The best way to prevent ACL injuries

May 14th — admin

What’s the best way to prevent ACL injuries?

The jury is still out on this one. We can give you the results so far. Studies show balance and strength training are important. Flexibility is also a key feature in prevention programs. Training in all three of these areas is advised for the ankle, knee, and hip.

Single-leg balance drills have been shown to decrease knee injuries in female athletes. Forward and backward motion of the joint is improved with these exercises. Side-to-side motion is not as likely to change.

The results of studies so far suggest preseason training works well for athletes at risk for ACL injury. This includes female athletes with increased forward joint motion of the tibia (lower leg) against the femur (upper leg). Team training is good, but preventing injury works best by looking at each player’s needs and providing individual training.

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’s more important in the success of a hip replacement: age or attitude?

May 12th — admin

What’s more important in the success of a hip replacement: age or attitude?

Good question. At least one study shows that motivated patients can have a rapid recovery after total hip replacement. That IS a matter of attitude. But the same study showed that younger patients were more motivated than older patients.

The same study pointed out that recovery may be faster and easier for patients of all ages if pain is managed after the operation. Some new ideas are being put forth to help reduce tissue trauma through pain management techniques.

For example, several different ways are used to help control pain. First a local numbing agent can be injected into the operative site and around the scar. Pain medications can be used after that to help the patient get up and moving.

The goal is to have no pain, walking without a limp at the end of six weeks. The patient can be walking one to two miles without support by the end of the three months.

Again, younger patients tend to meet these goals more often than older patients. A good attitude goes a long way in rehab at any age.

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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Which test is best to show torn rotator cuff?

May 11th — admin

Is it possible to have a normal tendon show up as torn on an ultrasound study? I just had an MRI and an ultrasound. The MRI was normal but the US showed a tear in my rotator cuff. Which test should I believe?

Depend on your doctor’s final word to guide you. Doctors rarely rely on imaging studies without knowing the patient’s history and doing an exam. Many clinical tests can be done to find the exact tendon that’s involved.

A misdiagnosed torn rotator cuff usually goes the other way. In other words, there’s a tear but the image shows a normal tendon. It would be rare (but possible) to have a normal tendon diagnosed as torn. This could occur when there is what’s called an artifact, a blip in the picture. Artifacts come from extra electronic signals. Another possible reason for a wrong diagnosis is that the radiologist looking at the image can misread it.

One benefit to in-office ultrasound testing for orthopedic surgeons is the doctor’s knowledge of the patient. The patient doesn’t have to depend on the results read by a radiologist who has never seen the patient.

The surgeon has the advantage when looking at the image of knowing how the patient presented. The test can be done at the time of the exam, saving the patient from having to make another appointment on another day.

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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Arthritis in knee may cause a misstep

May 10th — admin

I have severe osteoarthritis in my left knee. I notice sometimes I misjudge how far to extend my knee when stepping off a curb. Is that caused by the arthritis?

The sense of joint position is called proprioception. Research shows that proprioception is altered with osteoarthritis. The more severe the patient’s symptoms, the longer it takes for the knee to register its position.

Scientists aren’t sure if the arthritic changes cause the change in joint position sense or the other way around. There could be other causes for your problem such as loss of joint motion and muscle weakness. It might be a good idea to have this checked out before a misstep causes a serious problem.

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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Total hip replacement may solve osteopetrosis problem

May 7th — admin

I have been in a wheelchair for the last year due to a broken hip that won’t heal. I have a special condition called osteopetrosis that is the problem. I’m only 47 years old and I don’t want to be in a wheelchair the rest of my life. Are there any new treatment ideas for this problem?

You do have a difficult situation. Osteopetrosis is a bone disease with dense but brittle bones. Fractures that don’t heal are common. You didn’t say what (if any) treatment has been tried.

Hip fractures are often treated with surgery to pin the bones together while they heal. Sometimes a more complicated operation called a femoral osteotomy is required to line the bones up and keep them in place.

When these measures fail, a joint replacement may be considered. There are only a dozen cases of joint replacement for osteopetrosis reported. Results are favorable. Patients are able to heal and have less pain. Some are able to walk without a limp or support. Others walk with a limp or need a walker or crutches to get around.

Long-term results show the implant is solid and stays in place. No fractures around the joint have been reported. Ask your surgeon about this possible treatment option.

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 complications perhaps caused by fluid

May 6th — admin

My father-in-law had surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. Afterwards he had a lot of swelling on the back of his neck down into the back of his shoulder. What could cause this problem?

Swelling of the neck, nerve problems, and even death of skin tissue can occur after arthroscopic surgery. Evidently the surgeon pushes fluid into the joint during the operation. This helps keep the joint open. It also washes away any blood that might keep the surgeon from seeing what he or she is doing.

The longer the surgery takes, the more fluid is forced into the joint. This increases the chances of problems occurring. Surgeons are encouraged to shorten the operating time as much as possible to reduce the amount of fluid put into the joint.

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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Best rehab strategy following total knee replacement surgery

May 5th — admin

What’s the best strategy to follow for rehab after a total knee replacement? I’ve been saving all my energy for physical therapy. After that I’m too tired to do anything else the rest of the day.

You may want to discuss this with your therapist. It’s best to work out a schedule that will enable you to exercise throughout the day at regular intervals. It’s understood that early on in the rehab program patients are still recovering from the operation. This is also the crucial time for getting as much motion as possible.

Maintain a good diet and get plenty of sleep at night. Check with your doctor about your fatigue level if it seems excessive. It may be drug-induced or you could have some other medical reason for it.

Some patients choose two times during the day when they set aside what they are doing and carry out their exercises. Others prefer to set a timer and do one or two exercises every hour. Your therapist will be able to advise you on which is best for you depending on how much joint motion you have.

Find out what your joint motion is and how much you need to increase it for each day, week, and over the next month. Make that your goal and work towards it everyday.

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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Power walking can aid osteoporosis

May 4th — admin

I’ve seen a few women at the park carrying small weights and walking faster than usual. What’s the advantage of doing this? Maybe I should give it a try.

Some people refer to this style of walking as “power walking.” With a small one or two pound weight in each hand and swinging the arms, you can get a boost to your workout. You’ll keep your pace up and raise your heart rate. You may even burn a few more calories and shed an extra pound or two.

There’s the added advantage of stress on the bones of the upper extremities, which can help with osteoporosis. Bone growth is stimulated whenever tension is applied by the tendon to the bone.

Some men and women who try this method of walking say it helps them remember to swing their arms and keep a more moderately brisk pace.

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 »

Could shoulder surgery cause weight gain?

May 3rd — admin

Whoa! I had arthroscopic surgery on my shoulder yesterday. Home today. I jumped on the bathroom scale and I’ve gained 10 pounds. I wasn’t even in the hospital overnight. Is this from the operation? What’s going on?

You aren’t the first one to have scale shock after shoulder arthroscopy. Most folks notice between a two and 20-pound weight gain. The average weight gain is about 10 pounds.

A recent study from the University of Texas tracked weight change in patients before and after this surgery. They found the main cause was the fluid pushed into the joint to help separate the joint surfaces. It gives the surgeon a little more room to work in.

The more damage there is to the joint or the longer the surgery takes to finish, the more fluid is pushed into the area. This is the key factor causing the weight gain. Doctors have been advised to shorten the surgical time whenever 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.

Posted in Shoulders. Tags: , . No Comments »
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