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Texas Orthopedics, Sports & Rehabilitation Associates

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Making Smart Shoe and Bag Choices




Post provided by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery

Our choice of shoes and bags may be placing unnecessary stress on joints and muscles that over time may cause serious pain or injury.

“Large purses and briefcases can cause shoulder, neck, elbow and back pain, and even serious injury,” said San Francisco orthopaedic surgeon and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) spokesperson Sara L. Edwards, MD. “And wearing poorly fitting shoes, especially those with high heels, platforms or pointed toes, can result in bunions, hammer toes, corns, knee and lower back pain and other conditions. I’ve seen many women with ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries from wearing wedge sandals and high heels. I’ve also seen men with foot conditions from ill-fitting dress or work shoes.”

Fortunately, being fashionable doesn’t have to hurt. Members of the AAOS, the doctors who treat muscle and joint pain and injury, offer the following tips for avoiding shoe and bag related pain and injury.

Rethink your purse, briefcase or backpack
  •  In general, your handbag should not exceed 10 percent of your body weight. This means a 150 pound person should carry no more than 15 pounds.
  • When packing your briefcase or large purse, pack heavier items low and toward the center.
  • Do not carry a heavy briefcase, tote or purse for long periods of time; if you must, wear your purse or bag over your shoulder (not in the crook of your arm which can strain the elbow muscles and joints) and switch sides often. If possible, carry your bag diagonally over the opposite shoulder and hip.

Buy and wear the right shoe
  • Try on new shoes (both the left and the right) at the end of the day. Your feet normally swell and become larger after standing or sitting during the day.
  • There should be 1/2-inch space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
  • Your toes should not feel pinched or cramped. You should be able to wiggle them freely.
  • Most high heeled-shoes have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. Over time, this can cause the foot to take on the shape of the shoe causing deformities like hammer toes and corns.
  • There is no such thing as a "break-in period." With time, a foot may push or stretch a shoe to fit, but this can cause foot pain and damage.
  • Shoes that lace or buckle, have Velcro or some type of strapping mechanism, provide more support to your arch.
Keep your feet fit
  • Routine foot and leg stretching exercises, such as rolling your foot over a tennis or golf ball or stretching your legs and feet before you get out of bed, can strengthen muscles and alleviate pain, especially as you age.
  • After a long day of walking or standing, elevate your feet and legs to relieve pressure.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Meet our Rheumatologist!

Dr. Robert Koval, University of Texas alumni, was recently interviewed by The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences. Watch the video to learn more about why Dr. Koval enjoys being a Rheumatologist.




Monday, October 7, 2013

Orthopedic Surgeons' Comprehensive Approach to the Evaluation of Groin Pain






Post provided by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

According to a literature review appearing in the September 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), one in four people develop hip arthritis—damage to the surfaces in the hip joint—before the age of 85 that contributes to groin pain.

Contributing factors to the development of hip arthritis and, subsequently, groin pain may include one or more of the following:
  • a sports-related injury;
  • prior surgery to the hip;
  • infection of bone or soft tissue;
  • a defect present at birth;
  • problems with growth and development, and
  • traumatic occupational and recreational history, bone fractures, or a history of trauma.
The specific symptoms, and the timing/onset of those symptoms, can help your doctor recommend the appropriate tests, imaging or referrals to diagnose and treat the cause of the pain.

“Individuals experiencing sudden, onset groin pain associated with trauma or bowel/bladder dysfunction, symptoms like fevers or abdominal discomfort should promptly seek medical attention,” says Juan C. Suarez, MD, lead author of the study and an orthopaedic surgeon with Cleveland Clinic Florida. “But, those with chronic pain, despite time and conservative management, also warrant evaluation.”

Young athletes participating in activities such as endurance sports, soccer, power lifting, ice hockey, and basketball are at an increased risk of developing hip osteoarthritis (OA), the “wear and tear” arthritis because of frequent, high stresses at the joint surface. In addition to hip arthritis, female athletes participating in endurance sports also are more likely to sustain hip and pelvic stress fractures than male athletes.

A detailed medical history and examination by a physician can help diagnose and manage the source of groin pain. “It is important to have a good network of physicians from multiple specialties,” says Dr. Suarez. “In my experience, the diagnosis is not always obvious and it may require multiple visits, examinations and referrals prior to reaching the correct diagnosis. A good network facilitates this process.”

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

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, October 3rd 
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Location: Northwest Austin, 4700 Seton Center Pkwy, Ste. 200, Austin, 78759
Speaker: Tyler Goldberg, MD

Please RSVP by registering online or call 439-1176. If you can't make this seminar, plan to attend our next seminar on Thursday, November 7th.