Suburban Orthopaedics

Want To Know More About Common Orthopaedic Issues? Read Through These Helpful Articles

Back pain and orthopaedic injury may be common, but with the help of a spine specialist, many patients can experience relief and recovery from their symptoms. These links highlight conditions that an orthopaedic surgeon can alleviate with pain management techniques, physical therapy, and orthopaedic surgery.

Are you experiencing back pain even though you don’t have an injury or illness? ABCNews.com reports on everyday habits that may be contributing to your back pain.

Although you’re trying to improve your physical fitness, engaging in certain kinds of exercise too frequently or too quickly can induce back pain and injury. The Mayo Clinic details how to avert overuse injuries.

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae begin to break down. MedicineNet.com explains this condition.

Could you have a herniated disc? FamilyDoctor.org describes the signs to look for.

Sciatica is one potential side effect of disc herniation. Medical News Today discusses the circumstances that can affect the sciatic nerve and body function.

Suburban Orthopaedics is a physical therapy and orthopaedic surgery center located in Bartlett, Illinois. Our experienced staff of orthopaedic surgeons and spine specialists can help you regain your back form and function with our individualized approach to every patient’s orthopaedic problem. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please call us at (888) 876-0117.

What You Need to Know About Lumbar Stress Fractures

You will probably know right away when you break your arm or leg, but minor cracks in bones are more difficult to identify when they occur. Symptoms like back pain and stiffness may not be enough for a person to realize that medical attention is needed for their problem. That’s why understanding the causes of lumbar stress fractures is important. By recognizing the circumstances that can lead to a stress fracture in the back, you will be better able to know when it’s time to see a spine specialist for help.

Lumbar stress fractures can result from osteoporosis

As people age, their bone mass becomes more susceptible to density loss. Women in particular are at risk for osteoporosis with the onset of menopause. When this happens, the bones are not as resistant to pressure and can experience small stress fractures. Even a minor fall can result in a break to one or more of the vertebrae. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, be sure to take special precautions to avoid activities that may result in a lumbar stress fracture.

Athletes are at high risk for lumbar stress fractures

On the other end of the spectrum are athletes. Though typically in prime physical condition, athletes often are vulnerable to lumbar stress fractures for several reasons. For one, athletes may engage in harmful repetitive activity that can traumatize the vertebrae and cause them to crack. Additionally, they may attempt to do too much too soon which can lead to a bone fracture.

Lumbar stress fractures can be remedied with orthopaedic care

Lumbar stress fractures can be painful and inconvenient. Fortunately, they can be successfully managed when sufferers seek the care of a qualified spine specialist. An orthopaedic surgeon can offer conservative treatment options such as rest, medication, and physical therapy to remedy a lumbar stress fracture. In more severe cases, orthopaedic surgery can also constitute an effective measure for the treatment of a stress fracture in the back.

Suburban Orthopaedics offers comprehensive orthopaedic care options for patients in the greater Bartlett region. If you’re suffering from back pain, make an appointment by calling (888) 876-0117. You can also call to speak with a spine specialist and determine if a lumbar stress fracture is at the root of your problem.

What Are the Common Causes of Back Pain?

Do you suffer from back pain? If so, you’re not alone. General practitioners claim that back pain nears the top of the list of patient complaints, second only to respiratory problems. The good news is that in the vast majority of cases, back pain will eventually subside. If it doesn’t, a spine specialist can offer a wide range of treatment options, including pain management methods, physical therapy, and orthopaedic surgery, to eliminate back pain. The key to successfully overcoming back pain is to understand what factors can contribute to it.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain can happen under virtually any circumstance. A common occurrence that contributes to this condition is picking up a heavy object with your back muscles instead of your legs. It can also happen when you sit too long in your car or exercise too vigorously. No matter the cause, muscle strain can bring on considerable back pain and restricted motion. Though muscle strain may subside, be sure to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon if your pain persists or increases with time. 

Arthritis

Arthritis often shows up in older individuals. Seniors typically experience joint pain in their extremities, but this chronic condition can also show up in the back joints. The vertebrae are just as likely to suffer the effects of arthritis, which is why seeing a spine specialist is essential for maintaining your mobility. Though a degenerative disease, arthritic back pain can be successfully addressed with pain management techniques and physical therapy.

Lumbar Stress Fractures

Athletes exhibit speed and strength that few others can match. Yet while they may be able to accomplish physical feats that untrained individuals cannot, athletes also put themselves at risk for injury. Specifically, many younger athletes suffer from lumbar stress fractures that develop from excessive activity and cause significant back pain.

Don’t let your back pain impede your quality of life. Suburban Orthopaedics offers specialized pain management and physical therapy care for back pain sufferers in the greater Bartlett area. For more information on our general orthopaedic surgery options, please call (888) 876-0117.

Neck Pain: Cervical Disc Injuries

A cervical disc injury occurs when an intervertebral disc in the neck region becomes traumatized. This video animation demonstrates how this trauma can happen and when to see a spine specialist for treatment.

The cervical spine is comprised of seven vertebrae that are cushioned by flexible structures known as intervertebral discs. Though durable, these discs are susceptible to damage from disease or injury. When trauma occurs, the gel-like core inside the disc begins to push out toward the spinal cord and nerves. Should the disc sustain severe injury, this gel will escape the disc and leak into the surrounding tissue. Common symptoms of a damaged cervical disc include pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck and arms.

Are you experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms of a cervical disc injury? If so, call Suburban Orthopaedics at (888) 876-0117 to set up an appointment at our Bartlett pain management and physical therapy center.

Visit These Sites To Find The Orthopaedic Information You're Looking For

Don’t ignore your back or neck pain until it becomes a major problem. Check out these links from around the web for more information on the differences between acute and chronic pain, facts about back pain, common causes of sports injuries, and the uses of a functional capacity evaluation. Give Suburban Orthopaedics a call at (888) 876-0117 for more information on our Bartlett, IL services.

Visit this link from the National Institutes of Health for more information on common sports injuries.

Check out this page from WebMD.com to find out if you are at risk for the top seven sports-related injuries.

Get the information you need regarding functional capacity evaluations with this article from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

This article from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons discusses common knee injuries, including ACL tears and torn cartilage.

Are you showing symptoms of an ACL tear? Find out with this eMedicineHealth.com article.