Getting up off the floor not always easy!

March 31st — admin

I like to get down on the floor and play with my grandchildren. Lately I’ve been having trouble getting back up. Are there some tricks to help me with this?

One way to approach this problem is to change the way you get up. Go from a sitting position to lying down on your back. Roll to your side then get your knees under you. Use your arms to push up onto hands and knees.

If you have enough strength and flexibility you may be able to go from a sitting position right to a hands and knees position without lying down first.

Once you are on your hands and knees, crawl to a chair, couch, or other sturdy piece of furniture. Hold onto the furniture for balance and support. Move to a half-kneeling position using your stronger leg first. Use your hands against the thigh of that leg to push up or keep hold of the furniture and pull yourself up while transferring your weight onto the foot.

It seems like a simple task but it’s not one people think of when they feel stuck on the floor. The important thing is to use solid, unmoving items to help steady you. Don’t let your grandchildren help you, if you can avoid it. It’s very easy to overpower a small child and lose your balance and fall.

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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Do you have arthritis of the collarbone? More than 50% of adults over 60 do.

March 31st — admin

Of all things, I’ve come down with arthritis of the collarbone (where it attaches to the chest). I’ve never heard of this before. Most of my friends have arthritis of the shoulders, hips, or hands. Am I a rare case?

Not too rare. The most common problem affecting this joint (called the sternoclavicular joint or SCJ) is osteoarthritis. Degenerative changes from aging make this a disease of the older adult.

Studies show more than half of all adults age 60 or older have moderate to severe arthritic changes in the SCJ. Part of this may be due to the fact that the SCJ is the only place where the bones attach the arms to the main skeleton. Anyone with a history of manual labor or overuse of the arms is at risk for this condition.

Some have painful symptoms, while others do not. Treatment is only needed when pain and loss of motion occur. Surgery is rarely needed. Most patients do well with rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, or local steroid injection.

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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Can McConnell taping help my knee pain?

March 29th — admin

What is McConnell taping? I heard it might help my knee pain. Where do I get this tape?

Jenny McConnell is a physical therapist from Australia. She came up with a treatment plan using taping and exercise for a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It’s been used for the last 20 years with good results.

The taping is designed to pull the patella (kneecap) over the middle of the knee. This helps the patella track or glide up and down properly.

McConnell taping is done by trained physical therapists and athletic trainers. They use a special kind of tape that holds in place while the leg moves. Once the therapist or trainer decides the right taping method to use for your problem, you can learn how to apply it to yourself.

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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Delaying hip surgery for elderly improves recovery

March 26th — admin

My mother fell and broke her hip. The doctors say she has a better chance of recovery if we delay surgery. Why is this?

Mortality (death) rate during the first year after hip fracture repair is 55 percent in older adults when the surgery is done within the first 48 hours. The death rate goes down to 24 percent for surgery done 48 hours to one week later. Surgery done more than a week after injury is linked with only 14 percent death rate.

The reason for this? Doctors think many older patients are in poor condition when they fall. Medical treatment before surgery can make a difference. The person gets fluids and proper nutrition. Their medications are reviewed and adjusted. Those who have diabetes get their blood sugars regulated. Other health concerns can be taken care of.

All these things help improve the patient’s general condition and give them a chance for a better surgical result.

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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What is Friedrich’s disease?

March 25th — admin

My 62-year old sister was just diagnosed with Friedrich’s disease. Can you tell me something about this disease?

Friedrich’s disease is a rare condition affecting the collarbone (clavicle) where it attaches to the breastbone (sternum). The patient reports pain or discomfort, swelling, and crackling or popping of the joint called crepitus. There may even be a loss of arm motion on that side.

The cause of this disease remains unknown. For some reason there is a loss of blood supply to the area. The bone starts to die and decay. This process is called osteonecrosis. The bone becomes fragmented with normal, healthy bone surrounding small islands of necrotic (dying) bone.

Most often the problem solves itself and treatment isn’t needed. Sometimes the end of the bone must be removed surgically before healing can occur.

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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Losee maneuver can detect ACL injury

March 24th — admin

What is the “Losee maneuver?” I’ve heard it can be used to detect a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Dr. Ron Losee from Ennis, Montana, was the first to describe a test for ACL instability. It was called the Losee maneuver for many years. Now it’s sometimes referred to as the “pivot-shift” test.

When the test is done, the patient is asked, “Is this how your knee feels when it gives out?” The doctor doesn’t always feel a change in the knee during the test, so the patient’s report is important.

A positive pivot-shift may be a sign that surgery is needed to repair the torn ligament. There is a device that measures laxity between the two knees (a KT-2000). The results of one test usually aren’t enough to tell which patients need an operation. Tests like the pivot-shift, along with several others, are still important.

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 Knees. Tags: , , , , , , , . No Comments »

Saving money on hip replacement surgery

March 23rd — admin

I’m a self-insured, self-employed plumber. I desperately need a hip replacement to keep doing my job. I just can’t get in and out of tight spots anymore. What’s the fastest, least expensive way to get this done?

If you’re a good candidate, your doctor may consider you for the minimally invasive operation (MIO). Only a small incision is made. If you do well, you can be discharged and go home the same day.

A recent study comparing inpatient versus outpatient total hip replacements showed the outpatient method saved up to $4,000 per patient. That’s a big chunk of change if you’re paying out of pocket. Not all surgeons are set up to replace joints using the MIO method.

Once you find one who is, then ask about the kinds of patients who are allowed to have this surgery. Usually you have to be in stable health without heart, lung, or other major problems. If you have diabetes, a heart condition, or seizures, you may have to be in the hospital.

Follow all of the instructions the nurses and therapists give you both before and after the operation. This will help ensure a better result with fewer problems.

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 »

Do you have a torn rotator cuff or a SLAP?

March 22nd — admin

What’s a SLAP shoulder injury? Is that a new term for rotator cuff tear?

A SLAP (superior labral anterior posterior) shoulder injury is not the same as a rotator cuff tear. Both affect the shoulder. Different parts are injured. In the rotator cuff tear, one of four tendons around the shoulder is torn.

The SLAP lesion is a tear of the fibrous rim along the upper portion of the glenoid cavity (shoulder socket). The upper (superior) part of the labrum anchors one of the two tendons of the biceps muscle.

A SLAP injury occurs if the arm is bent inward at the shoulder enough times or with enough force. The upper arm (humerus) acts as a lever and tears the biceps tendon and labrum cartilage from the glenoid cavity. The tear occurs in a front-to-back (anterior-posterior) direction. That’s why it’s called a superior labrum anterior-posterior tear. In simpler terms it’s an upper rim front-to-back injury.

The SLAP lesion can occur as a result of overuse or trauma. It’s most common among overhead throwing athletes. When the force of injury is great enough the rotator cuff can be torn along with the labrum.

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 »

KT-1000 an accurate test for torn ACL

March 19th — admin

I’m scheduled to have a special test for my knee. It’s called a KT-1000. What is this exactly?

The KT-1000 arthrometer is a small device that’s strapped to the leg during knee examination. It’s used when the doctor thinks there may be a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

The examiner pulls on the uninjured knee and the gauge on the KT-1000 shows how many millimeters of motion occur between the lower leg bone (tibia) and the upper leg (femur). This motion is called a drawer sign. The reading is compared between the injured knee and the normal knee.

If there’s more than three millimeters difference between the knees, the ACL is torn. It’s considered more accurate than an MRI.

If you’d like to see a photo of this tool go to:
http://www.medmetric.com/kt1.htm or

http://www.ismoc.net/procedures/kt1000.html.

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 Knees. Tags: , , , , . No Comments »

Widow will need someone to help her after hip replacement surgery

March 18th — admin

I’m going to have my first hip replacement next month. The surgeon tells me if all goes well I should be home in 12 hours. I am widowed and live alone. How will I know what to do or how to care for myself?

With the new minimally invasive operations patients are able to go home quickly after joint replacements. The incision is smaller and the blood loss is less. The time under anesthesia is much less, too. Patients are up and walking with the therapist much faster.

One way to accomplish this is through pre-operative training. That means you’ll see a physical therapist before the operation. The first visit takes place about two weeks before the surgery. Then three to five days before your hip replacement, you’ll see the therapist again.

The therapist will teach you the exercises you’ll need to know. You’ll learn how to walk with crutches. In fact you’ll be required to practice both the exercises and the crutch walking before the operation.

You will need someone to help take care of you for a few days after the surgery. A nurse and a therapist will visit you in your home. You’ll be reminded of the dislocation precautions. Your blood levels will be checked. Your doctor will be notified if there are any problems. Most patients do very well with this approach.

Posted in Hips. Tags: , . No Comments »
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