I had total hip replacement surgery, how long will I limp?

February 26th — admin

I’m very self-conscious that I still limp after a total hip replacement I had five months ago. Will this ever go away?

Muscle weakness is the usual cause of a limp while walking. Three to six months after a total hip replacement, the muscles around the hip are still only at 50 percent of normal. Limping is not unusual up until six months after the replacement.

Limping may even go on up to one year later. This is because joint strength and function are still only at 80 percent of normal. It’s important to keep doing your rehab exercises. By five months you should be able to move past the basic program and continue to improve your strength.

Try to get back to your favorite physical activities. Any nonimpact sports you enjoy will help keep you on track for full recovery. If you aren’t seeing some gradual improvement over time, ask your doctor if there are any special or unusual reasons why you are still limping. Perhaps you’re a good candidate for an updated rehab program.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Blue hands are not just in Avatar!

February 25th — admin

Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and my arm is cold and stiff. My hand is blue and it looks like I’ve lost the blood supply to my hand. What causes this?

The condition you’re describing is called positional cyanosis. Cyanosis means a bluish discoloration. It’s caused by a lack of oxygen to the tissues. This can occur if you sleep in one position too long or if you lay on the arm without moving for more than two hours.

Another possible cause of this problem is a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). In the adult body, there’s a bundle of nerves and blood vessels that travel from the neck down the arm. These pass under the collarbone. If anything presses on the vessels, the blood supply can get cut off.

TOS can occur as a result of postural changes, bone spurs in the neck or shoulder, or problems with the muscles. A physical therapist can help you find the cause of the problem and solve it. If you don’t get relief from your symptoms in three months, see your doctor.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Is it possible to have bursitis of the knee?

February 24th — admin

Is it possible to have bursitis of the knee? I’ve had shoulder bursitis. Now my knee is acting up much the same way.

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac placed between two structures to help cushion friction during movement. Usually it’s located between a tendon and the bone. The bursa cushions the tendon as it moves over the bone. Sometimes there’s a bursa between two ligaments.

In bursitis the bursa gets inflamed. The patient has pain mostly on movement. The most common cause is repeated motion. Arthritis, infection, and injury can also cause bursitis. Bursitis occurs more often with aging as the bursa becomes thinner and dried out.

Problems with bursitis occur in the feet, hips, knees, shoulder, and elbows. There are several bursae around the knee joint. Kneeling is a common cause of one type of knee bursitis. This is sometimes called housemaid’s knee. Another type of bursitis occurs most often in people who install carpet, but anyone can get bursitis of the knee.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Elbows in or out for push-ups? It really does matter!

February 22nd — admin

I have been doing push-ups as part of my regular exercise routine. Does it really matter whether my elbows are out or in?

Yes, actually it does make a difference as to which muscles are activated. In both positions, the chest muscles are the primary movers. However, with the elbows tucked into the sides, the triceps muscle behind the upper arm becomes more active. When the elbows are out, the deltoid muscle of the upper arm is more active.

You can actually test this for yourself by doing many repetitions of just one kind (elbows in versus elbows out). You’ll likely be sore within 24 to 48 hours. Repeat the exercise using the other method. Compare which muscles are more active by patterns of soreness.

Most people would prefer to avoid muscle soreness. There are ways to measure muscle activity. Studies of adults doing push ups against a force plate have measured muscle activity with this exercise. Besides the main muscle doing the action, other helper muscles are found this way.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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How old is too old for a total knee replacement?

February 19th — admin

My 92-year old mother has severe knee arthritis. It seems to me she could sure benefit from a knee replacement. Is she too old?

Maybe not! A recent study from Mayo Clinic reports good results for adults over age 90 getting their first total knee replacement (TKR). They also report on patients ages 90 to 102 who had a repair or replacement of a previous TKR.

Doctors are expecting to see more and more adults in their 90s (and older) outliving the TKR put in when they were in their 70s. Likewise, as more people live longer, first timers in need of a joint replacement may show up in their 90s.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Capsular pattern of frozen shoulder explained here

February 17th — admin

The doctor and physical therapist told me I have a frozen shoulder with a capsular pattern. I understand the frozen shoulder part but what does ‘capsular pattern’ mean?

The shoulder is a very complex joint with muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae, and fibrous cartilage helping to hold it together and give it smooth motion. Four muscles and their tendons called the rotator cuff surround the shoulder joint like an envelope. These are covered by a fibrous connective tissue called the capsule.

The head of the humerus (upper arm bone) and the shoulder socket are enclosed by the capsule. Normally the capsule is large and loose. When injury or immobility damages the capsule a frozen shoulder can develop. This means the shoulder doesn’t move smoothly in the socket. It gets stuck or frozen in place. The medical term for this is adhesive capsulitis.

With a frozen shoulder a typical pattern of movement restriction starts. This is known as the capsular pattern of the shoulder. The greatest loss of motion is in outward or external rotation of the shoulder. Moving the arm away from the body is also limited. This is called shoulder abduction. In a severe capsular pattern inward or internal shoulder motion is also stuck.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Shoulders. Tags: , , , . 2 Comments »

Early detection of arthritis in knees essential

February 16th — admin

I have knee arthritis on the left side. I can do everything my friends can do, it just takes me longer. Should I be concerned?

It’s natural to wonder and worry when we start to see signs of change with aging or disease. Keeping active is the key to maintaining physical function. Taking longer to complete a task may be a sign of early decline in strength, balance, and motion. These three things are very important to our independence.

There are some tests of overall function. These measure several types of activities from dressing and bathing to more active forms of exercise. The presence of pain, general health, and mental attitude are also part of the picture.

If you are noticing some changes and have some concerns, see your doctor for a check-up. Early detection and prevention of problems is essential in keeping our good health for as long as possible.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Dehydration can complicate recovery from total hip replacement surgery

February 15th — admin

My older sister had a total hip replacement 2 months ago. She has had set backs and delays from the beginning. Dehydration seems to be the central problem. What causes this?

Even healthy older adults are at risk for dehydration (fluid loss). There is a decrease in thirst as we age and thus, a tendency to stop drinking liquids as much. Many Americans confuse thirst with hunger and eat instead of drinking.

Older adults who have hip joint surgery are also at increased risk of dehydration. There is blood loss with this operation. The problem gets worse if the patient has nausea and vomiting from medications. The presence of any other medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid problems adds to the mix.

Even mild to moderate dehydration can slow a patient down. Dizziness, weakness, and fatigue are common. Just getting through the daily activities or dressing, eating, and personal care can zap a patient’s strength. There may be no energy left for exercise needed after this operation.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Hips. Tags: , . No Comments »

What’s the most important factor in a successful total hip replacement?

February 10th — admin

What’s the most important factor in getting a hip joint replacement that lasts?

There are many things affecting the life of a joint implant. The first is bone density. The bone must be strong enough to handle the surgery and support an implant. Probably the most important step is to get a good fit of the implant stem into the bone canal. This is crucial for long-term implant results.

The doctor also chooses the implant carefully. There are many different hip joint replacements available. Matching the right size, shape, and style to each patient is important.

The patient must also follow the doctor’s and the physical therapist’s advice carefully. Doing too much or moving the wrong way too soon can have disastrous results.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Hips. Tags: . No Comments »

Shoulder surgery for torn rotator cuff often uses anchors

February 9th — admin

My son is going to have a rotator cuff tear repaired surgically. The doctor described a special anchor suture that will be used to hold the tendon in place until it heals. What kind of problems can come from using these anchors?

Rotator cuff tears are often repaired using some kind of anchor or suturing system. The fixation devices are called suture anchors. They work like rivets to reattach the tendon to the bone. These anchors can be made of bone, metal, or plastic.

Problems differ depending on the type of anchor material used. For example, some anchors (like the bone buttons) require a hole predrilled before insertion. This extra step makes for a longer operation. Sometimes the surgeon has trouble making and then finding and using the hole.

Anchors made of bone are usually absorbed by the surrounding bone and don’t have to be removed. Plastic anchors may also “dissolve” or get absorbed by the bone. Some metal anchors are held in place by threads or barbs. These do not resorb and can cause problems if they move or come loose.

Other problems can include breakage of the anchors, anchor pullout, infection, or rerupture of the tendon. Infection and poor wound healing are problems in a small number of cases. Usually, these patients have diabetes or some other healthy issues or they are tobacco users.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Shoulders. Tags: , , , . No Comments »
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