Suburban Orthopaedics

Lifestyle Tips for a Healthier Spine

A problem with your spine can lead to reduced mobility and chronic pain. Although your doctor can help you with pain management and even orthopaedic surgery should a spine health issue arise, preventative care is your best option. Beat back pain before it begins with these tips for keeping your spine healthy:

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for good spinal health. Strengthening exercises will build the muscles around the spine that help keep it stable. Even a gentle, daily walk can boost your spine health, since it can help you maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight places undo pressure on your spine that can lead to a host of back problems. Aim for getting some activity most days. If you’re already in pain, be sure to check with your doctor before you start exercising, or work with a physical therapist to develop a safe routine.

Schedule Breaks

Your spine doesn’t like to be in the same position for extended periods, so add ample break time into your workday. If your job demands that you sit at a computer all day, get up and walk around. If you’re on your feet, make sure you carve out some time to sit down and rest. Whether you’re at a desk or on your feet, doing a few simple back stretches throughout the day will help.

Take Symptoms Seriously

If you’re living with back pain, the longer your ignore it, the more you may injure your spine. When your back is telling you that something is wrong, listen. Curb your activity level and see an orthopaedic specialist for diagnosis. Pain management and orthopaedic surgery are easier in the early stages of back problems.

Taking these steps to care for your spine is important, but you can’t prevent every back problem. At Suburban Orthopaedics, we’re here to help when back pain does arise. Our team of physical therapists and orthopaedic surgeons can get you out of pain and back to your life. Schedule a consultation today by calling (888) 876-0117.

Shouldering the Burden: Rotator Cuff Injuries

Did you know that as much as 10% of the population has issues with their rotator cuffs? If you are experiencing shoulder pain or weakness, it could be a problem with your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that work together to keep your shoulder stable and allow for rotation. When something goes wrong inside the shoulder, it can cause pain and an limited range of motion. Physical therapy in Bartlett can help many cases of rotator cuff tendinitis, but more severe problems such as a rotator cuff tear may require orthopaedic surgery to correct the issue. Check out this infographic from a Barlett orthopaedic surgeon to learn more about common rotator cuff injuries. Please share with your friends and family.

Make It Easier to Determine the Causes of Your Back Pain with This Great App

Back Pain is an extremely common affliction, but accurately pinpointing the cause can be a challenge. Sometimes, simply describing your pain to your doctor can be difficult. With the What Causes Back Pain Android app, help for understanding your back is never more than a click away.

With this app, you’ll learn the basics of how the spine works and the problems that can trigger back pain. You will also find suggestions for simple stretches and exercises that may help relieve some of your back pain symptoms and details on the treatments doctors can use to beat your pain for good.

Use this app to help you discuss your back pain with your orthopaedic surgeon at Suburban Orthopaedics. Don’t let another day pass without doing something about your back pain. Make an appointment with one of our surgeons by calling (888) 876-0117. 

Get The Facts Regarding Sports Injuries And Work-Place Injuries With These Great Links From Around The Web

Orthopaedic medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Check out these resources for more information about workplace injuries, protecting yourself against sports injuries, what to expect from physical therapy, and shoulder arthroscopy after-care tips. Call the orthopaedic surgeons with Suburban Orthopaedics at (888) 876-0117 for more information about our Bartlett services.

What exactly does physical therapy entail? Visit this link from ABC News for more information about the techniques associated with physical therapy.

Did you know that physical therapy can be used to alleviate back pain? You can learn more with this Spine-Health.com article.

Physical therapy provides a number of benefits for individuals who are suffering from a musculoskeletal injury or recovering from orthopaedic surgery. Read over this link from MoveForwardPT.com to get the facts regarding the benefits of physical therapy.

Why might your orthopaedic surgeon recommend a shoulder arthroscopy? Check out this article from AAOS.org for more information about common reasons for this procedure.

Make sure you know what to expect from a shoulder arthroscopy by clicking on this link from The New York Times.

What to Expect After a Shoulder Arthroscopy

A shoulder arthroscopy refers to a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to assess, diagnose, and repair complications of the shoulder joint. Common reasons an orthopedic surgeon may perform an arthroscopy include rotator cuff tears, bone spurs, torn ligaments, loose cartilage, and recurrent shoulder discoloration. Check out this article for more information about what you can expect following a shoulder arthroscopy.

Immediately After Surgery

All patients will be taken to a recovery area immediately following the outpatient procedure, at which time your arm will be held in place using a sling and wrapped in a protective bandage. The nurses may provide you with oral or intravenous medications to alleviate pain, while using ice packs or a cooling unit to reduce swelling. Once you have recuperated in the recovery room, you will be discharged home. However, you will need to have a close friend or family member drive you home after the procedure.

At-Home Recovery

It is normal to feel some discomfort in the days following your shoulder arthroscopy. You can help minimize this discomfort by taking your pain medications as directed by your orthopaedic surgeon and icing your shoulder three times per day for 20 minutes at a time. Just be sure to place some type of cloth in between your skin and the ice to prevent irritation. You will also need to wear your shoulder sling for at least two weeks after the procedure and initiate a physical therapy program once instructed by your surgeon.

When to Contact Your Surgeon

You will visit with your orthopaedic surgeon approximately five days after your arthroscopy to assess your progress and rule out any postoperative complications. However, you will want to contact your surgeon immediately if you begin bleeding from one of the incisions, your shoulder pain continues to increase, you have a fever of more than 101 degrees, or you are experiencing numbness or tingling that does not subside within 24 hours of the procedure.

Let the general orthopaedic surgeons with Suburban Orthopaedics answer all of your shoulder arthroscopy questions by calling our Bartlett office at (888) 876-0117 today! Our surgeons also offer non-surgical pain management services.