

Guan Jing Tao

About me
Master's graduate, attending physician. Has been working in the field of orthopedic clinical practice since graduation.
Proficient in diseases
Diagnosis and treatment of common orthopedic diseases such as cervical and lumbar spondylosis, osteoarthritis, tenosynovitis stenosis, limb fractures, femoral head necrosis, chronic musculoskeletal diseases, etc.

Voices

Can lumbar muscle strain be massaged?
Appropriate massage is acceptable, but avoid excessive force to prevent the possibility of further damage to the soft tissues of the back. It is recommended to combine it with local physical therapies, including electrotherapy, acupuncture, and proper kneading, which can aid in the recovery of lumbar muscle strain and improve local blood circulation. Furthermore, for recurring lumbar muscle strain, patients are advised to take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs, and avoid repeated bending and heavy lifting activities, as well as prolonged sitting and standing. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

How long should you rest for plantar fasciitis?
For an initial episode of plantar fasciitis, it is recommended to rest for at least two to four weeks, avoid exposure to cold and weight-bearing activities, and perform local physical therapies such as heat therapy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture. If there is no significant improvement after about a week of treatment, it is advisable to visit a hospital for further consultation. If necessary, pain point block treatment may be administered once a week, with a total of two to four sessions constituting a treatment course, which can also yield good therapeutic effects. If there is still no significant improvement, it is suggested to conduct a local radiographic examination to ascertain any abnormal bone changes, and based on the results, further guidance and treatment will be provided.

How to reduce inflammation in tendinitis
To reduce inflammation in tendinitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used rather than antibacterial drugs such as cephalosporins, as the two are entirely different. In addition to using NSAIDs, it is also recommended to combine this with local physical therapy, such as electrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, etc. Topical NSAIDs can be applied locally and used in conjunction with physical therapy. For initial occurrences of tendinitis, these treatments can also provide good relief and improve symptoms of pain. However, for recurrent, stubborn tendinitis, the effectiveness of oral and topical medications in improving symptoms is limited. If necessary, local pain point block treatments can be performed, which can also result in good therapeutic effects. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

How to self-repair lumbar muscle strain
Lumbar muscle strain, especially repeated lumbar and back sprains, as well as prolonged sitting, standing, exposure to cold, and chill, can all cause lumbar muscle strain. Therefore, it is first necessary to avoid excessive bending and lifting activities, as well as exposure to cold and chill, particularly abnormal bending and lifting activities. Normally, one should squat first, then lift heavier objects and hold them close to the abdomen, which is a more correct posture for lifting things. After injuring the lumbar muscles, it is advisable to persist with local physical therapy daily, such as heat therapy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy, while avoiding cold, chill, prolonged sitting, and standing. One can also take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs orally. During the non-acute phase, when there is no obvious pain in the lumbar muscles, one can try exercises like planking, proper jogging, and pull-ups to enhance the strength of the back and lumbar muscles, which can promote the recovery of tissue damage from lumbar muscle strain and increase its strength.

Can people with lumbar disc herniation have sexual intercourse?
Appropriate and occasional sexual activity is permissible. During the acute phase of lumbar disc herniation, it is strictly prohibited to engage in excessive physical activities, including sexual activity, as it may trigger or exacerbate symptoms such as increased herniation, nerve compression, and resultant numbness or painful sensations in the lower limbs. However, during the chronic phase of disc herniation, after systematic treatment and significant symptom improvement, sexual activity can be resumed appropriately and occasionally, such as once every two to three weeks, or adjusted according to different age groups to a normal frequency. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive bending and heavy lifting to prevent worsening the pain and discomfort associated with lumbar disc herniation.

Consequences of the deterioration of tenosynovitis
If tenosynovitis recurs repeatedly and is not given enough attention, it can become quite persistent and may not significantly improve with appropriate treatment. In such cases, surgery may be necessary. When tenosynovitis worsens, it leads to local pain, limited movement, and even noticeable swelling. Generally, there is no malignant transformation in the local tissues of tenosynovitis. The underlying mechanism of tenosynovitis involves aseptic inflammation due to the tendons' load-bearing activities. Long-term recurrence can lead to local scar hyperplasia. Post-surgical treatment should avoid repeated load-bearing activities to reduce recurrence.

Does sciatica cause numbness in the legs?
Sciatica can cause sensory abnormalities in one lower limb and even lead to muscle weakness. It can also cause numbness and sensory abnormalities on the dorsum or sole of the foot. However, foot numbness should first exclude causes like exposure to cold or poor blood circulation in the lower limbs. After excluding other causes of foot numbness, it can be diagnosed as sciatica-induced symptoms such as foot numbness. At this time, it is advisable to actively nourish the nerves and avoid certain postures that may aggravate sciatica. Additionally, sciatica can also be caused by lumbar disc herniation, or simply by the local compression of the sciatic nerve in its course.

Is it useful to take calcium supplements for sciatica?
Generally speaking, supplementing calcium has very limited effects on sciatica. Sciatica is typically caused by compression at the location where the nerves deviate, or by herniated lumbar discs, leading to compression of the sciatic nerve. This means that different compression sites require different treatment methods. For sciatica, if it is caused by a herniated lumbar disc compressing the nerve, minimally invasive surgery can be performed when necessary to remove the protruding disc tissue. If the sciatic nerve is compressed near the buttocks or the piriformis, surgery may be required to remove part of the tissue to relieve or loosen the compressed sciatic nerve. In terms of medication, oral nutritional supplements for nerves, anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs can be used to improve the condition of the compressed sciatic nerve. This can further alleviate corresponding symptoms such as pain and sensory abnormalities, while the role of calcium supplementation is very limited or ineffective. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

Can lumbar disc herniation sleep on a latex mattress?
Generally speaking, for lumbar disc herniation, it is recommended to use a firm bed and avoid exposure to cold conditions, which helps alleviate symptoms and prevents further aggravation. Latex mattresses, as advertised and if of good quality, can also be used. Firstly, a quality latex mattress can conform well to the natural physiological curvature of the entire spine. This means that the latex mattress can accommodate the normal curvature of the waist without exacerbating issues, unlike overly soft mattresses which can lead to increased back pain and other symptoms. However, it is still necessary to use qualified products and assess them carefully.

How to treat folliculitis in the buttocks area?
Folliculitis in the buttocks should first avoid continued exposure to damp environments, keeping the area dry, and applying topical medications such as Rifan and potassium permanganate solution. Apply these topically twice a day, in the morning and evening, along with oral anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medication. Topical application of traditional Chinese medicine plasters, such as those promoting tissue regrowth and pus discharge, can also be used to break open and heal the pus-filled abscesses formed after folliculitis. Alternatively, using Western medicine approaches, after the acute inflammation and redness subside and significant abscesses form, incision and drainage can be performed. Both of these methods are viable, but avoid incisions and surgical treatments during the acute phase.