Suburban Orthopaedics

Spinal Health Tips

Protecting the health of your spine will let you stay mobile and active for a long time. Even if back pain has already become an issue, there are things you can do to manage that pain and prevent the problem from becoming worse. Gentle exercises can strengthen your back and ease existing spine pain.

Watch this video for tips for improving your spinal health. The most common cause of back injury is picking up an object incorrectly, so protect your spine by always bending at the waist and using your legs to lift. If you already have back pain, yoga, Pilates, and swimming can help. Be sure to warm-up and stretch before exercising and to combine strength training with aerobic exercise.

For more help in maintaining a healthy spine, trust Suburban Orthopaedics. Our surgeons, physical therapists, and pain management specialists will help you beat your back issues. Call (888) 876-0117 to learn more.

Understanding Pain Management

Living with chronic pain has a long list of physical and emotional ramifications. Pain can interfere with your ability to sleep, work, and do the things you love. Anxiety and depression can also arise in the face of chronic pain. With careful pain management techniques, however, you can beat your pain and rejoin your life.

At Suburban Orthopaedics, we have a pain management physician on staff to ensure our patients don’t have to live with pain. We will work with you to determine the extent of your pain and the cause, and then develop an effective plan for managing it. We have a range of tools at our disposal, from physical therapy to orthopaedic surgery. Our team can help you pick the best options for you, based on the cause, location, and severity of your pain.

Let Suburban Orthopaedics help you bid farewell to chronic pain for good. Call our office to make an appointment with our pain management specialist and take the first step towards the relief you need. Schedule your appointment by calling (888) 876-0117.

A Look at the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Bunions

Bunions are one of the most common complaints orthopaedic specialists hear from their female patients. Up to 50 percent of women have bunions, and nine out of ten bunion cases involve a female patient. A bunion occurs when the metatarsophalangeal joint becomes enlarged and sticks out on the side of the foot. At best, bunions can be a cosmetic issue, but they can also cause long-term foot pain and walking difficulties. What do you need to know about bunions? Take a look at the basic facts about these foot protrusions:

What Causes Bunions?

Some cases of bunions are hereditary, but in other cases, shoes are the culprits. Squeezing your feet into tight shoes puts excess pressure on the area where your big toe meets your first metatarsal. This pressure can cause damage to the joint and the surrounding soft tissue. The first toe will begin to lean inwards towards the second toe and the joint itself will stick out on the side of your foot below your big toe. That bony protrusion is a bunion. The bursa that protects the joint may also become inflamed and cause even more swelling, especially if you don’t seek treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Bunions?

The swelling on the side of your foot may be your first indication that you have a bunion. In some cases, bunions can cause tenderness and pain that makes walking and wearing shoes uncomfortable. In advanced cases, foot disfigurement can become severe and ankle pain may also occur.

How Are Bunions Treated?

If you have a bunion, it is important to choose your shoes wisely. Make sure your shoes fit well and don’t squeeze your feet. It may also help if you wear a cushion over the bunion to protect it from rubbing against your shoe. When bunions cause pain, a bunionectomy can help. An orthopaedic surgeon will remove part of the bunion and realign your foot joint to relieve the pain.

Bunions are just one thing the orthopaedic surgeons at Suburban Orthopaedics can help you beat. Let our doctors help you with pain management, physical therapy, and surgical treatments. Schedule an appointment now by calling (888) 876-0117.

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.