Kentucky’s Finest Summer Fitness

Posted July 20, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Summer Fitness options in Louisville Kentucky

There isn’t a season anywhere in the world that can keep fitness fanatics down – not rain, not snow, not heat…maybe hail. But in Kentucky, summer fitness can be a time to drag feet and skip out on days due to the sweltering heat and heavy humidity. Or, alternatively, it can also be a dangerous time for those who thrive in challenging their body’s limits.

Summer fitness doesn’t have to be a pain point for anyone, though, regardless of whether you’re dreading it or ignoring the seasonal change.

In fact, it could be the perfect time to expand your fitness reach and challenge yourself to new exercises and targeted training areas. If the weather proves to be just a little too hot for your usual activities, Louisville alone offers plenty of options for summer-friendly fitness adventures.

Summer Water Workouts

The swimming pool is deeply rooted in the history of fun summer activities, and water workouts are a great way combine summer and fitness. Consider water-based activities such as lap swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding for a quick cool-off option and an exploration opportunity – Louisville’s hidden water spots are beautiful and great for these types of workouts.

In addition to being a great workout in a new environment, most of these activities are family and pet friendly – a great way to spend time with your loved ones, have fun, and achieve your fitness goals in one!

Don’t have a kayak, canoe, or paddeboard? No worries! You can find rentals all around Louisville who offer a variety of different products and services.

Endless Summer Paddle and Coffee
- Offers paddleboard lessons, community paddleboarding, paddleboard yoga, bootcamp-style paddleboard workouts, and a 5-hour, 10-mile paddleboard adventure if you’re up for the challenge. And, after lessons and events, you can even stop by their coffeeshop for coffee, fresh juice, smoothies, snacks, and SWAG!
Nachand Canoe and Kayak Rentals
- Choose from 4-8 hour rentals of single kayaks, double kayaks, 3-person canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. They’ll even give you all the tips and techniques for a first-time paddler to have a successful trip out on the water.
Blue Moon Canoe and Kayak of Kentucky
- A guided river adventure that you can choose from a half-day, 1-4 hour option or full-day, 4-8 hour option for whatever best fits your schedule. Their course is 5 miles long and provides a shuttle to the put-in site and from the endpoint once you finish.

Summertime Trails

Even just shifting the location of your workouts can make a difference in temperature. Kentucky is a beautiful state with tons of shaded, canopied trails for you to hike, run, or walk. The natural landscape and varied ground-surface provides a new element of challenge for your body, and works more areas of the body, so that you get a more encompassing workout in the same amount of time. The natural shade cover of the trees keeps the ground from becoming too hot, so shifting to trail activities might be a great summer fitness expansion for runners or low-impact walkers.

Make sure you maintain safety measures, however, and always let someone know where you are and about how long you will be there. Be aware of your surroundings, the time of day, and the trails you walk so that you can stay safe while obtaining your fitness goals and soaking in the beautiful Kentucky nature!

Summer Fitness Classes

Not all fitness benefits from the outdoors, though. There are plenty of gyms and indoor classes to take advantage of in these hot summer months, and you can always consider checking out classes such as:

Sunrise yoga: An outdoor stretching and balance workout that avoids the heat of the day.
Pilates: A low-impact mind-body exercise that focuses on full-body strengthening and core work.
Cycling: A high-intensity, guided indoor bicycle workout.
Dancing: A varied form of cardio that ranges from hip-hop to jazzercize to exercise poles and more.
Boot camps: HIIT workouts that combine callisthenic workouts with cardio exercises for an intense, challenging fitness method.
Cardio Kickboxing: A whole-body cardio exercise with foundations in the martial art.
Barre: A class that offers low-impact aerobic exercises combined with higher-intensity activities that focus on core strength and flexibility.

From family activities at the YMCA to specialized classes and lessons around Louisville, there’s a place for everyone at any skill level, from first timers to seasoned athletes.

For teens wanting to explore indoor workouts, PlanetFitness is offering free membership for anyone aged 14-19 through August 31st. Louisville alone has 18 different locations, but this promotion is also valid at all 2,217 locations nation-wide.

Staying Outside?

If you don’t mind the heat, there is nothing wrong with sticking to your routine – there must be additional precautions taken, however, with a higher risk of heatstroke and other heat-related injuries. In order to keep in shape and on-track to your summer fitness goals, take the necessary safety measures to ensure you keep in tip-top shape all year-round.

Hydrate
- Even if your workout is set to be a short one, hydration is extremely important in any environment. Don’t get caught in the easy dehydration trap and always have water or electrolyte drinks on hand.
Give Yourself Time to Acclimate
- Especially if you’re unfamiliar with the heat, take it easy for a while to give your body a chance to acclimate to the high temperatures. When you do up the intensity, make sure you’re listening to your body so that you avoid heat-exhaustion, heat-stroke, and heat cramps.
Dress appropriately
- Wear light, loose, sweat-wicking clothing to avoid heat retention. If you exercise in sunny areas, apply and reapply sunscreen, and since summer is a prime mosquito season, consider spraying on some bug spray as well. In some environments, shorts may not be the best choice of clothing – if you are in a tick-infested or poison ivy/oak/sumac dense area, invest in cover-clothing made of lighter material.
Get a buddy
- Just in case of heat-related injuries, it’s always a good idea to have an exercise buddy, or at least letting someone who you are in regular contact with know how long your workout should last, just as a precaution in the hottest months.
Avoid the 10-4 Heat Wave
- Just as the days are cooler at night and early in the morning (which are the best times to work out), the hottest times of the day should be avoided when exercising in the summer to prevent heat-related injuries.

If you or someone you love has suffered a sports injury in the Louisville, Kentucky-area, board certified sports medicine physician Dr. Stacie Grossfeld at Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC can help. Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC is accepting new patients, and same day appointments are available. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC today at 502-212-2663.

Injury Prevention for Older Athletes

Posted July 8, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

No one likes coming to terms with getting older. It happens across the board, whether fitness is a regular part of your schedule or not, regardless of whether you are an artist, a coach, an engineer, or a pro-badminton player. What does matter, however, is how sports injuries are addressed, treated, and most importantly, prevented. Without injury prevention for older athletes, there would be a heavier stream of patients revolving through the doors of specialists. Injuries need to treated immediately and with care, not left to heal on their own as they might have done before.

Why Am I Getting Injured More Often As I Age?

One of the most common ways aging athletes get injured is self-inflicted over-exercise. Now, wait a minute. Over-exercise? Is that possible?

The answer is yes. Overwhelmingly so, according to an article published by the National Library of Medicine – 70% of injuries in the elderly over a 3-year study were due to overuse.

Granted, ‘overuse’ is a rather large umbrella term used to pinpoint a scapegoat for the origin of lists and lists of injuries. Some of the most common injuries in older athletes that have roots in overuse are common enough that seasoned athletes write them off as a solitary injury, which becomes more and more risky as you grow older.

The Most Common Injuries in Older Athletes Due to Overuse:

Muscle Strains
Shin Splints
Stress Fractures
Achilles Tendon Tears
Tennis Elbow

Every single injury listed stems from repetitive impact or movement without proper rest, recovery, and prevention. While these afflictions can be found in both younger and older athletes, the subsequent expected recovery time and treatments have the potential to be seen as equal – as the same as it always had been.

Herein lies the problem, and why aging athletes are at such a greater risk. With more experience, more stamina, and a well-oiled structure and schedule, it is often assumed that aging, healthy, fit bodies do not undergo the same changes as aging bodies of any other kind. While it remains true that by treating your body right, some changes will not begin to affect you until much later, it does not offset all of the risks.

Prevention Methods

By acknowledging the risks and potential for prevention, aging athletes take their future into their own hands. These methods and measures do not have to be forthright and drastic. It does not have to mean that you can no longer play sports, or that you are either fated to be injured if not taken or will never be injured if you do, but it decreases the opportunity for risk and injury by enough that the time taken will be well-spent.

1. Stretching

Some of the preventative steps are as simple as establishing a thorough warm up and cool down routine instead of cutting corners and only doing one or the other. Stretching not only lets your body adjust to the level of activity you partake in, but also improves and maintains joint and muscle flexibility, which naturally decreases with age.

2. Incorporating New Exercises into Your Routine

A step further into stretching would be integrating new facets into your workout regiment. Lower-impact activities that benefit different areas of your life and body – such as balance exercises, core work, yoga, or water aerobics – can give your body a much needed rest while still giving it the movement it needs and the stimulation you crave. Becoming a well-rounded athlete only reaps benefits, especially when overuse and limited movement becomes a reality as you age.

3. Upgrading your Equipment

One benefit of growing older is that you accrue resources along with your experience. Higher-quality equipment not only lasts longer, but is also more comfortable and easier on the body. If you were a runner, there is an obvious rift between running in on-sale, thin-soled tennis shoes than any name brand that specializes in cross-country running. Upgrade your equipment that might be old, ill-fitting, tearing, or that brings the potential of injury by malfunction due to wear-and-tear. Upgrading your equipment could also involve upgrading your environment. Training alone gets riskier as you age and become more susceptible to injuries, but the surfaces your practice on play a role in impact on the body, as well.

4. Modifying your Workouts

While the idea does not seem feasible or particularly enticing to some, even small changes can make a big difference in the long-run. These modifications can range anywhere from a change in schedule – giving yourself a longer recovery time, such as going one week on, one week off – to a change in the actual activity that allows for aches and pain. Going down a weight set, avoiding the butterfly stroke, or avoiding a hilly part of town are all ways that you respect your body and its limitations.

5. Listening to your Body

This brings us to the most important preventative measure of all – listening to your body and paying attention to what it tells you. As you age, you should begin to get familiar with your body’s signals, tricks, and nuances, and then listen to them. You know best when limits are being approached, and when you need to rest where you would have gone on previously. Pain is not optional, and injuries are not inconsequential. By taking injuries seriously and treating them appropriately, you invest in a healthier future, even if it means coming to terms with the fact that recovery may take longer than it has before. By stopping once you are in pain, you allow the body’s healing process to begin building a stronger, more resilient you. Listening to your body takes the ‘over’ out of ‘overuse’, and can be the most important weapon in your arsenal of preventative measures against sports injuries as you age.

Employee Spotlight: Bailey Belcher

Posted June 30, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Meet our employee in the spotlight, Bailey Belcher!

When ATA College Grad and X-Ray tech Bailey Belcher isn’t working hard at Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC, you’ll likely find her on her horse Hot Rod. She’s been training with Hot Rod – a 4 year-old Kentucky born and bred quarter horse, since he was only one.

Bailey is inspired by the improvements they are making together in local and regional races. Bailey started barrel racing in 7th grade after having spent many years before that doing weekend trail riding.

She loves the speed and the challenge of the sport, and has competed in many different places including cities around Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and as far away as Texas when she qualified to up against some of the fastest racers in the country at the “All American” races. Her dream goal would be to make it far enough to participate in the National Finals Rodeo “NFR” events.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone interested in getting into barrel racing, Bailey says, “You have to have a lot of grit and dedication. This means going to ride every day, even when you really don’t feel like it. You’ve also got to be able to identify and fix problems – get after it and not be scared of it.” When asked who she looks to for inspiration, Bailey talks about her dad. Even though he doesn’t ride horses, Bailey really admires his mental strength and his work ethic. “My dad is tough – he doesn’t ever give up, and that’s how I want to be.”

Bailey does a great job working with Dr. Grossfeld at Orthopaedic Specialists, and her passion for horses and barrel racing inspires the entire office. Go Bailey!!

Where Can I Play Pickleball in Louisville, Kentucky?

Posted June 25, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Pickleball has been America’s fastest-growing sport for three years running, with over 2.4 million new players since 2019. Described as a cross between ping pong, tennis, and badminton, Pickleball is accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s addictive and fast-paced, and if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s about time!

There are now over 10,000 pickleball courts in the United States, an all-new USA Pickleball Association, first-time national tournaments, and local leagues in every corner of the country. In Louisville, there are at least 15 free public courts that host weekly (and sometimes daily) events for players of every level.

Here’s the lowdown of where you can play in Louisville, KY, as of June 2022.

Facilities And Parks With Pickleball Courts in Louisville, KY

EP Tom Sawyer Park

The state-of-the-art pickleball complex at EP Tom Sawyer State Park boasts a total of 16 outdoor courts and 4 seasonal indoor courts. The outdoor courts are free and open to the public, 7 am until dusk, 7 days a week. These courts can be reserved for a fee. There is currently an ongoing summer ladder league for all levels of play. The indoor courts are available during the winter months for $5/person. To learn more or reserve a court, contact the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270.

Charlie Vettiner Park

On June 6th, 12 new pickleball courts opened at Charlie Vettiner Park, located at 5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Rd in South Louisville. As part of a $1.3 million investment in the park, other improvements included repaving and rehabilitation efforts.

Wyandotte Park

Wyandotte Park, located near Churchill Downs at 1104 Beecher St, offers 6 pickleball courts. The courts are well-lit at night, and there is an ongoing Wednesday evening summer league at this facility.

Pickleball Euphoria

According to their Facebook page, “Pickleball Euphoria is the first dedicated Pickleball facility in Louisville, KY featuring 3 indoor courts with outdoor surface and a pro-shop on-site. Owners & certified teaching pros, Josh & Stephanie, have actively played & competed in pickleball tournaments since 2017. PE strives to provide a top-notch facility, attracting players of all skill levels with offerings of hourly court rentals, lessons, clinics, skills & drills, paddle demos, round robins, leagues, open play and special events.”

Pickleball Euphoria is a highly-active community of pickleball-players that invites involvement at all levels. It is located at 4209 Gardiner View Avenue, near I-264 at Newburg and Poplar Level Rd. To learn more, visit pickleballeuphoria.com.

Springhurst

Pickleball at Springhurst (via the Louisville Sports Academy) offers 3 reservable indoor Pickleball courts, private and group lessons, leagues, and more. See more at http://www.springhurst.com/sports/pickleball or visit their Facebook page.

Berrytown Recreation Center

Berrytown Recreation Center, located at 1300 Heafer Rd in the east end, has 3 indoor pickleball courts, available on Wednesday and Fridays from 10 am – 12 pm. Call recreation director Jon Pilbean at (502) 456-8148 for more information.

Northeast Louisville YMCA

The Northeast Louisville Family YMCA offers 3 indoor pickleball courts, free for YMCA members. To learn more, click here.

Hounz Lane Park

Hounz Lane Park, located at 2300 Hounz Ln across from EP Tom Sawyer Park, offers 3 outdoor courts for public access and free play.

Des Pres Park

Des Pres Park, located at 4709 Lowe Rd, Louisville, KY 40220, offers 3 outdoor courts, open dawn to dusk.

The following local parks have at least 1 pickleball court: Sun Valley Park, Riverside Gardens Park, PeeWee Park.

Facebook Groups To Join

If you want to keep tabs on the Louisville pickleball community, there are several public Facebook groups that post regular updates concerning upcoming events around town.

Derby City Pickleball is the largest group, with over 2,000 members.
Louisville Pickleball, another popular Facebook group, currently has around 1,500 members.
Louisville Beginners Pickleball is a private group with over 400 members, designed to promote an inclusive space for those new to the sport.
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park – Pickleball is a Facebook group created to share information about pickleball programs and events, specifically about EP Tom Sawyer State Park.
Pickleball Squad is another local forum that shares local information, especially concerning play at Wyandotte Park and the YMCA.
Pickleball Forum is a worldwide Facebook group designed for discussion of all-things-Pickleball. Boasting over 68,000 members, this is the largest Pickleball page on the web.

To read my blog about common pickleball injuries and how to prevent them, click here.

Patient of the Month: Savannah Schneider

Posted June 16, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Meet this month’s patient in the spotlight, Savannah Schneider!

Savannah has been a longtime patient of Dr. Grossfeld. In the 5th grade, Savannah began seeing Dr. Grossfeld for knee issues, specifically patellar dislocation. Savannah’s knee issues stemmed from soccer, a sport in which these sorts of injuries are not uncommon.

Patellar dislocation and patellar instability occur when the patella partially or fully leaves the trochlea, which is a groove in the femur where the patella normally sits and glides. This is a fairly common injury, especially in athletes as it can be caused by contact. Patellar dislocations can cause intense pain and swelling, and usually result in the inability to walk, making them very serious despite the frequency at which they occur. Generally these dislocations are treated with physical therapy and common practices such as resting, applying ice, and using compression. However, individuals who experience recurrent dislocations often need surgery to repair ligaments in the area that can be damaged during the dislocation.

Dr. Grossfeld began Savannah’s treatment with physical therapy, but when it became clear something more was needed, she opted for surgery. Besides a re-injury and subsequent surgery in highschool, Savannah’s patella issues were successfully treated, and with some preventative strengthening exercises she remains healthy today!

That’s not where Savannah and Dr. Grossfeld’s relationship ended though. Interested in pursuing medical school, Savannah was inspired by Dr. Grossfeld and looked to her as a mentor: “I have been a patient of Dr. Grossfeld’s for years and she was a huge part of me deciding to pursue medicine… As a woman in medicine Dr. Grossfeld opened so many doors directly and indirectly.”

From networking to MCAT study book suggestions, Dr. Grossfeld and Savannah built a solid relationship, and Savannah even spent some clinical rotations in the Orthopaedic Specialists office!

Dr. Grossfeld has partnered with both the University of Louisville and Centre College to act as a mentor, and provide internships to students interested in medicine. She is particularly interested in serving as a mentor to encourage female medical students to consider careers in orthopedic surgery.

Savannah studied at the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and is now moving on to her residency at the University of Louisville. When she isn’t busy with the heavy workload of med school, she enjoys staying fit with spin classes at CycleBar and playing with her dog Petey. We wish Savannah the best as she continues her professional career!

Return To Sport After Pediatric ACL Ligament Reconstruction

Posted May 20, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

ACL Injury in Pediatric Athletes, ACL Injury Prevention

Return to sport after pediatric ACL ligament reconstruction and its effect on subsequent ACL injuries, the JBJS 2017.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common with estimates suggesting that there are upwards of 100,000 to 200,000 ACL injuries in the U.S. each year. Frequently acl injuries occur during sporting activities that require a lot of jumping, sudden stopping, turning and twisting motions. The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured and torn in a variety of ways. ACL injury rates have historically been notably higher among female athletes than males. Read more about some of the possible reasons for this gender difference.

Board certified sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stacie Grossfeld has decades of experience successfully treating patients with all sorts of different types of sports injuries including ACL injuries. In this article Dr. Grossfeld reviews a journal article published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) about ACL ligament reconstruction and provides important highlights from the research.

In this article, researchers analyzed return to sport after pediatric ACL ligament reconstruction and its effect on subsequent ACL injuries and found the following:

91% of pediatric ACL reconstructions, if the patient is less than 18 years of age, return to the same sports that they played prior to their ACL injury and surgery.
84% of the patients returned to the same sport, while 91% of them just returned back to playing sports.
19% sustained a graft rupture on the side the surgery was performed and 13% sustained a graft rupture on the contralateral side.
So, in total, 32% of the patients who had an ACL injury and subsequent surgery had a second ACL injury. This is notably high when compared to the adult population which is between 2% to 4% recurrent ACL injury after ACL reconstruction.

One common denominator in this particular study involved the fact that the patients that returned back to sport too early, less than six months, had a higher incidence of recurrent pathology and the longer they waited the less chance of recurrent ACL injury occurred.

Getting sidelined by an ACL injury as a youth athlete, or at any age, can be very frustrating. It is always beneficial to be aware of the ways you can prevent injuries like an ACL tear in advance. In fact, there are a variety of injury prevention programs specifically designed to prevent ACL injuries in youth athletes.

If you or someone you love is suffering from what may be an ACL injury, seeking out experienced medical attention is an important step in the journey towards healing. Dr. Stacie Grossfeld has been treating children, teens and adults with ACL injuries in the Louisville, Kentucky-region for decades. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 502-212-2663 today.

Osteoporosis and Gender: What You Need to Know

Posted May 18, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Osteoporosis in Men and Women, Symptoms & Differences

Your bones are not as inert and fixed as you may think. Bone is actually a living tissue that responds to stress. As we age, sometimes our bone cannot regenerate as fast as it needs to, resulting in osteoporosis: a disease marked by weak, brittle bones that are very prone to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures affect one-third of women and one-fifth of men over the age of fifty. The hip, wrist, and spine are all especially susceptible to Osteoporotic fracture. Besides fractures, osteoporosis can cause height loss and even changes to the curvature of the spine. Osteoporosis is an extremely serious disease, especially for older individuals. However, osteoporosis can occur at any age, so everyone, regardless of their age, should be on the lookout for the disease.

Osteoporosis in Women

Men and women experience osteoporosis at very different frequencies and levels of severity. Women are much more likely to suffer from osteoporotic fractures, with 75% of all osteoporotic hip fractures occurring in women. Bone density begins to naturally decline around the age of 30, and women experience a much quicker decline than men because we have a reduction of estrogen, especially after menopause. After menopause, women lose 2% of their bone mass every year! What makes the situation worse is the fact that women already have lower BMD (Bone mineral Density) to start with than men. Because of these factors women older than 45 spend more days in the hospital from osteoporosis than breast cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks. Many of these women are not identified as having osteoporosis even though they are in the hospital with an osteoporotic fracture, leaving many of these fractures untreated. Consequently, there is an 86% chance of sustaining a second osteoporotic fracture in these patients.

Osteoporosis in Men

Despite the fact that men experience less osteoporotic fractures on average than women, osteoporosis is still an extremely serious matter for men. Fracture rates for women with osteoporosis are higher than men, but mortality rates tend to be higher for men. Men have a one year mortality rate of 20% after an osteoporotic hip fracture, which is higher than women. While men may suffer from osteoporosis less than women on average, it is in no way an uncommon diagnosis for men: Lifetime risks for men to experience an osteoporotic fracture is 27% higher than the risk of prostate cancer. For more facts about osteoporosis in men read this article on the matter.

Prevention

These facts and statistics paint a very concerning picture for men and women alike. Luckily, osteoporosis is preventable with the right blend of weight-bearing exercise and a calcium and vitamin D rich diet. Check out this article for more details on preventing osteoporosis! Although men and women experience the disease at varying frequencies and levels of severity, it is important for everyone to work on preventing osteoporosis. Taking an active role in your own health is a necessary part in preventing serious diseases like osteoporosis. That said, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional when dealing with your bone health.

If you or someone you love is concerned about the effects of osteoporosis, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon can help. Dr. Stacie Grossfeld is double board certified in both orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine and she has decades of experience successfully helping people throughout Louisville, Kentucky and southern Indiana. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call: 502-212-2663 today.

5 Underrated Running Spots in Louisville

Posted May 17, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Running is a great way to stay healthy and fit this summer. Even regular casual jogging has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and lengthen life. Running has also been linked to better mood and memory. Unlike lifting weights and cycling, running requires almost no special equipment, making it extremely beginner friendly. With only a pair of running shoes pretty much anyone can start incorporating running into their fitness regiment. That said, you may not have any ideas about where to run. Thankfully for residents and visitors, Louisville has tons of great parks and running paths to check out. Here are five great underrated spots to check out on your next run.

5 Underrated Running Spots in Louisville

Iroquois Park Overlook

Iroquois park offers plenty of tough hills, and – if you’re willing to make the climb – some great views. Try heading to the park’s scenic overlook for a great view of Louisville from above. The overlook is perfect for a breather halfway through your run, which you may need after making the climb!

Bernheim Fire Roads and Trails

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is a great option for runners looking to get off the pavement. With many miles of gravel fire roads and well-maintained dirt trails, Bernheim is wonderful for some soft surface running. In addition to saving your joints some stress, Bernheim offers a peaceful atmosphere in the beautifully preserved forest.

Tom Sawyer Park

It’s no secret that E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is a great running spot. With a mile-long gravel fitness path and plenty of dirt trails, the park is a popular choice for runners. What many people don’t realize though is that the park is often used as a cross country course, and has even hosted multiple NCAA Cross Country Championships! Because of this, the park has miles of frequently cut grass fields perfect for soft surface running.

Big Four Bridge

Starting your next run at the Big Four Bridge will give you a unique experience. The bridge gives runners a great view of both the Louisville skyline and Ohio river. Additionally, this route offers a chance to explore the neighborhoods of Jeffersonville and the Ohio River Greenway, both of which lie on the Indiana side of the bridge.

Iroquois Bridle Path

Iroquois park’s bridle path is a hidden gem for runners. Like the overlook mentioned above, the bridle path offers great scenic views. The path also allows runners a chance to get off the pavement, which is always a good idea if possible. Because of its close proximity to the park’s stables, the multi-use bridle path is sometimes used for walking horses. As long as runners are attentive and courteous while using the path, this can be a great opportunity to see some horses without even heading to the track!

Bonus: Your Own Neighborhood

Sometimes the best place for a run is right out your own front door. Running in your neighborhood is great for getting a quick run into a busy schedule. Many people don’t realize how great low traffic subdivisions and neighborhood roads are for running. Plus, it may be an opportunity to meet other runners in your neighborhood! So next time you need to fit a run into your busy day, try running from home.

Now that you’re equipped with some great running locations, there is nothing stopping you from pursuing your health and fitness goals. As with all exercise and training though, it is important to remember to ease into things. Starting with too much mileage too quickly is a recipe for disaster, and will subject you to injuries like runners knee, shin splints, and the dreaded stress fracture. Luckily these injuries are all preventable and treatable. Check out this blog post for some advice on avoiding common running injuries.

If you are experiencing knee pain, knee arthritis, or any orthopaedic injury, you can trust the professionals at Orthopaedic Specialists to help you recover. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Grossfeld and the experts at Orthopaedic Specialists, call 502-212-2663 today!

Knee Replacement Surgery: How To Prepare For Optimal Recovery

Posted May 13, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Considering a knee replacement in Louisville? Learn more here

Knee replacement surgeries are common; in fact, over 800,000 are performed in the United States each year. What’s more, they’re usually extremely successful in the long-term; after 15 years, over 90% of replacement knees are still functioning. Knee replacement surgery can provide a significant reduction in pain and increase mobility for those suffering from arthritis and other knee conditions.

That being said, your lifestyle choices can have a huge impact on the outcome of your surgery, such as how quickly you recover. The decisions you make before the procedure will affect your short-term recovery progress as well as the long-term possibility of needing a second knee replacement. That’s why it’s vital to be informed about what you can do for yourself in the months and weeks leading up to surgery. Follow along for some of my top tips concerning knee surgery preparation and recovery.

Quit Smoking, Tobacco, and Nicotine Use

Smoking not only increases the risk of medical complications after knee surgery, but smokers are proven to be far more likely to need a second knee replacement surgery in the long-term.

A study recently published by the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that “patients with tobacco use had a nearly 10% increased rate of reoperation, a 10% increased rate of surgery within two years and a 3.2% higher rate of above-knee amputation when compared to the healthy patient population.”

The positive side of these statistics is just how quickly you may be able to change your outcome. Studies have found that quitting or reducing smoking just weeks prior to surgery can have a remarkable impact. According to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, if you quit smoking 4-6 weeks before surgery and continue for 4 weeks after, you can reduce your risk of complications by up to 50%!

How does smoking harm the body, exactly? It is well known that toxins in nicotine weaken the immune system and escalate inflammation throughout the body. This, in turn, increases the risk of infection, harms the formation of scar tissue, and reduces body-wide oxygen supply. To learn more about the many effects as smoking as well as some ways you can receive help during cessation, visit this CDC page.

Prepare Your Space

After surgery, you may have difficulty walking and moving around for several weeks. You won’t be able to drive or perform many daily activities during this time. That’s why it’s important to prepare your home in the weeks prior to reduce undue stress on your mental and physical health as well as reduce the risk of re-injuring yourself. If you live somewhere with a lot of stairs, consider moving around your living area to stay on one level. Rearrange any tripping hazards, like toys, awkward furniture, or cluttered spaces. Communicate with your loved ones who will be providing care for you. Do you have meals covered? Who will provide transportation? How will your kids get to school? Answering all of these questions in advance is crucial.

Start Strengthening Your Knee

Strengthening your knee before surgery can have a weighty impact on the efficiency and length of your recovery. While you shouldn’t do any exercise that exacerbates pain, there are many moves you can attempt. This excellent blog from Healthline outlines some exercises you can do while laying down. These include: thigh squeezes, side-lying straight leg raises, straight leg raises, clamshells, and more. Of course, before performing any exercises, consult with your doctor. Everyone’s knee is different and should be approached with different levels of care.

Prepare to Slow Down

If you are a consistently active person or athlete, such as a runner, swimmer, biker, or walker, it’s important to prepare yourself for a reduction in mobility and activity levels in the weeks after surgery. Remind yourself that your sacrifices now will only enable you to be stronger than ever in the future. And remember: once you’ve reached a certain point in recovery, your doctor will actually recommend aerobic and cardio activities to rebuild strength and range of motion in your knee. That’s why it’s important to take that initial post-op rest time as seriously as possible.

Lose Weight

For those suffering from obesity or morbid obesity, weight loss before surgery can be very impactful on quality of life, knee function, and mobility in the short-term and long-term. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy protein sources, and foods rich in Calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C can also improve bone health, immunity, and overall wellness.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon or orthopaedic specialist questions prior to surgery. Sometimes people can be intimidated in a medical setting, or don’t know what to ask. Be sure to cover all the bases: Is surgery my best or only option? How will this surgery impact my daily life? What does my recovery time look like? What risks are associated with the surgery? What can I do to recover as quickly and efficiently as I can?

While knee replacement is absolutely the best decision for many people, I’m always an advocate for alternative options to surgery when possible. Read my blog about some ways you may be able to avoid a knee replacement here.

Patient of the Month Jeffrey Robinson

Posted April 25, 2022 by Orthopaedic Specialists

Meet this month’s patient in the spotlight, Jeffrey Robinson!

Since 2003, Jeffrey has worked as an auctioneer.

His calling began in his 20s. Every weekend, he and his father would look in the newspaper for local auctions to attend, just for fun. What began as a weekly bonding activity morphed into a time-honored ritual; so much so, that when Jeffrey’s father developed Parkinson’s Disease, they kept trying to make it happen.

When Jeffrey’s father started struggling to stand up, they decided to go to auction houses, which would allow him a place to sit. While at an auction house, Jeffrey’s father mentioned to him, in passing, that he should be an auctioneer. Jeffrey took it to heart.

Jeffrey immediately started a three month apprenticeship and took an auctioneer test, which he passed. Then, while at a Kentucky Auctioneers Association (KAA) convention, he entered an Apprentice Auctioneer bid calling contest. He won first place out of 23 people.

20 years later, he’s still hooked.

“I love the interaction with people. The ability to put a smile on someone’s face and create a conversation just by running my mouth is awesome… I enjoy knowing by this gift I can raise money to help others…[It] is a great feeling. Being a Freemason, part of our motto is faith, hope, and charity, and I love helping charities and those less fortunate.”

Jeffrey’s skill as an auctioneer draws crowds far and wide. In fact, he often gets told, “I like to come just to hear you talk.” He loves the interaction with people, especially seeing their excitement.

He auctioneers many local charity auctions, including those for Barktown Animal Rescue, St. Jude Target Family House, Scottish Rite Rally, Rhett’s Syndrome, and several for veterans.

He’s currently looking forward to the Childhood Cancer Family Fund’s Trivia Night and Auction: Music Edition, held at Bearno’s on May 14th. This incredible event will raise money to buy Christmas presents for cancer patients and their families at the St. Jude Target Family House. Learn more and sign up here.

Jeffrey and his wife at Barktown Animal Rescue