Top 5 Benefits of Compression Sleeves

This article has moved!

Visit https://www.mmarmedical.com/Top-5-Benefits-of-Compression-Sleeves-s/1447.htm

 

The 5 Most Memorable Knee Injuries of All Time

This article has moved!!

Visit https://www.mmarmedical.com/acl-knee-injury-guide-s/1422.htm

Top Four Knee Braces for Watersports

This post has moved!

Visit: https://www.mmarmedical.com/watersports-knee-strength-and-braces-s/1420.htm

How to Treat Arthritis with a Cold Therapy System

A cold therapy system is an effective treatment option for those who suffer from arthritis. Cold therapy relieves your symptoms and helps you slow the progression of your arthritis.

 

Understanding Arthritis

 

Arthritis is something that most people deal with eventually. There are over 100 different types of the condition. A diagnosis of arthritis simply means that something is wrong with at least one of your joints. Knowing how our joints work is the first step in understanding arthritis.

Inside our joints, ligaments hold the bones together. These stretch like elastic when we move our joints. Bones are padded with cartilage so that they do not rub directly against each other. This is what allows for smooth and painless mobility. Also, each of our joints is surrounded by a capsule called the synovial membrane, and is filled with synovial fluid. This liquid provides nourishment to the joint as a whole – especially to the cartilage.

 

Arthritis is characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness, redness and warmth. There are two common types:

 

• Rheumatoid arthritis

 

• Osteoarthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of joint inflammation. For unknown reasons, the synovial membrane is attacked by the body’s own immune system. Unlike Osteoarthritis, it usually affects both sides of the body. For example, it occurs in both hands or in both knees.

Osteoarthritis is a stiffening of the cartilage. Stiff cartilage means fragile cartilage. Not only does the cartilage smooth the joint movement, but it is also a shock absorber. Stiffened cartilage will suffer from wear and tear much more quickly than healthy cartilage. As cartilage wears away, the ligaments become over-stretched resulting in pain. Given enough time and cartilage loss, the bones will actually rub against each other. This bone-on-bone friction causes very severe pain.

 

What are Cold Therapy Systems?

 

The purpose of a cold therapy system is to cool isolated body parts for extended periods.

Cooling methods include:

• Automated flow of ice water through a cuff or other wearable device

• Clothing, gloves or braces designed to accommodate ice packs

• an electrical cooling element inside a device designed to fit specific body parts

 

How do Cold Therapy Systems Help with Arthritis?

 

Cold applications reduce swelling and inflammation by constricting blood vessels. Slowing blood flow to the area, cold therapy reduces the buildup of fluids. It will also stimulate the release of endorphins, which lower the number of pain signals that are sent to the brain. This combined effect will numb even deep arthritic discomfort. Cold therapy systems are especially helpful when pain flares up after activity.

Unfortunately, arthritis causes many people to avoid physical activity. Limited activity leads to many health problems, but it also makes arthritis worse. Weight gain and the loss of strength cause joints to hurt even more. To keep your joints flexible, you have to keep them moving. 

 

The use of a cold therapy system relieves the pain. This also allows you to go about your business without dedicating a hand to keep your compress on. Most importantly, it allows you to be active. You will be able to exercise the affected joint throughout your daily routine. Cold therapy systems make exercise a possibility for people who would be in too much pain otherwise. Exercise helps bone and cartilage health. Strengthened muscles take pressure off your joints. All these benefits of exercise greatly reduce the progressive nature of arthritis.

 

Prescriptions are not required cold therapy systems, but it is a good idea to speak with your doctor before using any cold compress for more than 20 minutes at a time.

 

Some patients find that combining heat therapy with a cold therapy system provides extra relief, though this is not the case for everyone. Some people get more arthritis relief from cold therapy systems alone.

 

There is no cure for arthritis, but we can slow its progression. Remember, the most important thing is to stay mobile. Practice range of motion stretches and get exercise. If arthritic pain has kept you from these activities, a cold therapy system can make them possible again.

TLSO – The Boston Brace – Spinal Support That Heals

Treatments to correct injuries and disorders of the spine can vary widely, but in many instances a back brace is an effective method for allowing patients to minimize pain, correct irregularities, speed recovery and/or regain an active lifestyle.

TLSO Braces are prescribed to patients of all ages with spinal irregularities ranging in a wide degree of severity. TLSO stands for Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis and this type of brace is often referred to as a “Boston Brace.”

Children with scoliosis are most often prescribed a TLSO brace. These braces provide back support and limit the progression of a spinal curvature as the individual grows. The Boston Brace is the most common back brace in use for scoliosis treatment. It corrects curvatures with small pads that are fitted against the ribs. The body is held upright and experiences pressure towards the front of the brace body. It extends from the hip to the tip of the shoulder blade. Most patients wear the brace for 20 to 23 hours each day. It can be removed to participate in physical activities, however. The Boston Brace is most effective in treating curves in the lumbar and thoraco-lumbar area of the spine.

Back braces can come in two different forms – soft and rigid. The Boston Brace is a rigid brace, often comprised of molded plastic which is specifically fitted to the patient.

In addition to scoliosis, the TLSO or Boston Brace is commonly used to help patients that have experienced a fracture or undergone fusion operations. A TLSO minimizes discomfort for the patient and actually assist in the healing process.

There are also back braces that feature slight variations of the standard TLSO Brace. The Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis Brace is one example. This brace is similar to the Boston Brace in the method of support it utilizes. However, it incorporates bars which extend from the body towards the head. Attached to these bars is a ring designed to support the patient's neck. This brace is still considered a form of the TLSO Brace. Some patients benefit from wearing braces throughout the night. To minimize discomfort and encourage a good night of sleep, patients are often prescribed a Charleston Bending Brace. This brace is molded specifically to the body of the patient as well.

Choosing the right type of brace depends heavily upon the condition and specific support needed. Physicians are an invaluable resource for guiding patients in their choice of equipment. Most back braces can be outfitted with additional accessories to provide more stability in certain areas of the spine. These accessories include items such as lateral shoulder supports. A variety of plastics and technological advances have also allowed for the development of braces that are less visible, more supportive and can easily be worn under clothing.

Clavicle/Collarbone Injuries in Sports

A broken collarbone, or clavicle fracture, is one of the most common injuries that athletes face when competing in contact and even non-contact sports.

What is the clavicle? The clavicle is a long bone that runs between the scapula, or shoulder blade, and the sternum.

What causes clavicle fractures? A common cause of clavicle fracture is the stress that the collarbone suffers when a person stretches out his or her arm to break a fall; in this case, most of the weight of one's body is distributed to the collarbone, which can then snap under the pressure. Additionally, a fall directly to the shoulder area, or any direct blow to that region can cause a serious collarbone injury to an athlete.

Symptoms of clavicle fracture can include pain at the site of fracture, restricted arm motion, and discolored skin around the affected area. For serious collarbone injuries, you might be able to see the fracture because of the bone misalignment. A doctor will perform an X-ray to determine the severity and properly diagnose a clavicle fracture.

Who is likely to incur this type of injury? Athletes at all levels of competition, from football and cycling to equestrian and skateboarding. Clavicle fractures have been suffered by the likes of NFL quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Tony Romo and put out wide receiver Danny Amendola just this past NFL season.

How to avoid a collarbone injury? Though clavicle fractures, like any other types of bone fractures, are unavoidable in certain cases, there are steps that can be taken to lessen their likelihood and minimize the potential for risk.

• Ensure you intake the recommend amounts of Calcium and Vitamin D, nutrients that bolster bone integrity. Lacking these essential dietary components can put you at higher risk of clavicle fracture and could require longer recovery time.
• Develop the protective muscle tissue around the clavicle. Because the clavicle is supported by stabilizing muscles, those who do not get enough exercise to develop this protective muscle tissue may also have a higher change of clavicle fracture.
• Wear proper padding and protection during practice and competition.

What is treatment like? Treatment is relatively simple and usually does not require surgery. Additionally, recovery time is not terribly long - typically, healing will occur in about 2 - 4 weeks for children and 4 - 8 weeks for adults. For most sufferers of clavicle fractures, a cervical sling, splint, cervical brace or other type of support needs to be worn throughout the recovery process in order to restrict the fractured bone from moving.

MMAR Medical offers several different types of collar braces, including a hook-and-loop style that is buckled around the wearer's back, a front-closure splint that contains padding in the clavicle area, and a figure-eight splint with a prong buckle front closure. With the proper use of a brace, those who have suffered clavicle fractures can usually avoid surgery for their condition so long as the affected area is adequately protected and does not suffer any additional trauma.

Annular Tear Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What Is an Annual Tear?
An annular tear is a tear in somewhere in the annulus fibrosus. This is a ligament that makes up the capsule of the disc that’s found between the vertebrae. These discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, which are bony, and allow the spine to move and to absorb shocks. The discs are made up not only of the annulus fibrosus, but the nucleus polposus, which is inside the disc. The inner annulus and the nucleus have no nerves and so can’t feel pain, but the outside of the annulus does have nerves and the person may feel pain if it’s injured. However, sometimes an annular tear doesn't produce pain.

Symptoms
If the annular tear produces pain, it will be because the substance in the nucleus polposus has leaked out and come into contact with the nerves. This causes the body to react through an inflammatory response. The disc might also have ruptured or might be bulging between the vertebrae. This will cause a sharp pain in the back, and numbness, tingling and weakness felt in a leg or the legs. Any sudden movement, including sneezing or coughing, can make the pain worse. The pain is eased when the person stands up and is still.

Causes
Annular tears can be caused by the normal wear and tear of aging. The tear can begin as a small hole that doesn’t cause problems, but it may enlarge. If it enlarges, the gel-like substance of the nucleus can begin to leak out. Sports, especially contact sports like football, can also lead to annular tears. Annular tears can also be caused by very strenuous exercise, especially that which requires lifting heavy objects or bending. Being overweight and obese can put stress on the spine and lead to an annual tear as well.

Diagnosis
The tear can be diagnosed by a doctor using an X ray or a CT scan. The doctor can also inject a dye into the nucleus, which will show the extent of the damage. An annular tear can be rated from zero, which means that the disc is normal, to 6, which means that the tear is large enough for the nucleus to leak.

Treatment
Sometimes an annular tear will heal spontaneously, and create scar tissue that, to an extent, keeps the nucleus from leaking. Sometimes the patient can apply a cold therapy pad or compress to the area. These can be applied several times a day in 15 minute sessions. After that, replace cold with a thermal wrap or compresses can be applied to the injured area. The patient can also take NSAIDs like ibuprofen to ease the pain. Unlike a lot of back problems, an annular tear isn’t helped much by resting in bed. Long periods of time in bed can only weaken the back muscles.

A physiotherapist might recommend exercises, massages and hydrotherapy. Though surgery is usually not needed for this type of an injury, surgery can be undertaken if nothing else works. During recovery, the patient will be fitted with a lower back brace or a soft lumbar support. Most patients do recover from annular tears and can make lifestyle changes, like taking up exercise and losing weight, to prevent them from happening in the future.

To learn more about annular tears, visit the MMAR Medical Annulus tear or sprain article in our injury library.

Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace Review

To treat knee complications such as a ligament injuries or arthritic pain, the Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace can provide significant relief through a combination of compression, stabilization and heat therapy. As a rehabilitation brace, the Swede-O helps to stabilize the knee, alleviating pain and facilitating proper alignment for easier and more comfortable walking. It can also relieve pressure that arises from ailments such as strain injuries, arthritis, and other knee problems. The Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace is an ideal product to maintain a strong and stable knee for smooth, pain-free function in the activities of everyday life.

As the only authorized supplier of Thermoskin products, Swede-O is a leader in the field of heat therapy. The Open Wrap Knee Brace by Swede-O contains Thermoskin Thermal Supports that increase the temperature of the knee beneath the skin. Only Thermoskin products have demonstrated the ability to raise the knee temperature by 2 to 3 degrees, which results in a maximal benefit of heat therapy. Indeed, a temperature of approximately one or two degrees above the normal body temperature is the optimal heat level for superior muscular function. Also, the Trixion lining of the Thermoskin supports is a patented technology that sustains the heat within the knee while simultaneously ventilating the area to hinder perspiration. As a consequence of the ventilating abilities of Trixion lining, the Swede-O knee brace keeps moisture away from the knee and allows for pleasant long-term wear.

Additional features of the Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace set it apart from competitive forms of knee therapy. For example, the Swede-O knee brace contains side spirals along the length of the brace and on either side of the knee for secure support and walking stability. Also, the Swede-O knee brace wraps around the knee and fastens above and below the knee with adjustable velcro straps. An opening in the brace over the patella, or the knee cap, allows for added ventilation and thus a dryer and more comfortable long-term usage. The brace's circular opening over the patella reduces knee pressure and prevents the brace from exacerbating any possible bruises or tenderness in the knee as well. Further, the brace opens and closes along its entire anterior, a feature that cooperates with the popliteal, or knee, opening to provide the highest level of comfortable flexibility and the widest range of motion that is possible.

In addition to aiding in walking stability, the Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap helps alleviate pain associated with injury, osteoarthritis, and even previously standard knee braces. It administers compression to the knee, excluding the patella, and increases circulation as a catalyst to the healing and pain-relief processes. The dryness provided by the ventilated Trixion lining also serves to prevent rashes and other cutaneous, or skin, irritations. The neoprene lining material used in conventional knee braces does not allow moisture to escape, facilitating excessive perspiration and thus irritations and odors.

This heat therapy knee brace is conveniently available in a vast range of sizes to suit every body type. The sizes span from extra-small to quintuple extra large, and proper sizing is based on the measurement of the circumference in inches of the area below the knee cap while the knee is slightly bent. From 10.25 inches to 27.75 inches, Swede-O offers a knee brace to fit every measurement within said inclusive interval. The Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace is also conveniently washable, and it comes with a craftsmanship guarantee that lasts for six months. It helps to alleviate arthritis or injury pain while stabilizing the knee for proper function in daily activities. Its unique and innovative Thermoskin and Trixion technologies make Swede-O stand out from the crowd as the leading distributor of heat therapy products. The Swede-O Thermoskin Open Wrap Knee Brace is available for nearly any body type, truly helping the knee and allowing each patient to resume a normal life as soon as possible.

Top Winter Sports Injuries & How to Prevent Them

This article has moved!!

Visit https://www.mmarmedical.com/how-to-prevent-skiing-and-snowboarding-injuries-s/1421.htm

Donjoy Patella Stabilizer Product Review

A knee cap injury does not have to put you on the sidelines. Serious athletes still want to move while recovering, and the Donjoy Patella Stabilizer helps protect mild patella damages while allowing more freedom than other braces.

Whether you slide into home, glide down mountains or run laps around your neighborhood track, the Donjoy Patella Stabilizer is designed to comfort and project your knee, allowing for recovery and preventing further damage and unnecessary pair. The brace is constructed with tubular buttresses that create a "J" and run parallel to the knee. This reduces the chances of dislocations and injuries for cautious athletes. It also keeps the patella in place to avoid accidents or give strength to those trying to heal. The material is made of Lycra with a nylon core and allows airflow without sacrificing support.

Braces often cause irritation in hot climates, and some people have special requirements. Donjoy’s knee cap stabilizer is designed for those in warm locations that want a smooth, light feeling. It is also the only solution for athletes who have neoprene allergies. It is intended to prevent or aid in the treatment of dislocated kneecaps, misalignment, Subluxation and Chondromalacia. One knee injury can destroy a career and cause lifetime pain, so proper prevention and care is crucial for athletes.

Versatile options mean that you will always receive benefit from your stabilizer. The brace can be worn for daily activities and is comfortable for walking, running or resting. The system will not interfere with movement and can be worn while playing soccer, tennis, basketball or other sports. A strap is provided to adjust the brace to allow a unique fit for every individual.

Aluminum hinges give a more secure feel than Velcro or other materials. This allows for more stability when walking and helps restore knee function and provide confidence when moving.

Functionality is one of the biggest benefits of the brace. Many knee cap / joint stabilizers are bulky and do not allow athletes to give their best performance. No one should have to choose performance over safety. The airflow technology also ensures players will not become overheated, itchy, or distracted on the field.

Comfort is a high priority after safety. Athletes will be able to focus on the game and forget they are wearing the brace. It moves with athletes to give support and a positive feel on and off the court.

Downtime is hard on all athletes, but proper healing is crucial for anyone who wants to endure in a given field. The brace reduces time off and aids in recovery. Players can use the Donjoy Patella Stabilizer to adjust to injuries. It is also beneficial when retraining the knee and learning to put weight on it again.

About MMAR Medical Group: MMAR Medical Group Inc. is a supplier of orthopedic medical products including a wide selection of Donjoy braces and supports. For quality knee bracing, please visit www.mmarmedical.com.