• Hamstring Strain? Prevention and Rehabilitation Tips

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Sudden sharp pain, popping, tearing and tenderness — these are the general symptoms associated with hamstring strains. This injury can be sidelining and chronic if you do not take the appropriate precautions or steps towards rehabilitation. While most hamstring strains occur on the field or court during a soccer, football, or basketball game, they are also known to affect dancers and runners as well.

    The hamstring muscles make up a group of three muscles that run up the back of your thigh to your hip bone. These strong muscles are responsible for your ability to stretch your leg directly behind your body and when bending your knee. Injury may result during physical activity if one or all of these muscles reaches its breaking point.

    Treating Hamstring Strains – A Standard Approach

    While most hamstring strains can be treated with home remedies by using the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), some serious injuries may require more care. If pain does not fade after following the RICE method, it might be necessary to visit a qualified physician. After a general exam and possible X-rays and MRIs, the physician will diagnose a hamstring strain. Oftentimes, the physician will suggest possible treatments including:

    • Rest: Taking a break from physical or strenuous activity will give your muscles the chance they need to reduce swelling, inflammation and stress.
      Support: Using crutches or a cane will help take the pressure off of the injured leg in order to advance the healing progress.
    • Ice: Just like the RICE method, applying ice 2-3 times a day for 10-20 minutes will help reduce the swelling in your muscles.Hamstring Strain
    • Pressure: Wearing compression shorts or an ace bandage will help minimize swelling in this area.
    • Elevation: Continue to rest your muscles, but do so in an elevated position. Extending your leg above your heart will give your muscles improved circulation and decreased swelling.
    • Pain Medication: Taking over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen will help with the pain and inflammation. (more…)

    Centre College Student Interns with Louisville Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Stacie Grossfeld

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    During school breaks and over the summer, Dr. Grossfeld allows Centre College students to participate in pre med internships. This summer, Mackenzie Weiland, a senior at Centre College spent a couple of months interning at Louisville Orthopaedic Specialists. Pre Med Intern

    Mackenzie is a member of the Centre College division III women’s swim team. Her interest in athletics goes far back. In high school she was a junior elite triathlete, and she was also a competitive Irish dancer at the national level for 8 years. Mackenzie attended Oldham County High School, and graduated in 2014 with valedictorian honors.

    As a student at Centre College, Mackenzie is pursuing a major in Behavior Neuroscience (BNS) with a possible double minor in French and biology. During her free time she loves to travel, write, cook and spend time with her family and two dogs.

    Mackenzie shares her experience with Dr. Grossfeld below:

    “Shadowing Dr. Grossfeld this summer has been an experience I will never forget. Not only is she a fantastic orthopedic surgeon leading at the top in her field, but she is also such an inspiring and special lady whom I am honored to have met.  Spending the summer following her around in both her office and in the operating room have showed me sides to medicine not many pre-med students have access to. Apart from seeing patients and her teaching me how she approaches her diagnoses and treatments, Dr. Grossfeld also explained the criticalities and demands of owning a private practice.   The camaraderie and respect among Dr. Grossfeld’s staff is something truly special, and it speaks volumes to the type of person and physician Dr. Grossfeld is.College Swimmer

    During my time, I learned so much about the field of orthopedics. Dr. Grossfeld made sure to explain all medical terminology while we were talking with the patient, and she helped me decipher X-rays to figure out where the problems were. During surgeries, she explained what each tool was for, what she was doing, and how her repairs would help the patient. She asked me questions aimed toward getting me thinking more like an orthopedist, and she created a welcoming invitation for any questions that I had.

    We were able to discuss the logistics of medical school, the advice she had for pursuing the path of a physician, and her own reasons for choosing the field of orthopedics. I truly listened to everything she had to say because it is rare to find a doctor so willing to help prospective medical students learn. Her commitment to helping young people excel in a field like her own is obvious with the many residents and medical related students that filter through her office.

    For me, in particular, I most enjoyed the dynamic when Dr. Grossfeld, a family practice resident, a physicians assistant student, and myself were able to all talkSummer Intern and work with the patinets together in the same room. It was so neat to be able to see all different women at different levels of medical education working together to help patients. The whole experience was incredibly empowering, and Dr. Grossfeld has truly inspired me to continue on my own path toward becoming a physician. (more…)

    10 Facts about Bicycle Accidents

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    “It’s as easy as riding a bicycle!” This expression has been used to describe tasks that are relatively simple. The fact is, while riding a bike is a great option for leisure, transportation, and exercise, it has become a cause of injury for some. With a growing number of cyclists on the roads, bike safety has become a growing concern.

    It’s important to practice safe riding habits every time you bike, like using a hand turn signal and wearing a helmet and other reflective gear. While some accidents are unpreventable, there are ways to minimize your chances at being the victim of a bicycle injury.

    Facts AboBike Accident Factsut Bicycle Accidents – 10 Things to Know

    When it comes to safe cycling, there’s plenty to learn. The statistics reported below are not meant to deter riders, but rather to encourage safe practices and caution when taking your wheels for a spin!

    1. Only 1 percent of all trips are taken on a bicycle in the U.S. (https://1.usa.gov/1fwok7G)
    2. In 2010, 800 U.S. bicyclists were killed and about 515,000 bicyclists were transported to the emergency room for non-fatal injuries. (https://1.usa.gov/1fwok7G)
    3. With the amount of injuries and fatalities, biking leads to about five billion dollars in medical and productivity losses. (https://1.usa.gov/1fwok7G)
    4. The highest rates of bicycle deaths involve 15-24 year olds and adults 45 years and older. (https://1.usa.gov/1fwok7G)
    5. Males are more likely to be killed riding a bicycle than females. (https://1.usa.gov/1fwok7G)
    6. In Kentucky, there are laws against riding on the sidewalk and the left side of the street. (https://bit.ly/1TxD2My)
    7. There are more bicyclist fatalities occur during the summer months, July through September. (https://1.usa.gov/1qHp1yU)
    8. 21 states including the District of Columbia have laws for helmet use for young riders. (https://bit.ly/1rWW8zk)
    9. Wearing a helmet reduces the odds of a head injury by 50 percent. Helmets also lower the odds of face and neck injuries by 33 percent. (https://bit.ly/1rWW8zk)
    10. A biker riding without a helmet is 14 times more likely to die in a bicycle accident. (https://bit.ly/1gjrasd)

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    Who Is Most Likely To Experience Knee Osteoarthritis?

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Osteoarthritis has become the most common form of arthritis in the United States. It is especially prevalent in countries where people tend to live longer, and to also be more overweight.

    This degenerative joint condition is sometimes called “wear and tear disease” and it stems from several sources, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints. It is a disease of the joints that typically has the greatest impact on the cartilage. Cartilage is the flexible tissue located in the joint area along the ends of bones.

    Cartilage has an important role, serving as a shock absorber. For people suffering from osteoarthritis, the cartilage has worn away causing bone on bone friction which can be extremely painful. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it can dramatically impact a person’s range of motion.

    9 Factors That Impact Your Chances of Knee Osteoarthritis

    While people of all backgrounds and ages may experience knee osteoarthritis, there are risk factors that increase a person’s likelihood. Here are some of the most common factors that influence

    1. Biology: While both men and women may suffer from osteoarthritis, this painful condition is more likely to strike women. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), out of the 27 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis, sixty percent are women. There are numerous reasons for this gender disparity including biological differences in the pliability of joints, and anatomical differences in the alignment of hips and knees.
    2. Genetics: Osteoarthritis tends to run in families. There is a good chance if your mother or father had osteoarthritis during his or her lifetime, you could develop this disease as well.Knee Osteoarthritis
    3. Hormones: Researchers have found that hormones tend to affect the cartilage located in between large joints. A study found that women on hormone-replacement therapy even after menopause lose the protection against developing osteoarthritis. Dr. Alexander Shikhman has explained that researchers have also located a risk of osteoarthritis with pregnancy. This research found the likelihood of needing a knee replacement rose 8 percent with every case of childbirth.
    4. Excess Weight: Putting more weight and pressure on your joints tends to wear the cartilage down much faster. The Arthritis Foundation reports that with every extra pound you gain, you add three pounds of pressure to your knees and six pounds to your hips.
    5. Age: Osteoarthritis is known to become increasingly prevalent with age, leveling off around age 75.
    6. Previous Injury: Because this issue worsens overtime, sports-related knee trauma or previous injuries begin to weaken your knee cartilage. Research from the Current Opinion in Rheumatology found that 41 to 51 percent of previous knee injury cases showed signs of osteoarthritis in later years. (more…)

    What is Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis?

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis or PVNS is a condition that causes the synovium to thicken and overgrown. This thin layer of tissue is located internally between the joints and tendons. Inside a healthy, unaffected joint, the synovium is responsible for excreting a minimal amount of fluid to lubricate the cartilage. This improves movement and rotation for the joint. When the synovium produces larger quantities of fluid, it tends to make the joint swell and decrease movement.

    Luckily, the benign mass or tumor associated with PVNS does not spread to other areas of the body. Besides pain and restricted movement, this joint condition is a progressive disorder that may lead to bone damage or arthritis.

    Eighty percent of all PVNS patients have this disorder in their knees. The other percentage tends to affect young adults in their 30s and 40s inside the hip, ankle, shoulder or elbow joints. Many cases of PVNS are unknown, but genetic changes have been hypothesized. Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis

    There are two types of PVNS: Localized and diffused. When one area of the joint or tendon is affected by the tumor, this is identified as localized PVNS. A diffused case involves the entire joint. Unfortunately, a case of diffused PVNS is more difficult to treat because it involves the entire area.

    This condition causes exaggerated amounts of swelling in the affected joint, as well as stiffness and pain. While a physician should conduct a physical exam, other diagnostic tests including xrays, MRIs, joint aspirations and biopsies are great ways to identify PVNS. Joint aspirations that reveal bloody joint fluid are a good indicator for PVNS.

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    Weight Loss Program with Orthopaedic Specialists

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Orthopaedic Specialists is offering a wonderful new program to help you lose weight, increase your energy, and get healthier. To learn more about our new weight loss program and ask questions, please consider attending an information session hosted by Dr. Stacie Grossfeld. (You’ll also be treated to free samples, healthy and delicious recipes, convenient grocery shopping lists, and more!)

    Weight loss Program August 2015

     

    Fighting the Aging Process

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    The Effects of Fitness on the Aging Process

    As we age, are there patterns of physical decline? Can those be slowed down or reversed with change in lifestyle? An excellent article was published in the September 2014 volume of the Journal of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Bryan Vopat discussed the common physical changes that occur with aging and how to slow down this decline with physical training. A summary of the article is below.

    The major changes that occur in the musculoskeletal system with aging are: bone density loss (osteoporosis), the strength and flexibility of muscles decrease (sarcopenia), ligaments and tendons become stiffer and articular cartilage that covers the ends of bones breaks down (osteoarthritis).

    Aging Athletes Competing Longer and Performing Better

    Evidence over recent years has documented that older athletes are competing longer, and better then they have in the past. They are competing with younger athletes and breaking records within their age groups. These trends are changing the way we think about the older athlete and physical aging.

    Older athletes are role models for the concept that age-related decline is not inevitable and that physical activity can counteract the decline in muscle loss, bone loss, and reduced flexibility. More and more athletes are competing in marathon and ironman triathlete events.  At the Ironman Triathlon, the number of athletes older than 40-years-old has increased from 25 percent to 50 perAging Athletescent over the last 25 years! While the number of marathon runners over age 40 has increased over the last 20-30 years, making 50 percent of all marathons older than 40-years-old.

    Eight masters (older than age 40) Ironman Triathlon records were set in 2010 with three of the records set in the age group of  65 years and up. For the past 25 years at ironman events, the average performance has improved by 7.5 percent for all age groups older than 45-years-old.

    A study that looked at 900,000 marathon runners found that 25 percent are in their mid to late 60s and outperformed half of the runners age 20-54. One of the most interesting findings from the article is the results from the New York City Marathons from 1989 to 2009. This research found that the running times for men older than 64 and women older than 44 years have not yet plateaued. They are constantly improving with the athletes getting faster. This indicates that they have not likely reached their performance limits.

    Aging and Bone Loss

    Typically women start losing bone mass at age 30 and can lose up to 1 percent per year. After menopause, that percentage rises to 3 percent per year. Men, on the other hand, begin losing bone mass much later. Starting at age 40, men lose bone mass at a slow rate of  0.5 percent per year and that does not accelerate until they reach their 70s and 80s.

    Research has shown that exercise can prevent bone loss in the older athlete. A study examining master sprinters, ages ranging from 40-85 years old, maintained tibial bone strength and  bone density. Senior Olympic runners over age 65 had significantly greater overall bone mineral density numbers compared to controls. They also found that when comparing the senior Olympic runners to senior Olympic swimmers, the runners had better bone mineral density indicating that weight bearing exercise is critical.

    In the seniors who participated in tai chi for 6 months had increased scores (6-9 %) on their bone density DEXA scans, compared to inactive women in their age group. This indicates that some exercise is better than none and that exercise doesn’t have to be performed at a competitive level.

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    Does Weight Loss Reduce Joint Stress?

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    Reduce Joint Stress

    According to the latest medical research, you can reduce joint stress on your body by living a healthy lifestyle along with appropriate weight loss.

    Reduce Joint Stress By Shedding Pounds

    “A new study shows that for each pound of body weight loss, there is a 4 pound reduction in joint stress among overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis of the knee. The accumulative reduction in the load for 1 pound loss of weight would be more that 4,800 pounds per mile walked. For people losing 10 pounds, each knee would be subjected to 40,000 pounds less in compressive load per mile walked.”

    – Dr. Stephen Messier, The Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism, July 2005

    What is Gluten? An Overview

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    what is gluten and gluten-freeToday, the term “gluten-free” gets passed around casually in conversation or while walking through the grocery store, but what does this actually mean? What is gluten? Gluten is the name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. This protein helps foods maintain their shape, while acting as a glue.

    Some people have an allergy to gluten. People with a sensitivity or allergy to gluten are advised to avoid foods that contain this protein. The big three gluten contributors are wheat, barley and rye. Many common foods contain these three ingredients including: breads, baked goods, pasta, cereals, sauces, salad dressings, beer and many more. Gluten may also be found in certain products including lipstick and lip glass, nutritional supplements, vitamins, medications, and things like play-dough.

    People with a gluten allergy are commonly diagnosed with Celiac’s disease. This is an autoimmune disorder affecting people who are genetically predisposed to a gluten allergy. For those with this disease, ingesting gluten often leads to small intestine damage and other distinct symptoms. This disorder is extremely common and it is estimated that 1 out of 100 people are affected by Celiac’s disease worldwide.

    For those affected by Celiac’s disease, the general treatment includes a strong, lifelong adherence to gluten-free foods. Consuming foods rich in gluten can potentially damage the small intestine and cause a variety of other health problems those with a gluten allergy. While it may seem like a huge section of food options are removed from a person’s diet when a gluten allergy is present, there are an increasing number of gluten-free options available. (more…)

    Protein Bar Recipes

    Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

    While protein shakes combined with a diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean meats, fish and nuts, is recommended, sometimes you need a healthy and quick option that also tastes great. Protein bars can be a great option, especially when they are loaded with healthy ingredients.

    Here are some protein bar recipes to try that will leave you full and satisfied. These protein bars are an excellent source of energy and nutrients for a busy day ahead! These protein bars can be made ahead of time and packed away for on-the-go eating. You can even freeze them and use on an as-needed basis.Protein Bar

    Chocolate Orange Protein Bars:

    • 6 Scoops Arbonne Chocolate Protein Powder
    • 1 Cup (ground) Flax Seed
    • ¼ Cup Almond Milk
    • ¼ Cup Orange Juice
    • 3 TBSP Nut Butter
    • 1 TSP Salt
    • Zest of 1 Orange to Taste

    Place ingredients into food processor. Put into Pyrex dish and press down with plastic wrap. Place in freezer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Take out of freezer and cut into designated servings.

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