proven but following  can definitely help  in preventing it.

Doing Surya Namaskar Yoga Asana or Hal Yoga Asana  

Adding Calcium and Vitamin D in diet

Being physically active and not putting on weight

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Scoliosis ( Spine problem ) can be detected from a common test called Adam's Forward Bend Test,in which if the individual bends and the waist touches the toe,it is confirmed case of Scoliosis.Primarily some symptoms of Scoliosis are-
1. Uneven hips, arms or leg lengths.
2. One side of the rib cage and shoulder appears higher than the other.
3. Slow nerve action (in some cases).

In case a person observes these symptoms,the person should see a specialist immediately.

Hope for Scoliosis patients

Scoliosis is a serious spinal problem.In this back gets twisted from S to A shape.Though what causes scoliosis is not clearly established,it is generally result of genetic problems or is caused by severe back injury.Earlier only limited treatments were available.But nowadays with advent of modern surgical techniques (pedical screw fixation with the assistance of Robot) even most complicated cases of Scoliosis can be treated with positive outcomes.

Cost of surgery in India is much lower as compared to West

It is interesting to note that Western Countries may be better in most of aspects when compared with India but when it comes to Medical treatment ,we are at par or at times even above them. Further the cost of treatment here is way lower.Recently a US patient was treated in India for a severe case of Scoliosis ,the patient recovered in 3 days and left for home happy.There was additional reason for her happiness,the same surgery which cost her Rs 8 lakh here, would have cost her Rs 80 lakh in her country.
So in terms of surgery we have inherent strengths and cost advantage

Youngsters be careful,lifting heavy weights without due care can cause serious back injury.

Thanks to film stars,who flaunt their well toned bodies in movies,body making fad has reached epidemic proportion among today's youngsters.They in their enthusiasm or hurry to build muscles,start lifting such weights,which their bodies are not capable of handling.The result is, in many cases youngsters end up with serious back injuries.
One small request to these youngsters,do lift weight but it do with due care and under the observation of well trained and experienced coach.

Top cause of Spinal injuries in youngsters is car accidents

Studies and researches have proved that motor accidents are the primary cause of accidents among youngsters.Majority of the times, it is found that victims were not wearing seat belt. 
There is heavy fine but we still need to educate and spread awareness on the risk associated with not wearing seat belt.People need to know what can happen if they don't wear seat belt.

Yongsters caution:Drive cars safely

With every new car, there is a corresponding increase in Spinal injuries.Youngsters drive these cars at top speed but the road infrastructure has simply not kept pace ,the result, serious car crashes in which youngsters end up with serious spinal injuries. At our clinic every month, we get one or two such cases. Sincerly wish youngsters exercise caution,care for their ownselves and not let their youth go waste like this.

A Solution for Slip Discs

Treating slip disc cases where the condition has worsened, poses a big challenge to a spine surgeon. Generally, the slip disc victims are young who are in prime of their earning life.And for them to be suffering from debilitating back pain is not just physically painful but also hugely impact their earning capability.
Surgeons have found answers to it through a new technique of treatment which is known as PELD(Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Disectomy).A type of minimally invasive surgery, PELD is an endoscopic daycare surgical procedure which is conducted in about 60 minutes, under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Patient is conscious and in front exact entry points are mapped on patient’s body using image intensifier x-ray system. Then a small incision is made about 8-10 centimeters from the midline on the posterior part of the body.
It is a day care procedure which has good recovery rate.But it should not be blindly recommended and patient should have exhausted other conventional treatment options before undergoing this.

Surgery vs Conventional Treatment

There is a raging debate which has been going on regarding whether patients suffering from back pain (severe) should or should not undergo surgery. Some say , surgery does not correct the underlying cause and so should not be prescribed. My take is that ordinarily, nobody undergoes surgery if the pain could be treated by any other means. Surgery is a far better option than to live with permanent pain.

Genetically we are made to live in harmony with nature

Though it may seem far fetched but it is a fact that our back troubles are also a result of faulty lifestyle we have started leading.Our diet is everything but healthy.Everything we eat is "refined" though we were genetically designed to have "coarse".Physical labour ,which used to be part of our daily chore,has now been replaced by gadgets,cars.Walking is now a fad where as earlier one had no choice but to walk to reach the bus stand.We surely can't go back to old times but should be careful about doing physical exercises and eating good nutritious food. After all at at stake is our own health.

Don't wait for the back pain to aggravate !!

Are you experiencing pain and stiffness in the back and thighs? Does it increase every time you bend, stretch, cough, or sneeze?
Then don’t wait, consult a specialist immediately .

Health Matters!!! : How? Read it here..

In order to have a fit and healthy spine for maximum lifespan, adopt these three habits as soon as possible:-

Ø  Avoid Tobacco- Tobacco accelerates spine deterioration. If consumed more than twice a day, it contributes slowly to spine degradation.

Ø   Minimize sugar consumption- It should be noted that excessive sugar consumption hinders body’s healing abilities. Replace sugar in your diet with sweeteners and if unavoidable, go for regular 45 minute exercise before leaving for work.  

Ø   Maintain core muscle strength - This factor keeps your lower back strong and is a great help in recovery post any spine surgery. Indulge yourself in sports and outdoor activities for spine-hassel free lifestyle. This is the most important support for the spine.

Maintain neutral posture while using smartphone and tablets !

Hunching over tablets, smartphones and laptops all day and night is causing injuries to back in a lot easier way. To a larger extent, it can cause painful neck and back strain for a long duration.

In order to avoid this, constantly change your back positions while sitting and using your smartphones and tablets.Also, keep a neutral posture, with the screen at eye level whenever possible.

Hence my advise is to firstly avoid accessing tablets and smartphones while laying down. Secondly, stretch and take a walk in every 20 minutes .

Calcium and Vitamin D in Diet For Fit Strong and Healthy Spine

Calcium and Vitamin D in diet along with weight-bearing exercises like walking, yoga and weight-lifting exercises create forces on the bone that triggers increased bone density.

- A diet rich in milk, orange juice, soy milk, cereals , fatty fish , beef liver
and egg yolks benefits 33 bones in spine which is interlinked to
overall bone health.

- Exercises like walking, running, Piriformis Stretch , Runner's Stretch ,
Standing Back Extension on r4egular basis for 45 minutes each is
keeps a back healthy on regular basis.

Hence, it is my advise to check with nutritionist or spine specialist on including the amount of bone-building minerals in our diet . It can reduce the chances of diseases like osteoporosis (bone-thinning).

Relax your Back Before Sleeping

Relaxing your back before sleeping is a simple way to ease the pain
as it takes strain off the back and eases pain.

Two quick tips to relax your backs can be :

- If you sleep on your side, draw your legs up slightly towards your
chest and put a pillow between your legs.

- If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees and
maintain the normal curve of your lower back.

Maintain Body Weight for Healthy Back

Extra weight in the mid-section or belly, shifts your body’s centre of gravity forward and places unneeded strain on your back muscles and tissues. The studies also reason extreme thinness due to  low bone mass behind osteoporosis, a progressive bone disease which can lead to an increased risk of fracture.

So determine your ideal body weight and maintaining it  within 10 pounds for a healthy back.

Listen to the signals

Listen to the Signals – There are ways to know when your pain is far more serious than an achy back.If one experiences shooting pains down one's back or difficult walking, it might be time to see a specialist .Also, if you have pain that wakes up from sleeping, it’s time to get a professional opinion.

Staying hydrated is important for pain free back

Human body is seventy percent water.So accordingly each and every organ of ours demands adequate hydration .Not many people might be aware but it is an important fact that our spinal discs too need proper hydration.In case discs are not properly hydrated,the discs bulge and cause pain in the joints.Further lack of fluid can cause the spine to lose its protective padding which can lead to loss of structural health. 

Don't Smoke!

Smoking restricts blood flow to the discs that cushions vertebrae in our body. It hamphers calcium absorption in body thus preventing bone growth. The result is 90% of smokers are likely to suffer more back pain than non smokers. Further in case of surgeries, smokers healing is much slower as compared to non smokers.

Stretch every morning:

If you start your day with a few good stretches, it invigoratingly promotes your spinal health. If you wake up abruptly, sudden body movement creates pain . This pain prolongs for a longer duration and our spine does not functions in a proper way.
#drsudeepjain #spinesolutionsindia