Orthopedic Surgeon: Treating Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis causes a lot of discomfort that affects your daily life. It is a common disease that manifests through wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee. Osteoarthritis is often painful as the protective layer between the bones reduces, causing the bones to rub each other. It also brings discomfort each time you walk or climb stairs. Even if you’re just sitting or lying down, the pain is often still present. Though it’s common in people aged 50 and above, younger people may get it as well.

The Importance of an Orthopedic Surgeon for Injuries

A good orthopedic surgeon is like a part of any athletic team. With the help and guidance of an orthopedic surgeon, the physical qualities of team members are always at its peak, and in the unfortunate event of an injury, an orthopedic surgeon is there to help.

Types of Surgery That Orthopedists Do on the Knees

If you are having knee pain, popping or loss of motion, your orthopedic surgeon in Colorado Springs has several different surgical options to treat you. Your doctor will go over the treatment options with you and explain the benefits and drawbacks of each type. These are some of the types of surgery that the orthopedic surgeon may perform on your knees.

When Is It Time To See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

An injury while playing sports is common. It could be something as simple as a sprain, or if could be something more severe, such as a broken leg or arm. After the injury occurs, you might debate on going to an orthopedic surgeon depending on the severity of the injury. There are a few guidelines that you can follow to determine whether you need to see a surgeon or if you can nurse the injury at home with pain medications, bandages and elevating the area.

Knee Pain: When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon

Knee pain can be a big problem, and can cause discomfort enough to keep you up at night or distract you from whatever it is that you are doing. This type of pain needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse. Otherwise, you might miss out on a lot of activities just because your knee is too weak or painful to function.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO GO INTO SURGERY

No one likes the idea of surgery. Sometimes it's a necessary evil, especially if you are an athlete. Before you agree to go under the knife, there are a few things you need to know. These suggestions will help you keep a level head and also prepare you for what lies ahead, should surgery be the only option. This way you can be a success story, just like many athletes who have the same experiences.

Overuse Injuries Commonly Occur in Dancers

One of the most popular recreational activities in Colorado Springs for young girls and adolescents is dance. Many parents enroll their children in dance classes to help keep their children fit and allow them to develop new skills. Unfortunately, almost 90 percent of dancers experience an injury during the lifetime. While acute injuries from accidents occasionally occur, the most common injuries that orthopedic surgeons must treat in dancers are from overuse.

When It's Time to See an Orthopedic Surgeon

Experiencing some pain after weekend sports or after overdoing it at the gym isn't automatically a reason to see an orthopedic surgeon in Colorado Springs. When pain becomes progressively worse or doesn't go away after a little rest, however, it helps to know when it makes sense to consult an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedic Surgeon: When Exercise Goes All Wrong

Physical exercises keep the human body healthy, but these have to be executed with knowledge and care, integrating warm-ups after every intense movements. Improper twisting, lifting, pushing, or landing, whether in sports or exercise can cause musculoskeletal injuries. Common types of sports injuries are bone fractures, muscle sprains, ligament tears, and dislocated joints. 

Why Seek an Orthopedic Surgeon in Colorado Springs

Doing physical activities without proper warm-up conditioning puts your body at risk of sports injuries. In the field of medicine, a sports injury is any damage related to the musculoskeletal system or in areas of the joint, soft tissues and bones, during or following sports activities.

Considerations About Your Orthopedic Surgeon

The decision to have a knee surgery is a major step toward reclaiming a comfortable lifestyle. It is also vital that you feel comfortable with your choice of orthopedic surgeon who will perform the procedure on you. Here are important considerations. Your surgeon:

• Must be familiar with and adept in the surgery you’re getting. The surgeon must have performed the procedure many times in the past to have expertise and experience in the field. It is necessary to trust your health with someone who has handled similar cases.

Dealing With a Herniated Disc

Your spine is composed of a set of vertebrae separated by discs, which serve as shock absorbers for your back. Once these cushions weaken or tear and compress the spinal nerve due to an injury or a degenerative disease, you could suffer pain in your spinal nerve, a condition known as disc herniation. There are two types of disc herniation, namely lumbar disc herniation and cervical disc herniation, with the former being the most common source of back pain among people.

The Torn ACL: Every Athlete’s Nightmare

You’ve seen basketball star Derrick Rose, golf legend Tiger Woods, and countless others miss entire seasons just because of the same injury: a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). An ACL tear is a common knee injury that affects one of the four ligaments that stabilizes the knee, and is aptly considered a nightmare for athletes all over.

Characterized by hearing a discrete “popping” sound in the knee following a sudden deceleration or landing maneuver, a torn ACL is also known for the searing pain it causes. ACL tears are frequent in contact sports (i.e. boxing) or sports that require rapid changes in direction (i.e. basketball). Most of the time, the ACL is prone to tearing due to a twisting movement while supporting weight—landing from a jump, for example.

Skateboard With Care

Skateboard groups are an American staple. Young teens in kneepads and helmets (sometimes, none at all) take a risk by doing amazing stunts with their boards, from midair flips to grinding. Constant practice created legends like Tony Hawk, Tony Alva, and Ryan Sheckler; but they're not exempted from the risks that come with the sport.

Of the thousands of skateboard injuries recorded every year, more than half of them happen to children under 15, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The injuries can range from cuts and bruises to torn ligaments and twisted ankles. Tony Hawk's injuries over the course of his career, in fact, has already forced him to consider retirement.