• Whitney Thomas, PA Student, Enjoys Orthopedic Rotation with Dr. Stacie Grossfeld

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

     

    Physician Assistant Whitney Thomas with Dr Stacie GrossfeldDr. Grossfeld, and the entire team at Orthopaedic Specialists, are dedicated to serving as mentors and a training site for many different medical professionals. Recently Whitney Thomas, a physician assistant (PA) student from Lincoln Memorial University, enjoyed a 1-month rotation at the office. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

    My orthopedic rotation with Dr. Grossfeld was hands down my favorite rotation yet. The teaching was excellent along with an office staff willing to help instruct and encourage in whatever way possible they could. The hands on experience I obtained while with Dr. Grossfeld was exactly what I needed as a student. She teaches while she works, patiently guides you as you begin doing your own procedures, and instills a confidence in your skills that majority of preceptors forget to instill.

    During my month long rotation, I was able to help care for 20-25 patients daily in the clinic either with Dr. Grossfeld or interviewing patients on my own. The clinic days were filled with obtaining good history and physical examinations, interpreting countless radiographs, joint injection procedures, and even some assisting in casting/splinting. Days spent in the OR were just as busy as the office and very interactive. Scrubbing and assisting in surgery is possibly one of the greatest perks to this orthopedic rotation!

    I am so thankful to have been apart of such a great learning experience with fabulous teachers and coworkers. I feel confident in the skills I learned on this rotation with Dr. Grossfeld and plan to continue the use of them. As I develop into a more experienced physician assistant, I hope to pass on the skills I learned from Dr. Grossfeld.  Thanks for everything!

    We are very glad that (more…)

    How to Calculate Your Basal Metabolic Rate and Calorie Requirements

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    how to calculate your basal metabolic rate for weight lossAre you interested in losing a few pounds, or learning more about what your daily caloric intake needs to be to maintain your current weight?

    Learn how to calculate your basal metabolic rate and then use the Harris Benedict formula listed below to figure out how many calories you need based on exercise.

    To lose a pound per week, figure taking in 500 calories less per day or increasing your exercise by 500 calories.

    Follow along to learn more about how to calculate your basal metabolic rate.

    How to Calculate Your Basal Metabolic Rate

    1. English BMR Formula

    Women: BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) – ( 4.7 x age in years )

    Men: BMR = 66 + ( 6.23 x weight in pounds ) + ( 12.7 x height in inches ) – ( 6.8 x age in year )

    Metric BMR Formula

    Women: BMR = 655 + ( 9.6 x weight in kilos ) + ( 1.8 x height in cm ) – ( 4.7 x age in years )

    Men: BMR = 66 + ( 13.7 x weight in kilos ) + ( 5 x height in cm ) – ( 6.8 x age in years )

    1. Now calculate how many calories you need based on your activity level :

    Harris Benedict Formula

    To determine your total daily calorie needs, multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor, as follows:

    If you are sedentary (little or no exercise): Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2

    If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week): Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375 (more…)

    Determined Athlete Darin Johnson Tackles Obstacle Course Racing Competitions

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Meet Darin Johnson

    Obstacle Course Racing My name is Darin Johnson. Almost everyone knows me as DJ. I’ve been a long time patient of Dr. Grossfeld. I almost always seem to be doing something that lands me in her office for a visit. This last visit was unique as I found some common ground with Tisha, the Office Manager at Orthopaedic Specialists. I occasionally browse through https://louisvillebones.com and on the Orthopaedic Specialists Facebook page and had realized both Tisha and I were giving Rugged Maniac a run.

    Rewind to October 2014. I was sitting (literally) at the heaviest weight I’d ever been. I was 207 lbs and tired of my pants strangling me. My ideal weight is closer to 165 lbs. Enough is enough. Tired of the tight clothes, increased bronchial spasms, high cholesterol, and blood pressure (latter two have family history), I embarked on my own fitness and food program. I began running/walking on our treadmill and logging my daily food intake.

    My in-laws were staying with us for a wedding, so I had to move my gym elsewhere. I decided to purchase a one week trial membership at Anytime Fitness. It was there that I stumbled upon my newest obsession, OCR. OCR stands for Obstacle Course Racing and is the fastest growing sport in the world right now. Depending on the course, an obstacle may involve climbing up over muddy mounds or crawling through a pipe. Other courses may have you carry 50 pound objects up a trail on a mountain side and climbing a 20 foot rope. Some even have constructed rigs. These may have a combination of ropes, rings, monkey bars all in sequence. Obstacles like you may see on American Ninja Warrior.

    Tackling Each Obstacle One Race at a Time

    There was a sign-up on the wall at the gym for the Indianapolis Warrior Dash in June, accompanied with pictures and a finishers medal. It looked like a blast. I thought to myself, I’m due to do something stupid and get hurt for my 50th birthday. This looks perfect! I went home and jumped on the computer to do a little research. Everything I came across fueled desire to get ready for some fun. With a slogan of “Mud, Sweat, and Beer,” what’s not to like?  I now have something to train for, a goal, a reason (besides general health).

    With my job I have incredible travel benefits. Knowing this, I signed up for the early bird season pass for Warrior Dash and talked my cousin into signing up for the Seattle and Portland Warrior Dash with me. I also found a co-worker that began doing OCR last year. We talked almost daily about it and he introduced me to many other races. I had no idea this sport was as big as it is. I began setting myself up with a season race schedule before I’d even run my first race. I continued training and eating right in anticipation for a full race season. I learned of the different difficulty levels, styles of each type of race. Some very easy, and some very demanding and difficult even for seasoned racers.

    Meeting the Crazy Mudder Muckers

    I had decided that I would limit myself to 5k type races for my rookie season and make it a learning year. It wasn’t until my 3rd race that I was introduced and joined a fantastic group that embodies this sport, Crazy Mudder Muckers. This group comprises over 2,000 people that range from first time racers to elite competitors. Their pooling of knowledge, motivation, and inspiration has been priceless.

    It wasn’t until around my fourth race that I learned of a possible new goal within OCR, the OCRWC (Obstacle Course Racing World Championships). This event was in Oregonia, OH on October 17, 2015. A person must qualify for the race in order to be eligible to compete. What the heck. Let’s go for it. I set my sights on trying to qualify at the Spartan Sprint in Washougal, WA. I was running with my cousin that I’d talked into the Warrior Dash. We kept up a good pace until mile 4 where both of my calves completely cramped up. The final mile was not my fastest pace but I refused to give up. The final results came in and I missed qualifying by 3 minutes.

    The next upcoming race was the Battlefrog in Cincinnati. Battlefrog is a race designed by former Navy Seals. It was possibly the hardest course that I’ve run to date. It was an 8k held at Kings Domain which will also be the site for this year’s world championships. I managed to place 10th in my age division, qualifying me for the world championships. What have I gotten myself into now?

    The OCR  Community

    One more trip out West for a Warrior Dash and then return to run my remaining races in the local vicinity. With the realization that I’ll be competing with the world’s best racers in mid October, I stepped up my training to a feverish pace in the gym.  More lifting, pull-ups, running…etc.  I didn’t hold to my own policy of moderation and over trained. I strained a tendon in my elbow. This is the reason I knew I’d be paying Dr. Grossfeld a visit. (more…)

    Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Videos

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Plantar fasciitis is a common medical condition that causes heel pain and foot discomfort. Your plantar fascia is a flat band of tissue that is responsible for connecting your heel bone to your toes. When this area becomes strained, the fascia weakens and begins to swell. Most people notice this type of heel pain immediately after standing up in the morning. While this condition more commonly affects middle-aged people, it can also affect athletes and younger people that are constantly on their feet.

    In order to get the appropriate answers to all of your questions about how to treat plantar fasciitis, Dr. Grossfeld has shared some videos on Youtube. These videos discuss proper plantar fasciitis treatment, appropriate shoe choice, night splint treatment and exercises for plantar fasciitis.

    Video 1: Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

    Plantar Fasciitis Treatment involves a varied approach that includes choosing proper footwear, physical therapy and stretching, a night splint, and sometimes anti-inflammatory medicines and/or cortisone injections. Learn more about plantar fasciitis treatment in this helpful video.

    Video 2: Plantar Fasciitis Exercises

    Plantar Fasciitis Exercises are simple to do. Watch Louisville orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine doctor Stacie Grossfeld MD explain 3 easy plantar fasciitis exercises that you can do while at home or the office. Plantar fasciitis exercises including proper stretching is an important part of treating plantar fasciitis.

    Video 3: Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

    When it comes to plantar fasciitis, the shoes you wear can make a big difference. People with plantar fasciitis should choose shoes that have good arch support and stability. In this video, board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stacie Grossfeld offers specifics about the best shoes for plantar fasciitis which includes some examples of shoes you should consider and shoes you should avoid.

    Video 4: Night Splint for Plantar Fasciitis

    Wearing a night splint for plantar fasciitis can make a big difference. Even if you end up kicking the night splint off in the middle of the night, you’ll still reap benefits for the time you are able to wear it. Also, if the 90 degree angle is uncomfortable while using a night splint for plantar fasciitis, watch this video to see other angles you can try that are still beneficial.

    (more…)

    How to Treat a Concussion – Medical Steps

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    What Medical Steps Are Taken When You Get A Sports Related Concussion?

    how to treat a concussion for athletes

     

    Kelly Dike, MS, ATC, is the athletic trainer at South Oldham High School. Based on her keen understanding of how to treat a concussion, she is working with a football player in the photo above.

     

    Preseason preparation:

    1. In the preseason, all athletes will have a Baseline Impact Test completed. A Baseline Impact Test is a neurological and cognitive test that is given to all the athletes to have a baseline number on what their normal cognitive abilities are based on memory and hand eye coordination. It is about a 45 minute test with multiple sections. It is given on a computer.

    Immediately after the sports injury: 

    1. If neck pain stabilize the cervical spine.
    2. If neurological deficits stabilize the cervical spine.
    3. If in doubt stabilize the cervical spine.
    4. If the player has a helmet on and shoulder pads, do not remove, stabilize with the equipment in place.
    5. EMS needs called and the player placed on a back board with the neck stabilize throughout the moving procedure from the floor to the backboard.
    6. If the athlete is wearing a helmet , this will not be removed , the athletes head in the helmet will be secured/taped to the backboard. If there’s no helmet on the athletes head then a stabilization collar will be placed .
    7. Until proven otherwise assume the cervical spine injury exists

    Questions to ask the athlete:

    1. Do you have a neck pain?
    2. Assess their orientation status. Ask them if they know their name, where they are, and the date.
    3. Do you have any numbness or tingling anywhere.
    4. Perform a neurological exam where you asked them to squeeze your hand, wiggle their toes, check their pulses, and try to assess their sensory status via light touch.
    5. Ask them to recall the events that occurred at the time of the injury and immediately after the injury.
    What typically happens in the emergency department:
    1. Emergency department physician will assess the athlete. Based on the situation a CT scan of the head will/ will not be obtained. That is very individual based on the symptoms of the athlete.
    2. Most athletes will be discharged to home that day. Typically admission to the hospital is not needed.
    The day after the concussion:
    1. There will be no sporting activities until the athlete is evaluated by their primary care physician or a neurologist.
    2. If it is a significant concussion in a while just must be consult it before the athlete returns to play.
    3. If it’s a minor concussion then the primary care physician or pediatrician can see the athlete.
    4. Questions that will be answered during a doctors visit is if the athletes having any post concussion symptoms: are you having headaches, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or any nausea, sensitivity to light, headache increases with loud noises, trouble with balance.
    How to Treat a Concussion:
    1. Depending on the concussion the athlete may be placed on brain rest. Brain rest is no school, no video games, no watching any TV, and no reading. Just like it sounds: brain rest. If the athlete has a severe concussion they may even be placed in a dark room for a period of time to totally rest the brain.
    2. The athlete maybe started on omega-3 vitamins to help heal the brain.
    3. Once the athlete is symptom-free: no headaches, blurred vision , difficulty concentrating or nausea, the athlete will be re Impact tested.
    4. If the impact test comes back to normal and they have been cleared to return to play from their physician, they are released to return back to sports with conditioning only for the first day, non-contact practice the second day and full contact the third day. This progression of activity occurs only if they remain symptom-free. Symptom-free means no headaches, visual disturbances, or difficulty concentrating.

    (more…)

    Female Athlete Triad – Prevention and Diagnosis

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Understanding the Female Athlete Triad

    In 1971, before Title IX had past, it was estimated that 310,000 female athletes were participating in female athlete triad overview
    sports. In 2010 there were approximately 3,373,000 female participants. Over this period of time, a phenomenon described as the Female Athlete Triad has become an increasing concern for female athletes.

    An excellent review article was published regarding the female athlete triad: past, present, and future in the July, 2015 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The article was written by Dr. Elizabeth Matzkin, Emily Curry, and Kaitlyn Whitlock, PA – C.  Highlights of the article are covered below.

    In 1992, the task force on women’s issues of the American College of sports medicine was assembled, and the term “female athlete triad” was created to define the three components that characterize this condition. The definition of the female athlete triad, at that time, had to include disordered eating, osteoporosis, and amenorrhea.

    Understanding the Female Athlete TriadIt was noted that the athletes that appeared to be at highest at risk were the ones involved in endurance sports that emphasize low body weight, and athletes that were involved in sports that included subjective judging such as figure skating and gymnastics.

    For prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this condition it is very important that people involved with the athletes are aware of the diagnosis. This includes coaches, team physicians, parents, colleagues, and teammates. In 2006 there was a survey of Division I college coaches. Sixty-four percent of 91 respondents were aware that the female athlete triad existed, but only 43% were able to appropriately identify the three components. In a separate study of physicians, physical therapists, coaches and athletic trainers, less than half were able to name the three components of the triad, with only 40% of the 139 physicians surveyed able to identify the components.

    In 2007, the ACSM updated the diagnostic guidelines, and the female athlete triad was defined as a spectrum of abnormalities in energy availability, menstrual function and bone mineral density, looking at the components as part of a spectrum ranging from normal to varying degrees of pathology. The female athlete no longer needs to demonstrate pathology and all three components of the triad in order to be diagnosed with the syndrome. (more…)

    Nick Sarantis ATSC Offers Fitness Training Seminar at YMCA

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Dr. Grossfeld Attends YMCA Lecture on Training Methods by Nick Sarantis ATSC

    Baptist Sports Medicine Nick Sarantis at YMCADr. Grossfeld recently attended a seminar on sports medicine given by Nick Sarantis, ATSC. The seminar was given to the fitness instructors at the Norton Commons YMCA. The purpose of the lecture was to talk about training methods.

    Nick’s lecture was comprehensive and very informative. For example, one section of the lecture focused on giving excellent information on core strengthening. He stressed that the core muscles make up the foundation of the body and assist in injury prevention. He also emphasized that the core needs to be rehabbed after injury treatment. The foundation of our muscle function in sport starts at the core.

    He also talked about certain core exercises that were bad to do such as crunches and Russians, because they put a significant amount of stress on the lumbar spine. He talked about other exercises that are excellent for the core and are safe such as planks.Nick Sarantis talks at YMCA Norton Commons

    The importance of strengthening your gluteus muscles was also emphasized because that also reinforces core strength.

    Nick informed the fitness instructors at the Norton Commons YMCA about the benefits of working unilateral exercises. He also provided medical reasons why intervals are important to the workout regimen. And he offered guidance about how to organize exercises.

    Exercise organization should be a progression, as explained by Nick. For example, it’s easier to do a box jump then jumping over a box. The progression in working out should start with the core, and then go to the upper body and finally, the lower body.

    Dr. Grossfeld is a board member of the Norton Commons YMCA and a very active gym member. She (more…)

    Louisville Orthopedic Team Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Louisville orthopedic practice supports breast cancer awarenessThe entire team at Orthopaedic Specialists in Louisville, Kentucky, is dedicated to supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and to finding a CURE for breast cancer and every other type of cancer too. We’ve got some very personal reasons why we are wearing PINK this month that we’d like to share with you…

    Lindsay Rhodus – “I wear pink! I wear pink for ALL the women who have fought and lost, I wear pink for ALL who have fought and won, I wear pink for ALL who will fight, I wear pink for families, friends, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and co-workers, I wear pink TO FIND A CURE!”

    Angel McDowell – “I wear pink to support the fight against breast cancer. I represent my mother who lost her fight with ovarian cancer 3 years ago, so I will give my all to support the fight to find a cure for cancer.”

    Rhonda King – “I wear PINK in honor of my mom who passed away 12 years ago from Metastatic Breast Cancer at the age of 56.”

    Dr. Stacie Grossfeld – “I wear pink for all my girlfriends that are fighting this disease. It is in support of them and their families, and to promote cancer research.”

    Dorothy Cochran – “I wear Pink for my Grandma Dorothy who passed away 35 years ago after a very long battle. Although I have never had the opportunity to meet her, I know she was a fighter and I’m happy to have been named after her. I support the cure for her!”

    Heather Hardiman – “I wear pink for my very good friend Ginny, she is a 2 time survivor!”

    Angel Porter – “I wear pink for my “sis” Glenda!!”

    Tisha Robison – “I wear pink for my aunts and friends who have gone through and will go through this battle. I wear pink to remind myself and others to do the testing and to never give up on the fight!”

    Marti Spencer – “I wear pink for my very good friend Tammi Poole. She is the bravest woman I have ever met in my life. I watched her during her struggle and the effects it had on her mentally, physically, emotionally as well as the effect it had on her family. She was always positive, upbeat and STRONG!!! She is now in remission and has kicked Cancer’s tail!!! She is my Hero!!!!”

    Jennifer Yocum – “I wear pink to support all women who are fighting this horrific disease and to remind all of us to perform monthly breast exams, get yearly exams by a physician and mammograms.”

    Meghan Dawson – “I wear pink for Aunt Amy & Aunt Bridget who are both Breast Cancer survivors!”

    orthopedic team supports breast cancer awareness