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Texas Orthopedics, Sports & Rehabilitation Associates

Friday, December 28, 2012

New Year Holiday Information



Texas Orthopedics will close at noon on Monday, December 31st and will be closed all day Tuesday, January 1st. We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Smoking Causes Increased Risk for Low Back Pain



For years, research has shown a link between smoking and an increased risk for low back pain, intervertebral (spine) disc disease, and inferior patient outcomes following surgery. A new study, published in the December 2012 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, also found that smokers suffering from spinal disorders and related back pain, reported greater discomfort than spinal disorder patients who stopped smoking during an eight-month treatment period.

Key Findings
  • Those who quit smoking during the course of care reported greater improvement in reported back pain those those who continued to smoke.
  • The group that continued smoking during treatment had no clinically significant improvement in reported pain.
  • Greater mean improvement was observed in patients who had never smoked when compared to current smokers.
"This study supports the need for smoking cessation programs for patients with a painful spinal disorder given a strong association between improved patient reported pain and smoking cessation," said Dr. Glenn Rechtine, University of Rochester Department of Orthopaedics.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Managing Arthritis Pain with Exercise





Post provided by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 50 million adults have some form of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis, also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, which most often affects the weight-bearing joints in the knees, hips, neck and lower back.

Arthritis pain naturally causes most adults to slow down and limit activity. Not exercising, however, can result in more problems. Recent research shows that over time inactivity actually worsens osteoarthritis pain, and puts adults at greater risk for eventual total loss of mobility.

Specific exercises will strengthen the muscles that surround your joints. The stronger your muscles are, the more weight they can handle. As a result, the bones in your joints carry less weight, and your damaged cartilage is better protected.

Your doctor will talk to you about the types of exercises that would be best for you, depending on the severity of your arthritis. They may recommend a physical therapist to design an exercise program to meet your specific needs and safely get you moving again.

Your program should include three types of exercises:
  • Range-of-motion exercises to improve your flexibility and reduce stiffness in your joints.
  • Strengthening exercises to help build muscle mass and protect your joints.
  • Aerobic exercise to strengthen your heart and lungs and improve your overall fitness. Aerobic exercise is key to controlling your weight, as well.
Typically, doctors recommend a moderate, balanced fitness program. If you regularly do high-impact aerobic exercises, such as running or competitive sports, your doctor may recommend that you switch to low-impact activities that place less stress on your weight-bearing joints. Walking, swimming, and cycling are good alternatives.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Obesity related to higher rates of infection and other complications following knee replacement


Post provided by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery


Obese patients have a greater risk of complications following total knee replacment surgery, including post-surgical infections, according to a new literature review recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Because of complications, obese patients are more likely to require follow-up surgery (revision).

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, particularly in the United States, and is a well-documented risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis. Arthritis is initially treated nonsurgically, but total joint replacement often becomes necessary if the disease progresses. Consequently, the rate of joint replacements in obese individuals has increased in the last several decades.

Findings include:
  • Obese patients have double the rate of infection following total knee replacement surgery compared to non-obese patients.
  • Obese patients' rate of infection is higher for both superficial and deep infections.
  • The long-term surgical revision rate for obese patients is nearly double that for non-obese patients.
The paper's authors advise that knee replacement surgery not be withheld from obese patients. Rather, obese patients should be well-informed of the likelihood of complications following their total knee replacement, and advised to lose weight before surgery.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

FREE Joint Replacement Seminar this Thursday



Learn more about non-surgical arthritis treatment options as well as total hip and total knee replacement surgery at Arthritis Camp! Refreshments are served. Bring your friends and family!

Date: Thursday, December 6th
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Location: Northwest Austin, 4700 Seton Center Pkwy, Ste. 200, Austin, TX 78759
Speaker: Marc Dehart, MD

Please RSVP by registering online or call 439-1100. If you can't make this seminar, plan to attend our next seminar on Thursday, January 3rd!