New Year Resolutionis at the Touch of a Button

With the New Year right around the corner, staying fit tops the resolution list for many. Yet, it's so easy to find an excuse to skip the gym because it's inconvenient or you don't have time. Here are 3 apps that make for great workouts from the comfort of your home.

For the Cyclists:
Doctor recommended Zwift allows competing cyclists to race in real time against other cyclists around the world. Don't let bad weather prevent the competition! Become a competitive and social cyclist from your own living room.

For the Yoga Doers:
For the beginners and the pros, Yoga Studio offers prepared video classes, poses, and detailed instruction and advice. Whether you have 10 minutes or 2 hours, this yoga app allows you to carry around a personalized yoga studio with you wherever you go.

For the Runners:
Looking to track your own progress, race against yourself or others, or plan and train for a marathon? Download Runmeter GPS! Whether you are a beginner or avid runner, this app will help you keep up with and customize your training goals and progress.

With the convenience of these apps, the start of a healthy lifestyle is right at your fingertips. Why wait until the New Year? Jumpstart those resolutions and enjoy these full-fledged workouts without dealing with the hassle of a gym.

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Is Santa Healthy?

Ho ho ho! How well do you think Santa Claus makes out on his annual physical? Would he get a thumbs-up from his doctor, or a scolding for munching on cookies while he delivers toys?

Making presents and tinkering in his workshop is probably pretty good exercise - as constant motion and staying active is always a good thing. Find out what other healthy habits Santa has that may be surprising.

Take this fun quiz, and see if you can follow his lead this holiday season!

http://fit.webmd.com/kids/mood/rmq/rm-quiz-fit-santa

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Good Nutrition May Keep You Warm in the Cold, Too

In Central Texas, when temperatures drop, it's time to head outside. The cooler temps are a refreshing change from our usual heat, and it's great to enjoy sports and activities outdoors. At the same time, it is a good idea to be aware of how the cold weather can affect your body.

Even when exercising in the cold, your body temperature drops, requiring additional energy to warm up the cold air you breathe in. In fact, up to 23% of calories burned in cold weather exercise go toward warming the air you inhale. This means you may need to take in a greater amount of calories.

Another option for keeping your body warm is to heat up your food. Studies show that eating warm foods can help contribute to your body's heat preservation. Foods like soup, chili, pasta, oatmeal and baked potatoes are all smart options.

Here are 3 tips to keep you fueled up and warmed up out in the cold.

• Stay hydrated, and try wearing your water bottle tucked inside your clothing and close to your body to keep it warm.
•  Have a snack every 30-45 minutes such as an energy bar/gels, trail mix, nuts or fruit. 
• Minimize caffeine and alcohol consumption prior to outdoor activities as they can both be dehydrating. 

Also remember to bundle up properly in several light layers and to use sunscreen on exposed areas to protect your skin.

(Adapted from STOP Sports Injuries)

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Giving Back to Children in Need: Children's Advocacy Center

Texas Orthopedics has a long tradition of giving back to the community. Children's causes have always been dear to our hearts, especially during the holidays. Along with our standing commitment to Partnerships for Children, we are proud to announce a new relationship with the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center.

This year we are collecting toys, clothes and other necessities for families aided by the organization.

The Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center offers a child friendly, safe place to disclose child abuse while reducing the emotional trauma for children and non-offending family members. The group is a member of the larger family of Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, an association representing all local children's advocacy centers throughout the state.

We are proud to have such a generous staff who believes whole-heartedly in the importance of giving back, not just during the holidays, but all year long.

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Helping Youngest, Most Vulnerable In Our Community

For the past three years, Texas Orthopedics staff and their family members have collected toys, clothes and other important items for local families in need. It is part of our annual charitable giving to Partnerships for Children, a local nonprofit that provides Child Protective Services' caseworkers with items to better serve the kids in our community.

Items collected will help spread cheer among the youngest and most vulnerable members of our Central Texas community - neglected and abused children.

'Tis the season for giving and our staff did not disappoint! Our offices are brimming with donations.

Thank you, Texas Orthopedics staff, for your thoughtfulness.

5 Tips for Eating Mindfully Duuring the Holidays

The holidays have arrived along with an endless parade of festive party platters and potlucks. It can be easy to overindulge at this time of year. Here are 5 tips for making healthy food choices. (And, yes, being healthy still means you can have holiday cookies once in a while).

• Don't leave for a party hungry. Eat a healthy snack before beading out the door such as nuts, yogurt or a piece of fruit. 
• Use small plates to serve yourself. This helps to control portion size. 
• Limit your liquid calories. Margaritas, punches and eggnog are filled with sugar. Enjoy your holiday drink, but sip it slowly, and also stay hydrated. Hunger is often mistaken for thirst, so down a glass of water before piling up your plate.  
• Start with the low-calorie options. Cut-up veggies and salads are a healthy way to fill up before you hit the cheese table. 
• Socialize away from the food. You'll be less tempted to grab that extra cookie if your conversation is out of sigh from the buffet.

This is not the time of year to diet. Instead, focus on maintaining your normal weight during this busy season by being mindful of what you're eating. Your body will thank you for it long after the holidays are over. 

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Congrats to our Super Doctors!

Congrats to the seven Texas Orthopedics' physicians recognized as Super Doctors by Texas Monthly. The list was published in the December issue of the magazine.

A rigorous process was used to identify physicians who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Learn more about the selection process here.

Super Doctors

 

• Dr. Bradley Adams
• Dr. Robert Foster
• Dr. Peter Garcia
• Dr. Tyler Goldberg
• Dr. Richard Lutz
• Dr. James Smith
• Dr. Scott Smith

Diabetes and Foot Care

As Diabetes Awareness Month wraps up, we want to address a topic that is critically important for diabetic patients... foot care.

People suffering from diabetes often have to deal with many painful side effects of the disease, with one of the most common being unhealthy feet. Poor circulation and painful skin sores are typical, and if left untreated can lead to loss of feeling and ultimately amputation in some cases.

Oftentimes a doctor treating diabetics also will recommend seeing a foot specialists, such as an orthopedist or podiatrist, for frequent check-ups.

"People suffering from diabetes may think managing diet and glucose levels is enough, but that is not the case," says Dr. Tim Gueramy. "We see a lot of patients who unfortunately neglect their feet, and amputation is sometimes necessary if the damage is severe."

Here are tips for healthy feet if you are faced with diabetes:

• Check your feet daily. Look for any odd spots, cuts, swelling, or bruises, and use a mirror to check the soles and between toes. 
• Keep toenails neatly trimmed, and cuticles pushed back. Consider having stubborn corns or callouses removed.
• Wear comfortable, properly-fitting shoes and socks. Discuss with your doctor whether you need special orthotic shoes, or maybe even compression socks to help with circulation. 
• Wash your feet daily, and keep them moisturized. Heels are particularly prone to dry, cracked skin. 
• Exercise your feet to keep the blood flowing. Wiggle toes and perform ankle rotations throughout the day, especially when seated for long periods of time. 

Contact your physician if you have serious cuts or abrasions on your feet, notice a change in skin color, or experience greater or lesser sensitivity to feeling. 

(Courtesy of the American Diabetes Association)

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Arthritis and Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Although arthritis and diabetes are two very different diseases, they actually share strikingly similar traits.

In addition, those suffering from diabetes are nearly twice as likely to become arthritic than others, suggesting there may be a diabetes-arthritis connection.

Arthritis is caused by any number of culprits including age, autoimmune deficiencies, inflammatory issues, hereditary genes, and trauma. There are more than 100 different types of the disease, and it typically results in joint pain, stiffness, immobility, and severe swelling.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not properly produce or utilize the hormone insulin. Insulin converts glucose from food into energy. Limited, or a lack of, insulin causes glucose to remain stagnant in the blood, leading to a sluggish of fatigued feeling. Along with sluggishness, joint pain is another common symptom of diabetes.

Here are some other characteristics, in addition to joint pain, of both: 

• Swollen nodules under the skin, especially in the fingers
• Tight, dry, or thickened skin
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Poor circulation in and skin sores on the feet
• Vulnerability to cardiovascular/heart disease

Proper diet and exercise both go a long way in helping to manage arthritis and diabetes. For arthritis, try consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties, and for diabetes, limit sugar intake and monitor glucose levels vigilantly.

Staying active also can help keep affected joints flexible and promote healthy blood circulation throughout the body.

(Adapted from The Arthritis Foundation).

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Stem Cells for Arthritis

We've been getting quite a bit of questions lately about stem cell and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for pain relief among many of our patients, including those with arthritis. As popular as these treatments have become, there are still a lot of inaccuracies about them - especially online.

Texas Orthopedics' own Dr. John McDonald has provided some important information to help shed some light on stem cell therapy.

Stem Cells for Focal Cartilage Potholes and Diffuse Osteoarthritis

There are multiple studies using animal models (pigs, sheep, dog, and rabbit) to evaluate the use of mesenchymal stem cells to treat focal cartilage defects. Nearly all of them found some improvement (often significant improvement) in cartilage regrowth. However, these stem cells are often embryonic or derived from a source (placenta) that we cannot use in the United States.

Clinical trails are limited in this country. The existing studies compare existing treatment options for cartilage defects (microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation) to those treatments and add stem cells to them. The results are essentially the same. There are currently a multi-center human randomized clinical trial comparing microfracture to arthroscopically obtained (from the fat pad in the knee) fat derived stem cells with no microfracture. Results are likely several years away.

Stem Cells for Arthritis

The best data about stem cells for arthritis comes from Asia. There are multiple studies that show injection of stem cells into an arthritic knee may induce new cartilage formation. These results were verified by surgical arthroscopy (with a camera) to look at the cartilage. Some caveats with the study: It took 100,000,000 fat derived stem cells in one injection to obtain these results and the number of patients treated was small (12). We don't have the ability to obtain this amount of fat derived stem cells in this country through simply harvesting from the fat pad in the knee.

The Bottom Line?

In summary, bone marrow derived and fat derived stem cells can be used to treat cartilage defects and arthritis due to an overwhelming amount of evidence of efficacy in animal models. However, human trials are lacking.

The field of orthopaedic biologics continues to evolve. We will update you as new, impactful research becomes available.

Click here for more information about stem cell therapy.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

PRP for Arthritis, Does it Work?

Many active athletes, weekend warriors, and folks with arthritic joints have been asking about two treatments options for their pain: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and "Stem Cells." Both treatment options have become increasingly popular, but at the same time, there's a lot of false information about them, especially online. For this reason, Dr. John McDonald thinks it's important to update patients. These procedures are also not covered by insurance, so we want our patients, who are eligible, to be well informed before undergoing such treatments.

The focus of this information is on joint cartilage injuries, arthritis and focal cartilage defects (potholes in cartilage). First let's take a closer look at PRP.

What is PRP?

PRP comes from your own blood. Platelets are naturally found in your blood and help with clotting after an injury. They also have growth factors that can induce new blood vessel growth to help in recruiting other healing cells to an injured area.

Why isn't PRP always effective?

First we draw blood then it is 'spun' into a centrifuge to seperate out the platelet layer, which is then removed. Many different companies provide systems to do this, however, not all PRP is the same. The various systems that are engineered to harvest PRP also are able to harvest other cells. Additionally, the concentration of platelets per unit volume differs among systems. With that said, initial clinical studies on "PRP" have had mixed results because different systems test different types of PRP.

For example, some PRP formulations contain a high number of leukocytes (white blood cells). These formulations are called Leukocyte Rich PRP (LR-PRP). Depending on the formation and condition we're treating, some patients may experience a positive response and some patients may actually feel MORE pain. It's important to discuss which formation is best for you.

Click here for more information about what specific conditions some patients may see some benefits from PRP.

Dr. Bergin in Austin Family Magazine: How Heavy is Your Child's Backpack?

How heavy is your child's backpack? If they are like most kids', it is too heavy.

Books, pens, notebooks... kids' backpacks are packed! These heavy bags rob kids' energy that would be better used doing homework or playing sports and can also lead to aches and pains, accidents and other injuries.

Dr. Barbara Bergin shared tips with Austin Family magazine on what parents can do to lighten the load. Here's a quick guide details exactly how much is too much.

If Your Child is…               Backpack Weight Should Not Exceed

40 lbs.                   4 to 6 lbs.

50 lbs.                   5 to 7½ lbs.

60 lbs.                   6 to 9 lbs.

70 lbs.                   7 to 10½ lbs.

80 lbs.                   8 to 12 lbs.

90 lbs.                   9 to 13 ½ lbs.

100 lbs.                 10  to 15 lbs.

Source: Austin Family magazine

Read the full article on the Austin Family website.

Veteran's Day

Texas Orthopedics salutes all of our nation's veterans on November 11. We are especially proud to honor those close to home. Right here at Texas Orthopedics, we have twelve doctors and staff members who have bravely served our country. We are so proud and thankful for your service.

We have also treated many active and retired servicemen and women over the years, and it has been our privilege to do so.

Please join us today in thanking our staff, and all of our patients, who have so selflessly served in the military.

Texas Orthopedics' veterans, we salute you. 

• Dr. Peter Garcia
• Dr. Richard Lutz
• Dr. Bradley Adams
• Jim Arrington, PA 
• Hal Jones
• Jody Ramirez
• Debbie Jara
• Kathy Mitchell
• Jo Lopez
• Ron Howard
• Allen Schultz

Veteran's Day is celebrated annually on November 11, in conjunction with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, to commemorate the end of World War I. 

Dr. McDonald Provides Important Injury Prevention Tips to AMD Employees

AMD employees who ranged from elite athletes to 'weekend warriors' stopped by to hear Dr. John McDonald speak about common sports injuries and prevention tips.

Dr. McDonald was invited to speak at AMD, one of Austin's largest tech companies, to discuss injuries that often occur among active adults.

In addition to reviewing why sports injuries commonly occur and where on the body they are most frequent (the answer is the knee), Dr. McDonald touched on prevention strategies, including important stretching and strength training exercises.

In a running cycling city like Austin, Dr. McDonald also addressed ways to avoid knee and ankle pain. He also discussed common golfing and tennis injuries.

Dr. McDonald provided an important overview about some newer trends in exercising including high intensity interval training and newer treatment options, such as stem cell therapy and PRP (platelet rich plasma).

Dr. McDonald's bottom line message to AMD employees: listen to your body and don't push through the pain.

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Do foam rollers work for aches and pains?

Foam rollers have become a popular gym (and home) accessory these days. They are lightweight, portable, and come in a variety of colors and textures. But what are they for? And do they really work?

These rollers are designed to literally "roll away" minor aches and pains, after a workout or other strenuous activity, producing a massage-like effect if done properly. They are most commonly used on the hips, quads, back and calves.

Recent studies on the effectiveness of rollers determined that they:

• can help increase range of motion
• promote quicker muscle recovery after exercise

Although they cannot completely replicate the benefits of actual massage therapy, here are some tips to get the most relief from your roll:

1. Start with a slow roll across the muscle, moving every one to two seconds, until you reach a tender spot. 
2. Hold the roller in place for about 20 to 30 seconds until you feel the tension or pain release.
3. Follow up your roll with some light movement or stretching to the affected area/muscle.  

Some fitness experts swear by rolling both before and after each workout to help prevent pain. Other people use foam rollers simply for stress relief. 

Check with your doctor before using a roller if you have a serious medical condition such as arthritis or osteoporosis. And make sure that you are rolling with the right intensity - rolling too aggressively could lead to injury.

If you are experiencing any type of chronic or severe pain, foam rollers may not be adequate and you should see a doctor.

(Adapted from Shots Health News from NPR)

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Who's to Blame for Daylight Savings?

Yesterday, most of us gained an hour of sleep because we set our clocks back for daylight savings time. Have you ever wondered how this daylight savings practice came to be? "Falling" back an hour in the chilly months, and "springing" forward to welcome the warmer ones? Daylight savings is followed in most countries around the world, but not all of them.

It was first introduced to America, in an elementary format, by founding father and inventor Benjamin Franklin, following his post as Ambassador to France. While there, Franklin suggested that Parisians ought to economize on candles by rising earlier in the morning to take advantage of the daylight hours. While Franklin was not the first person to propose this idea, he brought it back with him to America in the late 1700's. The modern format of daylight savings as we know it now was shaped at a much later date via input from many other scientists around the world.

So if you're thankful for that extra hour of coziness under your covers in the dark you got yesterday, you can thank dear old Ben for it. Or... if you don't like it, you can consider moving to a state or U.S. territory that does not observe daylight savings, including parts of Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

(Courtesy of MarketWatch)

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Arthritis and Strength Training

Arthritis patients may not seem the most obvious candidates for adopting a strength-training or weightlifting regimen. But evidence shows that strength-training is highly beneficial to those suffering from osteoporosis and other forms of the disease.

Here's 4 reasons arthritis sufferers can benefit:

1. Alleviate pain. A recent study in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine found that men with rheumatoid arthritis who strength-trained three times a week over eight weeks reported a 23 percent reduction in pain (in the knees).
2. Improve range of motion. Patients who practiced resistance training three days a week for five weeks, with equipment such as a band or by using their own body weight, exhibited similar flexibility to those not affected by arthritis who performed regular stretching routines (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research).
3. Build muscle. Strength-training builds up muscle, which burns calories. Burning calories helps to shed fat and maintain a healthy weight. Arthritis patients who are overweight often experience more painful and severe symptoms than others due to the excess pressure put on their already stressed joints.
4. Increase bone density. Women are robbed of nearly 50% of their bone tissue at or around the time they reached menopause. Men follow closely behind losing bone mass at a rapid once they hit 65 or 70 (National Institutes of Health). Decreased bone mass, or density, is a leading cause of arthritis. Lifting weights on a regular basis slow down this bone density loss.

The stronger and leaner the body is, the better armed it is to fight against arthritis.

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(Courtesy Arthritis Foundation)

Rise in Jumping Parks Leads to More Trampoline Injuries

Over one million people visited urgent care centers or emergency rooms with trampoline-related injuries from 2002 to 2011 (Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics). The majority of these injuries occurred in small children.

With more and more commercial trampoline "parks" popping up, this number could continue to skyrocket.

Neck and spinal cord injuries are the most serious, and often suffered from a bad landing when attempting somersaults or flips. Other injuries include sprains and fractures to the lower extremities, with more than 60% affecting the ankle. Bumps, bruises, and minor cuts and scrapes are also common.

Many injuries result from too many people jumping close together, as they often end up bumping into each other. This can be especially hard to avoid if visiting a trampoline park during a busy weekend or special event packed with lots of kiddos.

Whether heading to one of these parks, or jumping on a home trampoline, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) urges extreme caution, especially for young children.

Here are a few safety tips:

1. Make sure all visible equipment is in good working condition - no tears on the trampoline surface, and no exposed springs.
2. Check that there are no toys or foreign objects anywhere on the trampoline.
3. Supervise children at all times. Do no rely on the park's staff to monitor your child's safety.
4. Do not allow kids to do somersaults or flips.
5. Verify that the facility follows proper AAP and industry guidelines regarding trampoline use and maintenance.

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Dr. Bergin & Respect the Bra

The purpose of the "respect" series of blog is to remind my followers and patients of the many destructive forces out there which can result in the slow or acute decline of our musculoskeletal system. Of course, there are commonly seen, major forces, like doing squats and gaining a lot of weight. But, there are also many minor forces, injury-producing activities, which I see over and over in my practice. I don't see them as often as others, but I see them enough that I write them down on little pieces of note paper, along with the word "BLOG," in order to remind myself to write about them later.

Many of them are things in which, if you knew about them, or even considered them briefly, you might be able to make some simple changes before the damage is done. For example, check out my previous blog, Respect the Stairs.

So I'm starting with a really simple one: RESPECT THE BRA

It goes without saying that we need to wear bras. The first bra was a corset, and it was put on by someone else... from behind! So when bras evolved, they did so with the opening in the back. Why didn't someone early on consider an opening in the front? I wonder how many rotator cuffs that would have spared?

I often treat women complaining of the onset of shoulder pain whilst trying to fasten the hooks from behind. It's tricky. You have to have your wrists, elbows and shoulders all in good health to do it. And it is so ingrained into our physical memory that it sometimes takes a doctor saying, "Have you considered wearing a front opening bra or putting it on backwards and turning it around,?" before my patients realize that it's a viable, if not preferable, option.

So, why don't we start converting to front-opening bras? While we're slowly exchanging out our inventory, why don't we also start doing them in the front and turning them around? I promise it will save some of your shoulders.

And, about those sport bras... I have had many women ding their rotator cuffs or just strain their shoulders from trying to wrestle out of sweaty, tight fitting sport bras. Why do we do this to ourselves? There are many attractive and functional front clasping sport bras. Unless you're a dry, skinny person, you almost have to dislocate your shoulders to get out of them. I address this because I actually see women injure themselves getting out of sport bras. I'm not recommending this just to e mean...

Calling all bra companies! Heed my request to make more stylish, front-opening bras, and change our back-clasping bra culture!

To read more of Dr. Bergin's "respect" series, check out her blog.

Why Arthritis Sufferers Benefit From Flu Shots

Flu season is upon us, and while it's a good idea for everyone to get a flu shot, the Infections Diseases Society of America suggests that those with arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases, can particularly benefit from it.

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lups, psoriatic arthritis, and other forms of arthritis, can weaken the immune system. The medications typically prescribed to treat these illnesses also suppress the immune system. This makes the sufferers vulnerable to the flu and pneumonia.

For these individuals, the CDC recommends both the flu shot and pneumonia vaccine. The ideal time to get vaccinated is in October when the first signs of the virus usually appear. The flu season typically starts in October and continue through to May of the following year.

Other precautions to avoid the flu include frequent hand washing, and steering clear of those already infected with it. Check with your physician about scheduling your flu shot today.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

You CAN Work Out Your Ankles! 3 Injury-Preventing Exercises

Football players' injuries are regularly splashed across the sports pages at this time of year. Concussions, pulled hamstrings and torn ACL's are all pretty common. Recently, ankle injuries, such as fractures and sprains, have also made front page news.

Eddie Lacy, of the NFL's Green Bay Packers, and Malik Zaire, start quarterback of the University of Notre Dame, suffered serious season-ending ankle injuries. While there is no controlling what happens on the field, for a professional or recreational athlete, you can condition your ankles so that they are at their strongest to prevent an injury.

Strengthening ankle joints and surrounding tissues help to decrease the severity of an injury and also help prevent painful conditions such as shin splints and Achilles tendonitis.

Check out these exercises for stronger ankles:

1. Use a resistance band by placing it around the top of the foot, then curl toes at the end of the movement. Complete three sets of 20 in each direction. 
2. Perform simple calf raises, in both sitting and standing positions. Aim for three sets of 20. 
3. Try plyometric drills with swift, jumping type movements and rapid recoveries, such as "scissor hops" and standing/jumping squats. Do each exercise 10 to 15 times. 

Learning how to balance well on your ankles keeps them strong and allows you to control your feet and body more effectively. Practice standing on one foot for several second, working up to one full minute, then switch, and repeat.

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Thank You, Physician Assistants

Physician assistants work tirelessly on behalf of the physicians they assist as well as the patients whom they treat. Their role in our office is invaluable.

For this reason, Texas Orthopedics salutes our amazing physician assistants and all PA professionals during National PA Week October 6-12.

There are currently more than 100,000 certified PAs across the country, and it is considered one of the fastest-growing professions today (American Academy of Physician Assistants). Physician assistants are highly trained individuals able to prescribe medications and perform many of the same tasks as a regular doctor. They are instrumental in providing more patients high-quality, cost-effective medical care once only available from a doctor.

National Physician Assistants Week has grown from just a single day celebrated historically on October 6 since 1987 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University PA program. October 6 is also the birthday of the PA field's pioneer and founder, Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr.

We are fortunate to have such a great group of PAs supporting our patients.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Texas Orthopedics Sponsors Run for the Water

Texas Orthopedics is excited to sponsor Run for the Water, one of Austin's largest and most popular charity-produced races. And many of our employees are going to put on their running shoes to participate in the 10 mile and 5K run. We are so pleased that we're able to contribute to such an important cause and fun local event!

Now in its ninth year, Run for the Water is produced and benefits the Gazelle Foundation, an Austin-based non-profit improving the lives of citizens of Burundi, Africa, through the building of water systems.

Learn more about Run for the Water and find out how you can participate.

And keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Bike Injuries Jump Among Adults

In Austin, it's not uncommon to see cyclists whizzing past you on any given road at any given time of day. While biking is a great form of exercise, there are some risks associated with this popular pastime, especially for adults.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that injuries among adult cyclists have risen steadily since 1998, with the largest increase among adults over 45 years old.

Data was collected from 1998 to 2013 from approximately 100 emergency rooms nationwide via the National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems. Highlights include: 

• Bike injuries increased by 28% while hospitalizations from bike injuries increased 120%
• The rate of hospitalizations among people over 45 grew from 39% to 65%
• Cyclists' arms and legs were injured most often, with head injuries increasing from 10% to 16%

This rise in injuries is due to a few reasons: More cyclists on the road and more are traveling in urban areas, which tend to have traffic congestion and other road dangers.

Here are a few reminders to keep you safe, no matter what your age:

• Ride with a partner or cycling group - there are safety in numbers.
• Obey all traffic signals and weather warnings, and plan your travel route before hitting the road. 
• Wear a properly fitting helmet and shoes, as well as reflective gear in the early morning or evening hours.   
  
  (Adapted from CNN.comhttp://www.cnn.com/)
  
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