The coccyx bears the weight of the body in the sitting posture, especially when a person leans backwards. An injury to the coccyx impairs ones ability to sit comfortably, because of tenderness and pain in that region. Pressure on this area hampers the healing process and displaces the edges of the broken coccyx. Thus, a wide variety of cushions have been designed for people with a broken coccyx or longstanding coccyx pain to avoid pressure on the coccyx while sitting. These are called coccyx seat cushions or simply, coccyx cushions, which are used for treatment of broken coccyx.
continue reading Broken Coccyx Seat Cushions

Sitting is a common posture which we assume while working. It does not take much energy and gives a comfortable platform for performance of several activities. The human body has specifically developed fat pads called buttocks, which provide a cushion to the bones during this posture. The ability to sit on our buttocks without any support also depends on the vertebral column. The absence of a tail greatly helps in our ability to sit. However, we still have a rudimentary tailbone called the coccyx, which lies at the lower end of the vertebral column. The coccyx bears the weight of the body when a person leans backward while sitting. An injury of this bone causes unbearable pain during sitting and completely deprives us of this comfortable posture.
continue reading Broken Coccyx – Causes and Symptoms

Collarbone or clavicle (Latin clavicle = little key) is a horizontally placed bone in the upper part of the chest. This bone forms a unique link between the upper limb and the chest. It transfers the weight of the upper limb ( or any weight that is carried in our hands) to the central part of the body. Hence, any injury to the collarbone substantially weakens the carrying capacity of the hand making it virtually useless to the person.
continue reading Collarbone Pain – Causes and Treatment

Hip replacement surgery can be considered similar to an organ transplantation. The body needs time to adjust to the artificial hip joint, which functions a little differently than the original. A person also needs to be aware that, even if the joint is metallic and has a strength several times that of a normal joint, the connection between the joint and human bone is not. So it is very prudent to consider having an artificial joint as a potential weakness and not increased  strength. This along with the added stress of surgery, substantially increases the overall recovery time required to resume normal daily activities. Another hurdle which greatly modifies the lifestyle of a post-replacement patient are the physical restrictions. Recent advances in the equipment and surgery have imparted greater mobility and longevity to the artificial joints as well as the people using them.
continue reading Hip Replacement – Recovery time and Restrictions

The different types of arthritis are often confusing for a layman. Even though the word “arthritis”, is frequently associated with stiff and painful joints. Some arthritis can have much more disastrous and disabling consequences. Some other arthritis are a part of major diseases elsewhere in the body, like gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and so on. Each type of arthritis has an affinity for some particular joints and some peculiar features, which distinguish it from the other types.
continue reading Types of Arthritis – Symptoms

Pathological flat foot is caused by 2 types of diseases:

• Neuromuscular diseases are the ones related to nerve or muscle injury.
• Birth defects are generally bony abnormalities, like an extra bone or fused bones.

continue reading Flat Feet – Pathological Conditions

Flat feet, also known as pes planus, is a birth defect, which consists of flattened arch of the foot. The normal human footprint, if closely seen, consists of the heel, the outer edge of the foot, and the toes. This clearly indicates that the inner edge of the foot does not touch the ground. This is because of the arch of the foot, which maintains the balance of the body while walking or running. However, not all people are lucky enough to have this fabulous anatomical feature. They are the people, who have flat feet (Picture 1). Flat feet is a condition, which is present since childhood. But the absent arches of foot are only realized during adolescence, when they start manifesting in the form of activity related pain. This episodic pain dramatically goes away without any medication, simply with rest and relaxation. But its repeated occurrence is frequently debilitating.
continue reading Flat Feet – Arch Pain

Diagnosis of Flat feet

Flat feet are of 2 types – physiological (normal) and pathological (diseased). The physiological flat feet are due to imbalances in growth, and correct themselves over a period of months to a few years. Though they may give rise to transient symptoms of pain and swelling, they are self-limiting. Pathological flat feet are abnormalities in the bones or muscles of the foot, which are fixed, and do not correct themselves over time.

continue reading Flat Feet – Diagnosis and Treatment

Hip replacement surgeries are increasingly common these days. The rising popularity of this surgery has not only increased the sophistication of its procedure, but also made us realize its shortcomings. Over a period of few years, a once good artificial hip joint, can turn into a nightmare. This surgery may be a necessity for some patients, like those suffering from femoral neck fracture or avascular necrosis. But many elderly people are opting for this surgery, just to continue an active lifestyle. The following discussion aims at making a person realize some of the disastrous consequences of a hip replacement.
continue reading Problems of Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is one of the commonest joint replacement surgeries worldwide. It is done for several reasons like fractures of femoral neck, hip arthritis, avascular necrosis of femur, and so on. Recent advances in joint replacement surgeries, have not only increased the longevity of the artificial joints, but also that of the people using it. However, just like all things have a darker side, a replacement surgery can turn out to be a complete disaster for someone if appropriate steps are not followed. This not only applies to the person undergoing the surgery, but also to the surgeon performing the surgery. Artificial joints are highly sophisticated to handle several stresses of our daily life. But one should not forget, that they are still artificial and they have their weaknesses. Not following instructions and restrictions after a joint replacement can result in a worn out or dislocated joint in no time. Complications of hip replacement surgery arise mostly out of carelessness and ignorance.
continue reading Complications of Hip Replacement