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4 Signs It’s Time to Consult an Orthopedic Hip Surgeon

Do you have pain or stiffness in your hips? If so, it might be time to consult with an orthopedic clinic. Many people associate these aches and pains with getting older, but severe pain and tightness should never be mistaken for the normal aging process. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your physician for a referral to an orthopedic center in Jacksonville, FL. (more…)

Learn What Causes Stress Fractures

Ouch! Lately, after finishing weeknight practices with your summer soccer league, your left shin feels very sore. You’ve tried resting it, icing it, and taking anti-inflammatories, but nothing seems to help, and it seems to be getting worse. You decide it is time to see your doctor. After a trip to the orthopedic center in Jacksonville, FL, you’ve been diagnosed with a stress fracture! Does this mean you have a broken bone? Is your summer ruined?? Don’t panic. Keep reading to find out more.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone.

What Causes a Stress Fracture?

Stress fractures, simply put, are caused by overuse. A continuous, repetitive motion such as running long distances or jumping up and down without proper rest can cause tiny cracks to form in your bones. Starting a new exercise and doing too much too soon is a recipe for a stress fracture. When bones are overworked and don’t have sufficient time to recovery, a fracture can form. A stress fracture can also be caused by everyday activities in the bones of people who have osteoporosis.

Where Do Stress Fractures Most Commonly Occur?

Stress fractures most commonly occur in the bones of the legs and feet. These bones bear most of the weight of the body and are more susceptible to stress fractures.

Who Is at Risk for a Stress Fracture?

Athletes who run long distances are particularly at risk, including soccer players, long-distance runners, basketball players, and track and field athletes. This is due to the repeated pounding running has on leg bones and muscles. Military personnel who carry heavy packs over long distances are also susceptible, along with backpackers and hunters hiking with heavy packs. But, anyone can develop a stress fracture, especially if you start a new exercise program and try to do too much too quickly.

What Are the Symptoms of a Stress Fracture?

Pain is the first clue you might have a stress fracture. Usually mild at first, stress fractures become increasingly more painful as they progress and are left untreated. The affected bone feels tender to the touch, but the pain eases after a period of rest. Swelling can also occur around the affected area.

How Are Stress Fractures Diagnosed?

Your orthopedic in Jacksonville, FL, will first try to use an X-ray to diagnose your stress fracture. Stress fractures often don’t show up in X-rays during the first few weeks of the injury, and your doctor may require a bone scan or MRI to see the fracture.

How Long Does It Take to Heal from a Stress Fracture?

A stress fracture usually requires 6 to 8 weeks to heal. This means you need to limit your activities and let the injured bone heal. Try not to put any weight on your injury while it is healing. You can use a walking boot or crutches to speed up the healing process.

How Can I Prevent Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures can be prevented by wearing the proper footwear for your activity or sport. When starting a new exercise program, start off slowly and never do too much too soon. Let your body rest adequately after exercise, and never push through any pain. Keep your bones strong and make sure your diet includes calcium and vitamin D.

What Orthopedic Injuries are Most Common This Time of Year?

Orthopedic injuries can happen easily in the cold weather months, simply because ice and snow create a hazardous environment that makes it easy to slip or fall. Simple activities like walking to your car or driving to work become far more hazardous once winter conditions are involved.

What Are the Most Common Winter Injuries?

Winter weather contributes to slips and falls, and a tumble on steps, the sidewalk or the street can lead to hip, knee or back pain that lasts far past the spring thaw. Snow poses another seasonal hazard; the repetitive motion of shoveling can lead to back or shoulder injuries. Even your vehicle poses a risk, lowered visibility, snow and ice increase your risk of accident. Luckily for those of us living in Florida, we do not have to worry about the snow. But if you are traveling North or have families living in the Northern part of the United States, here are some things to look out for:

Snow Related Injuries

Snow is dangerous stuff. A recent research study found that there are about 11.500 visits to the emergency room each year just from snow shoveling. Most of these injuries were to the back and shoulder; this does not include the heart attacks that result from sedentary folks who take to the driveway to vigorously clear things off.

Driving Hazards

Weather related risks rise during the cold winter months; snow, ice and sleet make roads less safe for everyone who has to venture out. About 445,000 people had weather related injuries while driving over a 10-year period, according to a recent study. Auto injuries can leave patients suffering from next, back and limb injuries that need surgery to truly improve.

Slips and Falls

Salt, sand and de-icer only do so much. Winter weather can still make the pavement and all surfaces hazardous. Even if you do not experience icy weather – Florida is not likely to see much snow – heavy fall rains can lead to slippery conditions and unexpected falls. Simply walking through a wet parking lot and then into a store can cause a fall, because the store floor will be wet and slippery.

Fall and winter pose more hazards than spring and summer, because of increased precipitation and depending on where you live, snow and ice. Taking extra precautions can help you avoid any injuries, including the lasting types that could need orthopedic specialist attention.

For those of you on Florida – the threats you may see are hazards from rain. We hope you don’t need us because of a seasonal fall or injury, but if you do, we can help. Contact the Southeast Orthopedic Specialist team to learn more about your options and to get releif after an injury.

3 Times to See an Orthopedic Urgent Care Center

 

Seek Orthopedic Urgent Care

Orthopedic urgent care centers offer easy and fast access to orthopedic care. They’re the perfect place to go for injuries and other orthopedic issues that aren’t true emergencies but do require prompt treatment.

Here are three times when it’s right to seek ortho urgent care.

Sprains from Playing Sports

Athletes who sprain joints during competition or practice should quickly see an orthopedic specialist at an ortho urgent care center.

An orthopedic specialist will have the expertise required to assess the full extent of an injury and determine an accurate timeline for recovery. In contrast, a generalist may have to refer an injured athlete to an orthopedic specialist — which only increases the time it takes to have an injury assessed and begin treatment.

Of course, you need to see a specialist as quickly as possible so the recovery process can begin as soon as possible. The faster the recovery is started, the shorter the recovery may be and the sooner the athlete will be back competing.

Non-Head Injuries from Falls

Falls that include head injuries call for a trip to the hospital emergency room, where a CT scanner is available to check for potential concussions. When people fall and suffer non-head injuries, however, they’ll frequently get the highest level of treatment at an ortho urgent care center.

An ortho urgent care clinic has the equipment and specialists needed to assess and treat fractured bones, bruised bones and sprained joints (as well as other injuries). By getting these injuries treated at an ortho urgent care clinic, patients can often avoid the hours-long waits often associated with hospital emergency rooms.

Dislocated Joints

Ortho urgent care centers have everything that’s needed for treating most dislocated joints. Clinics have imaging tools and pain medications available, and their specialists know how to safely realign dislocated joints.

As is true with injuries that result from falls, patients will often get faster treatment for dislocated joints at an ortho urgent care clinic that they will at a hospital. Emergency rooms are frequently busy with lots of patients, many of whom have more serious injuries and will be treated first.

If you’ve suffered any of these kinds of injuries, don’t delay seeking treatment. Come see us at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists. You can contact us before you leave, or just come to one of our centers.

Choosing Between a Podiatrist or an Orthopedic Surgeon

Injuries, diseases and disorders of the ankle and foot can benefit from being treated by a specialist. If you are like many people trying to navigate the healthcare system in the United States these days, though, you are likely to be confused about which specialist — a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon — will provide you with the best outcome.

Orthopedic Surgeons Offer Specialized Training and Techniques

An orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot and ankle surgery, such as the board-certified physicians that comprise our medical team at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, each have five years of intense surgical training. Additionally, our medical doctors have advanced training in foot and ankle surgery. In many cases, patients have other medical problems that are related to, or the result of, their foot and ankle issues. An orthopedic surgeon is skilled and knowledgeable in the mechanisms of the entire body and can address these concerns as well.

What is a Podiatrist vs Orthopedic?

A podiatrist must first obtain an undergraduate program before completing a four-year podiatry program. Afterward, the podiatrist must successfully pass examinations on the state and national level. At this point, the podiatrist can become licensed. A podiatrist is not necessarily equipped to perform surgery, though. This requires additional study, training and experience.

For the most comprehensive coverage in the area of diseases and disorders of the foot and ankle, you’ll obtain results that exceed your expectations when you seek out an orthopedic surgeon. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, each office also has physical therapy to provide a seamless continuity of services for their patients.

From total ankle replacement and deformity correction to foot fractures and treatment, the orthopedic specialists at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists are ready to help you on your way to recovery. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment at one of our six convenient locations.

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