Our back is composed of 33 bones called vertebrae, 31 pairs of nerves, 40 muscles and numerous connecting tendons and ligaments running from the base of your skull to your tailbone. Between your vertebrae are fibrous, elastic cartilage called discs. These “shock absorbers” keep your spine flexible and cushion the hard vertebrae as you move.

Spinal cord could be damaged due to injuries of spine extending from cervical vertebrae to the thoracolumbar junction. Below this, the cord ends and the cauda equina begin.

Incidence

• Spinal cord injuries are seen in 10-25 percent of cases of spinal column injuries.
• They are more common at the cervical level (40%) than the lumbar level (20%).

Pathology

The pathology may vary from extradural hemorrhage to cord concussion, laceration to cord crushing. Lesion has longitudinal, sagittal and coronal dimensions. Amount of neural damage has no relationship to radiographic appearance

Clinical Classification of Neurological Damage

• Complete paralysis.
• Sensory paralysis.
• Motor paralysis useless.
• Motor paralysis useful.
• Recovery.

Injury at the cervical level: This has already been discussed and may vary from concussion, root injuries, incomplete and complete cord transection.

Injuries at the thoracic level: This could result in paraplegia.

Injuries at the thoracolumbar region: Due to injuries at the thoracolumbar junction, three things can occur:

• Complete cord division and nerves intact.
• Complete cord division and partial nerve division.
• Complete cord division and complete nerve division.

Clinical Assessment

General examination: This consists of examination of the head, chest, pelvis and other systems for incidence of injuries and recording the vital statistics

Neurological examination: Examine the level of vertebral injury and find out the level of the corresponding cord injury. Now each muscle group and dermatome has to be checked .In cases of cervical cord injury, survival is impossible if the cord is injured above. The level of lesion can easily be detected by examining the respective myotome dermatome and reflexes. In cases of injury at the thoracolumbar junction, a mixed picture of both cord and root lesion may emerge and there could be an UMN and LMN feature in the lower limbs. Below is the nerve roots which are damaged, and it is easy to identify the injured nerve root by a careful examination of myotome, dermatome and reflexes of the lower limb. Slightest voluntary movement and sensation below the level of cord lesion indicate cord continuity with better prognosis. If paralysis is complete even after 8 hours and if there is symmetrical returning of reflexes and priapism in male, it indicates an unfavorable prognosis.

Return of reflex activity (e.g. anal reflex, bulbocauernosus reflex and plantar response): Return of reflex activity below the lesion indicates that the spinal shock has passed off and remaining paralysis and anesthesia may be due to injury to the long tracts of cauda equina.

Total sensory and motor paralysis after 8 hours with return of reflex activity indicates that distal part spinal cord has been separated from cerebral control.

Investigation

This consists of plain radio-graph of the affected part and all three views- anteroposterior, lateral and oblique are done. MRI and CT scan are also done and their role has already been described.

Treatment

First aid as already discussed.

• Management of vertebral fracture and dislocations as discussed in individual injuries.
• Rehabilitation programs in neurological injury.

Physical Therapy: This consists of putting joints through all the range of movements by passive stretching and exercises. Parallel bar walking, walking with of walkers or crutches is encouraged. Wheel chair transfer activities are encouraged for injuries from C6 level onwards.

Occupational Therapy: If possible, the patient is to return to his original work with minor adjustments if necessary. Nevertheless, if the patient, however, is unable to return to his original work, an alternative employment depending upon his present status of health is suggested.

Social Therapy: The attitude of the people towards these patients should not be of sympathy, but of support and encouragement. The right attitude of the society towards these unfortunate victims will go a long way in rehabilitating them back to normal.

Your spinal cord is part of your central nervous system and carries messages from your brain to all the different parts of your body, controlling almost every one of your bodily functions. An injury to your spinal cord causes partial or complete loss of function and mobility below the point where the cord is damaged. Physical therapy is part of the rehabilitation for all injuries of this type, and will be tailored to your specific needs.

For physical therapy to be effective, it is important that the patient also responds positively to the treatment, and for that to happen he/she needs to be in a positive frame of mind and not in a saddened or dull mindset. By strengthening muscles, therapy can help compensate for damaged tendons and improve the mechanics of the Spinal Cord Injury. Physical therapy also includes efforts to motivate the patient to make sure that he/she indeed remains in a positive mindset all throughout the session.

EXAMINATION OF THE SPINE

Spinal disease is any pathology which affects the spinal column and the spinal cord and spinal nerves which are controlled there in. Spine disease is a large area of study because of the large number of diseases which can affect the spinal system, from purely skeletal to primary nervous system disorders. All types of spine disease can present with either or both spinal symptoms and neurological symptoms associated with injury or compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spine disease is very common, with many people undergoing spinal surgery every day. The bony spine is intended so that vertebral column “stacked” together can provide a wobbly support structure. The spine also protects the spinal cord (nervous tissue that extends down the spinal column from the brain) from injury. Each vertebra has a spinous process, which is a bony prominence behind the spinal cord that shields the cord’s nerve tissue. The vertebrae also have a strong bony “body” in front of the spinal cord to provide a platform suitable for weight-bearing. The discs are pads that serve as “cushions” between each vertebral body that serve to minimize the impact of movement on the spinal column. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer component (nucleus pulposus). With injury or degeneration, this softer component can sometimes rupture (herniate) through the surrounding outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and irritate adjacent nervous tissue. Ligaments are strong fibrous soft tissues that firmly attach bones to bones. Ligaments attach each of the vertebrae and surround each of the discs. When ligaments are injured as the disc degenerates, localized pain in the area affected can result.

History

Pain: The patient with a spinal disease usually presents with pain; which is localized to the area of involvement in the spine. In cervical spondylosis the pain is in the cervical region while the pain is felt in the lumbosacral area in prolapsed intervertebral disc, spondylolisthesis or in osteoarthritis of the spine. Tuberculosis usually involves the dorsal or dorsolumbar spine producing pain in these areas of the spine.

Pain associated with stiffness in the back, especially in the morning in a young male is often seen in ankylosing spondylosis.

Pain in the low back, exaggerated on coughing or sneezing indicates a disc prolapse.

Radicular Pain: Pain in the spine may be associated with radiating pain into the extremities. For example, in cervical spondylosis the pain may radiate to the upper limbs; low backache may be associated with pain in the lower limbs in disc prolapse or in spondylolisthesis. In tuberculosis of the dorsal spine, the pain may radiate along the intercostalnerves to the front of the trunk. This type of pain is called girdle pain.

Paraesthesia: Back pain may be associated along with tingling or numbness in the extremities in conditions like discprolapse or spondylolisthesis. Back pain with paraesthesia and radicular pain in the lower limbs on walking in characteristic of lumbar canal stenosis. In this condition the symptoms are relieved temporarily if the patient gets an opportunity to set for a few minutes in the middle of walking. He can walk again for the same distance before the symptoms reappear. It is called intermittent claudication.

Weakness in the extremities may be seen in disc prolapse, spondylolisthesis, tuberculosis or spinal cord tumour. The patient may also develop paralysis distal to the involvement in the spine.

Examination

Inspection
Gait: The gait must be observed as the patient walks into the examination room. The patient with tuberculosis of the spine walks cautinuously, allowing little movement to the spine. A patient suffering from ankylosing spondylitis walks with a stiff gait, the spine is stiff and there is no movement of the head and neck. A patient with severe disc prolapse is bent forward slightly.
The patient’s back must be exposed completely and the patient must be examined from behind. A nurse or a female attendant must accompany the doctor while examining a female patient. The patient is examined in standing and spine lying position.
Deformity: In standing position, when the patient is examined from behind, the spine is in a straight vertical line from the nape of the neck to the natal cleft. Both the scapulae are symmetrically placed at the same level. Lateral curvature of the spine with asymmetry of the scapulae occurs in scoliosis. Normally there is mild kyphosis in the dorsalspine. Exaggerated generalized kyphosis occurs in Scheuermann’s disease in children and in osteoporosis in the elderly; in young males it is seen in ankylosing spondylitis. Localized kyphosis (“knuckle” due to collapse of one vertebra, and “gibbus” due to collapse of 2-3 vertebrae) is seen in tuberculosis.

Swelling in the paraspinal region or lumbar region may be seen as a “cold abscess” in tuberculosis. A soft cystic swelling in the paraspinal region in a child is seen in spina befida manifesta (or cystica).

Palpation
Tenderness in the spine is elicited initially by giving gentle blows to spine from dorsal spine to the sacral region, with a fist. Once the tender area in the spine is identified, tenderness is then elicted by pressing the spinous process of the vertebra with the thumb. When tuberculosis is suspected the thumb is used to apply pressure over the transverse process of the vertebra (rather than the spinous process). By this manoeuvre an attempt is made to rotate the vertebra to elicit tenderness.

Movements
The movements of the spine-forward flexion lateral bending and rotation-are tested systematically. Forward flexion may be restricted in tuberculosis, disc prolapse or due to muscle spasm in postural backache. In disc prolapse the trunk lists to one side on forward flexion. Flexion is grossly restricted in ankylosing spondylitis.

Neurological Examination
Examination of the spine is not complete unless a complete neurological examination of the extremities is performed systematically.

Physical Therapy is a unique rehabilitation technique and art that utilizes a wide variety of procedures such as restoring original functionality and movement to the body, but not limited to eliminating various kinds of pain including. Typically after being thoroughly evaluated by your physician they generate a specific diagnosis and prescribe physical therapy.

The knee is one of the joints most prone to injury. Its structure and many components put it at risk of many types of injuries, which can result in knee pain or loss of function. Injuries of the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee are caused by acute hyperflexion or hyperextension of the knee or by overuse. These injuries are called strains.

History

The mechanism of violence should be interpreted from the history as most of the injuries of knee joint occur due to indirect injuries. More often, the ligamentous structures fail rather than bony structures. The type of activity, position of the knee at the time of injury and the immediate post-traumatic events should be elicited. Ligamentous injury around the knee joint is commonly seen in footballers and coal miners. The side of impact to the knee should be elicited. In a blow to the lateral side of the knee joint, the medial ligamentous structures are stretched and may result in simple sprain or complete tear. When the leg is fixed to the ground, the femur rotates over the tibial particular surface and may tear the menisci. The time sequence of symptoms should be elicited. The post-traumatic events such as the ability of the person to complete the play, ability to walk on his own, time of appearance of swelling and locking of knee must be asked for. In bony injuries and severe ligamentous injuries, the patient may not be able to complete the play. Injuries of the knee joint are commonly associated with effusion inside it. In major ligamentous injuries and avulsion fractures of tibial spine, there will be immediate swelling of the knee joint. In meniscal tears, the effusion characteristically appears 2-3 hours after the injury. If the swelling appears 2 days later, then it must be due to traumatic synovitis. History of audible snap or pop at the time of injury may be associated with anterior cruciate ligament tears. Locking of knee implies inability of the patient to extend his knee fully. Locking may occur in meniscal injuries, avulsion fractures of tibial spine or loose bodies due to old trauma or degenerative arthritis of knee joint. A severe muscular pull off the quadriceps may fracture the patella.

Examination

Inspection

Examination of the knee joint should be done with both lower limbs in identical position in supine and prone positions.

Attitude: In effusions of the knee joint and fractures of the lower end of femur, the knee joint will be in flexion. Quadriceps wasting is seen in injuries to the knee joint even in relatively small period of immobilization.

Swelling or deformity: Effusions of the knee joint, if large enough may manifest as a horseshoe-shaped swelling around the patella. Localized swelling over the patella may be seen in patellar fractures. In fractures around the knee joint, there will be diffuse swelling with obliteration of bony prominences.

Palpation

Swelling or effusion of knee joint: Effusion of knee joint is confirmed by the presence fluctuation and patellar tap.

Palpation of the joint line

The joint line is palpated by running the thumb upwards along the medial tibial condyle until a gap is felt between tibial and femoral condyle. The exact point of tenderness should be identified as this helps in identifying the structure injured. Bony tenderness should be differentiated from soft tissue tenderness. In injuries to the medial collateral ligament, the usual site of tenderness is at its upper part where it inserts at medial femoral condyle. If the tenderness is exactly at the medial joint line, then the likely structure injured is medial meniscus rather than medial cruciate ligament (MCL). If the tenderness is between the MCL and ligamentum patellae, then the anterior horn is likely to be at fault and if the tenderness is posterior horn may be injured. For detecting injuries of anterior horn of medial meniscus, the knee has to be flexed to 90 degree and the gentle pressure is given with the thumb at the midpoint between ligamentum patellae and MCL.

Palpation of Patella

The borders of patella, poles of the patella and the particular surfaces should be palpated for any irregularity, tenderness and defects. If the tenderness is limited to the superior pole of the patella with the loss of active extension, then it may because of quadriceps tendon rapture. Repeated stress at the extensor expansion may cause pain at the suspensor pole or inferior pole of the patella commonly known as jumper’s knee.

Lower end of femur

The lower end of femur consists of medial and lateral femoral condyle and supracondylar region. The condyle should be palpated for signs of fracture. In supracondylar fractures of the femur, the distal fragment is flexed by the pull of gastronomies muscle and may injure the political vessels.

Upper end of tibia

Medial and lateral tibial condyle and tibial tuberosity should be palpated for signs of fracture. The proximal fibula may be palpated a little posterior than the lateral tibial condyle. Head of fibula is located by palpating along the biceps femoris tendon until we get a bony resistance. Fractures of the upper part of tibia and fibula can also be elicited by springing the lower ends of these bones together.

Muscular compartment

In fractures of the tibia and fibula especially in closed fractures, the hematoma collected inside the muscular compartments may increase the intra- compartmental pressure. When the pressure increases above the capillary perfusion pressure, it causes ischemia to the muscles and nerves causing compartmental syndrome. It is diagnosed by demonstrating stretch pain by passive extension of flexor muscles or passive flexion of extensor muscles.

Movements

Presence of active extension of the knee joint rules out any injury to extensor expansion. If there is resistance to both active and passive extension of the knee joint, it may be due to a mechanical block such as torn medial meniscus or loose body. The knee joint frequently becomes stiff following an injury, due to intra-particular and particular adhesions.

Instability tests

The tests to be performed are: valgus, varus stress tests; Lachman’s test; anterior and posterior drawer tests; Mclntosh or pivot shift test; Apley’s grinding and distraction tests; and McMurray’s test.

Neurovascular examination

In distal femoral fractures, the popliteal artery is frequently injured by the sharp distal fragment which is pulled by the gastrocnemius muscle. The common nerve to be injured is the lateral popliteal nerve manifesting as foot drop.

Clinical Features

The patient usually presents with deformity and pain around the knee joint, most often associated with painful swelling of the knee joint. There will be deformity and tenderness around the knee with shortening of the affected limb. Care must be taken to palpate for the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis artery pulsation. A spiration of the knee joint may show haemarthrosis.

Physical Therapy is a unique rehabilitation technique and art that utilizes a wide variety of procedures such as restoring original functionality and movement to the body, but not limited to eliminating various kinds of pain including Injuries around knee joint, lower back pain, neck pain (cervical) leg pain (sciatica), and post-operative procedures. Typically after being thoroughly evaluated by your physician they generate a specific diagnosis and prescribe physical therapy.

 The mechanism of injury can be interpreted by asking about the mode of injury such as fall by asking about the mode of injury ,such as fall from height, road traffic accident, position of the limb or body at the time of injury, any rotational force acting on the body and the type of activity done by the time of  injury.

The mechanism of injury, site of injury, pain and disabilities should be interpreted from the history.

Examination

Inspection: The patient should be examined in sitting position with his upper torso and upper limbs exposed upto the waist.

Attitude: The position of the limb on inspection should be noted. In fractures of clavicle and anterior dislocation of shoulder, the patient often supports the injured limbs with the other hand. The arm segment may appear short or long depending on in fracture neck of scapula, there will be lengthing of the arm.

Swelling or deformity: In anterior dislocation of shoulder, the anterior axillary fold may be abnormally prominent due to the presence of head of humerus. A swelling along the line of clavicle, diffuse swelling surrounding the proximal humerus may be seen in fractures of the underlying bones. The lateral end of clavicle may appear to be prominent in acromioclavicular joint injuries. The medial end of clavicle may be seen prominently in sternoclavicular injuries.

Shoulder contour: Normally, the shoulder has a round contour due to prominence of the greater tuberosity beneath the deltoid muscle. The greater tuberosity projects beyond the edge of acromion process giving the normal contour. In dislocation of the shoulder joint, due to loss of projection of greater tuberosity, the normal contour will be lost. This is a valuable sign of dislocation. In deltoid paralysis due to axillary nerve injuries, there may be wasting of the muscle causing apparent loss of contour of the shoulder. The shoulder contour may be masked by diffuse swelling associated with fractures of the proximal humerus.

Bony arch: The bony arch is formed by the clavicle, acromion process and spine of scapula. Any deformity in the bony arch should be noted for.

Palpation

The bony points to be palpated are: clavicle, proximal humerus, acromion process, spine and borders of scapula for signs of fracture.

Clavicle: By standing behind the sitting patient, the examiner places both his hands on the medial end of clavicle and runs his fingers along the shaft of both the clavicles. Any irregularity, gap or crepitus should be looked for. In acromioclavicular joint dislocation, the lateral end of clavicle may be displaced upward. On pressing the lateral end of clavicle, it depresses and bounces back like a piano key.

Proximal humerus: By standing on the side of the patient, the elbow is flexed and the proximal humerus is palpated bimanually by keeping one hand and the medial surface of arm and other on the outer surface of the arm. By standing behind the patient, the examiner slides his fingers down from the acromion process to the arm to palpate the greater tuberosity and proximal humerus. If the head of humerus is in normal position, then there will be a bony resistance to palpation. In dislocations, there will be an empty feeling in the shoulder region. The head may be palpable in either of axillary folds. Diffuse tenderness may be present in fractures of proximal humerus. In an intact humerus, the medial epicondyle will be in the same direction as that of the head of humerus.

Scapula: The acromion process and spine of scapula are palpated for irregularity, bony tenderness and crepitus. The axillary and vertebral borders are palpated for signs of fracture. The coracoids process is situated half an inch below the clavicle at its junction with medial two third and lateral one third. Fracture neck of scapula is diagnosed by axial pressure applied through the arm with the elbow flexed.

Movements

Both active and passive movements of the shoulder should be tested. In anterior dislocation of the shoulder, the patient will not be able to touch the opposite shoulder with his hand of affected extremity. This is called Dugas test.

Tests for detecting anterior dislocation of shoulder:

Hamilton ruler’s test: In normal persons, a straight ruler cannot be placed between the acromion process and lateral epicondyle because of the presence of greater tuberosity in its normal position. In dislocation of the shoulder, a ruler can be placed.

Callaway’s test: The vertical circumference of the axillary is increased in dislocation of shoulder due to the presence of head in the anterior axillary fold.

Measurements

The length of the arm is measured from the angle of acromion process to the lateral epicondyle.

Neurological examination: In fracture of the clavicle, brachial plexus may be injured. In fractures and dislocations of humorous, axillary nerve may get damaged. Axillary nerve damage may manifest as paralysis of deltoid muscle and anesthesia in skin over the lower part of deltoid muscle.

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FACET JOINT STRAIN

Pain often occurs when one of the Facet Joints that the vertebrae in your spinal column is suddenly twisted or jerked. A joint that is damaged in this way may stick or “lock”, making movement difficult as well as painful. Facet joint strain can occur throughout your spine.

CAUSES

Awkward twisting or bending of your neck or back can injure the ligaments, muscles, or the capsule of a facet joint whiplash from a car accident is a good example of this type of injury ,  but it can also result from failure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, or from lifting heavy objects. Even simply turning over in bed or sleeping awkwardly can have the same effect. Your muscles may then go into an uncontrollable spasm, making the joint stiff immobile. Facet joints are more vulnerable to strains from middle age onward, when  osteoarthritis may flare up, the disks in your spine have degenerated significantly and the ligaments that are supporting the joints become more slack.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

In the early stages,disabling pain in your neck or back is often accompanied by pain in your accompanied by restricted movement.Pain from facet joint strain in your lower back  may also radiate into your buttocks,hips,lower abdomen and thighs.Movement may be limited for only a few weeks however it can last for months and in some cases years . unless you receive appropriate treatment, which usually involves manipulation or in chronic cases, an injection.Facet joint starin in your neck may extend down to your neck may extend down to your shoulders, making it difficult to bend your neck or turn shoulders making it difficult to bend your neck or turn your head.Your doctor or therapists will make a diagnosis by giving you a physical examination.

RISKS AND RECOVERY

There is no serious risk from facet joint strain, but failure to relieve pain or inflammation can lead to permanently stiff joints starin in the middle of your back although the least common, may cause pain to radiate around your chest, making it painful and difficult to breathe, especially if the joints between the ribs and thoracic vertebrae become “locked”.

VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE

Weakening of the bones is fairly common in old age and may also occur in younger people who are in poor health. When this loss of structural strength affects the vertebrae of the spinal column, even a slight increase in pressure on them- perhaps due to a fall or sudden vigorous activity-can cause cracks and fractures, especially in the middle and lower back.

CAUSES

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of bones (including the vertebrae) becoming weaker and more susceptible to injury. The condition causes loss of minerals from the bones, women after menopause due to hormonal changes. but men also develop osteoporosis  to some degree as they age if you  are a heavy smoker or heavy drinker do little exercise or have suffered from an eating disorder(such as anorexia) and  an still underweight and very thin, you have a high risk of developing osteoporosis  . In a few causes, taking steroids for a particular medical condition may weaken your bones, as can certain forms of cancer.

 SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

 If you fracture a vertebra you will feel a sudden , servere pain in the area of your back where the injury has occurred .Damaged vertebrae in your lower back may also cause pain around your pelvis, and if any nerves are irritated, numbness and tingling in your legs. In the upper part of your back the pain may radiate around your chest and make breathing difficult. You may find it hard to move around and even lying down can cause pain coughing or sneezing may hurt too. This pain and lack of mobility it surely to take several weeks to subside. Your doctor may arrange for a CT or an MRI scan to assess the extent of the fracture.

RISKS AND RECOVERY

Although compression fracture in the spine usually heal within a matter of weeks without any special treatment the shape of your spine and your posture may be permanently affected while the pain lasts you are likely to find it difficult to perform everyday activities.

SARCROILIAC STRAIN

 Located on either side of your spine at the very bottom of the back’ the sacroiliac joints link your sacrum (the fused bones at the base of your spine) to your hip bones’ forming the rear part of your pelvic girdle. They allow the twisting movements of your legs when you walk or run. Problems arise when they either become “locked”, restricting movement, or too mobile.

CAUSES

Sacroiliac strain is usually the result of a sudden impact, such as a heavy blow or fall, which damages the ligamentssupporting the joint. Sudden, unexpected twisting or bending movements, where your muscles are unprepared is absorbed by the ligaments, can have the same effect. Mechanical charges in these joints may also over a period of time due to an imbalanced used of surrounding muscles, abnormalities (such as a slight difference in leg length), orosteoarthritis. Strained ligaments lead to loosening of the joints, making them more mobile. It is also common for pregnant women. To suffer from hyper mobile sacroiliac joints, because of hormonal changes that soften and slacken the ligaments of the pelvis in preparation for giving birth.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

You will feel a sharp pain in the upper inner part of your buttock when you put your foot down, making walking or running very uncomfortable. There will also be dull pain radiating deep into your lower buttock; sometimes you will also experience referred pain in your legs. Movement of your leg may be restricted, which will also make walking difficult. Your doctor may use MRI scans or X-rays  to identify any inflammation cause of your symptoms. If inflammation is present, you may be given a blood test to check if this is being caused by an infection.

RISKS AND RECOVERY

If you sit still or lie down for a long time, you may feel stiffness and immobility. Ligaments take longer to heal than fractured bone, and may fail to heal completely

Ankylosing Spondilitis (AS) tends to occur in you adults, and usually effects men more severely than women. A form of spinal arthritis, it leads to inflammation and a classification, or hardening, of the ligaments in the sacroiliac joints and in the intervertebral joints that link the vertebrate together. It is also known as Marie-Strumpell or Bechterev’s disease.

CAUSES

Generally, sufferers of Ankylosing Spondilitis are genetically predisposed toward the disease. Little is known about what causes it, although it is known to be an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system not only fights invading infections but also attracts the body’s own cells. It is thought that AS may start when an immune response to bacteria or a virus continues once the infection has gone.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

The onset of the disease usually occurs between and mid-teens and the mid-30s. It affects the sacroiliac joint first, and will cause pain and stiffness in your lower back and buttocks that is worse on waking. You may find it difficult to bend forward and your hips joints will be stiff. It advances gradually over several years into the thoracic and cervical spine, causing pain and the stiffness in the rest of your back and neck. Extreme stiffness can result in you hunching forward, flattening your chest and curving your spine. In some people, the inflammation and calcification may eventually affect the joints between the ribs and the mid-spine so that movement of the rib cage is limited, impairing breathing. Your doctor will make a diagnosis by considering your symptoms and performing tests, including blood tests, X-rays and MRI scan, and ultrasound.

RISK

It is important to identify and treat the condition as early as possible to prevent irreversible deterioration in posture and mobility. People with Ankylosing Spondilitis have an increased risk of osteoporosis in the spine and of heart and circulatory problems, such as stroke.

TREATMENT:

Treatment includes physical therapy, exercise, and medication. Physical therapy shown to be of great benefit to AS patients.  Swimming is also one of the preferred exercises since it involves all muscles and joints in a low-impact. Yoga and Jogging are available to reduce symptoms and pain of Ankylosing Spondilitis.

(Heel Pain) Plantar fasciitis may be your problem.

Heel pain is one of the most familiar situations that a lot of patients complain about. Several factors are responsible for this condition. Plantar fasciitis is the most general cause of pain felt in the heel. “Plantar” means the bottom of the foot, “fascia” is a type of connective tissue, and “itis” means “inflammation” This is also referred to as the heel spur syndrome if there is a presence of spur. This condition may also be caused by arthritis, tendonitis, nerve irritation, and stress fracture.

During Heel pain caused by planter fasciitis, the band of tissue expanding from the heel point to the toe tip becomes swollen. In this condition, the tight tissue forming the curve of the foot is first annoyed and will then result in swelling.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis are

• excessive running
• high arch
• when one leg is longer than the other
• obesity
• occupations with prolonged standing or walking
• sedentary lifestyle
• Achilles tendon tightness

Treatment can be done according to the phases.  Initial treatment should be tried for a few weeks and then should continue with further phases of treatment. Following are some effective treatments.

Tape can be used to give the face rest without reducing activity.  Athletic tape can be bought at all pharmacies. Tape can be the cure in the severe case which can result a sudden increase in weight. Losing weight, ice, and stretching can also cure chronic  pain.

•  If heel pain persists, then physical therapy, foot orthotics, and night splinting may be needed.

•  Stretching the calf muscles without reinjuring the fascia before getting out of bed in the morning and a few times per day is well-known to be a cure for many patients.

• Ice is a miracle cure for soft-tissue injuries.  Ice is not only great for professional football players with knee or shoulder injuries, but also for desk-jockeys who can’t seem to get rid of their heel pain.  It was ranked the third best treatment by our visitors. Applying ice after activity or injury is crucial.  It may be beneficial to apply it up to 5 times a day.

• Physical therapy exercise is one of the best cures for heel pain. But be sure, exercises should be done under experienced physical therapist. When done properly and consistently, physical therapy can help prevent permanent relief from your pain.

90% of patients will improve with the above techniques.  Pain lasting 6 months despite therapy may require shock wave therapy.