Blog - Shoulder And Knee Clinic

Why Athletes Are Prone to ACL Injuries And (How to Stay Safe)

April 28, 2025 by Aditya Sai

Athlete holding injured knee, highlighting ACL pain

Athletes are prone to ACL injuries because they are the ones involved in high-impact sports. Well, that was just a short description of the whole medical scenario. To understand the cause better, you need to comprehend much more than that, so as to prevent it from happening.

This article will cover some brief insights into ACL injury and key strategies on how to stay safe from the same, if you are an athlete.

What is meant by an ACL injury?

Tibia, femur, and patella happen to be the 3 primary bones of your knee joint. Along with these, it also contains cartilages, ligaments, and tendons that leverage its functionality.

Now, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) joins your femur to your tibia, thus offering the vital balance to the knee joint through thorough passive techniques. This subjective ligament bounds the tibia in the correct periphery, rather than allowing it to topple forward relative to the femur. It also simultaneously prevents detrimental twisting motions of your knee.

Deep insights into the actual cause: ACL Injury

As an interesting matter of fact- in most cases of ACL injuries, it can be noted that it occurred in relative to a contact injury. However, these cases often pertain to non-contact. It can be perceived that in most cases, it happens during the ground reaction phase of landing and jumping actions, sudden shift of direction movements, and single-leg dedicated actions. In these types of key movements, your knee gets the highest amount of load.

In an ideal scenario, the muscles relative to both the knee and hip would help cushion this load, minimize any undesirable motion at the knee, and position the lower limb in the correct alignment. But that doesn’t happen all the time.

In case of an injury, the knee tends to experience inward rotation while the lower shank slips too far forward, making the ACL take an unbearable load, leading to its rupture.

Demographics that suffer the most from ACL injuries- Gender Based Insights

If you study the frequency and respective profile of the patients seeking ACL reconstruction surgery in India, you will notice that most of them are females. This is because they suffer at a rate that is at least 3 to 5 times higher than their male counterpart. The reasons are many, such as-

Their Q angle (quadriceps angle), which makes females have wider hips than males, increases the risk of the knee caving in to valgus, and thus leads to a high probability of ACL rupture.
They are less funded by the sports institutions, thus leading to less strategic coaching and safety awareness.

Prevention Tips: ACL Injury

It is crucial to prevent ACL injuries, especially when you are an athlete. First, you might be restricted from the game for at least 8 months, and then you might develop arthritis in your old age. Due to these reasons, our experienced orthopaedics at shoulderandkneeclinic.com suggest practicing preventive measures.

Strategic stretching can help toughen and safeguard your ACL. Those are basically-

Squats and lunges leverage toughening of the leg muscles.
Balance training, like standing on one leg for around 20 seconds or more.
Your hamstring and ACL are related. So if you do periodic hamstring curls, it will build up your legs to sustain sudden pressures.
Physiotherapists always promote core strengthening. This is because it helps in your overall leg power, thus safeguarding the ACL.

You can do some strategic exercises that can help strengthen and protect your ACL. These are-

Lunges and squats are helpful since they strengthen your legs.
A robust hamstring helps safeguard your ACL. Proper hamstring curls can be done at the gym or at home.
Core strengthening is crucial for overall balance and can help avert ACL injuries. Yoga exercises like planks and bicycle crunches can leverage your core strength.

An ACL tear treatment cost in India generally ranges from 30,000 INR to 2,00,000 INR. Even if it’s not a big deal for you, the pain might be. So, you better take preventive measures like practicing some plyometric exercises, like-

Jump squats
Box jumps
Lateral jumps
Flawless landing technique where you soft land with bent knees, avoiding knee knock, and Single leg hope

Mastering some key movements can help you prevent ACL injuries in the long run. Here are some priceless tips-
A safe landing is very important. The moment of landing, right after you do a jump, has to be mastered strategically. Ensure that your knees are at an optimum angle, rather straight, to withstand the pressure.
Strategic pivoting and cutting are vital too. When you are doing a quick movement between two directions, ensure that you curve your knees and your body level is at an optimum low.
Mastering deceleration in your sport is important. You need to master how to pause your pace, rapidly, after you have gained a speedy momentum. This practice will help safeguard from possible ACL injuries.

Get Yourself Professional Help

While the above tips can help someone like you to understand ACL injuries and their preventive measures, it is always better to consult an experienced orthopaedic doctor. If you are seeking the best doctor for ACL surgery in Mumbai, reach out to us at shoulderandkneeclinic.com to book an appointment with our renowned orthopaedic today!

Whether you are a seasoned player or a retired trainer, embracing the correct methodology to treat your ACL injury will be the smartest step. Choose us today for a better playtime tomorrow.

Knee Cracks When You Squat? It Could Be a Cartilage Warning!

April 3, 2025 by Aditya Sai

Yes, you read it right. If you are hearing some cracking sound whenever you make a squat- either during yoga or during daily chores, it might be a cartilage warning. And cartilage plays a vital role in ensuring seamless and pain-free joint movement. Without prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it can lead to discomfort, severe pain, restricted mobility, and, in the long term, knee osteoarthritis.

This blog will unravel the cartilage mechanism, diagnosis of cartilage injury, and its various treatment types.

Decoding- Knee Joint Cartilage and its Mechanism

The tissue covering the limits of the bones on either end is known as joint cartilage. Its composition is basically Hyaline cartilage. The main function of joint cartilage is to offer a smooth surface that restricts the bone from friction damage caused by rubbing and other movements.

Just like every other joint cartilage, knee joint cartilage lacks its own blood vessels and is sustained by synovial fluid. Its structure is maintained by the cells within the cartilage (chondrocytes).

Symptoms of Knee Cartilage Damage

There are some typical symptoms of a knee cartilage injury and some of them are given below-

Uneasiness and pain- in and around the knee. And it gets worse with time, especially after prolonged periods of inactivity
Stiffness or swelling
A feeling of catching or locking
Limited range of motion
Instability; where your knee might feel weak or unstable, especially when carrying weight

Generic Causes of Knee Cartilage Injuries

It is reported in several medical journals that the injuries can arise from several factors, including-

Traumatic Injuries- sudden incidents, like the impact of a direct blow to the joint or twisting the knee during contact sports, can cause acute cartilage damage.
Degenerative transformation refers to the wearing down of knee cartilage due to conditions like osteoarthritis. This leads to incremental joint damage. Redundant usage and aging also contribute to this deterioration.
Miscellaneous factors such as- genetic tendency to weaker cartilage, coupled with lifestyle elements such as obesity, may influence the likelihood of injury.

What Entails Proper Knee Cartilage Injury Diagnosis?

Prompt and meticulous diagnosis of a knee cartilage injury involves a combination of clinical imaging and evaluation. A knee cartilage injury treatment in Mumbai or any other metro city in India would have the ideal set of diagnosis steps. This is because of the access to top orthopedics and physicians in terms of the healthcare centers.

In brief, the series of steps might involve-

Physical examination and medical history- where the caregiver reviews symptoms, prior injuries, and activity levels to converge on the potential cause. The physical examination involves examining joint movement, identifying tenderness locations, and scrutinizing any imbalance or swelling.
Imaging Tests- Here, the orthopedic doctor suggests going through MRI scans as they offer more in-depth insights into the knee’s tender tissues, including cartilage.
Arthroscopy- In the case where imaging renders inconclusive, arthroscopy might be performed. This subtle invasive procedure involves inserting a tiny camera into the knee joint, making provision for a direct visual assessment of cartilage damage and other joint structures.

Types of Treatments in Case of a Knee Cartilage Injury

Knee cartilage damage treatment Mumbai or in any other metro city, varies according to the conditions of the patients. They can be classified into two broad categories:

Non-Surgical Treatment:
This includes some treatments that can be carried out in a home environment too.

Rest, compression, ice, and elevation (RICE)- giving rest to your knee helps alleviate the pain. The application of ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation, while elevation and compression minimize fluid build-up, stimulating recovery and comfort.
Physiotherapy- Focused exercises enhance the flexibility and strength of muscles supporting the knee. This minimizes the strain on the joint and improves stability. Subtle activities like cycling and swimming are often suggested by physicians.
Medications- Sometimes doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and swelling. It is generally recommended for short-term use during the initial recovery phase.
Injections- the ones with Hyaluronic acid enhance the lubrication of the joint, promoting seamless movement. A specialized therapy by platelet-rich plasma taps into growth factors from the patient’s blood to promote tissue repair and minimize inflammation in some cases.

Surgical Treatment:
This type of treatment is required when the non-surgical steps no longer serve the purpose or it’s beyond the condition.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation- This surgical procedure involves garnering healthy cartilage cells from the patient’s own body, preparing them in a lab, and implanting them back into the damaged area.
Microfracture Technique- Tiny holes are drilled into the underlying bone to facilitate the advancement of fibrocartilage- a kind, that fills injured areas. This methodology is often used for smaller injuries but may not restore the original cartilage’s total function.
Osteochondral Grafting- undamaged cartilage is taken from another part of the body or from a donor to substitute the damaged one.
Meniscus Replacement or Repairing- In this procedure, a stitching technique is improvised that allows the tissue to heal.

Conclusion

If you are having any of the preliminary symptoms of a cartilage injury, it is time you consult an experienced orthopedic as soon as possible. This will set you up for a thorough and accurate knee cartilage restoration.

If you are somewhere within and around Mumbai, then your best bet would be to consult our renowned orthopedic at shoulderandkneeclinic.com. With uncountable success stories and commendable years of experience, our top doctor is ready to give you a healthy lifestyle with a fit knee movement, in no time.

Can Sleeping Position Affect Shoulder Health? Tips for Pain-Free Rest

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 by Aditya Sai

Your sleeping position at night or any time of the day (whatever your schedule suggests) is a crucial element of your shoulder health. And this becomes more elemental if you are already suffering from shoulder pain or had an ailment earlier.

Poor sleep posture can put unnecessary stress on your shoulder joints, leading to stiffness, discomfort, and even long-term issues. You should take insights from experts in metro cities since they have the best ones. Consulting a shoulder specialist in Mumbai should be your priority if the pain persists even after sleeping in the correct posture. This article will highlight how various sleeping positions contribute to shoulder pain and some sleeping tips to get you a pain-free rest.

Insights: Sleeping Positions that Affect Shoulder Health

Sleeping on Your Stomach

This is considered to be one of the worst positions for shoulder health and eventually leads to discomfort. It forces your head to be turned to one side for long periods, straining the shoulders and neck.

Sleeping on Your Side

It’s a silent cause. At first, it feels comfortable. But it eventually puts excessive strain on the shoulder that you are lying on. This ultimately leads to inflammation, pain, and even conditions like bursitis or rotator cuff injuries over time. The condition deteriorates if your mattress is too firm or lacks support, leading to misalignment in your shoulder and spine.

Sleeping on your Back

This posture is considered to be the safest and best posture for spiral alignment and holistic joint health. But, if your pillow is too low or high, it can lead to misalignment, leading to shoulder distress. Some back sleepers might also suffer from shoulder pain if they sleep with their arms positioned awkwardly, such as under or overhead their bodies.

Now that you are aware of the root cause, given below are some quick tips that even the best doctor for shoulder pain in Mumbai or other metro cities generally suggests.

Have a Painless Rest by Following These Quick Sleeping Tips

Utilize a Supportive Pillow

Exercising this auxiliary pillow positions your spine and neck in an aligned position. This minimizes the stress on your shoulders. Bring home a pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck. The best materials you can get are contour pillows or memory foam. Ensure before buying that it aligns properly and is neither too low nor too high.

A Side Pillow Enhances Easiness

Sleeping while holding a side pillow positions your shoulders in a more easy state, thereby minimizing the strain. Try to practice sleeping holding a standard pillow or body pillow (cylindrical shaped) close to your chest while tilting on your side. This will position your shoulders to a more comfortable position.

Try Alternating Your Side at Frequent Intervals

This prevents the overloading of a particular shoulder and evenly distributes the pressure of your upper body.

Optimize Your Mattress

As mentioned earlier, a mattress should be optimal in terms of softness and firmness. A medium-level firmness is ideal for offering support and space to minimize pressure on your shoulders. If you are not in a position to invest in a new mattress, consider adding a mattress topper for extra comfort.

Set a Pillow Between Your Knees

Positioning a pillow in between your knees assists in maintaining the correct orientation of your spine and hips. This in turn minimizes the overall stress that can lead to shoulder pain.

Get a rigid pillow or a customized knee pillow, when sleeping on your favorite side. This practice ensures that your spinal structure stays in the easiest position.

Conclusion

So, the sleeping position might seem like a mere account to keep a check when it comes to shoulder health. But when it’s neglected to the fullest, it can inflict distress on either of your shoulders or both. The tips mentioned above might help you alleviate your pain due to your bad sleeping postures.

However, if you experience pain for a prolonged period, you should consult an experienced orthopedic, generally appointed in metro cities like Mumbai. Setting the right foot in your shoulder treatment, you can consult our distinguished surgical orthopedic Dr. Aditya Sai at shoulderandkneeclinic.com. Whether it’s about a frozen shoulder treatment in Mumbai or rotator cuff tears, our unmatched orthopedics with uncountable success stories up their sleeves are ready to give you a better lifestyle.

Why Does My Shoulder Keep Dislocating? Understanding Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

February 11, 2025 by Aditya Sai

A shoulder dislocation is a very common orthopaedic injury which can be a devitalizing and painful scenario. But to reason with- why your shoulder keeps dislocating can take a lot of time. And it might be very difficult for you to understand if you are not from a medical background. But this article will bridge the gap and help you get the ultimate treatment. To begin with, let’s start with the basic shoulder anatomy, shall we?

The Mechanism and Structure of Shoulder Joints

It generally poses as a ball and socket-type synovial joint and can be described as a coupling between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula. Resembling most synovial joints, the coupling surfaces are covered with cartilage. To stabilize the entire movement of your shoulders, there are several ligaments involved along with the rotator cuff muscles, and the biceps tendon.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the structure and working principle, let’s take a deep dive into the causes of recurrent shoulder dislocation in most patients-

The primary factor in this kind of recurrent shoulder ailment is a previous acute trauma to the left or right joint, which convulses the congruence of the articular surfaces. The integrity of the shoulder structure leads to the fact that there is a high risk of recurrent dislocation of the humeral head from the articular cavity.

Let’s go to the basics to understand the risk factors behind it. This is because unless you know them, you won’t be seeking help according to the actual condition, right? So, remember your injury to your shoulder for the very first time. It might be a sport or an athletic stunt. Here, you have to recall that it resulted in an anterior dislocation.

The Risk Factors

Now, it is high time that you get aware of the risk factors as given below-

Participation in Sports: Yes, participation in any kind of sports such as American football, rugby, or even Judo can pose a small to minimal risk of recurrent shoulder dislocation.
With a dislocation history: Younger patients i.e. whose age is within 20 years, it is reported that they have a chance of suffering from recurrent shoulder dislocation which touches as high as 90% probability. And, according to some published medical reports, this percentage decreases with higher age brackets. The first dislocation can put pressure on the tissues enveloping the shoulder joint, causing the shoulder to be unstable and resulting in subsequent dislocation. The medical nomenclature for shoulder dislocations is chronic shoulder instability.
Genetics: In nature, some patients have a high lax, pliable tissues in the body, including those who may be categorized as “double-jointed”. In this scenario, they might experience a shoulder dislocation without prominent pain or injury. These populations may have a high chance of experiencing subluxations (partial dislocations) in which the joint shifts back to its original place. Most of the patients suffering from this medical condition learn to position their shoulders in the correct place by themselves. But when a shoulder dislocation occurs, it is highly recommended that patients should consult an experienced physician.

Treatment and Prospects

Diagnosis before recurrent shoulder dislocation treatment is easy with all the necessary steps such as radiographs, CT scans, Ultrasound, and MRI. And its treatment can be done in two ways- (a) Conservatively: where approaches include physical therapies, massages, electric current application on rotator cuffs, and physiotherapy (b) Shoulder Dislocation Surgery: Involving Arthroscopy Bankart reconstruction with best results for those who don’t have a defect in the bone structure such as Hill-Sachs lesion. But in case of some defect, the operation is executed to replace it exercising transposition of the clavicular methodology (Latarjet-Bristow operation). Factually, this surgical procedure also renders a high success rate.

To get your recurrent shoulder dislocation treated holistically, the best way would be to get yourself the best consultation from an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Your best bet would be to get an appointment with one such surgeon from the shoulderandkneeclinic.com.

Latest Innovations in Hip Arthroplasty : What Patients Should Know

February 12, 2025February 11, 2025 by Aditya Sai

Hip arthroplasty these days is not considered a mere solution to joint issues but a revolutionary step towards better living. When it comes to the surgery it asks for some tiny cuts and precision tools which makes the whole operation quicker and minimally painful. The recent methodology of hip arthroplasty surgery is a kind of its own due to its enhanced precision and enabling personalized patient care.

The innovations in imaging technologies are redefining how a hip arthroplasty specialist understands the conditions of the hip joint, rendering customized treatment plans. The perpetual novelties in hip arthroplasty make the whole methodology smarter and more efficient with successive breakthroughs.

In this blog, we will discuss the latest surgical techniques and innovations revolving around hip arthroplasty and comprehend how they are leading to enhancements in the post-operation recovery of patients.

Evolution of Imaging Technology

High visual precision of complex joint details is crucial for the success of hip arthroplasty. Latest advances have made it possible to fetch that kind of precision level.

The practice and introduction of 3D arthroplasty have leveraged the job of surgeons to the next level, where a three-dimensional presentation of the hip joint is accessible promptly and accurately. On the other hand, augmented reality (AR) uplifted the whole process by propagating digital information directly to the surgeon’s feed during the operation. Together all of these advantages, power the surgeon’s limited abilities, making them capable enough to offer a more personalized treatment. This, in turn, results in a higher success rate for the entire surgery.

Customized Treatment Plans

In continuation with the above- Today, advanced imaging has leveraged a hip arthroscopic surgeon to suggest patient-specific implants that are designed according to the exact anatomy of the respective patients who seek surgical procedures. So, you can say that this enhances the overall post- operation functionality. Furthermore, according to some reports and legitimate patient feedback, it is cutting the risk of complications associated with poorly fitted implants.

To make it more patient-specific, rehabilitation strategies are also being personalized. Here physiotherapy initiatives are now based on factors such as fitness, age, and lifestyle of the respective patients to help them recover rapidly.

Inclusion of AI and Robotics

The inclusion of robotics and AI in hip arthroplasty is significantly helping surgeons diagnose, study, and carry treatments more effectively. The surgeons utilize the robotic arms to perform more precise movements within the patient’s body, resulting in a successful surgery. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence fine-tunes the decisions during and after the sophisticated surgery. In this scenario, machine learning algorithms analyze a huge chunk of data to identify patterns, helping physicians to make smart choices. Post-surgery, AI-enabled monitoring technology keeps track of the progress of the respective patients and notifies the concerned healthcare provider if any intervention is required.

Prospects: Addressing Complex Hip Conditions Has Never Been Easier

This is for your information that hip arthroplasty not only manages basic issues but can also address convoluted ailments that were once considered very daunting. Ailments like labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which were considered hard to deal with, are now getting resolved promptly with a long-term promise.

Innovations and new-age techniques in this domain are changing the game of traditional practices. In terms of FAI, accurate instruments and imaging technologies are going to help surgeons’ re-structure the hip joint with more precision, in the days to come. In fact, it’s already in effect and being practiced by top surgeons at legit platforms like the shoulderandkneeclinic.com.

On the other hand, labral tears which used to be treated conservatively or with open surgeries are now being mended with arthroscopic precision, causing minimal impairment to nearby tissues. Moreover, regenerative medicine such as stem cell and platelet-rich plasma treatments, augments treatment options.

Now that you know the bright prospects and the power of advanced hip arthroplasty, it is time that you get diagnosed and operated accurately, by the best hands in India. Step into a better life by booking an appointment with the top surgical orthopedic doctor through shoulderandkneeclinic.com.

Hip Impingement in Young Adults: Why Early Diagnosis Matters

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 by Aditya Sai

It’s not too much of a surprise if an old person gets a hip issue all of a sudden. But if anyone under the age of 16-35 starts feeling a pinch/pain in their hip (a typical medical condition called “hip impingement”), then it’s a matter of grave concern as it may lead to hip osteoarthritis. Preventing it from happening is crucial, so the hip pain must be treated promptly. This calls for understanding the nuances of hip impingement and then chalking down a thorough treatment plan.

The medical nomenclature for this particular condition is known as femoroacetabular impingement. By now, you must already know what impingement means, while on the other hand, femoroacetabular points out to the location in the hipwhere the circular head of the thigh bone (femur) attaches itself with the hip socket i.e. acetabulum.

The classification

There are two types of hip impingements that make a patient feel a painful pinching effect on their hip when they try to move it-

Cam-type impingement- This is a condition where the femur is not in its original round shape and rather a pistol grip semblance. Due to this, sometimes is it also referred to as a pistol grip deformity. A closer look at the joints shows that the femoral head fails to retain its shape on either side, making it difficult to situate itself inside the socket.

The consequence of this deformity is a straining force on the articular cartilage and labrum- a compact ring of fibrocartilage securely attached around the socket i.e. acetabulum.Here, the labrum offers stability to the socket while the articular cartilage protects the surface of the hip joint by acting as a protective layer.

Sometimes this type of hip impingement happens due to other hip conditions like slipped SCFE or capital femoral epiphysis. But it reported that most of the time, it just occurs by itself as a result of extremes of movements involved in certain activities like gymnastics , goalkeeping , wicket keeping and in some instances it is heriditary

Pincer-type impingement- In this case, the socket envelops a greater portion of the femoral head. As the hip is put into action by the patient, the labrum meets the femoral neck just underneath the femoral head. Frequent movement at this location can cause the bone to grow at an overwhelming rate, ultimately leading to a condition called heterotopic bone growth.

This impingement is generally caused by some other issues like hip dysplasia or due to the unusual position of the acetabulum.

So, if you have either of the two, you might have typical hip impingent symptoms like-

Stiffness
Hip pain
Trouble with regular movement

Tests and Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, it is very crucial to diagnose hip impingement during the early stages to prevent the occurrence of osteoarthritis. This is because negligence causes cartilage damage that is designated by this agonizing form of arthritis. By now you must have guessed that- hip impingement is generally considered to be a pre-arthritic medical condition, which decodes that further damage may be averted, prior to the worst-case scenario of the cartilage.

A sports injuries specialist like one from our platform (i.e. shoulder and knee clinic) will start your diagnosis with some imaging tests and a physical exam. Try to converse with your specialist clearly about the first time that you noticed your symptoms and what is making them worse. Eventually, our experienced doctor will incorporate imaging tests to take hi-res images of your hip and the tissue involved in and around the joint. These tests may be-

MRI
CT Scan and/or
Hip X-rat

In the medical exam the doctor will ask you to lie on your back and subsequently to lift your leg up towards your chest. The doctor will then help you to bend your knee 90 degrees (perpendicular to your things), and twist your upper leg in, directed at the center of your body.

These postures will allow our doctor to improvise optimal pressure on your hip in the exact locations where the impingement might hurt. So, if you feel any kind of pain during these movements, you might have the impingement condition. This test might feel uncomfortable to you at some point but it is completely safe.

Supervision and Treatment

Our experienced sports injuries specialist shall suggest a comprehensive routine and actions toward a flawless hip impingement treatment. Generally, it includes-

Physical Therapy- where it will help you heal the muscles around your affected hip., ultimately enhancing your movement.
Alteration in activities- by seeking a professional who will monitor your activities and exercises. This will help prevent any further injury of your hip or cause any strain, which might make it worse.
NSAIDs- OTC (over-the-counter) NSAIDs will relieve you from the excruciating pain and prevent inflammation.
Corticosteroids- these medications will be prescribed to you and come in the form of an intra articular injection.
Hip impingement surgery– after a thorough timeline of medication and testing, our doctors might suggest you for the surgical procedure, if they think that further down the line, it might affect your quality of life. This is the definitive treatment for hip engagement provided arthritis has not set in.

In the end, all we can say is that- the earlier, the better. Nobody should linger on the diagnosis and treatment as you have read the consequences. If you have been experiencing the aforesaid symptoms for more than a few weeks, it is high time that you consult our doctors through our prompt platform shoulderandkneeeclinic.com.

The Impact of PCL Injuries on Everyday Activities and How Surgery Can Help

January 7, 2025 by Aditya Sai

PCL which stands for posterior cruciate ligament positions within the knee joint parallel to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), binding the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shinbone). Reports suggest that PCL tears don’t happen to people as frequently as compared to ACL injuries. But the answer to the question of- how do PCL injuries occur? is very simple. It arises due to abnormal movements such as twisting, sudden falls, dashboard injury or head-on impacts to the knee during tough sports. We will discuss how the condition affects us and what entails a proper PCL injuries knee treatment; but first, let us go through the knee anatomy a bit. This will help you understand the medical condition in depth, and allow you to take action for yourself or suggest someone you know, who is suffering from the same.

Structural Insights

The knee joint- It’s a complex structure altogether where three significant bones i.e. the kneecap, tibia, and femur play a crucial role every day to help you make the basic movements when you walk. The patella a.k.a kneecap, acts within a trough at the end of the femur. If we look at the overall architecture, you will notice that the robust muscles in the thigh, especially the quadriceps at the front and hamstrings at the rear, provide balance and strength to the knee.

The knee is balanced by four substantial ligaments, two of which we have already discussed earlier i.e. ACL and PCL. Now the other two are – the medial one (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The PCL and ACL traverse within the knee joint, working simultaneously to keep the joint balanced and refrain from strenuous forward and backward movement. They also manage the rotational motion of the tibia, which is crucial for actions like running, skating, or driving.

Symptoms and how it can affect your daily life

In the initial days, the symptoms can be very ambiguous, leading people unaware of the injury until the situation degrades and cause pain over the course of time. Typical symptoms include-

Minimum to moderate knee pain.
Exponential swelling and soreness around the knee.
Feeling deep pain during regular activities like squatting, running, kneeling, or pacing up and down the stairs.
Uneasiness during a stroll or frequent limping.
A tingle of disbalance in the knee, as if it might yield soon.

Diagnosis of PCL injury

To diagnose PCL injuries knee, your healthcare provider should suggest a few steps:

Any standard Sports injuries specialist should start asking about your history i.e. when you injured yourself and how it happened. If the doctor that you are about to consult is from shoulderandkneeclinic.com, then you might be asked additional questions like-
If your knee were straight, twisted, or bent after the accident
How gradual was the pain right after the incident, and
If you have faced the symptoms since the accident
The next step would be a physical examination. In this, you would be asked by your doctor to lie on your back with your knee bent. The doctor then examines your knee and presses against your upper shin. During this entire action, if abnormal movement of your knee is identified, it may suggest a PCL injury.
Imaging- Another basic step towards a fool proof diagnosis is imaging. Generally, X-rays might be suggested by your doctor to identify any signs of damage to your knee. Moreover, sometimes an MRI scan is also suggested to obtain a clear image of the PCL injury.

Treatment

There happen to be non-surgical treatments for PCL injuries and these are only feasible when it is-

Grade I or II injuries and doesn’t involve any other knee ligaments.
Low activity level of the individual

Some individuals need to go through some exercises as advised by their physicians. This only helps to regain the leg muscles around the knee. A rehabilitation session is also recommended whether the patient goes through surgery or not.

When neither home remedies nor non-surgical treatments yield results, your Sports injuries specialist might suggest you for a surgical procedure. This is typically the scenario when you have hurt other ligaments in your knee apart from the PCL. Our doctors would clearly communicate with you whether surgery would be the ultimate solution or not.

So, the general criteria that draw the line towards surgery are-

A condition where PCL injuries include loose or broken pieces of bone
Injuries where more than one ligament is involved
Acute PCL disbalances that causes symptoms, especially in athletes

Generally PCL is not repaired except in cases of bony avulsion of the PCL where it has come poff with a piece of bone from the tibia. The reason behind refraining from utilizing the old one is that it doesn’t heal properly in the long run. Instead, the doctor will reconstruct the PCL and incorporate the old tissue in the reconstruction

The subsequent ligament may be substituted with-

Piece of tendon extracted from other parts of your body, such as the back of your Bone patella tendon or thigh

This is what is known as an arthroscopic procedure in medical terms. It also involves certain tools and camera insertion through precise cuts around your knee. But you should know that this procedure is the ultimate solution to heal your PCL injury in no time. Another advantage is that it doesn’t leave scars as grave as other kinds of surgeries.

Post-surgery, you might need around 4-5 months for a complete rehabilitation period.

Now that you know what a PCL injury entails, you can decide on your own to proceed with diagnosis or further steps. Don’t forget to consult with an experienced Sports injuries specialist before making any major decision. Reach out to us at shoulderandkneeclinic.com to book an appointment with our most experienced doctors- known for their expertise and numerous successful procedures throughout their profession.

Shoulder Impingement vs. Rotator Cuff Injury: What’s the Difference?

December 12, 2024 by Aditya Sai

Whenever patients suffering from shoulder injuries talk about issues related to rotator cuff or impingement, most of the athletes and other sportsmen relates to the pain, quickly. The reason? It is very prevalent in their community as well as to the general public. However, they are almost similar to shoulder impingement, another usual occurrence, and this leads to confusion between the two. It is generally one of the mentioned reasons for a shoulder injury, or sometimes- it is the combination of the two. But when one is left untreated, it affects the overall movements and postures, causing the other to occur, eventually increasing the pain.

Know How: Rotator Cuff

Before diving into the symptoms and treatments, you should know the basic anatomy of the rotator cuff. This will give you a holistic idea and clarify your self-doubts about your shoulder pain or any of your family members and friends.

Let us take a deep insight into the rotator cuff mechanism now. You should know that it comprises of the muscles and tissues/tendons that guards the shoulder joint, and position the head of your major arm bone, inside the aperture of your shoulder blade.

It’s a no brainer how vital the rotator cuff is in the overall shoulder architecture. It comes with the tissues and muscles that binds the shoulder joint, and position the upper bone of your arm, right in the required position of your shoulder blade. It has four muscles that facilitate its overall function-

Infraspinatus muscle – particularly involved in shoulder extension and rotation
Subscapularis muscle – helps in the internal rotation of arms
Supraspinatus muscle – positions the humerus at the correct angle and helps you to lift your arm
Teres minor – helps in shoulder rotation

All about Rotator Cuff Wound

A patient’s overall lifestyle deteriorate by rotator cuff wound because of the limited movement conditions. A rotator cuff injury poses to be alarming when the relative tissues in the shoulder no longer offers their flexibility to carry out regular movements. The most common reasons for this injury are generally due to-

Aging of tissue, leading to wear and tear
An injury due to a collision or a fall- common in sports like football or hockey
Recurring activities that involve the rotator cuff, like baseball, swimming, and tennis

If conservative remedies like rest, medication, and physical therapy do not improve symptoms, shoulder surgery may be recommended by the respective patient care. In either scenario, you should seek an experienced orthopaedic surgeon a.k.a rotator cuff injury specialist from a reliable platform like ours at shoulderandkneeclinic.com.

Diagnosis involved in a rotator cuff injury– To properly diagnose a torn rotator cuff, we generally perform-

A physical test of your shoulder- This will allow our experienced orthopedic surgeon to understand the exact status/level of the injury.
MRI Scan- this report showcases the form of rotator cuff injury
An X-ray- this ensures that no other similar formats of injury make things more confusing. This has reference to issues like bone spurs or arthritis.
Ultrasound- the perfect way to identify any sign of tears in the tissues.

Classifications of Rotator Cuff Injuries-

In case of incomplete rip up, the orthopaedics has defined them as a case where only a certain segment of the tissues has been affected. While, there happens to be conditions where the patient is suffering from shoulder pain cause by the complete thickness tear-which defines that the total relative tissue has been separated from the bone.

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear- Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury generally include pain and weakness as mentioned earlier, but it may be coupled with restricted access to movements of your hands behind your back. Given below is a detailed explanation, that might help you gauge/identify-

Sensation of Pain in the Shoulder Area- In most cases, the pain gradually increases with vehement movements of the arm or extending behind the back or towards the overhead during showering, combing, or dressing.
Uneasiness or pain while sleeping on the affected shoulder- The intensity of pain may be less during the day, but it may drastically rise in the night making you wake up from your sleep.
Shoulder weakness- You may experience uneasiness or lack of potential while trying to lift objects lying in front of you, like grabbing a litre of milk from your refrigerator, etc.

There are some significant treatments (other than surgery) that help in reducing the pain or inflammation-

Cortisone Injection can minimize the pain and inflammation, but it’s not a solution for long-term
Plasma injection rich with platelets- infused with the patient’s blood itself, helps in speedy recovery
Injection into the bone marrow eases the movements of the shoulder tissues
NSAIDs like Aleve and Advil help in minimizing the inflammation, but will not heal the tear
An arm sling may be recommended by our doctors to immobilize the shoulder and position the arm in a comfortable position to heal.

In the end, whether any of the above will be appropriate for your cause or to go for surgery should be decided by an experienced orthopedic surgeon.

Now that you have a holistic idea about rotator cuff injury, let’s have a look at shoulder impingement syndrome to help you differentiate between the two.

All about Shoulder Impingement

This type of shoulder pain happens when the top exterior portion of your scapula (i.e. shoulder blade) pressurizes your rotator cuff under it. HCPs often entitle it as shoulder impingement syndrome. There are several types of impingement syndrome and all of them are mentioned as follows-

Rotator cuff tendinitis- As goes by its name, it is the condition where there is swelling of your tendon affecting your rotator cuffs.
Acromion deformity- The acromion is generally flat. If in any case, it is re-positioned in a bad manner, it can bother your rotator cuff, leading to the syndrome.
Shoulder bursitis- It is the condition where the bursa (a fluidic sack that cushions the space between rotator cuff tendons and acromion) has suffered inflammation, thus causing shoulder impingement.

Causes and Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement- It generally feels like originates from the front of your shoulder. The uneasiness and pain can spread from the front to the side of your arm. It may gradually increase at night and affect your sleep. Subsequently, it becomes worse when you try to extend your arm to reach for something.

Rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms include stiffness, skin discoloration, and swelling of the skin around your shoulder. Moreover, the patient might often hear an odd sound when they try to move their shoulder.

Most case studies of this kind of shoulder pain reveal that patients started to suffer because of intensive usage of the joint in a perpetual pattern over a prolonged period. This indicates that over time when a recurring motion puts too much pressure on the joint, it leads to this syndrome. Some people suffer through shoulder impingement without any obvious cause (impromptu). It is also possible for cases like trauma or extensive sports sessions.

Diagnosis involved with shoulder impingement symptoms- Our experienced orthopedic doctor at Shoulder and Knee Clinic will suggest some physical tests to get an understanding of the overall situation of your shoulder and eliminate any other reasons (rotator cuff tears, shoulder arthritis, and biceps tendon injuries) that might cause the pain. These include-

X-rays
Ultrasound and
MRI

Treatments towards easing the pain and inflammation due to shoulder impingements are many-

Complete rest- Taking a break from regular activity, especially recreational activities and sports
Physical therapy- An experienced physical therapist (yoga instructor) will give you customized exercises and stretches to heal your shoulder and improve its potential for motion.
Icing- Applying a cold pack can relieve you from the pain but you have to be careful from frost bites (avoid direct application on the skin).
Pain killers- NSAIDs gathered from over-the-counter can minimize inflammation and pain. However one should consult a shoulder impingement specialist if the situation persists beyond 10 days.
Lastly, it’s the injection of corticosteroids that might reduce the swelling.

If none of the above doesn’t suit your condition, your respective doctor will ask you to go through shoulder impingement surgery which is the ultimate solution and can relieve you of pain permanently. High chance that your surgeon will perform an arthroscopic shoulder decompression. This includes eliminating a portion of your acromion to allow more space for your rotator cuff.

Most patients tend to feel good after a few weeks of a proper shoulder impingement treatment. In the case of surgery, it takes around 6 to 8 weeks for a complete recovery. But in the end, it’s all about how severe your injury has been. If it’s in the jurisdiction of the hospital premises, then its fine, otherwise, you shouldn’t resume your daily activities or any kind of recreational activities/sports till you feel comfortable and advised by your doctor.

When you should see a healthcare provider?

You should book an appointment with your healthcare provider if you experience any sign of new pain, swelling, or stiffness in your shoulder- especially if the condition is getting worse making it harder to move your shoulder and eventually feeling completely numb.

Book an appointment with our most experienced (over 15 years) orthopedic surgeon in Mumbai, to know more about your shoulder pain and the best possible treatment that you can get that best suit your condition.

How Shoulder Replacement Can Improve Your Quality of Life

December 9, 2024 by Aditya Sai

Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Shoulder and Knee Clinic

Shoulder happens to be a vital part of our body, especially the mechanism with which it facilitates our hands on a day-to-day basis. And thus, shoulder pain can seriously disrupt our daily life, affecting almost everything like- basic grocery shopping to having fun at recreational activities. So, if you are one of those individuals who is suffering from severe shoulder pain due to fractures, arthritis, or rotator cuff injuries, a shoulder replacement surgery can significantly provide instant relief and a direction towards a healthy lifestyle. With access to advanced treatments in metro cities, for e.g., PSI in shoulder replacement surgery Mumbai, you can take the leap of faith as they offer more customized and effective treatment, rather than the old traditional surgery methodologies.

Let us now delve into the knowhow of a new age shoulder replacement surgery and how it can give patients like you, a new hope for a better tomorrow.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Know-How

First, you should know how a shoulder replacement surgery works and what it entails. It basically involves substitution of the shoulder joint with artificial implants. It is a ball and socket joint, and replacement surgeries prioritize on crafting these structures to reinstate mobility and relieve pain. The surgical methodology is generally recommended for-

Bad Fractures: Comminuted breaks in the shoulder bones that cannot be healed with home remedies (or other treatments).
Chronic rotator cuff tears: where the muscle around the joint are severely damaged, making it nearly impossible to lift your arm because of pain / weakness.
Severe Arthritis: Specifically, Osteoarthritis (the wear and tear that happens with age), where the cushions between the bones of your shoulder joint wears away, causing stiffness and pain.
Patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis suffers from an autoimmune condition where their respective immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation and ache.
Avascular necrosis: where the patient is suffering since his or her bone tissue continues to expire with time, due to reduced blood flow.
Previous Failed Surgery Attempt:

Types of Shoulder Replacement Surgeries:

There are different forms of shoulder replacement surgeries. Any experienced shoulder replacement surgeon in Mumbai would suggest the one that best suits your condition. Let us go through them so that you have a comprehensive understanding beforehand-

Total Shoulder Replacement – In this case, both the socket (glenoid) and the ball (top of the upper arm bone) are changed. This surgical procedure is mostly recommended for patients suffering from chronic arthritis or extensive impairment to both portions of the shoulder joint.
Partial Shoulder Replacement – Also known as hemiarthroplasty, is a procedure where only the ball end of the shoulder joint is substituted. This will be the apt surgery for patients who have damaged ball portion but a rather healthy socket like in some fractures.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement – In the case of reverse shoulder replacement, the positions of the ball and socket joint are interchanged. The socket is affixed to the shoulder blade, while the ball is positioned on the upper arm bone.

If you visit to a renowned hospital in a metro city like Mumbai, the best shoulder replacement doctors will ensure that you get the most suited surgery according to your shoulder condition. You can also find one at one from our platform at shoulderandkneeclinic.com.

Steps Involved in the Complete Surgical Procedure

Since a complete and successful shoulder replacement surgery improves your overall wellbeing, let go through the step-by-step methodology-

Pre-surgery consultation: Prior taking you to the operation theatre, the doctors will take X-rays and conduct other tests like MRI scans and CT scans to evaluate bone structure, joint mobility and critical tissues. This will give them the data to identify the overall damage happened to your shoulder. High chances that they will also have a conversation with you about your medical history and any medications that you are already following.
Anesthesia: Like any other pre-surgery routine, you will be undergoing through anesthesia. This will help you to sleep, ensuring that you won’t be feeling any pain during the actual surgery commences.
Proceeding with Incision: The shoulder replacement surgeon will proceed with the cut from the front or back end of your shoulder to access the affected joint.
Eliminating Damaged Portions: The worn-out portions of the joint will be removed by the surgeon. This completely depends on the type of shoulder replacement operation.
Positioning Artificial Parts: The removed parts are substituted with artificial components made of high-end plastic/ ceramic and metal that substitute natural bones and ligaments. These new portions blend together to form a seamless and functioning joint.
Closing the Incision: In the end, the shoulder replacement surgeon will stitch back the incision or use staples and cover it with bandages, till the area heals by itself.

A Pathway towards Recovery, post-Surgery

Whether you have gone through a shoulder replacement surgery in Mumbai, or any other part of the world, the post-recovery process takes time for any patient who have undergone through it. Here’s what you can expect-

Hospital Period: Most of the patients who undergoes through this surgery stays admitted in the hospital for a day or two, where the respective doctor monitors the patient condition on a periodic basis. You might get the same treatment schedule.
Physical Therapy: This is the second stage and this step is a very crucial one as a first step towards holistic recovery. The involvement of a physical therapist is a much needed one in this stage, where the expert will teach you resistance training towards a better shoulder movement by the day.
Coping with Pain: shoulder replacement per se is not very painful procedure. There may be some amount of pain in the first day of the surgery, but typically from the second day, people are very comfortable.
Periodic visits and follow-ups: Periodic check-ups with your shoulder replacement surgeon are necessary to monitor the condition of your shoulder. At Shoulder and knee clinic, you will be reminded about your follow-up doctor’s appointment till you recover to the fully. This eliminates unnecessary gaps in your treatment and thereby complications.

Benefits of Shoulder Replacement Surgery:

Now comes the better half of the process. To be very brief, after your shoulder replacement surgery and your rehab phase, you will definitely feel a deep sense of positive energy and overall improved quality of your life. Given below are some of the top benefits that every patient gets after their successful shoulder replacement surgery-

Relief from pain – Of course, this is the most obvious part towards going through with the surgery. Most of the patients who undergoes through a successful surgery experiences an exponential decline in feeling uneasiness or pain, allowing their prompt return to a normal daily schedule with regular tasks on their calendar. As mentioned earlier, the artificial parts that generally replaces the original structures are crafted to mimic the natural motion of the shoulder joint, minimizing the discomfort caused by the worn-out tissues.
Enhanced Range of Motion – Suppose a patient have gone through the complete cycle of shoulder replacement surgery in Mumbai or in any other metro city. Post that they will experience a substantial development in the range of motion. For patient who have been suffering from arthritis or fracture, the surgery can restore the joint’s operations back to normal. Boosted mobility enables patients to perform everyday chores and can involve themselves in recreational activities.
Experience a better quality of life – With reinstated mobility and seamless shoulder function, patients often lead a healthy and enhanced quality of life. Activities that was barred from their life (like- grocery shopping, lifting books and household appliances) once, became a piece of cake for them. This not only helps them physically but mental too, where they felt seen and included in their community.
Long-term durability – New age shoulder replacement surgeries have levelled up the game and lasts for a long time. Advances in medical technology has brought Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) where the surgical tools and components will rightly suit your personalized surgery catering to the exact anatomical measurements of your joints. This custom shoulder replacement methodology has proven its benefits over the years which sums up to-
Surgeons felt more comfortable executing the surgery with highest precision, leading to more success rates.
The above condition, leading to reduced surgery time.
Patients have reported faster recovery phase as compared to their traditional surgery counterparts. With proper physical therapy and rehab practices, patients can completely heal within a few months.

By now you might have got a gist how a successful shoulder replacement surgery reaps many benefits along with enhancing the quality of life. And if you are among those who are suffering from shoulder joint pains, this procedure might help you get back to your old lifestyle in no time.

You can also opt for the best shoulder replacement doctor in Mumbai from shoulderandkneeclinic.com to consult- whether you actually need to consider surgery or not. And even if you do, what kind of surgery should you need or is it only PSI procedure that will only suit you. Clarify these doubts at the earliest to get the best results.

Frozen Shoulder: What is it and How Can It Be Treated?

December 6, 2024 by Aditya Sai

Frozen Shoulder - Shoulder and Knee Clinic

Know-how: Frozen Shoulder

People also call this disease as adhesive capsulitis, which is usually the feeling of uneasiness and pain in the shoulder joint. This makes the shoulder joint painful. Proper physical therapy from a reliable physician should ease the issues within 3 years.

It has a complex anatomy which comprises of a ball and socket joint, including parts-

Humerus (Upper arm bone)
Clavicle (Collarbone)
Scapula (Shoulder blade)

Generally, people (especially women) who are prone to frozen shoulder are in the 40 – 60 age bracket. There can be multiple reasons behind the cause, but if it persists for a prolonged period, a medical consultation (from shoulder specialist) at the earliest is recommended.

Symptoms

Pain occurring from a frozen shoulder generally identifies itself as-

Generally aching or dullness
Gradually worsens in its initial days, especially when you try to move your shoulder
Normally affects the outer shoulder area and occasionally in the upper arm

So generally, it has three stages (in chronological order)-

Freezing – Where significant limitation to your shoulder movement happens with excruciating pain. Typically lasts from 7 weeks to 9 months.
Frozen – Pain increases and lasts up to 6 months. You will be barred from daily activities.
Thawing – Condition improves with time. Anywhere between 6 months – 2 years.

Causes

The sad news is- there is no clear statement as to the cause of a frozen shoulder. But you can prevent it by mitigating the trigger factors like-

Diabetes: Diabetic patients tend to catch frozen shoulder disease more than normal people. The suffering tenure is much more before it hits the “thawing” stage.
Some other groups are at risk such as those suffering from hyperthyroidism, cardiac diseases, etc
Sometimes after an injury, people tend to keep the shoulders immobile leading to a frozen shoulder. So, it is recommended to those patients- to work those shoulders as much as possible.

Home Care

You can tackle your frozen shoulder at home by-

Implementation of cold compresses or warm ones alternatively. For heat application try to utilize a damp towel from a microwave or a heating pad. Apply at most 20 mins, three times a day.

Try to avoid direct ice in terms of cold treatment. The frequency remains the same as the hot one.

Stretching helps a lot! Seek a professional physician who can guide you to do certain kinds of stretching at home. Sometimes this includes a rubber stretching band too and will discuss this in the later section of this blog.

Various forms of Shoulder Treatments

Earlier, some non-surgical shoulder treatments have already been discussed in the home care section. Apart from that there are a few injections-

Steroid: Some medics prescribe cortisone (anti-inflammatory medicine)
Hydrodilatation- where a sterile fluid is injected into the shoulder joint to stretch the shoulder joint capsule.

In terms of surgical treatments, you should first consider consulting with an experienced arthroscopic surgeon from reliable platforms like- shoulderandkneeclinic.com. And it normally commences during the second stage i.e. “frozen”. Anesthetic measures are taken where the goal of the shoulder surgeon is to ease the stiffened joint capsule.

Stretches that are specific to frozen shoulder

One way to mitigate the pain is to stretch by leaning forward while keeping your arms at your respective sides. As you lean, you can keep one arm at a table for support and move the other in a circle around five times in one direction and five times in the other rotation.
With your hurt arm, try to lift the weight of your good hand, up to your chest level and hold it for around 10 seconds. Repeat at least 10 times a day.
You can go for a towel stretch and inward or outward rotations, but you should consult an experienced physician before going for these shoulder treatments.