Suburban Orthopaedics

Do You Enjoy Our Orthopaedic Blogs? Then Check Out These Educational Resources!

It takes both time and the right tools to help your body recover from injuries. To find out more about physical therapy and orthopaedic treatments, check out these links from around the web:

• Get the basic facts about workers’ compensation from the National Academy of Social Insurance.
• If you would like additional information on workers’ compensation in Illinois, take a look at this guide from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
• This article from WebMD describes pains that you should not ignore.
• For information on the importance of addressing chronic pain, read through this article from the Mayo Clinic.
• Learn more about pain and your body with this article from HowStuffWorks.com.

The staff at Suburban Orthopaedics is dedicated to your health and wellness. We want to ensure a full, speedy recovery to help you regain your quality of life after an accident or injury. To find out more, visit us on the web or call (888) 876-0117.

Do you know how much the enviornment effects your body? Tell us what your tips & tricks are to avoid injury when you're active outside

As summer begins to end, children begin to go back to school, the heat dissipates into a cool breeze, and our favorite fall sports kick off.

The NFL has begun it's pre-season games, high schools and colleges have begun their pre-season practices and soon begin their competitions. With excitement in the air and the anticipation builds, often the risk of injury is forgotten. At Suburban Orthopaedics we are constantly aware of the risk of injury for each sport season and how outside factors can contribute to each of our body's reaction to exercise. Weather is the number one factor as both hot and cold temperatures effect the body in many different ways. For those who run outside keep in mind the ground and surfaces you run on as they can effect everything from your foot and ankle up to your shoulder.

Keep an eye out for this months newsletter from Suburban Orthopaedics as more Sports Medicine topics will be discussed. Let us know what you would like to hear from us!

X-Ray vs. MRI: What are the Differences?

You have likely heard physicians discuss X-rays and MRIs. Your physician may have even recommended one of these diagnostic tools for you. These two types of imaging work differently to show your orthopaedic surgeon various areas of your body. Here’s a look at the advantages that each diagnostic imaging option provides:

X-Ray

An X-ray is an image taken using energetic light particles called photons. These photons are emitted by an X-ray machine on one side of your body, with a digital processor located on the opposite side. Because of their high energy, X-rays travel through most of your tissues unhindered and come out on the other side. The calcium atoms that make up your bones, however, are large enough to absorb the energy of the X-ray photons, so they appear in contrast on the digital image. X-rays offer the best way for your specialist to see the contrast between soft tissue, such as organs, and bone. They are best for identifying broken or dislocated bones and other bone disorders.

MRI

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging and uses magnets to scan your body and produce an image. These powerful magnets create a magnetic field which causes all of the water molecules in your body to align before they are allowed to return to their natural state. The rate at which they return to this state is measured by a computer to produce a detailed image of the soft tissues and organs inside your body. An MRI scan may be recommended to create three-dimensional pictures of your tissues for examination by your physician.

Suburban Orthopaedics offers fast and accurate diagnosis with our on-site digital X-ray and MRI diagnostic machines. We also offer physical therapy, pain management, and orthopaedic surgery. Visit our website or call (888) 876-0117 today for more information.

The Human Body: An Incredible Healing Machine

Your body consists of an incredible network of systems that are all designed to keep you healthy. Sometimes, however, your body needs a little help along the way to rebuild faster and more efficiently. After an injury, it’s important to listen to both your physical therapist and your body to ensure a safe and healthy recovery.

How Healing Works

After you have been injured by trauma or disease, your body immediately goes to work repairing the damaged tissues. Inflammation and increased circulation are often the first responses your body has to an injury. By providing additional nutrients to the damaged area, your body can begin rebuilding after an injury.

How Physical Therapy Promotes Healing

After the initial inflammatory response, your body may need extra assistance to heal properly. The goal of physical therapy is to treat your injury by strengthening the damaged area, restoring normal function and range of motion without pain. Strengthening the injured area helps your body repair itself more quickly and efficiently, and helps prevents re-injury. Physical therapy can also help reduce pain during the healing process, allowing you to manage your life while your body heals.

How You Can Help Your Body

When recovering from an injury, it is crucial to follow the instructions of your physical therapist, especially as you start to feel better. Pain is designed to tell you when your body has reached its limits. When you are recovering from an injury, it’s best not to reach those limits in the first place. Asking too much of your body too soon can result in further injury and set the healing process back, so follow your physical therapist’s recommendations for activity levels. In addition, be sure to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to give your body the water and nutrients needed to rebuild damaged tissues.

Suburban Orthopaedics provides physical therapy to promote a safe and healthy recovery from any injury. We also offer orthopaedic surgery to help treat injuries. Visit us on the web or call (888) 876-0117 for more information.

The Dangers of Ignoring Pain

Sometimes, if pain is not debilitating, it can seem easier to ignore it than to seek medical treatment. However, pain is an important part of the body’s nervous system and often indicates issues that may not be immediately obvious. Keep reading to learn why it’s important to see a physician or pain management specialist if you are experiencing pain.

What Is Pain?

Pain is the body’s response to injury or illness, and is sometimes the only indication of a problem with your body. When you cut your skin or a break a bone, the damage is obvious. However, other types of injuries, such as tendonitis and spinal degradation, may produce no visible symptoms. The chronic or acute pain you feel is your body telling you that treatment is required. Even if the pain starts out small, further injury or complications can quickly lead to debilitating pain that makes it difficult for you to complete everyday tasks.

Why Shouldn’t You Ignore Pain?

While your first inclination might be to ignore pain, especially if it is minor, this can lead to a number of problems down the road. Ignoring the pain from an injury can mean that it doesn’t heal correctly or at all, increasing your risk for permanent, life-altering damage. Ignoring pain can be especially dangerous if you are an active athlete, as untreated injuries can easily be aggravated and complicated by physical activity. Additionally, ignoring pain from an illness or infection can lead to complications if the disease spreads. It is important to see a specialist who can diagnose and treat the cause of your pain, allowing your body to heal properly.

Suburban Orthopaedics of Bartlett specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, helping our patients get back to the activities they enjoy most in life. We provide orthopaedic surgery, physical therapy, and other services to treat and manage pain. Check us out on the web or call us at (888) 876-0117 today to learn more.