Spine injuries among athletes are more common than you know, especially in sports like mixed martial arts, wresting, football, and other extreme sports. At your local spine care clinic in Jacksonville, FL, you’ll see many people getting treatment for spinal injuries. As important as it is to learn as much as possible about spine injuries, it’s also important to dispel myths, especially if you participate in a sport that’s prone to these injuries. Learn more about these 4 spine injury myths. (more…)
Spine injuries among athletes are more common than you know, especially in sports like mixed martial arts, wresting, football, and other extreme sports. At your local spine care clinic in Jacksonville, FL, you’ll see many people getting treatment for spinal injuries. As important as it is to learn as much as possible about spine injuries, it’s also important to dispel myths, especially if you participate in a sport that’s prone to these injuries. Learn more about these 4 spine injury myths.
1 – Spine Injuries Don’t Happen in Professional Sports
Just because you’re at the pro level doesn’t mean you’re immune to spinal injuries. In fact, professional sports have a high incidence of back, neck, and spine injuries because of the high-energy, high-impact nature of the sport. As mentioned earlier, some sports are more prone to these injuries. However, even if you don’t engage any of the sports traditionally known for spine injuries, you still need to protect your spine.
2 – A Spinal Injury Means You’ve Injured the Spinal Cord
This isn’t always the case. People often believe that spine injuries automatically lead to some form of paralysis. While that’s true in some instances, that’s not the case across the board. The spinal structure is supported by ligaments and muscles. These parts of the spine can be injured or strained during sports play and result in what a spine care doctor would consider a spinal injury. While neck (cervical) and middle (thoracic) injuries affect spinal health, the most common injuries that affect the spin occur in lumbar or lower back region. For example, a herniated disc is a common spinal injury that is treated at a spine care center. Normal symptoms of a herniated disc include weakness and pain in the area, but rarely does true paralysis occur.
3 – It’s Safe to Play with Back Pain
Athletes who continue to play with chronic or sudden and severe back pain are putting their spinal health at risk. Physicians and sports therapy doctors who perform spine care in Jacksonville, FL, advise athletes to give their bodies time to rest and heal. Coaches who genuinely care about their athletes would never risk their spinal health. It’s never okay to play with back pain. Doing so can make the problem much worse and even lead to serious injury that ends professional careers.
4 – Only Training and Technique Protects against Spinal Injuries
Absolutely not so! Ask any physician or therapist who offers spine care and they will tell you that the proper training and technique is only one part of protecting your spinal health. First and foremost, athletes who play extreme sports need the right equipment. Equipment that is ill-fitted, damaged, or otherwise in disrepair is doing a disservice to your body. If you’re not properly protected, it doesn’t matter how good your technique or training may be.
If you have questions about spinal health, contact Southeast Orthopedic Specialists today.
What is Pain Management?
Living with chronic pain doesn’t just take a toll physically; it takes a toll mentally as well. Chronic pain can disrupt work, family life, and social engagements. Many orthopedic doctors are familiar with chronic pain symptoms, since the pain often stems from issues of the musculoskeletal system. If you’ve been living with untreated chronic pain, it might be a good idea to consult an orthopedic specialist. Narrowing down the source of the pain and setting up a pain management plan is an important part of relieving symptoms and restoring a sense of normalcy in your life. Pain management can take many forms. Below are some of the most common types of pain management treatment. Talking to your doctor will be the best way to come up with a successful plan. (more…)
Ways to Reduce Infection after Knee Replacement Surgery
Although infections after knee replacement surgery are rare, orthopedic surgeons in Jacksonville, FL, want their patients to be informed about the risks and how to avoid complications from infection. The more you know about these risks, no matter how low, the better prepared you’ll be when recovering from surgery. (more…)
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…)
Myths about Joint Replacement Surgery Debunked
Are you considering joint replacement surgery? Several myths surround joint replacement surgery. Knowing that much of what you’ve heard isn’t true should put you more at ease going into your joint replacement surgery. (more…)
5 Most Common Causes of Knee Pain
Severe knee pain is an unfortunate part of a lot of people’s lives and can hamper everyday obligations. Unfortunately, knee pain can happen to almost anyone, no matter their age, gender, or lifestyle. To protect yourself from the dangers of escalating knee injuries and conditions, it’s important to know the common causes. Knowing the exact reason for knee pain can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and increase the chances of a successful treatment. If you are experiencing severe knee pain and want to seek out treatment, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist spine care in Jacksonville, FL.Here is a list of the most common causes of knee pain. (more…)
Signs You May Need Joint Replacement Surgery
Joint pain might seem like nothing more than a side effect of getting older, but the reality is that pain isn’t supposed to be something that rules your life. Pain is meant to be a sign that something is wrong with your body and needs to be fixed, and in some cases, pain is a sign that you need major medical attention to function properly. (more…)
The Benefits of Chiropractic Medicine for Treating Spine Injuries
When a person has a back injury, the first thought is usually to reach for a pain reliever or a muscle cream to relieve the soreness. But when the back pain relates to a spinal cord issue, pills or creams usually aren’t the solution that you’re seeking. (more…)
An Overview of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries
For years, spine surgeries were something for patients to seriously worry about. In order to get the procedure done properly, doctors had to make a major incision in the patient’s back, opening up an area of about five to six inches. The muscles had to be pulled back to open access to the spine, causing a new kind of pain after the surgery. In other words, it was common for patients to find themselves entering with one back problem and leaving with another. (more…)
Dos and Don’ts after Joint Replacement Surgery
One of the downsides to aging is that our joints wear out or get damaged. A lifetime of playing sports, exercising, and other physical pursuits, just like any appliance you have, takes its toll. In extreme cases of joint damage or wear, it may be necessary to replace the joint. If your doctor is recommending joint replacement procedures in Jacksonville, FL, the following are some do’s and don’ts for you following your surgery.
Do Listen to Your Doc
Your joint replacement specialist in Jacksonville, FL, has one job as it pertains to replacing your joints and your recovery. That means they’re not going to give you advice or recommendations that will hurt you or slow your recovery. You need to listen to them and do what they tell you to do regarding rest, recuperation, and rehabilitation.
Don’t Push It
If you’re the least bit active, the recuperation part of your post-surgery routine will be the most frustrating. The tendency will be, especially once you start to feel better, to push your rehabilitation as hard as you can. While a commitment and dedication to your rehab program is ideal, your joint replacement therapy in Jacksonville, FL, will be geared towards making sure everything you do helps you recover. Unless told otherwise, you must stick to the routine that is recommended and not push beyond that.
Do Exercise, but Sensibly
Once you’re well into your recovery, you will be able to begin exercising external to any joint replacement programs in Jacksonville, FL, that you’re involved in. You must pursue low-impact exercise like walking, bicycling, or swimming and avoid any exercise or sports that could lead to any type a physical impact. When exercising, do so strenuously, but do not overdo it.
Don’t Flex the Joint beyond the Rehab Threshold
As important as low-impact exercises to your recovery, it’s equally as important that you do not flex the joint that has been replaced beyond the limits of your rehab. To get the best understanding of what that means, you should discuss post-operative joint use with your joint replacement surgeon in Jacksonville, FL. Your surgeon will be able to explain to you natural and unnatural joint movement as well as what the thresholds are for your type of surgery.
Actions that every joint replacement specialist will tell you that you should avoid include crossing your legs and turning them inward and putting a pillow between your legs when you lie down if you have had knee replacement or bending at the hip if you have had hip replacement surgery. They will also tell you to use assistive tools to pick up objects and to relieve stress on the joint when sitting.
Joint replacement procedures in Jacksonville, FL, will do a lot to getting you back to your healthiest state. You, however, have a responsibility to follow the advice of your specialist and doctors. That is the only way to ensure that your recovery goes as smooth as possible.
