Eid-Ul Fitri and Happy Independence Day 2011

The end of August this year coincides with the two largest celebration for Malaysians.

Muslims throughout the country, according to calculation, will observe Eid-ul Fitri on Tuesday the 30th of August, marking the end of Ramadhan, where muslims fasted daily for a month from dawn till dusk. Traditionally the eid holidays (also known as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) run for two consecutive days but this year, the second day coincides with Malaysia's 54th Independence Day.

So this year is indeed a double celebration for Malaysians in general and especially for the muslims throughout; the Bomoh Tulang would like to take this oppurtunity to wish a Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Independence day to all Malaysians!

Happy Holidays and have a safe journey home!

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

- the BomohTulang -

ACHILLES TENDON CUT due to TOILET BOWL INJURY

The patient slipped in the bathroom and his foot crashed into the toilet bowl. (no he was not squatting on the edge of the toilet seat - see bottom pic)

He sustained a deep laceration over his calf and a clinical examination showed that the achilles tendon was torn.
This was confirmed intra-operatively, where an emergency debridement, exploration and tendon repair was done the same day.

Intra-op findings

Wound blurred out as deemed too gory for public viewing :

Post operatively, a backslab with the ankle in equinus was applied so as to relieve the tension on the operated tendon. This will be replaced later with a special walking boot allowing range of motion exercises to the ankle, with partial weight bearing of the affected limb. Total rehabilitation would take about 4-6 weeks

Apparently a group of doctors reported on this seemingly "rare" case and got it published in the foot and ankle journal.

On another related note, have you been to the toilets in the malls? you would probably come across this sign:

The bottom right symbol is an apt reminder of what not to do if one wishes to avoid getting the injury that our friend above had... perhaps the mall management might want to use the picture above to illustrate the consequences of slipping into a toilet bowl.. hmm...

- the Bomoh Tulang -

reference:

the AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture 2009

FALL PREVENTION IN THE ELDERLY - KEMUNING NEWS magazine article

Broken bones are a very real risk in the elderly, partly due to the fact that bones are brittle at that age, and  minor falls could lead to a catastrophic fracture.
The Bomoh Tulang was featured in the July-September 2011 edition of Kemuning News the other day, featuring a write up on do's and dont's on fall prevention in the elderly.

 

Kemuning News is published on a quarterly basis, exclusively for the residents of Kota Kemuning, which is the housing area adjacent to the hospital.
If you are a resident of Kota Kemuning (or just happened to be in the vicinity), do pick up a copy as the publication is freely available at the convenience stores and the Petronas stations.

In case you have missed it, I have appended the article on my website here.

- the Bomoh Tulang -