Immobilization Health Dictionary

Roxb.

Family: Asparagaceae.

Habitat: The western Himalayas and Punjab, from Himachal Pradesh to Kumaon, up to 1,500 m.

Ayurvedic: Mushali, (white var.), Mahaashataavari. The black variety is equated with Taalamuuli, Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker.

Unani: Shaqaaqul-e-Hindi.

Action: A substitute for A. officinalis.

The root yields asparagin. Sapoge- nins A and B, isolated from the root, were identified as stigmasterol and sarsasapogenin.

Action: Diuretic, laxative, car- diotonic, sedative, galactagogue; used for neuritis and rheumatism, as well as for cystitis and pyelitis.

Key application: In irrigation therapy for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and for prevention of kidney stones. (German Commission E.). It is contraindicated in kidney diseases and oedema because of functional heart.

The root contains steroidal glyco- sides (asparagosides) and bitter glyco- sides; asparagusic acid and its derivatives; asparagines, arginine and ty- rosine; flavonoids, including rutin, kaempferol and quercetrin; polysac- carides and inulin. Asparagine is a strong diuretic source of folic acid and selenium.

A spirostanol glycoside, isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruits, has shown 100% immobilization of human spermatozoa.

Dosage: Root—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... asparagus adscendens

A break in one of the metatarsal bones (the long bones in the foot) that is caused by running or walking for long distances on a hard surface. The fracture results in pain, tenderness, and swelling. However, it may not show on X-rays until callus (new bone) starts to form. Treatment for a march fracture is rest and, occasionally, immobilization in a plaster cast. (See also stress fracture.)... march fracture

Painful enlargement and tenderness of the tibial tuberosity (the bony prominence of the tibia), which occurs most commonly in boys aged between 10 and 14. It results from excessive, repetitive pulling of the quadriceps muscle, due to repeated exercise. The disorder often clears up without treatment; severe pain may require physiotherapy or immobilization of the knee in a plaster cast.... osgood–schlatter disease

A deformity in which the spine is bent to one side. The thoracic or lumbar regions are most commonly affected.

Scoliosis usually starts in childhood or adolescence and becomes progressively more marked until growth stops. In many cases, another part of the spine curves to compensate, resulting in an S-shaped spine. The cause of juvenile scoliosis is unknown. Rarely, scoliosis is due to a congenital abnormality of the vertebrae.

In some cases, physiotherapy may be sufficient to control scoliosis.

Progressive or severe scoliosis may require immobilization of the spine in a brace, followed by surgery (spinal fusion) to straighten it.... scoliosis

An injury to the soft tissues, ligaments, and spinal joints of the neck caused by a forcible and violent bending of the neck backwards (hyperextension) and then forwards (flexion), or vice versa. Such injury most commonly results from sudden acceleration or deceleration, as occurs in a car collision.

Damage to the spine usually involves minor sprain of a neck ligament, or subluxation (partial dislocation) of a cervical joint. Occasionally, a ligament may rupture or a cervical vertebra may fracture (see spinal injury). Characteristically, pain and stiffness in the neck are much worse 24 hours after the injury.

Treatment may include immobilization in an orthopaedic collar, analgesic drugs, muscle-relaxant drugs, and physiotherapy. It may take a few weeks before full pain-free movement is possible.... whiplash injury

Immobilization of the jaws by means of metal wires to allow a fracture of the jaw to heal or as part of a treatment for obesity.

When a fracture is being treated, the jaws are kept wired in a fixed position for about 6 weeks. For promoting weight loss, the jaws are wired for as long as a year. In both cases, the person is unable to chew and can take only a liquid or semi-liquid diet. This form of diet treatment often fails because the person resumes previous eating habits following removal of the wires.... wiring of the jaws

n. bleeding within a joint, which may follow injury or may occur spontaneously in bleeding disorders, such as *haemophilia. It is usually associated with swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected joint. Treatment includes immobilization, pressure bandaging, and correction of the blood disorder (if present). Aspiration of blood from a joint that is tensely swollen may relieve the pain.... haemarthrosis

n. breakage of a bone, either complete or incomplete. A simple fracture involves a clean break with little damage to surrounding tissues and no break in the overlying skin. If the overlying skin is perforated and there is a wound extending to the fracture site, the fracture is open, and there is a risk of infection (see osteomyelitis). Treatment of a simple fracture includes realignment of the bone ends where there is displacement, immobilization by external splints or internal fixation, followed by *rehabilitation. See also Colles’ fracture; comminuted fracture; greenstick fracture; pathological fracture; scaphoid fracture; Smith’s fracture; stress fracture.... fracture