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.

Are you an athlete?

Participating in a sport is a great way to stay healthy and, at the same time, an arena to practice and develop a person's social skills. Although playing a sport is really fun, we must recognize that it is also physically demanding. Sometimes, too, we tend to overwork our body - therefore causing all sorts of injuries.

If you love sports so much, learn to take care of your body. Remember that if you use your body the wrong way, you may never be able to play the sport you enjoy. One way to take care of your body when playing a sport is by being conscious to its needs. If you start feeling any pain, don't ignore it! Have it checked by a sports medicine doctor to see if you need to rest or if you the area needs treatment.

There are many clinics that focus on injuries caused by sports like Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. If you want to stay fit, healthy, and strong, they're the ones you should go to. They can help you treat the injuries you already have and prevent other injuries from occuring!

Treat Tendonitis Early On To Avoid Surgery

Are you feeling pain in your elbow? If you are, you may be suffering from tendonitis, inflamation, or irritation of the tendons. The problem areas are often the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels. This pain is usually caused by activities that require repetitive movement of the affected part, which eventually strains the area.

Although anyone can have it, Tendonitis is often diagnosed in patients over 40 years of age because the tendons of older people are more vulnerable to injury. If you are suffering from this, it is best to consult with your local orthopedic doctor in Asheboro NC. Your doctor can give you advice as to how you can help your tendons heal faster without undergoing surgery. Remember that it is best to treat this injury early on so you can avoid going under the knife.

Are your rotator cuffs bothering you?

An injury in the rotator cuffs is one of the top reasons why adults go to sports medicine doctors. This type of injury leaves the shoulder weak; therefore affecting even the slightest movements of the arms. What causes rotator cuff strains and tears? One reason is when the arm is stretched or when a person lifts something heavy. Another cause is repetitive motion made by a person's arm, which is common in people who play a sport. Aging is also a cause since blood supply lessens in the area as a person grows older; therefore slowing down repairs.

There are many treatments you can choose from if you are suffering from this type of injury. Most of the time, doctors will recommend non-surgical treatment before opting to go for surgery. A person will be required to rest the affected area, modify his/her activities, or take NSAIDS.

If you feel you may have injured or strained this part of your body, visit a local orthopedic clinic like Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to consult about your situation. This might just save you from further damage and pain.

Diagnosing meniscal tears in Asheboro NC

Meniscal tears are knee injuries common among athletes as well as non-athletes at almost any age and activity level. This type of injury often happens during sports when a player comes into contact with another player, and it can also occur in older adults whose menisci have weakened over time and with age. Even a motion as simple as twisting the wrong way when getting up from a chair may result in a meniscal tear for an elderly adult.

 

Symptoms of meniscal tear
Meniscal tears are often paired with a “popping” sound, much like ACL sprains and tears, however, many patients are able to continue walking. Over a few days, the knee will become stiff and swollen, and motion become limited. Common symptoms of meniscal tears include pain, swelling, a locking of the knee joint, and the knee “giving way.”

 

Physical exam and imaging tests

Meniscal tears often appear as common knee injuries. Diagnosing meniscal tears involve tests such as the McMurray test, a bending, straightening and rotating of the knee. The distinct “clicking” sound each time the knee moves is a telltale sign of meniscal tears. To rule out the possibility of other knee injuries, sports medicine doctors may order visual tests such as an X-ray or MRI before making a diagnosis.

 

If immediate treatment for meniscal tears is not sought, the meniscus can loosen and float into the joint, causing the knee to slip, pop, or lock. Serious complications brought by this type of injury can be avoided by consulting with sports medicine doctors or orthopedic surgeons at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Asheboro NC.

Common symptoms of ligament sprains and strains

Our body moves when muscles contract and make joints flex, extend, and rotate. A strain occurs when the muscle tendon is stretched or torn. Overusing and stretching a muscle results in a strain to occur.

 

Ligaments allow our joints to move in specific directions. If a ligament is stretched or torn, the injury is called a sprain.

 

Here are the common symptoms of sprains and strains when you have them:

• Pain is always the first symptom that indicates that there is something wrong with the body. Through pain, the brain is warned that a muscle or joint should be protected from further harm. In work, exercise, or sport, the pain may be felt after a particular incident or it may gradually progress after many repetitions of a motion. 
• Swelling is another symptom of sprain or strain and usually comes with an injury, although it may take some time for it to be noticed. When fibers of a ligament, muscle, or tendon are damaged, bleeding such as bruising on the surface of the skin can occur. 
• The pain and swelling cause the body to protect the injured part. As a result,you may find it difficult to use the injured part of your body. For example, you cannot use your injured leg without limping.

Ligament sprains and strains are injuries that may or may not require surgery. For a complete examination of a ligament injury, orthopedic experts at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can make a professional recommendation as well advice for treatment.

ACL Reconstruction: Quick Facts

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is a small ligament located inside your knee joint that stabilizes your   knee. Any injury or tearing  in this area will drastically change your movement dynamics. It has ended the careers of many professional athletes and restrained the mobility of active individuals. If left untreated, the knee will literally slide on itself thus opening up an avenue for further injuries.

Have you heard about a pro athlete or a friend with an ACL injury? It usually takes several months or years for rehabilitation and training to restore your joint to their pre-injury status.

Because ACL reconstruction is a very complex procedure, the sports medicine orthopedic surgeon’s expertise and experience will matter. Repair will involve replacing the torn tendon with another tendon from another part of the body (usually the hamstrings or the patella) or use a cadaver’s tissue.  The placement of the ligament is very important because this affects the stability and the amount of movement they are trying to replicate.

At Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Asheboro NC., orthopedic doctors employ the latest and most promising ACL reconstruction technique. Anatomic ACL reconstruction is the process of replicating the original position of the torn ligament with a new one. The orthopedic surgeons must be able to identify the correct location of the local ligament and replicate the function of the native ligament. Another approach is using two tendons to replicate the original.

Orthopedic doctors can also use two tendons to replicate the original, this is called the double bundle approach. The two ligament implants will limit rotation yet allow for the sliding motion of the tibia on the femur.  Finding the right anatomic position gives the best results. Visit Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a consultation about ACL repair.

Knee Pain 101

Residents of Asheboro, North Carolina, whether young or old, may experience knee pain from injuries, overuse, disease or inflammation.  Asheboro, North Carolina orthopedic doctors can help you with your knee pain so it does not compromise your quality of life. 

What can cause knee pain?

Knee pain can be a result of injury to some parts of the knee joint system including the bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, muscle and bursa.  A problem in any one of these tissues can lead to knee pain.  Young people engaged in sports and active training often complain of knee pain.  Overuse of the knee joint can also cause osteoarthritis which also affects older patients.  Osteoarthritis causes knee pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. 

Who can relieve your knee pain?

If you have had knee pain for more than a few days and rest, ice, elevation and common pain relievers are not helping, you need to make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist. If knee pain is not addressed, the person who suffers from it may unconsciously change the way in which he or she walks or shift weight in order to avoid pain.  Knee pain that is untreated may lead to further injury in the other knee or in other joints of the body.  

It is wise to seek professional treatment from Asheboro NC orthopedic specialists at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine when you experience knee pain that doesn’t respond to traditional methods of treatment. 

Elective joint replacement surgery and mouth infection

Why would you see someone for your teeth when your problem is your joint? This is the question a patient usually asks when his or her orthopedic surgeon recommends seeking consultation with a dentist before elective joint replacement surgery. 

Mouth infection or abnormal number of bacteria in the mouth can cause inflammation. A swollen blood vessel will be more permeable and the bacteria could migrate into the bloodstream and implant itself to other parts of the body. These bacteria can lodge itself in your brand new joint. 

Infection in your newly implanted joint is the most dreaded complication in joint replacement surgery even if done by expert orthopedic doctors. They will have to remove the newly implanted joint just to manage that infection.

Before an elective joint replacement surgery you have to make sure that there are no infections in your mouth or any of your teeth. Your Asheboro NC orthopedic surgeons at the Human Motion Institute at Randolph Hospital may require you to secure this clearance before your surgery to ensure a successful surgery.

Having elective joint replacement surgery is important to eliminate pain and live a comfortable and full life. Seeing your dentist before this particular surgery is just as important. 

Consult with your local Asheboro orthopedic professionals of Human Motion Institute at Randolph Hospital about elective joint replacement surgery and mouth infection.

All About Bursitis

Are you engaged in any activity or occupation that can cause repetitive strain on your joints? You are at risk of bursitis.

Bursa are fluid filled sacs that provide cushion for our joints, tendons and muscles surrounding the joints to provide protection from trauma and prevent  them rubbing too much against each other.
Bursitis is a condition in which trauma and overuse cause injury and inflammation on the bursa. Symptoms include pain, tenderness or swelling on your shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and ankles.

At first you may experience mere discomfort on the affected area. It can get worse that it keeps you from doing certain activities. Watch out for a reddish, slightly swollen area near the joint, which is tender to touch. This happens if the affected bursa is near the surface.

There are different types of bursitis, depending on the affected area. Certain occupations or activities predispose some people to bursitis.

A student’s elbow is a type of bursitis that affects anyone like students and plumbers who frequently rest their elbows on any surface.

A miner’s shoulder is a common complaint among miners who are always doing overhead motions when digging or carrying things overhead. Repetitive force on the shoulder can cause inflammation.

Kneecap bursitis is often experienced by carpet layers, clergymen, and other people who are often on their knees.

These types of bursitis are also experienced by athletes who can get injured due to falling or blows to their joints while playing contact sports.

Ask your Asheboro NC orthopedic doctors at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine about prevention and treatment of bursitis.

Concord and North Charlotte offers Restylane Injections to help restore your Youthful Skin

Restylane injections are dermal fillers used by prestigious doctors and surgeons in Concord and North Charlotte eye surgeons at Cabarrus Eye Center. A natural enzyme called hyaluronic acid can be found in most living organisms. Elasticity of the skin is part of Hyaluronic acid functions in our body. Once the production of hyaluronic acid in our body slows down, our skin is left with unwanted wrinkles, lines and folds. Dermal fillers like Restylane injections easily smoothen out the skin as well as add suppleness to the specific areas affected by aging.

The procedure is administered with local anesthesia, so you won’t have to worry about experiencing gruelling pain. The most common facial areas in need of Restylane injections are the areas where wrinkles and lines are normally found such as the mouth area, eye area and forehead. The whole procedure usually takes thirty minutes to complete. Results should be visible immediately however evidence of the Restylane injections may be noticeable after about a week. The procedure is quick, easy and safe.

So what are you waiting for? Contact a local cosmetic doctor or surgeon at Cabarrus Eye Center in your area of Concord and North Charlotte today and restore your youthful beauty now!

Laser Eye Surgeons in Concord, Learning More about Laser and Lasik Eye Surgery in Concord

Laser eye surgeons help those who suffer from visual impairments. They are also known as ophthalmologists. They specialize in the field of medicine and surgical treatment for those who have various eye conditions. Laser eye surgery is a corrective procedure done to improve ailing vision.

Three different types of laser eye correction procedures that are popularly performed are Laser, Lasik and PRK. The only difference between each procedure is the technique used by Concord and North Charlotte laser eye surgeons. Lasik procedure cuts a thin flap from the exterior of the cornea of the affected eye and then lifted back. For laser eye procedure, surgeons then use a laser to reshape the surface of the cornea before the flap is put back in place while PRK or photorefractive keratectomy just like Lasik surgery, no incision is made on the outer layer of the cornea. With this type of laser eye correction, the epithelium is removed before the inner eye is reshaped by laser. Removing the epithelium is alright as it can regenerate and grow back.

Finding the right laser eye doctor or laser eye surgeon to perform the tidiest task of laser eye surgery is tough. Laser eye correction may be a simple procedure to do, but if a professional laser eye surgeon is not consulted, you might experience a few complications. When choosing an eye surgeon, always check to see if he/she is licensed by the state. At Concord and North Charlotte you can find the best surgeons for eye surgery.

Orthopedic surgery saves me from knee pain

When I reached my 50's and I started experiencing periodic knee pain, I always attributed it to overwork. I would just simply do some home remedy and after some time I will either forget about the pain or it will gradually subside. This has been going on for quite awhile now but since I can handle it, I never bother to go and see the orthopedic doctor at Randolph Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.

I thought things will stay the same until I'm old and have reached the dreary age of 90. But this is not what luck would have it. I soon realized that the dull uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing has suddenly become a full-blown pain which is progressing rapidly. The daily chores like vacuuming and even standing while washing the dishes become unbearable tasks.

I then decide to go and see my doctor who in turn told me that I have osteoarthritis of the knees. And that I must do something about it soon or the continuous rubbing of my femur on the tibia will render me crippled. This situation, I was told is the effect of the activities we engaged in which have damaged the cartilage lining the knees. I was advised to go and consult an orthopedic surgeon so that I can see the options I have.

The visit was a fruitful one because not only have I found someone who is willing to help me regain the use of my knees but I also met people who are willing to go out of their way to explain to me the whole process I will have to go through. They have also assured me with their usual friendly smile that the surgery will be successful and that I can regain the use of my knees particularly if I will remember to follow the doctor's order to the letter.

It has been months after my operation and I am so glad I followed my doctor's advise to consult someone at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. You can also experience the success I have been enjoying if you will go and see an orthopedic doctor now.

When can hip revision help me?

Hip revision surgery can help those people who have had their hip replacement surgery but have felt that the hip implant is not working as it should be. Hip revision is also needed by people who after a surgery experienced osteoporosis and the bones cannot handle the implant. Defective or non-functioning hip implant is more of a liability since it will not really help you with hip pain but would rather add more pain in the process.

A hip revision is a must for people who have diseased implant. A new one will not only improve your daily activity but will also ensure that you have a fully functional hip joints without suffering chronic hip pain.

A hip revision surgery is a little bit more complicated than your ordinary hip replacement surgery. The process will also take a bit longer than the previous surgery. The recovery period will also be longer and a bit painful and there are also more risks involved. The possibility of the hip revision surgery encountering some problem is not remote. The success of the surgery largely depends on the ability of the previous surgery scar tissues to work well and not impede the blood flow.

To avoid these complications, you can always go to the orthopedic surgeon who has given you the first surgery. In this case, the surgeon can easily work his way through the scars and the old cement holding the defective implant without causing a lot of trauma to your body.

Find out more about hip revision surgery from your reliable orthopedic surgeon in Asheboro, NC. For sure, he would have the answer to your questions and he can guide you through the preliminaries and preparation for the hip revision surgery.