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Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
About me
Yanshou County People's Hospital, Orthopedics Department, Chief Physician, engaged in clinical work in orthopedics for many years.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in: Orthopedics, general surgery, and minimally invasive treatment.
Voices
How to diagnose intercostal neuralgia
The examination for intercostal neuralgia includes two parts. The first part is to confirm whether it is indeed intercostal neuralgia, often based on three reasons. The first is pain that follows a semicircular path along the ribs. Second, there are usually fixed tender points or percussion points, also called trigger points, where pressing will cause pain and lead to a type of pain that radiates along the path of the intercostal nerves. The third is that it is more commonly seen between the fifth and ninth ribs, often causing pain or triggering increased pain during activities like sneezing or deep breathing. With this, it is basically possible to diagnose intercostal neuralgia. However, identifying the cause of intercostal neuralgia is very complex. The usual causes of intercostal neuralgia include five aspects: The first is congenital anomalies, the second is trauma, the third is tumors, the fourth is inflammation, and the fifth is other causes. Therefore, a complete diagnosis of intercostal neuralgia should not only confirm the presence of intercostal neuralgia but also identify the underlying cause. Only by treating the cause of the intercostal neuralgia can there be a very good treatment outcome.
Can cervical spondylosis be cured?
Can cervical spondylosis be cured? First, it is necessary to understand what cervical spondylosis is. Cervical spondylosis refers to a series of diseases characterized by clinical symptoms due to degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral disc and its secondary pathological changes that involve surrounding tissues, including the spinal cord, nerve roots, blood vessels, and sympathetic nerves. Therefore, the main causes of cervical spondylosis are: First, the degenerative changes of the cervical intervertebral disc, which is the degeneration of the cervical disc, begin to degenerate from the age of twenty, mainly showing a decrease in the elasticity and toughness of the annulus fibrosus and dehydration of the nucleus pulposus. This is a normal aging process of the human body and cannot be changed. Second, the degeneration of the cervical intervertebral disc causes secondary pathological changes, mainly referring to the formation of peripheral osteophytes, relaxation of the intervertebral joints, leading to joint instability, and ossification of the posterior ligament causing spinal canal stenosis. Therefore, analyzing from the cause, cervical spondylosis is a necessary process as the body ages from youth to old age, so it cannot be cured. It is only possible to slow down the aging process or, through other means, prevent the degenerative changes from causing too much compression on the surrounding tissues, leading to too many symptoms. In summary, cervical spondylosis cannot be cured.
How to treat tendinitis?
Treatment of tendonitis is divided into four types. The first is conventional treatment, which involves following the RICE principle during the acute phase. The second is medication, which includes the use of non-steroidal drugs and the option of local injections, but repetitive injections are not recommended as they can lead to tendon rupture, such as the rupture of the Achilles tendon often caused by such treatment. The third approach is for patients with chronic conditions where the affected area has developed adhesions and conservative treatment is ineffective. In such cases, surgical treatment should be considered, though the drawbacks include significant trauma, pain, and a long recovery period. The fourth method involves physical therapy, including heat therapy, ultrasound treatment, and microwave treatment. Thus, the basic treatments for tendonitis encompass these four approaches.
Can osteosarcoma occur on the knee?
Can osteosarcomas grow on the knee? In fact, the locations where osteosarcomas commonly appear are indeed near the knee. There are mainly three common sites: the most prevalent is the distal end of the femur, the lower part of the thigh bone. The second most common site is the proximal end of the tibia. The third is the proximal end of the humerus. Therefore, osteosarcomas usually do grow near the knee. What are the symptoms of an osteosarcoma? The symptoms of osteosarcoma include, first, localized pain, which is a constant pain that persists, worsens, and does not alleviate, often causing night pain, and many patients do not feel pain during the day, only at night. The second symptom is a localized lump, generally spindle-shaped, with an increased skin temperature over the surface, and even distended veins due to the tumor restricting nearby joint movement. The third symptom is the appearance of cachexia or wasting syndrome throughout the body. The fourth point is that the growth of the osteosarcoma leads to erosion of the bone and eventually pathologic fractures. Thus, the likelihood of osteosarcomas appearing near the knee is very high, and many patients typically come to the hospital because of painful lumps near the knee, and then, after examination, the diagnosis is confirmed.
Is there a cure for osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is treatable, but it requires proper medical treatment. Currently, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improves the five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma. The main treatment approach is still surgery as part of a comprehensive therapy. Specifically, the first step involves adequate preoperative chemotherapy, generally no fewer than six sessions over about eight weeks, or approximately two months. After this, patients often experience reduced pain, weight gain, improved positioning of the tumor, and a decrease in tumor size. Depending on the specific situation, a decision is made on the type of surgery to be performed—whether to amputate, preserve the limb, install a prosthetic, or use artificial bone as a replacement. Postoperative chemotherapy is usually also required to help ensure that the tumor does not recur and to increase the five-year or ten-year survival rate. Therefore, the current five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma has increased from the previous 40%-50% to about 80%. So, as long as one chooses the right hospital and the right treatment plan, and maintains confidence, osteosarcoma is usually treatable.
Lumbar muscle strain physical therapy methods
After a lumbar muscle strain, physical therapy is a very important treatment method, and when properly handled, it is greatly beneficial to the recovery of the condition. Physical methods include: First, physical therapy should be applied to the area of pain, primarily involving appropriate massage and manipulation. Second, after the acute phase, local heat application can be used, such as wrapping a hot water bottle with a towel. Third, iontophoresis with medications can be applied to the painful area, which is a crucial aspect of treating lumbar muscle strain with traditional Chinese medicine and herbs. Fourth, treatment with microwave or ultrasound can also be conducted. Generally, it is believed that ultrasound therapy has a very good effect on lumbar muscle strain. Finally, acupuncture or traditional Chinese medical traction can also be performed, which usually has a very good effect on lumbar muscle strains.
Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis
The treatment of cervical spondylosis is divided into surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. Currently, it is reported that 95% of patients with cervical spondylosis can be cured or relieved after non-surgical treatment. Only a small number of patients, whose conditions worsen after ineffective non-surgical treatment, require surgical intervention. Conservative treatments include traditional Chinese medicine and herbal treatments, external application of herbal medicine, massage and bone-setting, acupuncture, rehabilitation therapy, traction therapy, physical therapy, and exercise therapy. Surgical treatments are mainly for patients with myelopathic or radiculopathic cervical spondylosis whose symptoms have worsened significantly affecting work and life, or who have experienced muscle dysfunction or even muscle atrophy. Furthermore, other types of cervical spondylosis that are ineffective in conservative treatment, have poor results, or are recurrent, all fall within the scope of surgical treatments. Surgical treatments include minimally invasive procedures and conventional procedures, with the conventional procedures being divided into anterior cervical and posterior cervical approaches. Minimally invasive treatments include nucleolysis, percutaneous nucleotomy, PFDD, and radiofrequency ablation.
Symptoms of cervical spondylosis of the nerve root type.
Cervical radiculopathy is the most common type of cervical spondylosis encountered in clinical practice. Clinically, it presents as partial or complete pain and numbness in the area innervated by the compressed nerve root, which is related to body posture. Firstly, the cause of cervical radiculopathy is compression of the nerve root. Secondly, compression of different nerves leads to numbness and pain in different regions. Thirdly, changes in posture, such as sneezing or tilting the head back, can exacerbate the symptoms. In clinical examinations, two tests are generally performed: the Spurling's test and the traction test. If both tests are positive, the disease can generally be diagnosed. Additional diagnostic aids such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can also be used to make a definitive diagnosis of the specific nerve root compression.
Post-symptoms of knee ligament injury
The knee joint has four crucial ligaments: the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. They act like four pillars, firmly anchoring the knee joint in a very stable and normal position. If any of these ligaments rupture, this balance is disrupted, causing the knee to move abnormally in a certain direction, leading to increased local wear and tear or compensatory wear in other parts. Therefore, if ligament damage is not repaired, and the balance is disrupted, it can lead to many complications or sequelae. The first is traumatic arthritis. The second is patellar chondromalacia. The third is meniscus damage. The fourth is damage to other ligaments, or even rupture. The fifth is knee arthritis, also known as OA, or degenerative changes. The sixth is knee effusion and synovitis. Thus, the sequelae of knee ligament injuries are numerous and troublesome.
How to completely cure sciatica?
Treatment methods for sciatica include several approaches. First, resting on a hard board bed; typically, this rest period lasts three to four weeks, during which many patients experience symptom relief. Second, pharmacological treatment is recommended, usually involving non-steroidal pain relievers, as well as vitamins B1, B6, and B12. Short courses of corticosteroid hormones are also used. However, it is important to use hormones minimally and to stop their use correctly if possible. Third, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal treatments are preferred. Many cases of sciatica may be alleviated or even cured with the proper application of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs. Common remedies include Xuanluo Tongbi Decoction, Wutou Xixin Tongbi Decoction, and Duhuo Jisheng Decoction. Local injection treatments are also available, but it is crucial to ensure precise and successful injection on the first attempt. Fourth, exercise therapy is essential as inactivity can lead to muscle atrophy, so proper rehabilitation is necessary. Sixth, dietary therapy should focus on nutritious foods while avoiding junk food and spicy, stimulating dishes.