Is your heel painful?

Pain at the back of the heel accompanied by swelling are symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis. This is usually caused by constant stress on the tendon due, a sudden increase in exercise activities, improperly stretched tight calf muscles, or a bone spur.

Most of the time, Achilles Tendonitis can be treated non-surgically through rest, icing the region throughout the day for twenty minutes at a time, taking anti-inflammatory medicine, calf-strengthening exercises, cortisone injections, or physical therapy. Shoe inserts can also be used to help ease the pain.

In some cases, though, surgery to repair the achilles tendon will have to be done. During this procedure, an incision will be made at the back of the leg. Damaged tissues will be removed and the healthy ones will be stitched together. After the surgery, patients will have to have physical therapy for about twelve months to achieve pain-free results.

Do you think you have achilles tendonitis? End the pain now and consult with an orthopedic doctor at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine!

Is there pain when you flex and straighten your fingers?

Do you hear a clicking sensation when you bend any of your fingers or thumb? Is there pain when flexing or straightening your fingers? Do you feel tenderness near the base of a digit? If so, you may have trigger finger.

In most cases, the causes of trigger finger are constant and/or harsh movements or irritation that is due to rheumatoid arthritis, tendon lacerations, or repeated trauma. Once the synovium is damaged, a nodule may form in the tendon. Sometimes, orthopedic surgeons will only place a splint on the affected finger, teach you special exercises, or inject cortisone. Most of the time, though, surgery may be deemed necessary.

Trigger finger release is an out-patient procedure wherein the surgeon makes a small incision at the site of the obstruction. The ligament section is carefully cut to stop the interruption in the tendon movement. The incision is then stitched up and the ligament will repair itself.

The hand will be wrapped in bandage for about two days then a band aid will replace it to protect the incision until the stitches are removed. There will be tenderness in the area, but you can already begin a gentle range of motion within a couple of days. Physical therapy may also be recommended to improve the strength of your hand.

Are you worried about painful flexing and straightening of your fingers? Schedule an appointment with your local orthopedic surgeon in Asheboro NC and ask about trigger finger release.

All About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Carpal Tunnel is a small passage in which tissues pass through. Once one tissue swells up, it puts pressure on the median nerve - a syndrome referred to as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If this develops, a person usually feels numbness or pain. Thumb muscles will also become weaker and grasping things will be more difficult. Moreover, a shock-like sensation will be felt in the thumb and first three fingers.

What causes this syndrome? In many cases, it is hereditary. Some people are just born with smaller carpal tunnels. In other cases, the causes are age, hormonal changes due to pregnancy, obesity, hand movement or overuse of the hands, and smoking.

How is it treated? Surgeons will usually recommend a non-surgical treatment by changing the activities of the patients or through medications. A splint or brace may also be placed below the wrists while sleeping to keep the wrists steady at night. If these do not help, surgery may be another option. Open Release is one surgery that orthopedic surgeons do on patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision on the palm and cut the carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. After this, the incision will be closed and recovery will start.

While a patient is recovering, it is advised that changes will be made on the activities. This entails avoiding activities that may put pressure on the wrists. Various medications will be given and wrist exercises will also be recommended.

Do you think you have CTS? Early detection is very important if you feel you have CTS. Most of the time, non-surgical treatments can be used to fix the problem. For more information on this, visit your local orthopedic doctor in Asheboro NC and consult about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Are your knees in pain?

If you are active in sports like running, soccer, cycling, skiing, and the like, there is a chance that you'd experience what is commonly called as Runners Knee or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The causes are usually cartilage damage due to overuse, misalignment, and chronic knee cap dislocation among many. Some of the symptoms are pain under and around the knee caps, swelling, and pain while walking, kneeling, or squatting.

Although many surgeons prefer to resort to non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and medication, there are some cases that will really require surgery. One usual treatment is the lateral release of the knee. During the procedure, orthopedic surgeons cut out tight tissue on the lateral side of the knee cap, which allows the patella to slide down to the center of the femoral groove. If there is any damage in the cartilage, surgeons also do repairs during this surgery to avoid any problems in the future.

How is recovery like? This surgery is minimally invasive, which means that healing time is shorter. Also, post-surgery, orthopedic surgeons will only usually recommend physical therapy that will aid in healing and strengthening the knees as well.

So, if you feel that something isn't right with your knees, go to the nearest orthopedic clinic in Asheboro NC and consult with a doctor. Remember that early detection of injuries will be easier to fix!

What is the Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome?

Do you feel pain when you life your arms? Do you hear a clicking sound when you do this motion? If you answered yes, you might have rotator cuff impingement syndrome. This is the irritation of the tendons and bursa, which reduces the range of motion, inflammation, and pain.

To treat this injury, it is best to consult your doctor and ask about shoulder decompression. This is a minimal surgery wherein small incisions will be made around the shoulder. A small fiber-optic camera and other surgical tools will be inserted through the incisions then a portion of the acromion will be removed and minor repairs will be made on the rotator cuff. After the surgery, a program will be given to the patient, which will consist of medications, motion exercises, and strength exercises.

What will happen if you don't give your shoulder the attention it needs? If left on its own, this injury may develop into a more serious one, which will need a series of complicated surgeries. Not having it checked may also leave permanent damage on the rotator cuff.

To avoid any more damage, consult with your doctor right away! There are many clinics in Asheboro NC that caters to these injuries like Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Do you have chronic shoulder dislocation?

There are many people who suffer from chronic shoulder dislocation. However, this doesn't have to be a life-long problem. Orthopedic surgeons like those in Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can perform the Bankart's Repair.

Chronic shoulder dislocation is due to a loose joint, which slips and slides inside the socket. If this pursues, it may lead to dislocation. When a surgeon performs the Bankart's Repair, he/she tightens the ligaments and repairs the labrum. Surgeons make use of fiber-optic cameras and other surgical tools that are inserted through small incisions made around the shoulder. Damaged soft tissues and bone spurs are removed and rough edges are smoothed in this surgery. Loose ligaments are also shortened then reattached for joint stabilization. Suture anchors that dissolve in time are attached to the bone to aid in healing.

Patients can usually go home on the same day of the surgery. However, special care must be taken to help the shoulder heal. This means that the patient must have lots of rest and the shoulder should be immobilized.

Should you go to an orthopedic doctor?

A lot of people, especially those who are active in sports, experience ACL strains and tears. This usually happens when a person suddenly stops after running really fast, changes direction quickly, or lands incorrectly from a jump.

How do you know if you have the injury? If you have ACL strains and tears, you will most likely feel pain and there will be swelling. These may subside after some time, but you should still see an orthopedic doctor for a check up. Most of the time, this injury worsens when ignored. Other symptoms may be limited motion and range, discomfort when walking, and tenderness in the joint.

If you notice that you are experiencing all these symptoms, go to your local orthopedic doctor in Asheboro NC and have your knees checked. You probably have ACL strains and tears and early treatment will be best for you. However, if the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend surgery to regain knee functions.