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Why Physical Therapy After Injury Should Never Be Optional

Posted on May 24, 2017 - 10:07 am by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

If you’ve suffered an injury, your doctor may say that physical therapy is optional. However, in most cases, physical therapy is essential. It should never be optional for the following reasons.

Faster Recovery

When you have a physical therapist guiding you through your recovery, they help you retrain your muscles and strengthen your movements. Physical therapy exercises are specifically designed to help you regain muscle memory and function, and that helps you heal faster. Ultimately, that means less lost time at work and the ability to get back to your regular routine sooner.

Mental Health Benefits

Injuries can be emotionally draining and stressful, and for many people, they bring on symptoms of depression and despondency. Physical therapists directly address both of these issues by working alongside of you, keeping you motivated through your recovery. In addition, exercise offers direct mental health benefits such as improving sleep, reducing anxiety and depression, and boosting your mood through natural endorphins.

Expert Guidance

Working with a physical therapist is different than exercising on your own or even than going to the gym and working with a personal trainer. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, our physical therapists have the training, credentials and experience to create a plan that directly addresses your unique situation.

Our therapists work alongside of you as vested partners in your recovery. They don’t set arbitrary benchmarks but rather customize the program to meet your needs on your path to recovery. That professional guidance isn’t something you can get somewhere else — to learn more contact us today.

Pain Reduction

Pain often becomes part of your life after an accident, but a targeted physical therapy program helps to reduce that. Through specific exercises and passive physical therapy such as electrical stimulation or the application of heat pads or cold packs, physical therapists create a comprehensive reaction to your injury that helps to alleviate pain. In some cases, people even turn to physical therapy for herniated or degenerative discs due to a one time injury or repeated strain.

However, physical therapy isn’t just essential after an injury. It’s also essential if you’ve recently had a surgery. Explore the blog to learn more.

Treatment and Symptoms of A Torn Ligament In Your Foot

Posted on April 21, 2017 - 3:18 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

We generally don’t stop to consider the structure of our feet until we begin experiencing pain when walking or other signs of a serious foot injury. While the bones in the foot can fracture and the foot’s muscles can experience strains, one of the more common and potentially serious foot injuries are torn ligaments. Ligaments are the strong and flexible tissues that hold the bones throughout your body together; when a ligament tears, the resulting injury is often referred to as a sprain. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment by an orthopedic surgeon may be required to treat torn ligaments in the foot.

Symptoms of a Torn Ligament in the Foot

Torn ligaments can occur following a range of physical activities from dancing to snowboarding, and several common symptoms can help identify a torn ligament as the cause of your foot pain.

Swelling and bruising will occur at the site of injury.
Pain and tenderness are concentrated on the top, bottom or the sides of your foot near the arch.
Pain intensifies when walking or during other physical activity.
Inability to bear weight on the injured foot.

In order to correctly diagnose a torn ligament, your doctor will usually take an x-ray of your foot to confirm the location and severity of the injury.

Treatment Options for Torn Foot Ligaments

The appropriate treatment for a torn ligament in the foot varies depending on the severity of the injury. Minor sprains resulting from small tears to your ligaments–often referred to as grade I–will generally heal on their own within a few weeks. Large tears to your foot’s ligaments, also known as grade II sprains, need more attention; these moderately severe sprains usually require a splint or cast and can take up to eight weeks to heal. For both minor and moderate sprains, your doctor may provide you with crutches to help limit the pain as your foot heals.

The most severe injuries to the ligaments of the foot involve cases where the ligaments are completely torn or detached from the bones of the feet. For these grade III sprains, foot surgery may be the only suitable treatment.

Do You Need Foot Surgery?

If you suspect that you may have torn a ligament in your foot, receiving prompt medical attention from an orthopedic specialist is the best way to avoid more serious injury. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, our skilled medical team can assess your injury and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.

Signs That Your Sports Injury May Be Serious

Posted on April 14, 2017 - 2:50 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

Sometimes a serious sports injury is easy to spot, but acute sports injuries are not always immediately apparent. What begins as a minor ache following a rough game or a difficult workout can quickly progress into a debilitating and long-lasting impairment. Spotting the warning signs that you have a serious sports injury is key to seeking and receiving proper and prompt medical attention. If you are experiencing any of the following signs, please treat your injury as serious and consult an orthopedic doctor immediately.

Pain

Often the most common sign of an acute sports injury is also the most obvious. Pain in the joints of your knees, ankles, elbows or wrists following intense exercise or contact sports can be the first indication that something is wrong, particularly if you are still experiencing pain more than 48 hours after the initial injury.

Tenderness

An important indication that your sports injury is in need of medical attention is pain or tenderness when pressure is applied to the afflicted area. One of the easiest ways to test for tenderness is to press the same place on both sides of your body; if you don’t feel pain on the non-injured side, you have a clear signal that something is wrong.

Swelling

Swelling is sometimes visually obvious, but it isn’t always easy to spot swelling, particularly at a joint. Joint pain and stiffness or clicking when you bend your afflicted joint are non-visual signs that the area is swollen.

Limited Range of Motion

A reduced ability to move or bend your injured joint is another sign of swelling in the area and an indication of an underlying serious injury. As when checking for tenderness, compare the range of motion between the injured and non-injured sides of your body; if one side has limited movement, a serious injury could be present.

Numbness

Lastly, tingling or loss of sensation in the injured area is one of the most significant signs of a serious injury. This symptom can signal nerve compression in the injured area, and any numbness is a sign of a sports injury that should be immediately examined by a doctor.

Contact Our Sports Medicine Specialists

If you are experiencing signs of a serious and acute sports injury, getting prompt medical attention is key for avoiding serious damage or a long-term debilitating condition. The sports medicine experts at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists can provide you with the care you need. To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, please contact us at (904) 634-0640 or request an appointment online.

Nonoperative Spine Care Treatment Options

Posted on April 11, 2017 - 2:46 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, there are a number of options available for relief that don’t require an orthopedic surgeon. Back and neck pain are common complaints for many people. Often these conditions can be treated in minimally invasive ways with different lifestyle changes, acupuncture, medications, or physical therapy. The spine specialists at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists can evaluate your condition and help determine the best course of action for your optimal health and relief from pain.

Nonoperative treatment options provide the first course of action for many conditions. Back pain can be extremely frightening because it limits your mobility and comfort in such an extreme way. Patients sometimes don’t realize the number of options they have in terms of noninvasive treatment.

Nonoperative Spine Treatment Options

There are a number of pain treatment options that can alleviate pain and return you to your normal standard of living in a relatively short time. These often break down into two categories:

Physical Therapy
Medication

Within these two categories, there are a great many different options and often patients will find relief with a combination of treatments. Some patients may experience good results with a medication in conjunction with lifestyle changes, such as exercise. Often exercise and physical therapy offer patients a long lasting advantage in diminishing recurrences.

Physical Therapy Can Include:

Manual Manipulation by a Trained Physical Therapist.
Acupuncture.
Exercise.
The Use of Braces.
Massage.
Heat and Ice

Medications May Include:

Anti-inflammatory Drugs. This is often the first line of defense in any type of pain and can provide some relief for those with minor injury.
Steroid Injections. These can offer relief for a prolonged period of time.
Stronger Pain Medications. Stronger pain medications can be prescribed for chronic sufferers.
Stem Cell Therapy. Stem Cell Therapy offers the cutting edge advancements in regenerative therapy options.
Muscle Relaxers. Muscle relaxants can often offer some relief for those with minimal pain while healing takes place.

Depending on your injury, your spine care specialist may recommend a few different options. In some cases, surgical solutions offer the best long term improvement, but many cases will heal over time with proper treatment.

If you’re experiencing mild to severe back pain and would like a consultation with a Jacksonville orthopedic specialist, contact the Southeast Orthopedic Specialists today.

What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted on March 28, 2017 - 2:39 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the body’s tissues and it can lead to inflammation, joint pain and stiffness. When inflammation continues, it can become of a disease process and lead to joint damage. Pain and swelling occurs in the lining of the joint known as the synovium. A healthy synovium produces fluid that lubricates the joints in areas like the hips, knees and fingers.

The Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease. After the onset of rheumatoid arthritus, damage can occur within three months and result in joint pain. This can eventually lead to disability. Rheumatoid arthritis may be influenced by:

Genes
Environmental factors
Infection
Hormonal changes

How an Orthopedic Surgeon Can help Rheumatoid Arthritis

An orthopedic surgeon specializes in musculoskeletal issues, including rheumatoid arthritis. An orthopedic surgeon is trained to perform surgery on joints and muscles. If your joints are damaged, an orthopedic surgeon will be able to perform a joint replacement. They also focus on diagnosis, treatment and management of musculoskeletal issues. Sometimes, medications can slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and help relieve joint pain. The main reasons to choose surgery for rheumatoid arthritis are to help improve mobility and to get relief from pain. It’s wise to speak with both a rheumatologist and an orthopedic surgeon to help determine what type of treatment is best for rheumatoid arthritus.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it’s the hip or knee joints that are most often replaced. An orthopedic surgeon takes out the affected part and inserts an artificial joint in its place. Depending on your weight, health and age, a replaced joint can last more than 20 years. Before surgery, your surgeon may stop some of your medications and have you give blood in case you need it during surgery.

Southeast Orthopedic Specialists has trained and experienced orthopedic surgeons that offer the best of care. State-of-the-art methods are used, and there is excellent post-operative care. Physical therapy is also offered for rehabilitation after surgery. The team of orthopedic surgeons are nationally recognized Total Joint Replacement Specialists who have performed more joint replacements than anyone else in Northeast Florida. If your suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, give them a call for a one-on-one consultation.

What Is A Frozen Shoulder?

Posted on March 28, 2017 - 2:10 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis. It’s a common condition where the articular shoulder capsule stiffens and swells. It refers specifically to the shoulder joint. The shoulder has a ball and socket joint, and the proximal humerus fits into the shoulder blade. Frozen shoulder is believed to cause the formation of scar tissue in the shoulder, causing pain and loss of movement.

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Common risk factors include:

Those over 40 years of age
Being female
Arm fracture or recent surgery
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Heart disease
Diabetes
Parkinson’s disease

The most common symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain and stiff shoulder joints. The symptoms typically develop gradually and in three stages. In the painful stage, there is pain in the shoulder, limited movement and stiffness. In the adhesive stage, the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff. In the thawing stage, movement improves. Sometimes, frozen shoulder should will go away on its own. But, when it doesn’t, it’s time to contact a medical professional.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

Diagnosis is typically determined by symptoms and a basic test by a doctor who presses certain parts of the shoulder. X-rays and MRIs can show structural problems with a frozen shoulder. Over-the-counter meds like aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve pain due to frozen shoulder. Exercise may help reduce stiffness, and hot or cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and stiffness. Corticosteroid injections into the shoulder joint can help alleviate pain associated with frozen shoulder. A shoulder surgeon or orthopedic surgeon can perform a shoulder arthroscopy. During this procedure, a small tube is inserted into the shoulder joint to remove scar tissue or adhesions.

Southeast Orthopedic Specialists has a team of shoulder surgeons who can perform surgery to help alleviate pain and loss of function from frozen shoulder. They also have trained physical therapists to provide patients with a hands-on approach to treating frozen shoulder. Their therapists work very closely with the patient and shoulder surgeon for the best outcome.

If you’re suffering from frozen shoulder, call Southeast Orthopedic Specialists for an evaluation. You’ll receive a one-on-one consultation to determine the best course of treatment. They’ve helped many others and can help get you on the road to recovery.

What Causes Tendonitis and How Is It Treated?

Posted on March 27, 2017 - 2:00 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

Tendonitis is a condition where a tendon has become inflamed. It can occur in the knee, shoulder, heel, elbow and more. Often, it is cause by an overuse of the tendon or injury. This is why tendonitis is a common sports injury. It’s common in active adults. Some of the most common types of tendonitis are golfer’s elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, tennis elbow and pitcher’s shoulder.

Symptoms and Causes of Tendonitis

Tendonitis symptoms happen at the spot where the tendon is attached to the bone. Symptoms include:

Swelling in the tendon that is affected
Lump on the affected area
Heat and redness at the injured area
Crackling feeling when the tendon is moved
Gap where the tendon should be

Often, tendonitis happens when a movement is repeated again and again. And if the tendon tears, inflammation is likely to happen. There are several risk factors for tendonitis. Certain types of jobs with repetitive movements can cause it. Tendons start to lose their flexibility with age, which means it’s more likely for them to incur an injury. Sports like baseball, swimming, tennis, golf and running can cause tendonitis. Diabetes also puts one at risk for tendonitis, although it is not fully understood why. Those with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop tendonitis.

Treatment Options for Tendonitis

There are various treatment options for tendonitis. The most common treatment is elevating the area, wrapping it and getting rest. Medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can help reduce the pain. Using an ice pack can also help. Other tendonitis treatment options include ultrasound treatment, electrical treatment, stretching and strengthening exercises and massaging the tissue around the injured tendon. Treatment can be provided by an orthopedic specialist or a physiotherapist.

At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, patients suffering from different causes of tendonitis can be successfully treated by a physiotherapist or an orthopedic specialist. This facility has a team of fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists. It’s a unique facility that provides the diagnosis, treatment and surgery for musculoskeletal conditions. It has a sports medicine team consisting of specialists like trained physical medicine physicians and knee specialists. If you’re suffering from tendonitis, give Southeast Orthopedic Specialists a call today for a one-on-one consultation. It’s the first step toward your recovery. They’ve helped many others and can help you too.

Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Surgery

Posted on March 20, 2017 - 1:33 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

Following Achilles tendon surgery, immobilization of the affected foot is essential. Immobilization can last up to 12 weeks. During this time, patients receive either a walking boot or cast designed to provide support and prevent movement.

How quickly a patient progresses with his or her rehabilitation varies. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, our patients receive personalized treatment plans. These plans are created by his or her orthopedic specialist. If you have sustained an injury to your Achilles tendon, contact our office today. We are dedicated to helping you regain your range of motion and strength so you can continue participating in the activities you enjoy.

Rehabilitation Program Guidelines

Weeks 1 through 8

Throughout this initial recovery period, patients need to avoid exercising their foot. This ‘rest’ period aids the Achilles tendon as it heals. Many patients find that doing something positive during their eight-week, limited-mobility period assists them in coping with this less-active lifestyle. For example, purchase a few photo albums and go through that old box of photos in the attic.

What to Expect After the Initial 8 Weeks

Flexibility and Range of Motion

In order to relieve the pressure being placed on the Achilles tendon, heel raises of 1 to 2 cm will be placed in the patient’s shoes.
Active stretching of the Achilles tendon may begin. This involves pulling the toes upwards. Initially, this stretching must be gentle, gradually building up over time. If these stretches are painless, passive stretches can begin. A passive stretch involves the assistance of an individual or a physical therapy tool during the stretching process.
The orthopedic specialist may order ultrasound therapy.
Once the patient’s full range of motion is re-established, gradual strengthening exercises can begin.
After an individual experiences a ligament or tendon rupture, his or her sense of positioning and balance may decrease: If these skills are not regained, future injuries are possible. Therefore, at this point, balancing exercises will be included in the patient’s physical therapy routine.
Sports massage may be used to improve blood flow and to help the muscles relax.

Strengthening Exercises for the Calf Muscles and Achilles Tendon

Strengthening the Achilles tendon as opposed to re-injuring it during these exercises requires the assistance of a knowledgeable orthopedic specialist and physical therapist.
When the exercise program is initiated, some pain should be expected. However, if the pain is excruciating, exercises should be discontinued.
Strengthening exercises should be performed following a gentle warm-up and stretching session. Warming up the muscles can be accomplished by raising the heels up and down while in a seated position.
As each day passes, the pain level should continue to decrease.
Even as the pain subsides, the level of exercise should not be increased without direction from the orthopedic specialist.
Directly following exercise, cold therapy can be implemented to control inflammation.
Exercises to maintain flexibility must also be continued.

Returning to Fitness

After a week without any pain, patients can gradually begin to return to their pre-surgical training routine. However, if pain starts, training must stop. Prior to a training session, patients need to warm up their muscles. This can be done by stretching and then walking. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, the majority of our patients are ready to return to their sport within 9 months of their Achilles tendon surgery.

Swimmer Injuries: Tips for Preventing Torn Rotator Cuffs

Posted on March 14, 2017 - 12:18 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

The shoulder is a very mobile joint and needs to be controlled by the ligaments and muscles that surround the joint. Poor stroke technique, previous shoulder injury, over-training and weakness can lead both to being overworked. If this continues, injuries such as rotator cuff impingement can occur and torn rotator cuff can occur. Here are some tips for preventing torn rotator cuffs. It’s really an injury that you want to avoid.

Preventing Torn Rotator Cuffs

Tip #1 – Early injury protection is important in preventing torn rotator cuffs. Rest, ice, compression and elevation should be the initial treatment with any soft tissue injury. Also, the movement that provoked the shoulder pain should be avoided. Ice can reduce pain and swelling, and taping will help to support the rotator cuff. Massage or dry needling may assist during initial injury.
Tip #2 – Overuse is one of the main causes of rotator cuff injuries. It’s important not to perform exercises before swimming that cause instability and excess movement which will only fatigue the stabilizing muscles and increase the risk of rotator cuff injury.
Tip #3 – Don’t stretch. Stretching the shoulder for further range of motion stretches the stabilizers and impairs its ability to sense joint position. This can cause tissue breakdown and injury.
Tip #4 – Swimmers perform excess overhead motions. It’s best to improve muscle length through passive soft tissue mechanisms. This method relaxes the muscle and allows the muscle to retain appropriate muscle length. Deviations from appropriate muscle length can increase the risk of rotator cuff injury.
Tip #5 – Make sure you know how to sense your shoulder position at different amounts of range of motion. It’s best to learn the different positions out of the water. This is mandatory for shoulder injury protection, including preventing torn rotator cuffs.

Southeast Orthopedic Specialists physicians are specialists in sports medicine. Sub-specialties include physical therapy, rotator cuff surgery and surgery of musculoskeletal conditions. They perform the latest surgical techniques. If you’ve incurred a rotator cuff injury, call them for an appointment for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The amount of shoulder injuries in swimming is unfortunate. Realistic and smart injury prevention programs, not isolated to the rotator cuff muscles should always be in place. Injury prevention programs are key to preventing shoulder injuries.

Sprained Ankle Recovery Time & Treatment

Posted on February 6, 2017 - 12:49 pm by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists

A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle become overstretched or torn. An ankle sprain can range anywhere from mild to severe. The grade of an ankle sprain depends on the amount of damage to the ligaments.

At-Home Treatment for an Ankle Sprain

Once you injure your ankle, you need to begin using the RICE protocol right away:

R – Rest your ankle.
I – Ice your ankle (up to 30 minutes, four times a day). You should never place ice directly on your skin. Be sure to wrap the ice in a towel.
C – Compression dressings to immobilize and support your ankle (i.e., bandage wraps).
E – Elevate your ankle, especially during the initial 48 hours following your injury.

You can also use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to control your pain and reduce inflammation.

How Your Orthopedic Doctor Determines the Grade of Your Ankle Sprain

The orthopedic surgeons at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists frequently diagnose and treat individuals who have sprained their ankles.

Grade 1 – If your sprain is mild, you will experience tenderness and swelling around your ankle.
Grade 2 – Your ankle will be tender, swollen and bruised above and below its joint.
Grade 3 – You will have a substantial amount of swelling around your ankle. In addition, your ankle will be very tender.

The Importance of Seeking Treatment for a Moderate to Severe Ankle Sprain

If you avoid seeking treatment for a moderate to severe sprained ankle, you are more likely to injure the ankle again at some point in the future. Recurrent ankle sprains can cause you to have long-term ankle problems. These problems may include arthritis, continued ankle pain and/or ankle instability. If you have sprained your ankle and need immediate care, contact Southeast Orthopedic Specialists at 904-394-BONE (2663). If you do not need care immediately, but you would like to make an appointment, please call (904) 634-0640 or request an appointment with our online form by clicking here.

The Three-Phase Program Orthopedic Surgeons Use to Treat Ankle Sprains

Whether you have a mild, moderate or severe ankle sprain, your orthopedic doctor will implement a three-phase program:

Phase 1 – Rest and protect your ankle. Use ice and elevation to reduce the swelling.
Phase 2 – Physical therapy treatments are ordered to restore your ankle’s range of motion, flexibility and strength.
Phase 3 – Maintenance exercises will continue with a gradual return to performing activities that do not involve the twisting or turning of your ankle. Eventually, you will be able to return to fast-paced activities that require sudden movements to the left or right (i.e., football, tennis or basketball).

Initially, some patients need to use crutches to walk. Even so, in the majority of cases, the pain and swelling subsides enough for the patient to discontinue using the crutches within 3 days. You may receive an ankle brace from your orthopedic doctor. This brace keeps your ankle stable.

How long the three-phase program lasts depends on the severity of your ankle sprain. If your sprain is mild, you may complete the entire program in as little as 2 weeks. However, treatment for a more severe ankle sprain may last from 6 to 12 weeks.

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