St. Patrick's Day Fun Facts

Have you ever wondered why the bubbles in the much-loved Guinness brand beer flow in a downward direction before settling back up at the top? Mathematicians at the University of Limerick (Ireland) discovered this was due to the unique shape of the pint glasses the beer is so often served in.

Here is some other interesting St. Patrick's Day trivia for you:

• 83% of Americans wear green on this day
• 34% will make a special dinner, likely including corned beef and potatoes
• About 5.5 million pints of Guinness are consumed around the world daily, and that number more than doubles on St. Patrick's Day
• In 2009, 36.9 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry, which was actually eight times the entire population of Ireland for that year
• The largest known collection of four-leaf clovers belongs to Edward Martin, Sr., from Alaska made up of 111,060 clovers collected over an eight year period
• Slainte, pronounced (slahn-chuh) is an Irish toast for good health, similar to our "cheers"

So, slainte, from all of us at Texas Orthopedics! We wish you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!

(Adapted from Via Science)

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Dr. Bergin on KVUE-TV: Why Women Should S.L.A.M.

 

Dr. Bergin and one of her patients was recently featured on KVUE-TV about S.L.A.M., a concept she developed based on a very real problem she has noticed in three decades of practicing medicine. It stands for 'Sit Like a Man'.

 

About 90 percent of her patients with pain under their knee caps for along the outside of their hips are women, including Cherie Hall.

 

Hall told KVUE, "The pain was so excruciating, so bad that I almost feel like I am tired of living," she said. "It was here, all the way into the lower back and hamstring."

 

Dr. Bergin explained how the 'lady-like' way of sitting can wreak havoc on some women. But most importantly, she demonstrated how you can S.L.A.M. to avoid these aches and pains.

 

Click here to see the entire story.

Spring Break Safety Tips

If you're heading out on vacation for Spring Break, whether with college pals or your own kids and family, make safety a top priority. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) offers some tips for travel and smart behavior while on Spring Break:

1. Limit alcohol.

Alcohol can impair your judgment and actions and lead to a host of other issues like dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and passing out. And as always, don't drink and drive.

2. Plan ahead.

Know your destination...are vaccinations required? Are there any travel restrictions or severe weather situations on the horizon? Be prepared for all of these things, and anything else that may come up, especially if traveling abroad.

3. Check your equipment.

If you will be partaking in a high-risk activity, like skiing or scuba-diving, make sure your gear is good. Ensure that all equipment is in decent condition and proper working order, and also that you know how to use it. Consider taking a class beforehand if you will be trying out something new while on vacation.

4. Know the ropes...in the water.

When swimming or boating, especially if you have not been in the water for several months, know what's expected and what you can do to prevent injury or death for yourself and others. Wear life jackets, or other personal flotation devices, as required, and be aware of any weather warnings if near a natural body of water. Also avoid alcoholic beverages, and pay special attention to any children who are with you to make sure that they stay safe.

5. Slather on the sunscreen.

The hot sun feels great after months of the cold winter, but exposed skin that has not been outdoors for a while is very vulnerable to burning. Sunburn can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, and can make for a miserable vacation. Even when you are in the snowy mountains, always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and reapply it often.

(Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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Knee Replacement Surgery-Recovery News

 

 

Arthritis of the knee affects approximately half of all Americans over the age of 60. When non-surgical treatments (like injections, weight loss, physical therapy, and non-narcotic medications) aren't helpful in treating the painful symptoms associated, total knee replacement (TKR) is often a good option.

 

According to a recent review in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), a team-based care approach (including the patient, family members, orthopaedic surgeon, and other medical practitioners) on TKR, along with newer pain management practices, lead to a better outcome.

 

Managing the post-surgical pain is arguably the key to postoperative mobility, and reducing medication side effects, thereby increasing patient satisfaction.

 

Typical pain management following surgery includes a computerized pump called the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), with or without an epidural, which can cause nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, low blood pressure, constipation and itching.

 

Newer methods for pain control, known as multimodal protocols, are more effective at managing pain and limiting side effects. This approach includes:

• a combination of pain management medications (oral medications and nerve blocks) taken before and after surgery
• regional anesthesia with pre-operative nerve blocks performed by an anesthesiologist
• intra-operative pain injections performed by the orthopaedic surgeon directly into the knee

Multimodal protocols have proven to:

• reduce the amount of narcotic pain medication needed for postoperative pain
• help patients be better prepared for early postoperative physical therapy

And never underestimate the importance of a strong support system, such as friends and family, in helping a patient to achieve a speedy and successful recovery.

 

(Courtesy of AAOS-American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

 

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Crazy Youth Sports

From the over-trained and burnt out little kids, to the disillusioned college students thinking they'll go pro, and all the uber-competitive parents and coaches in between, something has gone awry in youth sports these days.

Results were recently released from the NCAA 's 2015 GOALS (Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Learning of Students in College) Study of the Student-Athlete Experience. This was the first time the survey included questions about youth sports. Here are some highlights:

• College athletes reported specializing in their specific sports before they reached their teen years, and many said they regretted doing so this early.
• The athletes revealed they thought they played in too many games at too young an age.
• Approximately half, or more than half, of Division I male athletes in soccer, tennis, hockey, and basketball specialized in that sport by age 12.
• Similarly, more than half of female Division I athletes polled already specialized in gymnastics, tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming, hockey, and softball at the same age.

When kids focus on one single sport too early, they are likely to suffer from overuse injuries, or other injuries such as broken bones, fractures, sprains and strains. Young bodies that are still growing and developing must be given time to adjust to new physical activities and heal properly.

Playing a single sport also limits a child's ability to pick up ancillary skills from other sports that may contribute to them being better competitors and more well-rounded athletes.

A great deal of pressure put on kids to perform at a high level at a very early age comes from parents. Parents' desires to send their child off to university that excels in a certain sport, and even have college paid for via an athletic scholarship, are enormous.

Many students even admitted that their parents had grander expectations of expecting them to eventually go pro. In reality, only a very small percentage of gifted and talented athletes in any sport ever make it to the elite professional level.

(Adapted from The Washington Post)

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Winter Sports Safety Tips

With Spring Break not too far off, many Central Texans are finalizing their plans for ski trips to places out west or up north.

As exhilarating as skiing is swooshing down the mountain with the icy wind at your back, it is also one of the most dangerous winter sports there is.

In 2014, the U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commision reported that nearly 115,000 injuries treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, and emergency rooms were skiing-related. Another 125,000 injuries were attributed to other winter sports such as sledding and ice skating.

The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) offers the following safety tips if you're hitting the slopes this season:

• Always ski with a partner, and inform someone else off the slopes of your whereabouts and expected time of return. Also make sure to have a cell phone with you in the event of an emergency.
• Check weather conditions frequently, and take warnings seriously with regard to blizzard-like or icy conditions, low visibility, and severely cold temperatures.
• Dress warmly but comfortably in several layers of light, loos, and water-and wind-resistant clothing. Also ensure that your equipment fits properly and is in good working order...helmets, goggles, boots, and bindings. And don't forget to slather on the sunscreen.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water while out on the trails. The high altitudes and intense physical exertion can lead to dehydration pretty quickly if you are not careful.
• Remember to stretch a bit and warm up, just as you would with any other sport, before your first ski run of the day.

Collisions with fellow skiers are one of the biggest causes of ski injuries, so make sure to watch out for others in your path and be prepared to stop at any time. This holds true for sledding and ice skating as well.

(Courtesy of AAOS)

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Common Bike Injuries

Cycling is a pretty popular pastime in Austin. Whether you ride the city's streets, rolling hills, or many nature trails, safety should be your number one priority. Still, no matter how cautious you are, bike injuries and accidents happen.

Here is a rundown of some common cycling injuries, and how to avoid them:

1. Achilles or patellar tendonitis are overuse injuries caused by inflammation to tendons in the lower leg and knee areas.

• Rest for a few days at the initial onset of pain to avoid further damage.
• Later, vary your pedal cadence, and adjust your seat height.

2. The clavicle (collarbone) and scaphoid (bone on the thumb side of the hand) are the most commonly broken/fractured bones following a crash. 

• Hold onto your handlebars as you start to fall, allowing the bike frame and your body as a whole to absorb the force of the impact.

3. Saddle sores are skin sores brought on by long hours in your bike seat.

• Use a chamois cloth on the seat, or a lubricating cream on your skin, to help ease the discomfort of rubbing against the saddle.

4. Lower back pain is often due to a poor bike fit or too many hours spent cycling. 

• Make sure your bike properly fits your body's size and alignment.
• Build in rest days between long rides to let your body heal.
• Add core-strengthening exercises during training to help support/balance pressure put on the lower back. 

5. Neck pain comes from holding the weight of the head in an extended position for long periods of time. 

• Shortening the bike's stem and moving the seat forward to hold your in a more upright position can help lighten your head's load on the neck. 

If your bike injuries are not easily treated with rest, ice/heat therapy, or over-the-counter pain medication, make an appointment with your orthopedist. 

(Adapted from Active.com)

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