One’s decision to undergo any major orthopedic surgery is a vital one and not to be trifled with. The rest of one’s life depends on the outcome of the surgery. So, what are the elements that go in making the outcome of the surgery a desired one?
The first and foremost thing to check up on is the surgeon who is going to undertake the replacement treatment; thereafter, comes the device that is going to be used, the hospital where the operation is to be conducted, and the trust, rapport and comfort level you have with the surgeon and the support staff. Listed below are the sources from where one can gather data to choose the best orthopedic surgeon for their surgery.
Information in public domain
Studies have shown that the more the surgeon does a particular type of surgery, the greater is his success rate. A surgeon who does at least 12 operation a year has good success rates. The best surgeon would, however, be doing far more. The general shift of the public and the atmosphere towards transparency has made this information available in the public domain. This information as well as the profiles of surgeons are available on various web sites that specialize in these matters. Institutions like accreditation agencies, colleges, certification boards, etc. all put the information of public importance on the web, even including statistics and data for negligence and disciplinary action taken, among others.
People sources of information
The hunt for any surgeon starts at the primary health provider such as general physicians. He would certainly know who are the leading orthopedic surgeons in the area and the surgeons to whom he refers his more complicated cases. The health workers and pharmacies in the neighborhood are also a virtual gold mine of information. The insurance company is another good source. It has an added advantage in that one would know who are the doctors in their panel. One can also learn about surgeons from anyone in the family, the extended family, friends and one’s acquaintances.
Surgeon qualifications and certifications
The surgeon, other than being qualified, should have additional board-certified qualification in his particular specialty. The three boards of certification that one should usually look for are:
One can also inquire about centers of excellence in the locality. After shortlisting, one can fix up appointments with each surgeon. During the interaction, observe if the surgeon clears all your doubts and the confidence and the rapport you develop with them. Similarly, observe the conduct of the support staff and decide the surgeon and the clinic for your surgery. Location matters in that it should be convenient for you to go for all follow ups.
While being selected for the college that you’ve always dreamed of is an achievement worth all the happiness, it usually drains away thinking of the hectic procedure to be followed to receive financial aid. However, it is not as difficult as one thinks it would be when handled one step at a time.
To start off the process, the first and the most basic thing to do would be to fill the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) irrespective of your thoughts on qualification for the aid. FAFSA is taken into consideration to qualify you for grants, scholarships, work-study and student loans. It is more important to fill it, and that too early as some schools distribute their funds on a first come, first serve basis.
From the information you provide in your FAFSA, a summarized report called the student aid report (SAR) would be sent to you by the department of education. This report will calculate an estimate of the amount that can be contributed by you and your family (EFC) towards the college fee, which when found to be less than the college’s cost of attendance will likely make you eligible for receiving the aid.
A copy of SAR will be sent to each school listed on your FAFSA, which will prepare a package of financial aid to suit your needs. This information of financial aid and loans allocated to you and eligible for you will be presented to you by each of the school as your award letter which can be compared to make further decisions on which school would help you better financially.
Always keep the grants and scholarships available from various sources in mind as they are capable of making a significant difference. You are usually automatically considered for grants by your schools at the time of admission.
After putting together all the information of the amount you’d be receiving from various sources, if you still fall short, it would be a good idea to make a comparison of the available federal and private loans.
Wooden toys are not just meant for any particular generation, rather they have been a part of all generations. No matter how many high-tech toys are available these days, there is something special about wooden toys. They are so simple, sturdy, and traditional that they remind you of those simple days back in your childhood. Here are some of the most popular wooden kids’ toys that your child will surely love-
Wooden Toys Stacking Train Blocks
This pull toy is bound to ensure that the child enjoys and learns at the same time. This toy is an example of when learning meets fun. This toy inspires plenty of adventure and fun. This toy usually comes with a train head, two carriages and around twenty blocks that are in different colors and sizes. This keeps the baby interested as his curiosity ignites seeing so many colors and shapes. These toys are bright in colors with non-toxic paint, so it does not harm the kid if in case he puts it in his mouth. Usually, this toy is recommended for kids who are 18 months and above.
Charlie All-In-1 Kitchen
This is one of the most popular kids’ toys of all time. Instead of buying different kitchen pieces, this set had all the appliances your child needs to cook whatever their creative minds think about. This wooden set is not only sturdy but stylish as well. It is made from solid oak and fancy nickel hardware. It is recommended for all the little chefs who are three years and above.
Hape Rock and Ride Kids’ Wooden Rocking Horse
This is one of the most classic and old-school wooden kids’ toys that never go out of trend. This toy has one of the simplest designs and won’t be eye catchy to the guests if left anywhere in any room. With the back and forth rock and roll, the kid eventually learns coordination skills. This toy is recommended for kids only above 10 months old. Also, the finish of this toy is non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about your child being around toys that would harm them.
Had a leg day at the gym and got your leg attacked by muscle cramps? Well, we do understand the excruciating pain you may be going true. These cramps are no less than a nightmare and lead you to have sleepless nights and helpless days.
Legs cramps most commonly hit the calves and can obstruct your movement for long. This occurs due to contraction of a muscle that you may have applied too much pressure on or is overused. An underlying reason for this can be that your body does not receive enough hydration, thus, obstructing the smooth functioning of your muscles. This may not be the only reason and there can be underlying factors such as weakness in the body, diabetes, irregular blood pressure, etc. The older generation is likely to fall prey to cramps in the legs.
Muscle cramps in the leg do not indicate a serious or major issue and here are some remedies that you can practice at home for relief –
Gentle stretching exercises – It is advisable to immediately bring to halt the activity that may have triggered the cramp. Hold your leg and perform gentle exercises while moving your leg back and forth. Continue to do this for a while, at least until you feel like your leg muscle has been relieved. You can also stretch your toes upwards so as to bring rest to the muscle of your calf.
Heat massage – A heated massage is a great way of bringing relief to a muscle cramp. The heat causes the blood to circulate well. All you have to do is place a hot water towel or hot-water bag on the affected area and gently press it against the spot. This massage will bring an instant relief to your leg.
Magnesium-filled diet – Magnesium is a mineral that is a requisite for your body to function well. It has a key role to play in easing away muscle cramps. And although this may not lead to quick relief, it does aid in the long run. Foods such as spinach, almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc.
Hydrate – Hydrating your body with water is extremely important. Like your skin needs moisturizers, so does it need hydration. This keeps your leg muscles smooth and keeps that cramps away.
If muscle cramps in your legs do not seem to rest and occur frequently, you should be alarmed and visit your doctor before a more complex condition occurs.