The world of orthopedics has seen revolutionary advancements right from the very beginning. In fact, many discoveries of the mid-20th century reached fruition in the early 21st century.
One such discovery is what is called Bone Matrix Protein or BMP. In 1965, Dr. Marshall Urist, M.D., discovered that decalcified bone matrix induced new bone growth. This wonder protein, after a long development, finally got the FDA approval for use in the mending of non-fusion long bones in the year 1975. Eventually, in the year 2002, the FDA gave its approval for rhBMP-2 for single-level spine fusion. Two years later, the FDA gave its clearance for Osteogenic protein 1 Putty for spinal fusion and next month approval was granted for the use of rhBMP-2 for the treatment of acute open fissure fracture of the shaft of the tibia. This revolutionized the treatment of non-union fractures.
Joint designs
Joint replacements are not without problems and failures which necessitate revision surgeries. One of the main challenges is to avoid infections. Bearing surface wear and tear, their displacement and corrosion were challenges faced and are being overcome in varying degrees. Joint designs have moved from metal on metal to metal on polyethylene and back to metal on metal. Each of these iterations has come with concerns. Fixation, to begin with, was with cement. This gave way to cementless fixation and properly aligned with the aid of a computer has proved quite satisfactory.
Quality of joint designs and implants
Other important advancements took place in the design, materials and their bonding to the bone surfaces in artificial joints. One of the best known is probably the ‘Charnley hip‘ pioneered by Dr. John Charnley a British orthopedic surgeon. The design uses ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The osteolysis of the debris created by the wear is its important disadvantage. In all the joint replacement, the alignment is found to be critical aspect element in the success rate. Very precise alignment is possible with the aid of computers and this is practiced in all modern operating rooms these days.
3D printing and joint designs
The advent of 3D printing has found a place is making artificial joints as in many fields. Technology has gone as far as making instruments specific to the patient. One joint surface in development is to give the articular surface a cartilage-like layer. Jacob Klein working with the Weizmann Institute of Science has been able to put 60-nanometer molecular brushes on the lining surface of the articular surface. These brushes outperform the natural cartilage in that the artificial can withstand 7.5 megapascals pressure without losing its properties as against 5.0 megapascals of the natural cartilage.
Clearly, orthopedics has come a long way.
Are you a new homemaker? Want to buy the latest home appliances for your abode? Well, truth to be told, it isn’t an easy thing to do. Selecting home gadgets needs research and great decision making. You need to be smart while shopping for the same because as a consumer you always want to buy the best, and that too in your budget. Achieving the same may not always be possible, however, you can try to do so by employing some of the tips, listed below.
Know your needs
Best home appliances are those that suit your requirements. Therefore, before shopping, make a list of the features that you want in your home appliances, according to your needs. Often, people end up following a trend or buying in the pressure of impressing others. Features like energy efficiency and long-time warranty should be included in your list. Make sure you know what your requirements are. All home appliances come in different height and sizes. If you plan to use you new microwave as an oven, then buy the one that has enough space inside to fit your baking dishes.
Learn from other’s experiences
Before you go for shopping, ask your friends and family about the appliances they are using. Whether it is a front load washing machine, stainless steel microwave or a top end gas range–everyone will have something to share about the product they are using. Some appliances may look perfect on display, but may give trouble when used. The good as well as the bitter experiences of others will help you to make smart decisions. Also read up reviews as much as possible.
Compare prices
Once you’ve made a list of what exactly you and your family needs, it’s time to compare the prices at different stores. Also, don’t miss taking a look at the deal available online, so that you can get the best price after comparison. If possible, wait for the holiday season when the retailers offer best deals. It is the best season to buy appliances as the retailers try to clear off the stock to make space for the upcoming models from the new year. And, it also depends whom do you take along with you to help you make the big decision.
Know the space available
Buy appliances that can fit in the allotted space in your home. If possible, take measurements with you so that you can measure if the appliance you want to buy can fit in the designated space or not. Make sure the doors of the refrigerator or the washing machine do not block the way when opened.
Look beyond the design
Many appliances come with fancy look and attractive colors. But do not get mesmerized with the designs because you can get trapped. Always look for the reviews for that particular model and buy only if the appliance works efficiently. Because not everything that looks great, will work fine.
Dupuytren’s disease is a deformity in which the fibrous tissue beneath the palm and fingers, known as fascia thickens and tightens especially at old age. Here the patient develops knots under the skin which forms a thick cord and brings the finger inward. The patient is unable to straighten it, and the resulting condition is known as “Dupuytren’s contracture.” It interferes with the functioning of the hand and the person suffering from it faces difficulty in performing daily activities. In most of the cases, the patient’s ring finger gets affected by Dupuytren’s disease.
Symptoms of Dupuytren’s disease
The primary sign of Dupuytren’s disease is shortening of palmar fascia or palmar aponeurosis tissue. The symptoms develop gradually and in the beginning, the patients feel a tender lump under the skin. Eventually tough bands of tissue form below the epidermis which makes it difficult to stretch the fingers. The patient shows the presence of unusual dimples or lumps which looks like a small callus. In 50 percent of the cases, both hands get affected, and there are also reports of “Dupuytren’s contracture” in the toes of certain individuals.
Cause of Dupuytren’s disease
The exact cause of Dupuytren’s disease is still not known in the medical world. However, studies point to a connection between open wound (including surgery) in hand with the development of this disease.
Risk factors
There are certain conditions which increase the chance of developing Dupuytren’s contracture. These include the following.
Diagnosis
The doctor diagnoses Dupuytren’s contracture after physically examining the hand. If he notices the presence of dimples, thickened skin, bent finger, or pitted marks, then he may advise you to perform the “tabletop test.” Here the patient places his hand flatly over the table top. If the finger bent on the table, then the doctor suspects the Dupuytren’s disease.
Treatment
At present, there is no permanent cure for Dupuytren’s disease. However, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments available to improve the motility of fingers. In most of the cases, therapy helps to remove the cords from the fingers. Doctors may recommend needle aponeurotomy, enzymatic injections, or surgical removal of knots to improve the condition.
Dupuytren’s disease poses a problem for aged people in performing their life activities. If the disease progresses slowly, and do not cause any pain, the doctor may advise you home remedies like swearing gloves and stretching exercises to manage it.
Black Friday might be a couple of months away, but you need not wait until then to begin your annual shopping. Many retailers start advertising discounts weeks before and pick up the pace around Thanksgiving. To help you save time and money, here are five early-bird Black Friday deals that might be available sooner based on last year’s trends. Start shopping early to enjoy faster shipping and lesser supply issues!
Save big on tablets, phones, and smartwatches
Smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches are great items to gift loved ones during the holiday season. With Black Friday approaching, get ready for some exciting deals on these products from the top brands and retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. You will find never-seen-before deals in stores and online that you can check out. Brands like Motorola, Samsung, and Apple offered over $100 off their best-selling phones last year, and you can expect better deals for 2022! But remember that the items on sale change regularly, so check the sites frequently to avoid missing out.
Incredible deals on games, gaming laptops, and accessories
Get the best savings on gaming accessories when some fantastic deals go live in a few weeks. There might be a massive price drop on games for PC, Xbox, and PS5. It is the best time to buy the games you missed earlier this year at bargain prices. Year-end releases may also have fantastic deals. Last year, Amazon, Microsoft, and Walmart offered more than $50 worth of savings on games and accessories, which should get you in the spirit to shop early on. Check out headsets, monitors, controllers, and other pricey gaming hardware. Before the annual Black Friday sale, big online retailers may also slash prices for dozens of gaming laptops. So, if you plan to upgrade yours, the time is coming!
Steal the deal on appliances
Almost all online retailers advertise their best deals on appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and more during the biggest shopping festival of the year. But if you need something quickly, why wait for Black Friday? Brands like Samsung, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire sold premium refrigerators for more than $100 off ahead of the shopping season last year. Microwave ovens and air conditioners also had fantastic early-bird offers. Now is the time to think of upgrading such appliances and saving money. Keep a close eye on the deals by top online retailers as they may be limited to a specific day or time, and products may sell out quickly.
Huge discounts on toys for kids of all ages
Early Black Friday deals on toys will kick off soon, so pick up toys for all the kids in your family this holiday season. Gift the inquisitive minds educational toys and keep them occupied for hours. Adorable dolls and plush toys encourage imaginative play among young children. In 2021, the market was full of deals on these items. You could get a Snack Shack Playhouse from Crate&Kids for just $199 after a 35% discount! Besides, there were offers on toy cars, planes, outdoor toys, electronic gadgets for kids, and much more. Amazon, Walmart, and Toys “R” Us are good places to look for toy deals on your favorite brands.
Deep discounts on decor, rugs, mattresses, and furniture
Update any room of your house, be it the living room or bedroom, with a new couch or a bean bag this holiday season. There could be amazing discounts on big-ticket items, too, such as dining tables or recliners and otherwise costly home decor items like rugs and chairs. Last year, Nectar sold its premium mattresses for a discount of more than $100 and offered free gift sets. Bed, Bath & Beyond and Wayfair offered a steal deal. Check them out as soon as the sale is live to save money without sacrificing style. Some deals last a few hours, so make the most of them.