Things to Know About Arthritis Care (Part 4)

These are some terminologies for localized ankle and foot pain syndromes. It includes calceneal bursitis which commonly presents as heel pain on initial steps in the morning.

Here are some tips to help recover from soft tissue rheumatism.

• Rest during the acute phase

• Splints, bands, soft pads etc.

• Heat and/or cold applications

• Physical therapy

• like pain killers, analgesics (systemic and topical)

• Prevention e.g. exercises, avoid repetitive motion, weight reduction

Another issue that bugs patients is low back pain.

Low back pain is a very common disorder.

It is related to dysfunction of muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia.

The symptoms and x-rays seldom correlate in most cases of back pain

Low back pain may be associated with several musculo-skeletal and other medical disorders

What are things to look for when there is low back pain?

* Pain in the lumbosacral region, buttocks and thighs

* Pain is mechanical in nature

* Pain varies with physical activity

What special considerations in chronic back pain are?

* Examine the person more than the pain and its mechanisms

* Stay alert for secondary gains and malingering

* Treatment modalities attempt to modify the pain to tolerable levels

* Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants

* Treatment can be difficult (and frustrating)