After your doctor tells you surgery is required, it can be both frightening and intimidating. There are some things you can do to ease some of the stress involved prior to having orthopedic surgery. By asking your surgeon these five questions, you should better understand what to expect and hopefully ease your anxieties as well as become better informed before undergoing an operation. (more…)
After your doctor tells you surgery is required, it can be both frightening and intimidating. There are some things you can do to ease some of the stress involved prior to having orthopedic surgery. By asking your surgeon these five questions, you should better understand what to expect and hopefully ease your anxieties as well as become better informed before undergoing an operation.
What exactly will the surgery and the recovery be like?
As with most professions, surgery has its own lingo and jargon. It makes sense to the surgeon and the medical team, but sometimes the lingo and jargon does not make sense to the patient. Ask for specifics about the prep for the surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what to expect during recovery.
How much experience has the surgeon had with the surgery and what outcomes has the surgeon had?
If you are anxious about the surgery, you will want to have a surgeon with experience — a surgeon who has a history of good outcomes with the surgery. For example, if your surgeon has a higher than average incidence of complications, this is important to know and possibly avoid.
Why is it necessary to have the surgery now?
Perhaps having the procedure now is convenient for the surgeon, but it’s not convenient for you. Find out if the surgery can be delayed without creating more harm and making the surgery more difficult or adding complications to recovery.
Are there other options?
There is a stereotype about surgeons: They like to perform surgery. Be sure there isn’t therapy or another option that can make the operation unnecessary. Perhaps a torn meniscus can heal with therapy and rest. If you are not an athlete, rest and therapy could be the best options. For those who do like to be involved in sports, surgery might be the best, and even the only, good choice.
What kind of anesthesia will be required?
If you experience complications with a certain kind of anesthesia, make certain the surgeon fully understands the complications — if necessary the surgeon can make adjustments to ensure your surgery will go as planned.
Asking questions and understanding why, when and how the procedure will take place will help ensure that you will have a positive experience with the surgery. An active and involved patient is knowledgeable and understands what will happen to his or her body, and will be more at ease with the procedure.
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 afterward, always feel free to call or contact us online.
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Tips for a Fast Recovery After Your Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery helps ease pain and restores flexibility. This should make it easier for you to do normal activities, but keep in mind that you might not be able to do them right away. A full recovery from this type of surgery typically takes anywhere from two to six months. You can help the recovery process by doing the following. (more…)
Easing Back Into Exercise After Your Knee Surgery
One of the more common types of orthopedic surgery is knee surgery. People put a lot of stress on their knees by walking, jogging and by partaking in many other common kinds of exercise and activity. Fortunately, partly because of the frequency of these injuries and surgeries, a great deal is known about the best ways to ease back into exercise and back into an active lifestyle. (more…)
Symptoms and Treatment of Tennis Elbow
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Also commonly referred to as lateral epicondylitis by the medical community, tennis elbow is a condition that involves the outer part of a person’s elbow becoming sore and experiencing a tender sensation. The underlying medical issue involves inflammation of the tendons that bring together the muscles in a person’s forearm just on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow can be either acute or chronic in nature, depending on the situation. (more…)
Stress Fractures Explained: Prevention, Causes and Treatment
A fracture is a mini-break or hairline crack in your bone, and even though it doesn’t result in a true break or splinter, it can still cause pain and disruption of motor function and normal activity in the affected area. Stress fractures usually result in pain or tenderness around the affected area. (more…)
Best Exercises During Pregnancy
Whether you are expecting a single baby or multiple, pregnancy puts your body to the test with an incredible number of changes. Most notably, a constantly growing belly and frequent hormone fluctuations put an immense amount of strain on your bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. You can keep your body in great shape by continuing to perform gentle exercise routines as long as they are permitted by your doctor. Here are five exercises that doctors often regard as safe throughout pregnancy. (more…)
New Approaches to Measuring Bone Loss and Bone Strength
Bone density is the mineral matter per square centimeter of bones within the human body. This has traditionally been cited as a major indicator of bone strength. On the other hand, bones that are less dense are lacking mineral components which makes them more porous and susceptible to breaking. Density measurements are advised for those at risk of developing osteoporosis but this assessment alone may not prove sufficient. Dense bones can still be weak, however, new bone assessment techniques are being explored in hopes of providing a more well-rounded picture of overall bone health. (more…)
Male Smokers at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis and Fractures
A study recently published in the Annals of American Thoracic Society had some interesting findings regarding the impact of smoking on bone density and fractures. Researchers studied over 3,000 current and former smokers between 45 and 80 years old. All participants had smoked an average of a pack a day every day for at least 10 years.
Best Cardio Workouts for Knee Pain Sufferers
Many people suffering from knee pain may not be exercising properly. There is an assumption that a low-impact session that will go easy on the knees won’t give a high-intensity cardio workout with discourages people from working out. This, however, is likely to cause further injury.
In fact, there are a number of ways to get a good cardio workout without causing additional pain or damage to your knees. Of course, you should always consult with your orthopedic surgeon or Florida physical therapist regarding any exercises you do after a knee injury or surgery.
Tips to Caring for a Sore Body After an Intense Workout
You tried a new machine at the gym, you finally had a chance to go for a run or you spent your Saturday playing a game of softball. You felt great when it was over. Then you gradually began to feel some soreness. The next morning or even two days later, you could barely get out of bed. There’s a name for that. It’s delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
