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.

Congratulations to our doctors included in the 2012 Super Doctors

The following Texas Orthopedics physicians have been included in this year's Super Doctors list.

• Bradley Adams, DO
• Donald Davis, MD
• Robert Foster, MD
• Peter Garcia, Jr., MD
• Tyler Goldberg, MD
• Richard Lutz, DO
• Scott Smith, MD
• Brannan Smoot, MD
• Archie Whittemore, MD

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!

Texas Orthopedics & Partnerships for Children

Each year Texas Orthopedics employees donate to an Austin charity during the holidays. This year we have chosen to help support Partnerships for Children and their Holiday Wishes program. Through this program, Partnerships for Children provides gifts for the holiday season to kids in the care of Child Protective Services. 

Our goal is to collect as many items on their wishlist as possible. If you would like to help, please feel free to drop off new, unused items at one of our six locations before December 14th.

Holiday Wishlist

• Toys: cars & trucks, Legos, Building Blocks, Educational toys (LeapFrog, VTech), musical items, Thomas the Train, Toy Story or Cars items, Action figures (Transformers, Spiderman, Batman), arts & crafts, painting & drawing supplies, puzzles, board games, stuffed animals
• Dolls: (all ethnic origin) Barbie dolls & accessories, Princess theme items, Hannah Montana items
• Sports: football, basketball, soccer ball, volleyball, skateboard, roller skates, Heelys, bikes, tricycles
• Books: (English & Spanish) talking books, board books, coloring books
• Clothing: (infant to teen sizes) onesies, Old Navy, Polo, Vans, DC
• Bedding: twin sheet sets and pillows
• Hygiene products: deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, African American hair products, brushes and combs, baby powder, lotion, bath gel, perfume
• School supplies for all ages

Thanksgiving Holiday Information

 

 

Texas Orthopedics will be closed on Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd for the Thanksgiving holiday. No medications will be filled over the holiday weekend. Please submit your refill requests by Tuesday, November 20th to allow our office to approve your requests.



Orthopaedic surgeons offer traveling safety tips

Post provided by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Tense shoulders, or pains in the neck and back, are the all too familiar complaints of travelers who carry heavy luggage. As thousands of Americans gear up for travel this holiday season, orthopaedic surgeons share safety tips to reduce travel related injuries.

"Back pain is very common and affects millions of Americans," said orthopaedic surgeon and AAOS spokesperson Brett Taylor, MD. "While there are many reasons for back pain, twisting or lifting improperly can be a major cause. For that reason it's important to know what to do and what not to do while traveling with heavy bags or luggage."

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 59,400 luggage-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices and clinics in 2011.

• Of those injuries, more than 25,900 injuries were sprains and strains;
• More than 26,300 were back injuries;
• Approximately 2,060 were neck injuries

Travel/Luggage Safety Tips:

• Lifting properly: When lifting luggage, stand alongside of it, bend at your knees, not your waist, lift with your leg muscles, then grasp the handle and straighten up (do not twist the spine). Once you have lifted your luggage, hold it close to your body.
• Carrying luggage: Carry light pieces in both hands rather than one heavy item in a hand off to the side. This can decrease stress to the spine. Lift not drag luggage down stairs.
• Correctly carrying backpacks: If using a backpack, make sure it has two padded and adjustable shoulder straps. Choose one with several compartments to secure various-sized items, packing the heavier things low and towards the center. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder does not allow weight to be distributed evenly, which can cause muscle strain.

Race for the Cure 2012

Thanks to all our employees and their family and friends for volunteering at the Texas Orthopedics water stop at the Race for the Cure. Looking forward to next year!