Orthopedic Surgeon Girard OH
5 Ways to Avoid Knee Injury
Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Sitting Comfortably after Back Surgery
5 Ways to Avoid Knee Injury
Knee injury and chronic knee pain are among the most common complaints people of all ages bring to their doctor's office. The four bones and four thick ligaments that make up our legs' main hinges are vulnerable. As our body's biggest joint, they bend, twist, pivot, turn and withstand a lot of weight. Some wear and tear is inevitable but many knee injuries are preventable. The most common knee injuries are caused by arthritis and damage to the Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL), Medial Collateral Ligaments (MCL) and the meniscus (cartilage between the bones). Tears and strains of these tissues are particularly common in athletes whose high-performance training schedules provide lots of opportunity for injury. For exercise beginners, people who don't exercise regularly and weekend warriors, knee injuries happen when they're stressed beyond what they can handle. Dennis Bley, DO internal medicine physician in Portland, OR says, "People remember how fast or strong they were in high school or college and plan on starting up where they left off. This leads to strains, pulls and tears that did not need to happen. Prevent Knee InjuryHow can you avoid knee injury? Follow these five tips: 1. Don't overdo it. Whether you're new to exercise or seriously training for an athletic event, sudden increases in exercise intensity or duration can put too much strain on knees. Bley says, "Start slow, and give your body time to adjust. Prepare for your sport in the off-season. The older you get, the more prep time you will need." 2. Don't ignore early signs. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons advises patients to seek treatment as soon as possible after experiencing knee pain, especially if you:
3. Take a load off. Every pound of body weight puts five pounds of force on your knees. That means that carrying extra bodyweight adds a heavy burden that puts you at increased risk for knee injury. Maintain a healthy body weight to help knees last a lifetime. 4. Exercise your knees properly. Your bones and ligaments need the support of surrounding muscles. If certain muscles are over-trained and others are undertrained, the result can be muscles and ligaments that yank knees out of alignment. Talk to your physician and a fitness trainer about ... |
Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?
If you're suffering from any sort of dysfunction or deformity of your musculoskeletal system, an orthopedic surgeon is who you want to see. Orthopedic surgery is an extremely wide-ranging field that covers multiple parts of the body. Orthopedic surgeons, also known as orthopedists, are trained to diagnose and treat problems in the spine, extremities, joints, muscles and ligaments, as well as other areas. They deal with fractures, tears, sprains, ruptures, and dislocations on a daily basis. Because of the broad spectrum of conditions orthopedic surgeons treat, many choose to specialize. Some concentrate on hand surgery, some on foot and ankle surgery, and others on the spine, knee, or hip. Some treat sports injuries specifically, while others treat only children. How do you know if it's time to visit an orthopedic surgeon, and what can this doctor do for you? Consider making an appointment if you have pain that won't let up, diminished function, or any disfiguration that's interfering with your daily life. Arthritis is a common reason people see orthopedic surgeons, and treatments vary depending on the part of the body affected, the intensity of the discomfort, and how advanced the disease is. Generally, an orthopedic surgeon may try the following therapies before resorting to surgery:
If all... |
Sitting Comfortably after Back Surgery
Once you've gotten through back surgery, you're most likely eager to start your pain-free life. Unfortunately, simple activities like sitting can be a struggle. How do you overcome the battle to sit comfortably after back surgery? Here, we have the information you so desperately need. What to Expect Immediately after Back SurgeryThe hours immediately after back surgery are particularly important for proper recovery. Your nurses will help you roll out of bed to stand for a few minutes within hours of leaving the recovery room. Using a "log roll" technique, you'll turn your hips and shoulders at the same time (to avoid twisting and bending) before standing up. You won't sit for more than a few moments as this can put pressure on the surgical site. In the days following surgery, you'll gradually sit for longer periods of time. Nurses and physical therapists will teach proper technique for getting in and out of bed, walking and sitting. The Recovery PeriodOnce you're home after back surgery, sitting comfortably is all about technique. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons advises that "for at least the first 3 months, sit only in chairs that have arms. Do not sit on low chairs, low stools, or reclining chairs. Do not cross your legs at the knees. Keep your affected leg out in front of you. Get up and move around on a regular basis-at least once every hour." Patrice Winter, PTMS, physical therapist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association adds, "sitting puts a lot of internal pressure on the discs of the spine and can cause pain and damage. In the post-surgery stage, it's usually more comfortable to walk, stand or lie down. When it's time to return to work, many patients feel best if they use a standing desk, slightly higher than a kitchen counter. Stand on one foot and place the other on a slightly higher footrest. This reduces pressure on the spine." Returning to NormalAfter recovery, sitting comfortably depends on how you sit, not what you sit on. Winter says, "Most of us collapse into a chair like a sack of potatoes. Sitting should be dynamic and active. You should feel your abdominal muscles contract. You want to perch and create a tripod of support for your back using your bottom and both feet. Sit at the front part of your seat with your buttocks slightly higher than your knees and both feet flat on the floor." What about supportive devices? Lumbar support pillows, ergonomic chairs, knee chairs, and back braces may be fine for immediate recovery, but Winter believes the key to sitting comfortably after back surgery is using strong core muscles. "If you use a pillow to support your low back but then collapse over it and create an arch, you're going to hurt your back. It's more important to sit properly than depend on equipment." The one piece of equipment Winter loves is the exercise ball because it forces people to sit correctly. "If you don't use proper body mechanics w... |
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