How Long Does It Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

in ,

Article featured on Orthopedic Associates

Preparing for orthopedic surgery can make a person nervous and hopeful at the same time. You are optimistic about the potential results and improvements that can come from surgical interventions. At the same time, there are often questions about the recovery process.

If you have an injury or chronic health issues affecting your function and movement, orthopedic surgery might be the key to restoring your health. Rest assured, knowing that the surgeon will plan the ideal treatment to address your unique needs, as well as recommendations to speed up your healing time and optimize overall results during recovery.

In addition to the surgical treatment, it’s just as important to ensure that you are diligent about implementing rehabilitation and care to support your healing. It takes time and effort to recover after surgery, but it will be worth the inconvenience because of the long-term results you can achieve.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

Remember that it is going to take time to recover from orthopedic surgery. Many patients are anxious to return to normal lifestyles as quickly as possible. But it’s critical that you follow the doctor’s recommendations to ensure proper healing.

Depending on the type of surgery you need, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to recover from orthopedic surgery.

The initial days and weeks after surgery often require immobilization and limited activities. But as your body heals, you can return to normal activities once again. Always follow the doctor’s recommendations because certain things might slow your progress if you aren’t careful about this healing time.

Initially, you will likely be dealing with pain, swelling, and inflammation. As these post-operative symptoms start to subside, your recovery treatment can change to include treatments that help you move again and restore normal function.

What Is Involved in Post-Surgery Recovery?

Each patient receives unique recommendations for their recovery plan, depending on the type of surgery and personalized concerns. Common recommendations during rehabilitation include services from medical experts and at-home methods to support the healing process.

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Ice and heat therapy
  • Stretching and strength training
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Pain management medications
  • Other medications to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of infection
  • Time off work and daily activities
  • Wound care

The more diligent you are in following the surgeon’s recommendations, the faster you can return to normal activities in the coming weeks and months. It’s critical that you respect this recovery period to allow your body time to heal. Returning to certain activities too soon could potentially harm your progress because of the damage or stress that occurs to the surgical site.

Recommendations for Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Always plan time for recovery after orthopedic surgery. Your doctor will recommend how many days, weeks, or months you will need during this recovery time.

While there are unique recommendations depending on the type of surgery you need, general suggestions apply to all types of surgery.

Have Patience During Your Recovery

Even though you are anxious to return to your normal activities as quickly as possible, it’s essential that you are patient with yourself during this recovery time. Be kind to yourself and remember that time is one of the most important factors in supporting your healing.

Recovery won’t happen overnight. Healing takes time, and you need to respect your body and allow the natural healing processes to take place. A positive attitude about this process will help you maintain consistency in implementing the recommended practices during your recovery.

Talk to the surgeon before the treatment to understand realistic expectations for your recovery period. This conversation will help you know what to expect so you can maintain the right mindset, including realistic expectations for the recovery timeframe and specific treatments to assist with this healing period.

There’s no question that surgery is a major, life-changing procedure. Not only will this treatment affect your life, but it also has an impact on the lives of your family and friends. Loved ones can step in to assist during this treatment time.

Additionally, your recovery ensures that you can return to your family and career responsibilities after the surgery.

Long-Term Perspective for Optimal Recovery

Not only are we helping you with a fast and effective recovery, but we also want to be sure that you achieve the best possible results in the future.

The small recovery steps you take right now can impact the long-term results you can achieve in the future.

If immobilization is recommended after surgery, avoiding activities that could overwork this part of the body is essential. For example, if you have knee surgery and the doctor recommends no weight on that leg for the first few weeks, then be diligent about using crutches. Wait to walk on the leg until you have consulted with the surgeon, and they have determined that sufficient healing has occurred.

What to Expect After Different Types of Orthopedic Surgeries

Post-recovery recommendations will vary depending on the type of surgery and the area of the body that is treated. Small surgeries might only require a few days of downtime. But major treatments will need several weeks or months to ensure proper healing.

  • Knee Surgery: Often, knee surgery is required after a sports accident or to fix wear-and-tear in the joint. If you have a partial or complete tear in the knee ligaments, you will likely need 6 – 8 months for recovery.
  • Bone Fractures: Depending on the severity of the break, you will likely need six to eight weeks for upper limb recovery or as long as 12 weeks for lower limb recovery.
  • Spinal Surgery: The most common type of spinal surgery is to address nerve pain or alignment of the spinal column. Often, months of recovery are required, especially for more invasive types of spinal surgery. For example, you might need 12 – 18 weeks for your recovery time, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

Each situation is unique, and your doctor can offer recommendations to support your healing period. The best thing you can do is follow these suggestions to ensure your injured area recovers as quickly and effectively as possible.

4 Common Orthopedic Trauma Injuries & Treatment

in , ,

Article featured on MedStar Health

How We Treat Common Othropaedic Trauma Injuries

Lower Extremity Fractures

We see a large number of lower extremity injuries from individuals getting struck by cars, such as a tibial plateau fracture, which occurs when you break the bone on the top part of your tibia, right below your knee. This often happens because a car’s bumper strikes someone from the side at about knee level. Other common lower extremity injuries, such as a femur fracture and pelvic fracture, occur the most in the spring and summer, when people are out riding their motorcycles, bicycles, and motorized scooters.

Treatment for lower extremity fractures typically involves a surgeon realigning a patient’s affected bone and joints to their natural positions and holding them in place with plates and screws in a way that allows for them to heal properly.

While bones typically take about three months to heal, the hardware we insert during surgery sometimes is strong enough to support patients’ weight, allowing them to walk right after surgery. But speak to your doctor to see what to expect from your surgery, as some fractures, such as those close to joints, need to be fixed with hardware that is not designed to support the patient’s weight, resulting in people waiting weeks to months to put weight on their legs. Once patients are able to bear weight again, physical therapists can help them with strength and flexibility exercises to minimize stiffness and regain muscle loss. Social workers also can help patients plan for disability insurance or any time off work while they recover.

Wrist Injuries

We often see individuals with wrist injuries after they try to catch themselves when they slip and fall. This is especially common during the winter months, when snow and ice are on the ground. One of the most common wrist injuries we see is a fractured distal radius (broken wrist).

Treatment for a distal radius fracture typically involves patients either wearing a cast for around six weeks to allow the wrist to heal or undergoing surgery to better align the wrist and stabilize it  in order for it to heal properly.

Bones That Don’t Heal Properly

Some people are referred to us by their primary care doctors or other orthopaedic specialists because they’re having complications from previous fractures, such as a bone healing crookedly or not healing at all (nonunion).

To treat a nonunion, we first try to identify whether the patient’s bones aren’t receiving enough blood supply or the patient is lacking vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, which are necessary for proper bone healing. If neither is the case, we typically can get the bone to begin healing by retrieving bone from another part of the body and inserting it into the fracture site of the bone that isn’t healing properly.  We may need to also stabilize the bone differently from what was tried initially.

For bones that heal crookedly, we may need to cut the bone to realign it to the proper position.  We then stabilize it to hold it in that position. Depending on the situation, this can be performed all on the inside of the body or by using a system on the outside of the body that connects with a computer program.

Bone Infections

Some patients are referred to us because of osteomyelitis, a complicated bone infection. Osteomyelitis often can occur after trauma and can affect any bone. Without the proper treatment, osteomyelitis can spread to the tissues near the bone, kill the bone, and prevent any fractures from healing.

We treat these bone infections with surgery in which we open up the bone, remove as much of the infection as possible, and prescribe the patient antibiotics to both kill any remaining traces of the infection and keep it away long-term.

Can You Prevent Orthopaedic Trauma Injuries?

Unfortunately, many orthopedic trauma injuries are due to random events, such as someone running a red light and hitting another person’s car. There isn’t much we can do to prevent these types of events.

But it’s possible for you to avoid some traumatic injuries by carefully selecting what activities you want to participate in and understanding your physical limits. If you’re riding a motorcycle or bicycle, for example, make sure you’re moving at a safe pace and are always aware of your surroundings. If you’re on a ski trip, don’t ski on the hardest trail without having the appropriate skill level.

What Should People Do in an Emergency?

If an individual experiences an orthopaedic trauma injury, such as a severely injured limb, call 911 right away to request an ambulance. While the ambulance is on the way, it’s important for the injured person to stay calm and keep the affected arm or leg still. This can not only reduce the pain but also help prevent further injury to the soft tissues surrounding the injured bones. If there’s newspaper or cardboard nearby, try rolling it up to form a makeshift splint.

If someone has an open fracture—when there’s an open wound or break in the skin near the broken bone, what used to be referred to as a compound fracture—or has any injury that causes excessive bleeding, applying pressure on the area helps reduce the bleeding while they wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

The Benefits of Seeing an Orthopedic Doctor

in

Article featured on Movement Orthopedics

Orthopedic doctors are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Often, people seek a doctor when the pain becomes unbearable. This is not a good idea, because getting a diagnosis and treatment early on can often save you from a lot of suffering and make your recovery period shorter.

Here are a few benefits of seeing an orthopedic doctor.

Reduce or Eliminate Pain

By far, the most common reason why people seek orthopedic care is to reduce or eliminate pain. Whether the pain is caused by an injury or condition, an orthopedic doctor can diagnose you and recommend an effective treatment plan. One of the most common reasons for chronic pain is osteoarthritis. An orthopedic doctor can provide options for pain management that focus on bringing down inflammation, which is detrimental to your joint health. Pain management therapies include bracing, injection therapy, viscosupplementation, and physical therapy.

Restore Normal Joint Function

Following an injury or due to a condition like arthritis, you may experience stiffness and limited range of motion when you try to move an affected joint. Being unable to use your body to the full extent possible can significantly affect your daily life. As such, orthopedic doctors diagnose such issues and recommend treatments to improve functionality.

Enhance Your Exercise and Sports Performance

Many orthopedic doctors are also trained in sports medicine, which means they have the unique training and skills required to not just diagnose and treat injuries for the average person, but also for physically active individuals. What makes these individuals so different? Physically active individuals and athletes are susceptible to different types of injuries and conditions, and their recovery often needs to be completed sooner and well enough to not affect their athletic performance.

Sports medicine specialists can help professional athletes, amateur athletes, and weekend warriors perform at the best level possible. If you want excellent results that enhance your athletic performance, seeing an orthopedic doctor specializing in sports medicine is the best way to go. They can create a personalized plan that boosts your performance while minimizing negative long-term effects of rigorous physical activity on the body.

Receive Surgical Treatment If And When Necessary

Orthopedic doctors trained in surgery provide comprehensive services, including surgery. This means, while every attempt will be made to treat you through conservative treatments first, if you don’t achieve the results you want, surgery options will be explored. Orthopedic surgeons are experts in fixing musculoskeletal issues through surgery, so you can rest assured you will recover and return to normal function as soon as possible. Orthopedic surgeons often perform a lot of advanced surgeries in an outpatient setting, allowing you to recover at home on the same day as the procedure.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Understanding Common Orthopedic Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

in , ,
Article featured on Coastal Orthopedics
We realize that car accidents can be traumatic experiences that can cause severe, visible, and invisible injuries. Often, the impact can result in orthopedic injuries, which are injuries to the musculoskeletal system that includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

These injuries can cause significant pain, limit mobility and the ability to perform everyday tasks and require a lengthy recovery process. Understanding the common orthopedic injuries resulting from car accidents can help you be aware of the potential risks and seek prompt medical attention.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury that results from a car accident, particularly rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is jerked back and forth suddenly, causing the head to move beyond its normal range of motion. Whiplash can result in neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. It may also cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

The severity of whiplash can vary depending on the force of the impact, the angle of the collision, and other factors. While some people may recover from whiplash within a few weeks with proper rest and pain management, others may experience chronic pain and long-term complications.

Fractures

Fractures, or broken bones, are another common orthopedic injury resulting from car accidents. Fractures can occur in any part of the body, including the arms, legs, hips, spine, and ribs. The severity of the fracture can vary from a hairline fracture to a complete break that requires surgical intervention.

Fractures can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility. In severe cases, fractures can result in permanent disability or chronic pain. Immediate medical attention is essential to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.

Dislocations

Dislocations occur when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. Car accidents can cause dislocations in various parts of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. Dislocations can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility. In severe cases, dislocations may require surgery to correct.

Torn Ligaments

Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other in joints. Car accidents can cause ligaments to tear, resulting in pain, swelling, and instability in the affected joint. Torn ligaments are most common in the knee and ankle, but they can occur in any joint. Recovery from torn ligaments can be lengthy and require physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are a severe orthopedic injury that can result from car accidents. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain to the lower back and controls various bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other complications.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of the damage. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent further damage and ensure the best possible outcome.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are not caused by a fracture or dislocation. Car accidents can cause soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn, while strains occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

Soft tissue injuries can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. While some soft tissue injuries may heal with rest and physical therapy, others may require surgical intervention.

Concussions

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can occur when the head is hit, shaken, or jerked suddenly. Car accidents can cause concussons, which can result in headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. In severe cases, concussions can cause unconsciousness, seizures, and other complications.

Recovery

Recovery from a concussion can take several weeks or even months, and it is essential to seek prompt medical attention to ensure proper treatment and avoid long-term complications.

Prevention

While car accidents can happen unexpectedly, taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of orthopedic injuries. Always wear a seatbelt and ensure that all passengers in the car do the same. Properly install and use car seats for children. Avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and limit distractions while driving, such as using your phone or eating.

Conclusion

Car accidents can cause a range of orthopedic injuries, including whiplash, fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and concussions.

These injuries can cause significant pain, limit mobility, and require lengthy recovery periods. Understanding the common orthopedic injuries resulting from car accidents can help you be aware of the potential risks and seek prompt medical attention.

Taking preventive measures, such as wearing a seatbelt and avoiding distractions while driving, can help reduce the risk of orthopedic injuries and ensure your safety on the road.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Congratulations, Dr. Racca, 2023 Albuquerque Top Doc, Orthopedics

in , , ,

We congratulate Dr. Racca for being chosen as the Top Doc for Orthopedics in Albuquerque Magazine’s 2023 edition. To read the entire article, subscribers can access the digital issue here. Additionally, a list of newsstands where the magazine is available for purchase can be found here.

 

10 Signs You Need to See an Orthopedic Doctor

in

Article featured on Greene County Medical Center

Your job can be hard work. Depending on what you do, you could be lifting heavy objects, doing repetitive motions, twisting, turning and moving all day long. The muscles, joints and nerves in your body can take a beating, but it’s important to take care of them before the problems become severe. Consider these warning signs to determine when to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor.

1. Shoulder Pain

Pain in shoulders that increases at night and gets worse with movement should be examined by an orthopedic doctor. These symptoms are often combined with tenderness around a joint and can be a sign of tendonitis. This condition, which occurs due to overuse or injury, can  display the same symptoms in the elbow, heel and wrist. Tendons join the muscles to the bones in the body. If they become injured, overworked or lose elasticity during aging, they can cause the tendon to swell and become inflamed.

2. Trouble Climbing Stairs

Over time, joints in the knees and hips naturally begin to deteriorate, but sometimes they become too painful to function. If you have trouble walking, climbing stairs or getting out of chairs, it may be time to consider joint replacement surgery. Chronic pain that lasts more than six months and affects your daily life is a sign that your joints may be damaged. Reasons for joint replacement include past injuries and years of constant use.

3. Tingling or Numb Hands

If you feel like you commonly drop things, or if you have had a tingling in your thumb, index or middle finger, it’s possible that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve that runs from your forearm to your wrist travels through a “tunnel” in your wrist and gives the sensation to your thumb and all of your fingers except your pinky. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by several things including a previous wrist fracture or working with tools or machinery that vibrate or require repetitive flexing of the wrist.

4. Pain from Repetitive Motions

Occupations that require movement in a repetitive motion often create stress injuries in the muscles, tendons and nerves. Machines that produce vibrations, constantly awkward positions and forceful exertions also can cause stress injuries. This condition can cause pain and uncomfortable feelings in your body, especially in the upper body.

5. Painful Joints

Persistent or chronic pain in your joints is a sign that something is wrong. The term “chronic” means the pain lasts three to six months, or never goes away. This pain can be associated with inflammation or swelling around the joints, but it can also be a sign that the bones of the joints are rubbing together. All of these symptoms can be a sign of arthritis.

Arthritis is more prevalent in women than in men, and the risk of developing arthritis increases with age. However, people as young as 20 can develop arthritis depending on their risk factors. Excess weight, previous joint injuries and repeated bending of individual joints due to an occupation or everyday task can also increase your chances of arthritis.

6. Twisted Ankles

Walking on uneven ground or stepping on an object can often cause you to roll or twist your ankle. Pain on the outside of the ankle, swelling and bruising are all typical signs of a twisted or sprained ankle. Sprains are common in people who are on the move during the day. Some people have a predisposition to spraining their ankles due to their posture or the way their feet are turned. Past ankle sprains are also a risk factor for injuring your ankle again.

7. Swollen Wrist

If you have ever fallen and landed on your hand, the chances are your wrist became swollen and bruised. More than likely, you had a sprained wrist. A sprain is the stretching of the ligaments that connect your bones to each other. Pulling or possibly even tearing these ligaments causes pain and loss of mobility in your wrist.

8. Swollen Joints

Joints that are swollen, tender, warm or stiff can be a sign of bursitis. This condition is caused by an increase in activity level, overuse or excess weight. A bursa is a sac filled with fluid that protects the muscles, tendons and bones from rubbing against each other. Bursitis is the swelling of these sacs. It happens most often in the shoulders, knees, elbows, feet and hips.

9. Worsening Injury

An injury from an accident, like a fall or major collision, takes time to heal, but if the pain and swelling aren’t going away on their own you might have a fracture. A fracture is a crack or break in a bone. They happen most often to the arms, hips, spine and legs. Children break their arms more than adults because they attempt to catch themselves when they fall. People most at risk for fractures are under the age of 20 or over the age of 65.

Signs of a fracture include swelling or bruising over an injury to a bone, pain that gets worse with movement or pressure, and a loss of function of the injured body part.

10. Weak, Stiff and Bruised Muscles

If you have had an injury and are now experiencing swelling, pain and a bluish discoloration around the injury, it’s possible you have a muscle contusion. These injuries happen when a muscle is hit with a blunt object, or your body is slammed into a hard object. The fibers of the muscle are crushed, but the skin is not broken. Sometimes, blood can pool under the skin creating a lump over the injury.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Congratulations, Dr. Franco, 2022 Albuquerque Top Doc, Orthopedics

in , , ,

 
We’d like to congratulate Dr. Franco for being selected Top Doc of ABQ 2022 for Orthopedics! Check out the article below to enjoy Dr. Franco’s entertaining answers to the interview questions. Those who know him know perfectly well why he was voted “best personality” in high school. 😀
Subscribers can access the digital issue here. Also, here’s a handy link to the list of newsstands where the magazine is on sale: newsstand locations.

 

Types of Joint Pain and Tips for Describing to Your Orthopedic Surgeon

in ,

Article featured on Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Joint pain can be debilitating, limiting daily activities and draining you both physically and emotionally.  In many instances, joint discomfort is the result of some type of arthritis.  There are various treatment options, including medications, physical therapy, injections, alternative therapies, and surgical solutions, depending on the severity of your joint pain and the damage to the joints.

Is It Joint Pain or Bone Pain?

Accurately describing your joint pain to your orthopedic surgeon can help them determine what treatment is best for you.  Joint pain is different from bone pain and can vary in sensation and severity.  Clearly explaining the feeling is crucial to appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  Bone pain is typically sharp and localized to a specific area, while joint pain tends to be more of an ache and occurs only in the affect joints, not all along a bone.  However, if the joint damage is severe, it may feel quite intense due to missing or damaged cartilage leading to bones grinding against each other.  Joint pain often increases with overactivity or too much weight on the joint.

Be Accurate When Describing Joint Pain

Saying that your joints are stiff isn’t helpful to your doctor or surgeon because it is too vague.  Pinpointing how much pain you’re in, what kind of pain you’re feeling, and how it impacts your ability to use the joints are all part of describing pain accurately.  Osteoarthritis pain tends to feel different from rheumatoid arthritis and other sources of joint pain, so be precise and thorough.  The more detailed your description is, the easier it is for your surgeon to determine the root of the problem.

Where is the Pain Located?

If you have joint pain in your knees, explain whether you feel it in the kneecap area, the back of the joint, or on the sides.  The knee’s complex ligaments and bone structure mean there is more than one kind of knee joint pain.  If you have joint pain in the hands, tell your doctor which joints are affected.  For instance, osteoarthritis is more common in the joints at the end of the fingers, while rheumatoid arthritis isn’t as likely in these joints.  Narrow down the area as much as possible.

What Kind of Pain Is It?

There are many kinds of pain, and the form it takes is critical when diagnosing and treating joint issues.  Descriptive words are helpful, as are comparisons such as, “It feels like something is caught in the joint.”  Here are some excellent descriptions you can use:

  • Crunching or Grinding.  When bones are rubbing against each other, you may feel like the joint is grinding rather than moving smoothly.  It may feel like gravel in the joint.
  • Snapping, Crackling, or Popping.  This is the sensation of something releasing or popping out of place and is often accompanied by a popping sound.  Osteoarthritis often leads to snapping or crackling in the joints.
  • Throbbing.  If the joint pain feels like it pulses, make sure your surgeon knows.
  • Dull or Achy.  Your pain can be dull (rather like a bruise) but still be severe.  Dull pain or aching can be an underlying, constant pain with periodic flares of other kinds of pain such as stabbing or burning sensations.
  • Stabbing.  Does it feel like somebody stuck a knife in your joint?  Your surgeon needs to know if the stabbing pain is consistent, periodic, or linked to any activities or other circumstances such as standing for long periods.
  • Burning.  Some patients describe burning pain as the joint burning from the inside or a hot sensation in the joints.
  • Radiating.  If you have pain that starts in one area then travels toward another, it is described as radiating pain.  Some people experience hip pain that radiates down the leg when they try to put weight on it.  This may indicate nerve involvement in addition to problems with the joint itself.

The When and Why of Joint Pain

Joint pain isn’t always constant.  It can come and go depending on what you’re doing and the time of day.  Make sure your surgeon knows if your pain seems to flare when you participate in in certain activities or gets worse during specific times.  If your pain is more significant when you wake up in the morning or is aggravated after activities, tell your doctor.  Some forms of arthritis may cause greater pain after you’ve been moving around a lot, while others may be worse after you’ve been inactive for too long.  If your joints lock up, give way, or feel weak or unstable, your doctor needs to know this, particularly if increased pain results.
The duration of your pain is another element of the “when” of joint pain.  While your knees or hips may hurt a lot when you first wake up in the morning, how long it lasts can indicate whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.  It can also help define the severity of the problem.  Does the discomfort after exercising last 30 minutes or several hours?  Is the pain worse when walking up a hill or a flight of stairs?  Details like this can aid your surgeon in a correct arthritis diagnosis.
Finally, be sure to inform your doctor of any other elements that affect your joint pain.  Pain that flares during certain types of weather, when you’re under stress, or when you are tired may help pinpoint an arthritis diagnosis or indicate other underlying issues.

The Severity of Joint Pain

Many physicians use a pain scale of 1 to 10, with 1 meaning little to no pain and 10 meaning unbearable pain.  No one experiences pain the same way others do, but the pain scale helps doctors get an idea of how severe your discomfort is and how much it impacts your life.

  • 0 = No pain
  • 1 = Occasional, minimal pain
  • 2 = Mildly annoying, not constant
  • 3 = Painful enough to distract you if not busy
  • 4 = Maybe distracting even when occupied
  • 5 = Can’t be ignored for long stretches, but you can still do things (although uncomfortably)
  • 6 = Can’t ignore your pain
  • 7 = Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, and socializing
  • 8 = Physical limitations and difficulty with normal functioning, nausea, and dizziness
  • 9 = Crying, inability to speak, possibly passing out from the pain
  • 10 = Unconsciousness

Successfully Treating Arthritis Pain

The two most common forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, generally require different approaches, making the proper diagnosis critical when you’re suffering from joint pain.  Arthritis surgery is one of many options available to minimize discomfort and increase range of motion.  Still, your surgeon will usually recommend it only after you’ve tried other treatments such as medications and physical therapy.
Arthritis pain may be the result of a variety of triggers, including:

  • Cracks or chips in the affected bones
  • Inflammation of the tendons and muscles around arthritic joints
  • Bone spurs
  • Muscle spasms caused by irritation from damaged bone
  • Decreased blood flow in arthritic joints
  • Loss of synovium between the bones

With so many potential causes of joint pain and a wide range of treatment options, accurately describing your pain to your surgeon is the first step in finding the best treatment for you and getting you back to doing the activities you enjoy.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.
New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.
Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.
If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Did You Know That Inactivity is Actually HARD On Your Knees?

in , , , , , ,

Between working from home and being glued to the television watching the latest election updates, many of us are guilty of increased “couch potato” behavior lately.  And we’ve all heard of the dangers of sedentary lifestyles contributing to obesity, etc.,  but did you know that *not* moving can actually weaken your knees and increase your chances of osteoporosis?

Continue reading for more from Noyes Knee Institute and the Journal of Public Health.

From Noyes Knee Institute

Do you spend a lot of time sitting? Maybe you work at an office where most of your time is at your desk, or maybe when you’re at home, you prefer to rest on the couch instead of being on your feet. Many people live a mostly inactive lifestyle, but they might not realize that inactivity can be the reason why they experience increased joint pain.

Learn the reasons why inactivity can hurt your knees and what you can do to change it.

Weakens Your Knees

If you live a life or limited activity, your body adapts to that lack of motion. Essentially, when you aren’t using your legs muscles, ligaments, and joints for moderate levels of activity, you are losing them. Your knees become weaker as you require less of them.

One runner found that as she took time off running to rehabilitate an injury, she could not run after completing her recovery because of knee pain. She had to complete additional physical therapy because the rest had caused her to develop a condition called chondromalacia of the patella.

Essentially, her kneecap would not follow the proper range of motion because she had developed some weakness in the joint. It’s a common condition for people who are not active. Even something as simple as going up or down the stairs can make your knees ache.

If you spend your day sitting, you also experience pain in other areas that can also aggravate the knee. Your quadriceps become tight, which exert a pulling sensation on your knees.

You can help your knees feel better by focusing on flexibility. Stretch daily, and participate in joint-stabilizing exercises like yoga. Try to be more active during the day. Stand at your desk, or take time to walk around the office a few times. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Increases Your Risk of Arthritis Pain

If you start to experience joint pain as a result of arthritis, your first instinct is to rest more, because walking, running, biking, or other activities cause pain. However, resting when you have knee pain is often the worst solution.

Resting will cause the muscles that give the knee support to weaken. As a result, they become less able to bear your weight, which results in greater joint pain. Reduced strength in the knee joint also translates to reduced stability, which can increase your risk for accidents and make exercising even more difficult to do safely.

If you have arthritis or if you have a history of arthritis in your family, staying active is one way you can help to prevent it from getting worse. Ask a knee specialist for exercises that are safe and helpful for strengthening your knees without causing you too much pain during workouts.

Promotes Weight Gain

A sedentary lifestyle is often why people struggle to manage their weight. Gaining weight with age is common, and spending your days seated can make that problem worse. With every extra pound, the pressure on your knees increases by about four pounds. So, just 10 pounds of extra weight means 40 pounds of pressure on your knees.

All that stress naturally means that your knees start to hurt, and they can hurt even more when you try to be active again. Make sure you intentionally choose low impact exercise as first. Try a stationary bike or a brisk walk in supportive shoes to begin. Focus on losing weight through diet control.

After you lose some weight, you can increase your physical workouts if your doctor believes they will be safe. You might try incorporating some resistance training to really give your lower body some increased strength and stability, as long as you also spend time stretching and increasing your flexibility.

Increases Risk for Osteoporosis 

From the Daily Mail

Being a couch potato weakens your bones: Adults in their 60s face greater risk of fractures if they spend hours sitting down each day – but walking 10,000 steps each day helps

  • The study of 214 adults was published today in the Journal of Public Health
  • It is the first to show a link between a sedentary lifestyle and osteoporosis
  • Participants’ hips and spines were scanned to measure their bone density

A couch potato lifestyle leads to weaker bones in later life, particularly for men, researchers have found.

Experts discovered that men spent more time on average sitting still than women and therefore had weaker bones, particularly in their lower back.

But the new findings, conducted by academics from Durham and Newcastle universities, show that even just completing 10,000 steps a day can help to keep bones strong.

The study showed that people in their sixties who spent a lot of time sitting down had weaker bones which increased their risk of developing ‘fragility’ fractures.

It is well known that weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercises are important for building bone strength and preventing osteoporosis.

The study, published in the Journal of Public Health, is the first to show that a sedentary lifestyle in men is associated with weaker bones and osteoporosis.

More than half a million fragility fractures – where a fracture occurs from a fall at standing height or less – happen each year in the UK. It is estimated that by 2025, that number will have gone up by 27 per cent.

Dr Karen Hind, of the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University, said: ‘We know that excessive sedentary time can lower someone’s metabolism which can lead to being overweight and Type 2 diabetes.

‘What we now know is that being inactive is also associated with lower bone strength and an increased risk of osteoporosis.

‘Osteoporosis is a disease that affects older people but by encouraging this age group to keep active, it will help improve their bone health.’

The research team followed 214 men and women, aged 62, from Newcastle University’s Thousand Families Study.

Each participant wore a monitor for seven consecutive days which measured their physical activity and sedentary time. The number of daily steps was also recorded, and then compared with public health recommendations.

The participants’ hips and spines were scanned to measure their bone density.

Participants involved in 150 minutes of light physical activity a week had better bone strength than the more sedentary participants, according to the findings.

The men who spent more than 84 minutes per day sitting still, compared to the average of 52 minutes, had 22 per cent lower bone density in their spine.

The researchers say the impact on their bone density is similar to that of smoking, which is also a risk factor for osteoporosis.

The economic and personal costs of osteoporosis are substantial – in the UK the direct costs of fragility fractures are estimated to be £4.4billion which includes £1.1billion for social care.

The participants all lived in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Public Health England statistics indicate that the North East has the greatest proportion of physically inactive adults and the highest incidence of hip fractures compared to the rest of the UK.

The researchers said that the message from their findings is: stay active and reduce sedentary time.

They emphasised that the study shows that hitting the daily target of 10,000 steps and avoiding long periods of sedentary time will increase bone strength.

They say that even making daily lifestyle ‘hacks’ can make a difference – such as parking the car further away from the shopping centre or taking the stairs instead of the lift.

Dr Hind added: ‘Currently there are no specific guidelines for this age group to encourage light physical activity or to reduce sedentary time.

‘Yet, as people retire they are more likely to increase the time they spend watching television and reduce their daily step count.

‘It would be great to see initiatives that specifically target this group to increase their awareness of the importance of staying active and reducing the amount of time spent sitting still.’

Learn more about bone health

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Bones Are Growing Faster, Affecting Orthopedics

in , , ,
Scientists say children’s skeletons are maturing sooner than they did early in the 20th century, and this could affect the timing of certain orthopedic treatments.Girls are reaching full skeletal maturity nearly 10 months earlier and boys nearly seven months earlier, according to the University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers.

“Our findings show there is a ‘new normal’ for timing when kids’ skeletons will reach full maturity,” team leader Dana Duren said in a school news release. Duren heads orthopedic research at the university’s Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics.

Earlier skeletal maturity affects the timing of treatment for certain orthopedic conditions in children, such as leg-length differences and scoliosis. It may also affect use of growth hormone, the study authors said.

“The timing for the treatments of these conditions is a critical component to a good outcome,” said study co-author Mel Boeyer, a predoctoral orthopedic research fellow. “What this research shows us is physicians will need to start looking for the beginning of epiphyseal fusion sooner than they once thought.”

The researchers studied radiographs of the bones in the hands and wrists of more than 1,000 children born between 1915 and 2006. The radiographs were gathered in the Fels Longitudinal Study, a century-long study of human growth and development.

The investigators keyed in on a developmental process called epiphyseal fusion, which signals the end of the growth of the bone, Duren said.

“It begins when the growth plate, which is cartilage at the end of the bone, starts to connect the epiphysis, or bone cap, to the long bone through small calcifications. Eventually, the growth plate completely calcifies and attaches, or fuses, to the long bone. When fusion is complete, so is the growth of that bone,” Duren explained.

The researchers found that the skeletons of children born in the 1990s reached maturity faster and sooner than those of kids born in the 1930s.

The study did not look at possible causes of earlier skeletal maturity, but increased exposure to chemical compounds that resemble hormones could be a factor, the researchers said.

The findings were published recently in the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

 

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.