4 common orthopedic problems that may affect you, ladies

Orthopedic problems can impact women more than men, which is why it is essential to watch out for these common ones before they go out of hand.
carpal tunnel
Know how to recognise carpal tunnel syndrome. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Veerendra Mudnoor Updated: 30 Oct 2023, 11:10 am IST
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Although the word orthopedic holds its origin in a Greek word relating to deformities in children; in modern times, it can be associated with a common problem in adults, especially women. Orthopedic problems are injuries and diseases that affect the muscle system.

Your body’s framework involves the muscles, bones, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues. Injury to any of these tissues, or formations can come from persistent orthopedic diseases, and it affects women more than men.

osteoporosis
Bone-related problems can occur with age. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here are the most common orthopedic problems that women need to be aware of:

1. Osteoporosis:

Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men, because the hormonal changes at menopause directly affect bone density. The female hormone estrogen is crucial for healthy bones. After menopause, estrogen levels go down, leading to a rapid decrease in bone density. As per research, it is estimated that over 200 million people have osteoporosis worldwide.

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease associated with bone density loss and an enlarged risk of fractures. As women begin to age, their estrogen levels start to diminish. This drift-off is notable, especially around menopause. One of the complications is a decrease in bone density.

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome:

A painful state of the hand and fingers brought out by condensing a vital nerve that passes over the carpal bones. It may be caused by continual repetitive motion or by fluid retention.

The signs include swelling, pain, tingling, and loss of strength in the wrist and hand. Women are three times more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome than men. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most frequently diagnosed between 30 and 60. Health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis raise the possibility of developing it further.

Also Read:5 common age-related pains you must not ignore

frozen shoulder
Keep exercising to relieve shoulder pain. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Frozen shoulder:

Adhesive capsulitis is another name for frozen shoulder. As part of this condition, the shoulder limits the range of motion. Frozen shoulder is caused when the tissues in the shoulder joint become thicker and tighter, and scar tissue develops over time. As a result of this, the shoulder joint will not have enough space to rotate properly. Some of its symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness. Treatment for frozen shoulder involves stretch exercises and, sometimes, corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint capsule.

4. Spondylitis:

Spondylitis is a term for a group of chronic arthritis-type diseases that conditions the joints of the spine and sacroiliac region. It’s the inflammation and swelling in spinal bones or the backbone. It might also leave the spine hunched in acute cases. There’s no cure for spondylitis, but medication and exercise can relieve the pain and help keep the back strong. Some of the symptoms of spondylitis are pain and stiffness in the lower back, buttocks, shoulders, hands, rib cage, and hips.

The treatment for orthopedic conditions may vary depending on the issue. Nonetheless, orthopedic treatments have common objectives and approaches, including rectifying physical problems, such as walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, etc., alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and averting future crises. Many orthopedic states can lead to disability and chronic problems without timely treatment or insufficient recovery.

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About the Author

Dr Veerendra Mudnoor M.S.(Ortho), F.I.A.S., F.I.J.R, Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kondapur-Hyderabad ...Read More

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