Q: I am 26 years old. I play basketball. Last year while playing I fell down and my left elbow was injured. X-ray reports suggested a hair-line fracture. The doctor put me on a plaster cast for few weeks, and then removed the cast. I did not play the game for one full year. Now while in lockdown staying home I started a work out for fitness, and I noticed that the left elbow pain resumed. Please advise? –Khalid Siddiqui

A: Well this could be the case of post traumatic arthritis of the elbow joint, which is causing the pain, so needs to be properly evaluated by firstly, doing thorough local examination of the elbow joint, assessing the range Of motion and to see the particular movement which is predisposing pain.

To confirm the diagnosis x-ray of the elbow joint is necessary to check status of previous injury and arthritic changes. And patient will be advised to go for gentle elbow range of motion exercises, keeping in close follow up.

Prof. Zaki Idrees

FRCS, A.O. Fellow

Consultant, Professor | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Q: I am a weightlifter, 29 years old. Few weeks ago while training at home, I lost my balance while the weights I was lifting were above my shoulders. I did not fall down, but while balancing myself, a severe backache occurred. I gave up weight lifting for the time being as the backache is still there. Please suggest me how to get rid of this pain? —Mohammad Ashfaquddin.

A: Back pains following sudden changes in posture are common. It usually indicates muscular spasm or sprain. I would suggest that you stop weight lifting for at least 2 weeks. Normal walk for 30 minutes a day should be done along with simple pain killers. Apply local analgesic gel and heat pad and take hot showers. There is 90% chance that you will be better within two weeks. If you do not get better then we will prescribe you physiotherapy. If that fails then we will require you to see a neurosurgeon. You may need x-rays and MRI scans.

Prof. Salman Yousuf Sharif

FRCS (SN), FRCS (Eng)

Head of the Department | Department of Spinal and Neurosurgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Q: I play cricket on a regular basis. Fast bowling is my department. Recently, during an indoor practice session I miscued my run up and fell on the ground. My ankle twisted and I was taken to a local hospital where I have been told about the fractured ankle, and was bandaged for few weeks. My problem is that now when the bandage is removed and I feel fit, I am hesitant to bowl again. I have developed a psychological fear of miss cue my run up and falling down again. Please help me to get rid of this fear. –Tariq A. Khan

A: Ankle twisting injury is one of the most common sport injuries that players anticipate while playing. Ankle problem has been associated with other injuries depending upon the impact of force transmitted during the insult. This might be ligamentous, bony, tendonous or articular surface injury.

As you mentioned you were diagnosed with a bony injury and treatment was done. In your case you need further assessment for ankle soft tissue injury that might be ligament or tendonous injury which may lead to instability of your ankle joint and cause frequent falls while running.

I advise you to consult sport medicine surgeon to fully evaluate and treat your problem so that it’s cured and you can start normal physical and sports activity to highest level of your potential.

Dr. Muhammad Kazim Rahim

MD, FCPS (Ortho) AO Fellow (Germany), Sports medicine Fellow (IRI) (France), Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship (PAS, Pak)

Assistant Professor | Department of

Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Q: I am 34 years old. I am a gymnast. Recently I have been diagnosed as diabetic. Please advise whether I should leave gymnastics all together, or I can continue with the game. –Abdul Khaliq Baloch

A: You can continue with your game but few things you have to keep in your mind. Exercise is good for every Diabetic patient. First of all exercise lowers your blood sugar level. It also helps your body insulin to work properly. When exercising, people with both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes may need to take extra special care to avoid fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. Blood sugars can fall during, immediately after or several hours after a workout, putting diabetics at risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level).

Apart from it, you will need to fuel up yourself in a right way before, during and after your workout. You can seek help of nutritionist for right nutrition according to your training load, health and training goals and ask your diabetologist to adjust your medication according to your work out.

Dr. Aqiba Sarfaraz

MCPS, FCPS Fellowship in Diabetes & Endocrinology

Head of Department, Assistant Professor | Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

All the specialists on our experts’ panel are associated with Liaquat National Hospital. Please send your queries at khalidhraj@gmail.com or Anjum.Rizvi@lnh.edu.pk.)