Skip to main content

Category Archives: Health & Fitness

Simple Changes that Could Prevent Common Running Injuries

Posted on by

Anyone who runs regularly has likely experienced an injury of some degree. Experts vary in their opinions on the common causes of running injuries. Some blame runners’ form while others accuse the surfaces on which they run or their bodies. Others look to running shoes as the culprit. In fact, running injuries can be a combination of the wrong shoes, training errors and anatomical issues.

In recent years, sports medicine physicians have changed their focus from treating running injuries to working to prevent them. Florida residents who are serious runners and want to avoid injuries would do well to work with an orthopedic specialist and perhaps a physical therapist who specialize in running to help ensure that their bodies, their form and their shoes are all working together to minimize the risk of injury and maximize the productivity of their runs.

Everyone is unique so it’s best to work with experts who can determine what is best for you. However, in general, there are steps that runners can take to improve their form and their strength. Further, everyone needs to find the right shoe for their needs.

(more…)

Tips to Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery

Posted on by

At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, we know the thought of having joint replacement surgery can be stressful. One source of concern for many of our patients is the anticipation of pain and inactivity they will endure while they heal and recover from the surgery.

Our Jacksonville orthopedic surgeons and the rest of our team work closely with our patients both before and after surgery to help their recovery go as smoothly as possible. We have a team of experienced Florida physical therapists who provide physical rehabilitation services to our surgical patients and get them back to an active, pain-free life as soon as possible.

Patients can play an important role in how well and quickly they recover by taking some important steps before the surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss important preparatory steps that you should take before your surgery based on your health and your living situation. However, there are some things that most everyone should do.

Prepare Your Body

  • Eat a healthy diet and lose any excess weight. Being overweight or obese puts more stress on your joints.
  • If you smoke, stop. Smoking can slow down the healing process.
  • Generally it’s helpful to build your upper body strength. This will help you get around on crutches or other mobility devices you will need immediately after the surgery. However, ask your doctor and physical therapist to recommend exercises to do prior to surgery. You don’t want to exacerbate your current joint condition.
  • Practice with the mobility devices you will be using immediately after the surgery to help you get used to them.
  • Tell your orthopedic surgeon about any and all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) you are taking.

Make Appropriate Work Arrangements

  • Be sure to schedule enough time away from work and any restricted work activity after surgery. You don’t want to try to go back before you’re ready. Discuss the timeline with your orthopedic surgeon for when you can expect to be able to go back to the office or at least work from home. Remember that the length of recovery cannot be predicted with certainty. It’s better to arrange for more time off than you need rather than less.
  • If your job involves physical activity, your doctor may need to provide authorization to your employer to restrict that activity during your recovery.

Prepare Your Home and Support System

  • You should get your home ready for your recovery period before the surgery. Set up an area on the first floor where you’ll have everything you need within easy reach. Remove any tripping hazards like rugs. You’ll probably want to sleep on the first floor for a period of time.
  • Have a reliable support system in place. You will need someone to drive you home after the surgery, to and from your post-op and physical therapy appointments as well as to help with errands. You’ll also need help with daily tasks and taking care of any children, animals or anyone else who relies on you. If you live alone, see if a family member or friend can move in with you for awhile. If that’s not possible, a home healthcare provider or rehabilitation facility may be the best choice.

The team at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists has a great deal of experience helping patients prepare for their orthopedic surgery and their recovery period.  If you have any questions about preparing for joint replacement surgery or what to expect afterwards, call or contact us online.

Image Courtesy of: Southeast Orthopedic Specialist

How Protecting Your Back and Pelvis During Pregnancy Can Reduce Pain

Posted on by

Many women experience discomfort in their back and/or pelvis during pregnancy. The muscles in the back, pelvic floor and stomach support the back and pelvis joints. However, as the uterus grows with the baby, it’s harder for these muscles to do their job. This can result in stiffness and pain.

In addition, the pelvis is impacted by pregnancy hormones like estrogen and relaxin. These hormones make the tissues that connect the ligaments around the pelvis stretch more. This can result in pelvic pain, which is actually more common in pregnant women than lower back pain.

So how can you help protect these areas while you’re pregnant, reduce pain and make movement easier? Experienced Florida physical therapists like those at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists’ three Jacksonville therapy centers will tell you that changing the way you move and position yourself can make a difference. Maintaining proper posture can be more difficult than ever when you’re carrying a growing person inside of you, but it’s extremely important to your physical well-being.

(more…)

Why Physical Therapy Is Beneficial

Posted on by

Physiotherapy, which aims to restore movement and/or function after an injury, illness or disability, has numerous different benefits. While many think of physical therapists as dealing mainly with musculoskeletal problems, they can work with a wide range of conditions and highly different types of patients.

The focus of physical medicine and rehabilitation can be very broadly divided into three main categories: injury recovery, chronic disorders such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease, and serious conditions requiring a multi-team approach, such as stroke, heart and lung problems. (more…)

Keeping Active Assists in Bone and Joint Health While Aging

Posted on by

A recent review of several scientific studies by the Department of Orthopaedics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University has found that being physically active can significantly improve not only musculoskeletal health, but also overall health and well-being as well as minimize the effects of aging on the joints and bones.

Their review focused on studies on athletes aged 65 years and older, and their findings suggest that people who stay active throughout middle age and older adulthood can defy the effects of aging on the bones and joints, at least to a certain degree. Particularly, physical activity shows several positive effects on maintaining muscle strength, bone density and ligament and tendon function, thus reducing the risk of orthopedic trauma and helping the body to stay strong and healthy. (more…)

5 Practices That Can Help Prevent Carpal Tunnel

Posted on by

With the advent of the personal computer, the average office has made leaps and bounds in productivity. Everything from sales to communications and marketing to administrative and clerical work are all handled at desktop computers. The convenience comes at a price, though.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is linked to repetitive movements of the hand and wrist, which is common among data entry workers, assembly line laborers, mechanics and carpenters. CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve in the arm as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms of CTS include feelings of weakness, numbness, tingling and burning in the hand and fingers.

(more…)

Pedestrian-Friendly Communities Linked to Better Cognition in Elders

Posted on by
The positive effects of exercise have long been touted by the medical community. Increased respiratory function, better mobility, healthier bones and joints, weight management and lower levels of stress are all among the benefits of physical activity. However, exercise does not just improve physical health. Over the past decades, experts have discovered that mental function is also improved with activity like walking.

In fact, research presented earlier this year at the Gerontological Society of America’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., suggests that the more a community encourages walking, either for transportation or for leisure, the better the cognitive health of its elderly residents.

(more…)

Signs That You Might Have a Pinched Nerve

Posted on by

Pinched nerves, also known as compressed nerves, are usually the result of a nerve being pressed between two hard surfaces like ligaments, tendons or bones. Numbness, pain and a tingling sensation are often cited as the most common symptoms.

Pinched nerves can occur throughout the body, but certain areas are more susceptible, including the neck, elbows, wrists, lower back and shoulders. Read below to learn more about the signs of a pinched nerve. If you are experiencing nerve pain or numbness, consult with a sports medicine specialist or a physician immediately.

(more…)

Close
Close

Schedule an Appointment

Get the Care You Need, When You Need It.

You now have the ability to schedule an appointment online any time with our orthopedic surgeons and specialists. Our intelligent system connects you to the right doctor in the right setting at the right time. Schedule your appointment online above!
*Providers will be recommended based on specialty and best availability. If you would prefer to schedule an appointment with a provider of your choice, please call us at 904-634-0640