Understanding Ulnar Nerve Subluxation: Post-Surgery Concerns and Solutions
Ulnar nerve subluxation Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my ulnar nerve subluxation. It has been over a month since I underwent surgery at the hospital, and while I can move my elbow freely, I noticed that when I bend it beyond 90 degrees, the nerve still subluxates. When...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Was your surgery performed to reduce nerve compression? If so, it is not a concern if there are no symptoms of ulnar nerve compression. The doctor may have performed a nerve transposition and decompression surgery for you.[Read More] Understanding Ulnar Nerve Subluxation: Post-Surgery Concerns and Solutions
Should You Remove Steel Plates and Screws After Fracture Surgery?
Should the metal plate and screws be removed? A year ago, I was hit by a car, resulting in both bones in my lower leg being fractured. The doctor said it was an open comminuted fracture, which was very serious. Initially, 15 metal screws were inserted, especially near the ankle w...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Arthritis is not related to bone screws. If there is pain or discomfort at the site of the bone screw, it is possible to remove the screw. After removal, it is important to protect the area for a period of time.[Read More] Should You Remove Steel Plates and Screws After Fracture Surgery?
Understanding Intermittent Lower Left Back Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Back muscle pain Hello, doctor! For the past few days, I've been experiencing pain in the lower middle area of my left back (around the spot where we feel soreness after bending over to clean for a while and then standing up straight). However, the pain is not constant; it o...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
It could be myofascial pain syndrome in the back, and you can see an orthopedic specialist.[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Lower Left Back Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Post-Fracture Recovery: Key Questions After Wrist Surgery
Post-fracture surgery Hello, doctor. I had a car accident on February 7th and sustained a fracture of the radius near the wrist. The following day, on February 8th, I underwent surgery to implant a steel pin. My attending physician reviewed the X-rays and said the surgery was ver...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. If the implanted steel pins are well-fixed, rehabilitation can begin the day after surgery. 2. If the fracture surgery is well-aligned, the likelihood of developing post-traumatic arthritis will be lower, and there will be less pain in the future. 3. There is no need to us...[Read More] Post-Fracture Recovery: Key Questions After Wrist Surgery
Understanding Ankle Sprain Recovery: Symptoms and Healing Process
Condition after an ankle sprain? I sprained my ankle about four weeks ago after stepping into a hole. The bruising has subsided, and sometimes I can stand on my tiptoes, but at other times it still hurts. I can jump occasionally, but sometimes I feel pain in the tendons at the ba...
Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
Hello, indeed your ankle sprain has not fully healed after four weeks. Generally, ankle sprains take about 2-3 months for complete recovery. Therefore, it is still not advisable for you to engage in intense running or jumping activities. Wishing you a speedy recovery.[Read More] Understanding Ankle Sprain Recovery: Symptoms and Healing Process
Understanding Complications After Distal Radius Fractures: Pain in Shoulder and Back
Distal radius fracture sequelae Hello Dr. Shi, thank you for your response. I am the one who inquired about the distal radius fracture in my right hand on February 13. You mentioned that typically, bone screws are not removed and do not affect function. In the absence of any func...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Pain in the right shoulder and right upper back may be related to a contusion or strain, as well as a fracture near the right wrist. Additionally, using a sling can affect the tendons or nerves in the right shoulder or back, potentially leading to impaired movement.[Read More] Understanding Complications After Distal Radius Fractures: Pain in Shoulder and Back
Understanding Post-Fracture Pain: Right Wrist Injury and Shoulder Issues
Distal radius fracture of the right hand? Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask you the following: I suffered a distal radius fracture in my right wrist due to a car accident a year and a half ago. I underwent surgery and had titanium metal fixation, which has not been removed. Howe...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Bone screws typically do not need to be removed as they do not affect function. However, if it can be determined that the bone screw is causing an issue, then it should be removed.[Read More] Understanding Post-Fracture Pain: Right Wrist Injury and Shoulder Issues
Understanding Post-Surgery Issues with Bone Pins: Normal or Complications?
Postoperative issues with metal screws? I am not entirely sure about the definition of a protruding screw, so I would like to ask. I fractured my scapula at the end of December. After surgery, I recently felt the shape of the screw when touching the area of the incision and stitc...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
It is necessary to compare the front and back X-ray images to accurately determine if the nail is protruding. If the nail is significantly protruding and causing redness and swelling on the skin, it also indicates that it is indeed protruding.[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Issues with Bone Pins: Normal or Complications?
Understanding Ankle Sprains: Recovery Tips and Exercise Guidelines
Ankle sprain from a fall? Last Thursday night, while rehearsing for a play, I accidentally fell down the stairs from the backstage and twisted my ankle. That night, I went to see a doctor, but he hardly said anything and didn't take an X-ray. He just lightly examined my ankl...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Ankle joint injuries may involve ligament damage, typically requiring six weeks of rest. Physical activity should be limited, and for intense exercise, it may take up to three months. An ankle brace can be worn during this period.[Read More] Understanding Ankle Sprains: Recovery Tips and Exercise Guidelines
Should You Seek Medical Attention After a Stair Fall Injury?
Fell down the stairs? Hello, Doctor. This morning, I accidentally fell down the stairs (about 3 or 4 steps) and hit my spine (approximately 5 centimeters above the pelvis). The area where I hit my spine is about 5 to 7 centimeters in size, slightly red and bruised, and a bit pain...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
If the pain persists and affects the lower back, it is advisable to suspect a spinal fracture and go to the hospital for an X-ray to observe the condition.[Read More] Should You Seek Medical Attention After a Stair Fall Injury?
Recovering from Patellar Fracture: Tips for Muscle Regeneration and Emotional Well-being
Comminuted fracture of the patella, with remaining iron wire fixation after screw placement? Hello Doctor, I was in a car accident on September 21, 2017, and my left patella was severely shattered. It has been over four months since then, and I have been using crutches to walk wi...
Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, 1. In principle, patellar fractures can bear weight. Initially, you should avoid bending and actively straightening (including straightening while suspended) both movements. 2. This condition often leads to a decline in thigh muscle strength and muscle atrophy, which i...[Read More] Recovering from Patellar Fracture: Tips for Muscle Regeneration and Emotional Well-being
Can Improper Full Body Massage Cause Lumbar Spine Issues?
Improper full-body massage can potentially harm the lumbar spine? Hello, Doctor: I purchased a full-body massage course in mid-May last year, but after several months of massage, I started experiencing soreness, tingling, and numbness in my lower body. I am only 27 years old and ...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Herniated discs are usually caused by the aging of the intervertebral discs combined with excessive strain on the lower back, and they are unrelated to massage. It is advisable to refrain from massage for the time being and seek treatment from a physician instead.[Read More] Can Improper Full Body Massage Cause Lumbar Spine Issues?
Understanding Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Sciatica? Hello, Doctor. Since the end of 2016, I've been experiencing a feeling of fullness in my left buttock and left thigh after sitting for a long time. There is some pain when pressure is applied to the buttock. At that time, I was diagnosed with autonomic nervous syst...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
The diagnosis from a computed tomography (CT) scan is quite accurate. Your symptoms may be related to myofascial pain syndrome. If the symptoms persist, it is recommended that you consult a neurologist.[Read More] Understanding Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Post-Cast Care for Fifth Metatarsal Fracture: Walking and Healing Tips
Removal of cast for fifth metatarsal fracture? Hello, Doctor: I sustained a non-displaced closed fracture of the fifth metatarsal on December 23, 2017. Due to work obligations in Japan, I had to return there for rest and recovery. On January 5, 12, and 19, 2018, I had three layer...
Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
Hello, I also agree with the explanation provided by the Japanese physician. You can walk slowly without pain, and if you experience pain, then you should wear the U-shaped splint. Currently, if you are walking without pain, there is no need to wear protective gear, and it will n...[Read More] Post-Cast Care for Fifth Metatarsal Fracture: Walking and Healing Tips
Understanding Pain Behind the Knee and Groin: Possible Causes and Solutions
Pain in the muscles behind the knee and in the groin area? Hello: After squatting for five minutes and then standing up (to have a bowel movement), I experience soreness in the back of my "right knee" as if there is a tendon that is painful, and at that moment, my knee ...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
If the muscle tendon feels tight or there is a possibility of inflammation, you can try rehabilitation. If that doesn't help, then consider consulting a physician.[Read More] Understanding Pain Behind the Knee and Groin: Possible Causes and Solutions
Can Walking Be Possible Without a Hip Joint After Removal?
Is it possible to walk after completely removing an artificial hip joint without replacing it with a new one? Hello Dr. Shih, my father is 78 years old and is on dialysis. A couple of years ago, after suffering from inflammation of a prosthetic hip joint that he had for over twen...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. You are correct, but walking is still possible with the use of assistive devices (this surgical method is called the Girdlestone operation). 2. This approach is available; if an infection occurs and the artificial joint cannot be healed or preserved, it can be managed this wa...[Read More] Can Walking Be Possible Without a Hip Joint After Removal?
Understanding Compression Fractures: Are They Congenital or Tumor-Related?
Congenital spinal development issues? Compression fractures? Hello, Doctor. I am a 28-year-old male. Recently, I experienced chest and back pain for several months, which led me to visit a hospital and consult a neurologist. The doctor ordered an X-ray of my lumbar spine, and dur...
Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
Hello, your spine may have developed naturally, so there is no need to worry too much. However, there is indeed a possibility of a tumor causing a vertebral fracture. Therefore, it is still recommended that you undergo an MRI examination.[Read More] Understanding Compression Fractures: Are They Congenital or Tumor-Related?
Understanding Clavicle Fractures: Healing Challenges and Treatment Options
Clavicle fracture Hello, doctor. I was in a car accident on November 19, 2017, after 12 PM, where a small car collided with a mountain wall and flipped over. I was sitting on the far left, and there were two other guys pressing against me. Everyone else was fine, but I ended up w...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
If a clavicle fracture is treated conservatively, there is a high chance of gradual healing with callus formation within approximately three months. If pain persists beyond three months and there are no signs of callus formation, surgical intervention should be considered. Since ...[Read More] Understanding Clavicle Fractures: Healing Challenges and Treatment Options
Preventive Vertebroplasty: Is It Right for Your Osteoporosis Risk?
Preventive bone cement injection Dear Dr. Lee, My mother is currently 68 years old. Recently, she underwent a bone density test, which revealed an average lumbar spine bone density value of -3.2 (T score). Aside from mild hypertension, she does not have any other medical conditi...
Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
Hello, I do not recommend performing prophylactic vertebroplasty. This procedure is still considered invasive and carries risks, such as infection and cement leakage leading to nerve compression. Denosumab (Prolia) is commonly used in clinical practice and is effective for treati...[Read More] Preventive Vertebroplasty: Is It Right for Your Osteoporosis Risk?
Understanding Lateral Leaning of the Lower Back While Standing
When standing, there is an issue with lateral leaning of the lower back? In the past, I remember my waist being symmetrical when standing, but now it tends to tilt to one side. However, when I sit, the degree of tilt decreases, and when I lie down, my body appears normal. Previou...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
If a patient has a herniated lumbar disc, undergoing rehabilitation and medication treatment for a period of time may lead to improvement. If there is no improvement, surgical intervention should be considered, and the patient should consult a physician for further management opt...[Read More] Understanding Lateral Leaning of the Lower Back While Standing