The new study, conducted by Dr. Jose Rodriguez, director of the Center for Joint Preservation and Reconstruction, and his colleagues at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, found that hip or total knee replacement surgery improved self-reported sexual function in 90 percent of patients.

The results showed that hip replacements showed a higher rate of improvement in sexual activity than knee replacements, and that more females reported improvement in sexual activity than males did.

Rodriguez decided to create the survey to learn more about how sexual experience was affected by getting a new joint. He said that many patients fear they’ll damage the new joint if they have sex, and are too shy to ask any questions about it.

Now he’s proud to make a point of telling people, after their operations, that: “most of what you want to do — physical and intimate — you can do.”

Joint Replacement Surgery Improves Sex

The participants were complied from two arthroplasty surgeons, who received 147 responses form patients. At total of 116 returned the six-month survey and 65 also sent back the one-year survey. The mean age of patients was around 58 years; there were 69 males and 78 females in the initial group.

Before the surgery, 67 percent of respondents reported having physical problems with sexual activity that included pain and stiffness – 49 percent had reduced sex drive and 14 percent had an inability to attain the necessary position. 91 percent of participants also reported psychological issues such as a lack of well-being and low self-image (53 percent).

After surgery, nearly half of the patients reported an improvement sex; 35 percent said they had increased duration of intercourse; 41 percent reported more frequent sex; 84 percent said they had improved well-being; and 55 percent reported having an improved self-image.
Getting total hip or knee replacement is known to improve overall well-being and self-esteem, which itself can be a turn-on, explained Rodriguez:

“Anything that causes pain and affects how you move is going to influence sexuality,”

Rodrigues did note a few limitations of the study. The findings were based soley on self-report, which could lead to more skewed results. There number of people analyzed was still to few to draw a conclusion.

However, other experts agree that the results would appear to make logic sense. Dr. Giles Scuderi, vice president of orthopedics at North Shore-LIJ Healthcare System in Great Neck, N.Y., said:

“The most important message here is overall performance and self-image are improved. Patients’ lifestyles are definitely better after these surgeries.”

The study was presented Tuesday 19th March at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in Chicago.

And a second study is scheduled to be presented by Swiss researchers. This research showed that patients who recently underwent total hip replacements surgery are more active than were patients who got the procedure a decade ago. This study also found that most of them return to their previous recreational activities, including biking, hiking, swimming and golfing.

TAGS :

However an increasing amount of women are now opting to have cosmetic surgery on their feet to make wearing high-heels a more confortable experience.

Popular surgical procedures include shortening toes, receiving foot injections and removing the little toe completely.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, an estimated 87% of women develop foot problems due to wearing high heels.

Stiletto Cosmetic Surgery for Feet

Patient’s like Susan Deming, who recently underwent a procedure to shortern her toes in her left foot say that unless you’ve experience such pain, it might seem like drastic action to have surgery. However Deming’s condition got so bad that she could not wear high heels or sandals for more than a few minutes without developing calluses and joint pain.

Nevertheless surgeons still advise that foot surgery should only be carried out when patiens stands to benefit medically from the procedure, and not simply for aesthetic reasons.

The American Podiatric Medical Association said in statement:

“Surgical procedures of the foot and ankle are generally performed for relief of pain, restoration of function, and reconstruction of deformities. . . Patients considering surgery of the foot or ankle, whether for medical or aesthetic reasons, are advised to consult a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association…

“Podiatrists performing surgery for medical or aesthetic reasons should have appropriate training, experience, and credentials to properly perform the surgery, manage the post-operative care, and treat the possible complications.” [Fox]

TAGS :

Redskins quarterback, Robert Griffin III, is an athlete that finds himself ready to fight that battle once again after a recent injury during Sunday’s game against the Seahawks required surgery. On Wednesday 9th January 2013, Griffin underwent the procedure to repair his ACL reconstructed for a second time.

Griffin managed to bounce back from his first torn ACL, which he sustained in the third game of the 2009 season. He missed the rest of the year but won the Heisman Trophy in 2011.

Robert Griffin III Undergoes Second Knee Surgery

RGIII is by no means the only person to recover from such an injury. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson underwent reconstructive knee surgery to replace the ACL and repair the MCL in his left knee.

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrew on December 30th 2011. The same surgeon who also performed RGIII’s second surgery.

Despite the severity of his injury, Peterson was able to return to the game to almost break the NFL single season rushing record – an incredible record that has remained unbroken since it was set by Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson in 1984.

Dr. Andrews and Dr. Mark Adickes, the orthopedist who reconstructed Griffin’s ACL in 2009, said that pinpointing a date for RGIII’s return was not an exact science. Aside from the fact that Griffin has already had to recover from such an injury once already, no two athletes are the same, which makes it impossible to tell. However both doctors agreed that he should be ready for the start of the season in September.

Typically it can take a whole year for ligaments to fully heal, that’s why Peterson’s recovery was so remarkable. He tore his ACL in 2011, and was the leagues best in 2012.

Peterson’s focus and intensity in rehab and his natural athletic gifts are what made his quick recovery possible. While it’s clear that RGIII has the same qualities, we’ll just have to wait and see if he can return and keep improving.

TAGS :

The method combines two off-the-shelf and low-cost technologies – electrospinning, a method of creating synthetic polymer-based nano fiber materials, and bioprinting, currently used to create tissues and organs.

On their own electrospun materials don’t promote cellular growth, nor at they flexible enough to mimic the movement of real cartilage, and brioprinted materials aren’t usually strong enough support the loads cartilage carries. But by merging the two systems together, the team realized they could solve those problems.

The new technique prints alternating layers of electrospun fiber and living cells cultivated form rabbit ears. The result is an artificial cartilage pad that is suitable for implanting.

3D Printed Cartilage Implants Could Replace Reconstructive joint Surgery

In the eight-week study, the mice developed living cells around the artificial pad, and tests showed the mechanical strength to be equivalent to natural cartilage.

Damaged cartilage takes a long time to heal, and has almost no ability to regenerate itself. Such an injury can often lead to joint replacement surgery from which most people ever fully regain strength and dexterity.

However the new procedure could provide a way for scientist to 3D print human cartilage and implant it using less invasive, and less invasive procedure. The researchers believe that MRI can be utilized to provide precise guides printing implants specifically tailored to the patient’s body.

While the research may be some years away from being perfected, the team hopes that it will day help many recover from joint injuries faster and more effectively.

The study was published in the medical journal biofabrication.

TAGS :

The robotic prosthesis works by decoding electrical impulses from the muscles in his hamstring. The impluses then trigger motors, belts and chains to mimic the movement of the human knee and ankle.

Using the neural-controlled bionic leg the 31-year-old reached the top of the tower in under one hour, without any breaks.

Vawter completed the climb as part of a charity event called “SkyRise Chicago” hosted by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Vawter said he wanted to give something back to the Rehabilitation Institue, where he is receiving treatment:

‘One of the reasons I wanted to do this was because I was so thankful for everything the RIC have done for me – I wanted to pay them back…

‘Before the accident I loved to run and afterwards I didn’t think I would ever be able to be so active again.

In 2009 before the bionic prosthetic was fully developed, Vawker underwent surgery to amputate his leg and reposition the nerves that would usually carry signals to the lower leg. This surgery, know as ‘targeted muscle reinnervation’, would allow Zac to one day be able to use a bionic leg. And after several more years of development, the prototype was ready for trails.

To prepare for the climb, Vawker and the scientists spent hours adjusting the leg’s movements. After calibrating the prosthetic, he was able to walk around the room, climb stairs and kick a football.

Although researchers from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) are happy with the success of the climb,they noted that the technology is still a few years away from being marketable.

The main concern over throught controlled legs is safety. If a bionic arm fails the results would likely be as harmless as dropping an object, but if a bionic leg were to fail when walking up or down stairs, the subsequent fall could be fatal.

The $8m project is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and involves Vanderbilt University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Rhode Island and the University of New Brunswick.

TAGS :

The zinc oxide paste is better than the various other gelatins used in different dressings as it neither softens nor hardens the dressing. It is important to note that glycerin and calamine lotion may also be present in Unna boots.

Unna’s Boot is commonly used for active patients who are not confined to a wheelchair or bed.

How Unna Boot Works

Medicated Gauze for Sports Injury

Candidates for Unna Boots

Unna Boot Compression Garments

Popular Unna Boot Dressing

Popular Unna Boot Bandage

Primer Unna Boot Dressing

Primer Unna boot is well-known and is used by people to treat burns, edema and various strains and sprains. The zinc oxide paste is coated over the dressing for comfortable. It allows the dressing to neither too soft or too hard It is that it has very finished edges which allows for no threads at the end of the boot to interfere with the treatment and healing.This dressing also comes with calamine which is a useful ingredient to prevent itching.

Gelocast Unna Boot

Gelocast Unna boot is the most popular Unna boot. I also has the best customer reviews from patients. This bandage has a calamine and zinc oxide combination applied over the dressing.The boot allows for faster healing of sores and ulcers while being itch-free.

Tender Wrap Unna Boot

Tender Wrap Unna Boot is a great alternative dressing. It is flexible enough so that you can easily walk and do all the daily chores after application. There is zinc oxide coating over the dressing and it comes with calamine. These can be harder to find than other dressings present in the market.

Unna Flex elastic Unna boot

Unna Flex elastic Unna boot is the most expensive dressing. It consists of a stretchable gauze with zinc oxide application. This bandage will conform perfectly to the shape of the body part it is applied to.

Applying The Unna Boot

Applying Unna Boot Dressing

How To Apply Unna Boot

1. Clean your skin thoroughly using mineral oil, but not use it to clean the wound
2. Position your foot at right angle to the leg
3. Firmly wrap the Unna boot dressing just above the toes
4. Make sure the Unna Boot is not too tight!
5. Continue to wrap the dressing making sure that the heel is completely covered
6. Continue wrapping the leg with the dressing with each layer overlapping the other
7. Stop to wrap the dressing just below the knee
8. While wrapping the dressing smooth the dressing with your free hand along the way
9. Coat the dressing with a soft Kling or Kerlex roll to keep in the coated material
10. After the dressing hardens wrap the elastic roll over the dressing in a 8 pattern

TAGS :

The wheelchair has four-wheel drive, five axes of motion, and robotic legs on which the wheels are attached. The vehicle can also deploy stabilizes, which allow it to turn in tight circles without falling over.

Robotic Wheelchair Climbs Stairs and Over Obstacles

Sensors on the legs and feet measure how big an obstacle is, and even if they don’t calculate the dimensions correctly, the wheels have sensors that kick into action when they touch something. These sensors also measure traction on the wheels. By using a combination of these reading the wheelchair is able to reliably detect the surface ahead.

To operate the wheel chair the user simple pushes a joystick in the direction the wish to go, the onboard sensors then do the rest. The robot also controls the seat so it stays level when moving.

Lead researcher Shuro Nakajima, said

“We were particular about using wheels, because this kind of vehicle will mostly move on ordinary paved surfaces. The most efficient way of getting around on paved surfaces is to use wheels, like a car. So, this robot mainly uses wheels, but the wheels can become legs…

“For now, we’re presenting this system and form as a concept, and the motion has mostly been worked out. So, we’re at the stage where we can show this robot to the world. In the next phase, we’ll get a variety of people to try it, so we can fine-tune the user experience.” [Diginfo]

The chair is still just a prototype, however if the ongoing test prove successful, the robotic wheelchair could revolutionize the way the disabled are able to get around.

TAGS :

Topping of the list of toe and foot plastic surgery procedures is toe shortening and liposuction, but some woman have gone all the way by opting to have toes completely removed.

One of the most common cosmetic procedure for the foot is Liposuction, which is used help slim the toes so they better fit inside pointy high heeled shoes. Toe shortening is also employed for the same reason and although this operation is often performed for cosmetic reasons, it can in certain cases, serve as an effective rehabilitation, or reconstructive procedure.

The increase awareness regarding the detrimental effects of wearing high heeled shoes has also lend to increase in one particular procedure dubbed the Loub Job by designer Christian Louboutin, which is used to help reduce the discomfort of wearing stilettos.

Increase In Foot And Toe Plastic Surgery

A Loub Job involves injecting collagen in the toes, ball and heel of the foot to provide cushioning whilst wearing high-heeled shoes.

Wendy Lewis. She is a New York City-based beauty consultant and author of several books, including Plastic Makes Perfect. Wendy Lewis, a New York City-based beauty consultant and author of several books, including Plastic Makes Perfect, said:

“Foot beautification is definitely a trend. Many of these foot concerns are directly related to the shoes we wear.” [WebMD]

Botox is another popular treatment that has been adjusted to help treat bad toes and feet. Not only can Botox be used to treat hammertoes, it can also help to reduce excessive perspiration – a technique already approved to treat excessive underarm sweating.

Laser treatments make up yet another set of cosmetic procedures that can be performed on the feet. Aside from laser hair removal, these techniques can also be used to eradicate foot and toe nail fungus. This procedure only takes on session, but does include a recovery time of up 9-12 months whilst the damaged toe nail grows back.

Despite the increase in amount of cosmetic procedure performed on the feet, not all experts are in favor of the new trend. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, warns against any kind of cosmetic foot surgery, claiming the techniques can lead to nerve damage, infection, bleeding, scarring, and chronic pain.

That said, many cosmetic procedures we once deemed risky but continuing advancements in medial technology has helped to reduce theses risks.

Surgery techniques aside, there is one thing all experts agree on, and that’s taking care of your feet. New York City-based podiatrist Suzanne Levine, DPM, advise that the same amount of care that goes in to keep the face and teeth clean should be applied to the feet;

“You should treat your feet like you do your face. You would never think of not washing your face or brushing your teeth before bed, but does anyone really pumice their feet?” [WebMD]

The right kind of care is important too, says Levine:

“Many people think they are taking care of their feet by going for a pedicure and submerging their feet in water that no one should ever submerge their feet in,” she says. The result? Fungal infections.

TAGS :

In 2005 Hutchinson let a team of researchers at Brown University implant a small chip in her motor cortex, and after years of research the hard work has finally paid off.

Paralysis is caused by damaged nerves, which do not correctly receive signals from the brain. The brain machine interface works by bypassing damaged nerves and sending the signal directly to a device on the outside world.

Cathy Hutchinson Controls The DEKA Arm System With Her Brain

The chip implanted inside the brain receives these signals, which are then decoded by a control computer and sent to the robotic arm to direct its movement.

The project, dubbed Brain Gate, first saw success in 2006 when a Matt Naugle, a patient left paralyzed in all four limbs after being stabbed, was able to move a curser on a screen using the technology.

Now with help from DEKA, the company headed by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway and the bionic Luke Arm, the team is honing its design with more precision than ever before.

As you can see in the clip below, Hutchinson drinks from the cup and straw with elegance – and was able to do so four out of six times.

In the future the scientists hope to develop the technology to allow for more complex actions such as brushing teeth, and preparing food. They also plan to make the whole system wireless so the device it doesn’ t have to plug directly into the brain.

TAGS :

The study offers a scientific explanation as to why wearing high-heels can be painful. Researcher Neil Cronin, PhD, of the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland, and colleagues who conducted the study wrote:

“This represents a potential injury risk, and may partly explain the fact that high-heeled shoes are often associated with discomfort and muscle fatigue.”

To analyze the affects of wearing high heels, the researchers looked at 9 women who wore high heels for more than 40 hours a week for at least two years, and 10 women who rarely wore high heels.

Electrode were attached to the women’s feet and leg muscles, then they were asked to walk at their normal pace down a 26ft walkway equipped with cameras and pressure gauges on the floor.

Both groups walked the aisle 10 times in their bare feet, then the high heels wearers were asked to walk another 10 times wearing their favorite high heels.

Analyzing the data showed that that the women who wore high heels had shorter strides, and exerted more energy from their muscles instead of using a more efficient combination of tendon and muscle stretching utilized by the women who typically wore flat sole shoes.

The researchers found that walking on flex toes for extended periods of time appear to shorten the calf muscles, and put them under more strain. Muscle strain was reported as being 6 times greater than in other women. Further more theses change in gait was also apparent even when the high heel wearers walked barefoot.

Research warn that these types of adaptions from wearing posture altering shoes like high heels could compromise the muscles and increase the risk of injury.

The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

TAGS :