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When you consider the subject of work-related injuries, common examples such as herniated discs and carpal tunnel syndrome may spring to mind. However, many people also experience acute or chronic hip injuries stemming from their daily tasks. Treatment can range from rest and physical therapy to surgical joint replacement.

The more you know about workplace hip injuries, the more readily you can recognize the signs of a hip injury in the making, seek appropriate orthopedic care, and reduce your risk for future such injuries once you’ve recuperated. Take a moment to acquaint yourself with hip injury causes, symptoms, and solutions.

Why Different Kinds of Hip Injuries Occur

The hip may look like a simple ball-and-socket joint, but it relies on tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other structures to hold the joint together and control its motion. Many hip injuries involve strains, sprains, or other damage to these soft tissues. If you constantly bend or twist in your work, you can injure these tissues.

Hip fractures can also occur in the workplace. A slip and fall incident, a fall from a great height, or a forceful collision impact can break the bones that make up the ball and/or socket of the joint. In most cases, the break occurs at the neck of the femur or just below, in a part of the femur known as the intertrochanteric area.

Degeneration of the hip’s ball and/or socket can develop after years of overuse on the job. When constant stress on the joint causes its layer of cushioning cartilage to break up, osteoarthritis can set in, limiting your ability to work without pain or even do any work at all.

When to Suspect a Hip Injury

Hip injury symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific type of injury you sustain. Repetitive motion injuries such as tendonitis, muscular strains, osteoarthritis, and bursitis (inflammation of the anti-friction sacs in joints) can produce steadily-worsening discomfort, while an acute hip fracture can cause immediate, agonizing pain.

If your hip tends to bother you more when you first start work and then feel a little better once you start moving it, you may have osteoarthritis. A burning pain in your thigh might mean a compressed nerve. Strains and sprains can create thigh pain, stiffness, and spasms. A hip fracture often causes the foot to turn outward.

How Medical Specialists Treat Hip Injuries

An orthopedic specialist can diagnose your hip injury and create a treatment plan to get you back into working condition again. Rest and cold packs at home can help many soft tissue injuries heal. You may also need a course of physical therapy to strengthen and limber the healing tissues safely and gradually.

Rarely, a hip fracture can heal on its own as long as you don’t put any weight on it for the prescribed recuperation period. However, most cases call for surgical replacement or repair. If the socket of your hip remains undamaged, the surgeon may simply replace the ball. Pins or screws can repair more complex fractures.

Chiropractic care, anti-inflammatory medications, and regular exercise can prove helpful for managing hip osteoarthritis. In severe cases, you might benefit from a total hip replacement. This form of surgery replaces both the ball and socket, eliminating painful bone-on-bone friction.

How to Prevent Future Workplace Hip Injuries

You can reduce your risk of hip injuries somewhat by keeping yourself fit. Exercises can help maintain strong bones and flexible tendons. Warm-up stretches can limber up your hips before work. Ask your workplace about other safeguards such as protective clothing, floor mats, and ergonomic work practices.

Extra weight can make you more vulnerable to hip injuries. Ask your orthopedic surgeon or therapist if you could benefit from a medically-supervised weight loss plan.

Whether a sudden accident or years of work-related wear and tear caused your hip injury, Maximum Orthopedics can help. Our skilled team of medical experts can diagnose the nature of the hip injury, prescribe an individualized treatment plan, and guide you through the steps toward an optimal recovery. Contact Workers Compensation Drs today.

• Posted on: Dec 28 2023
• By: admin

The ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder makes it possible for you to lift, lower, and rotate your arm easily and painlessly. Unfortunately, certain conditions can prevent the shoulder tissues from moving properly. One such condition, frozen shoulder, can leave you with a stiff shoulder joint and nagging shoulder pain.

Fortunately, you don’t have to let a case of frozen shoulder debilitate you. A basic understanding of frozen shoulder’s causes, symptoms, and potential treatment methods can help you seek the proper care and regain full use of the affected joint. Let these frequently asked questions serve as your guide.

Who Gets Frozen Shoulder and Why?

Frozen shoulder, more properly known by the medical term adhesive capsulitis, involves a progressive stiffening of the connective tissues that make up the shoulder capsule. These ligaments hold the shoulder joint together by connecting the upper arm bone to the other shoulder bones. Their stiffening prevents comfortable joint motion.

While anyone can get frozen shoulder, the condition tends to occur more often in women. People who have experienced strokes, struggle from diabetes, or have thyroid conditions may also face an elevated risk. The condition may follow a shoulder injury or surgery, especially if a sling immobilizes the shoulder for an extended period.

What Symptoms Does Frozen Shoulder Cause?

Shoulder stiffness and pain are the hallmark symptoms of frozen shoulder. The pain may strike your upper arm and/or the outer part of the shoulder. However, these symptoms can vary over time as the condition progresses over three recognized stages. Each stage may take months to complete.

The first stage of frozen shoulder, known as the freezing stage, may prove the most painful, with the pain feeling more intense at night. In the second or frozen stage, the pain recedes while the stiffness remains. The shoulder gradually regains range of motion during the final or thawing stage.

A variety of diagnostic tests can determine whether your symptoms indicate frozen shoulder or another condition such as rotator cuff strain or referred pain from the neck. These tests can include evaluations of your current range of shoulder motion, x-rays, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging.

How Can Physical Therapy Treatment Relieve Frozen Shoulder?

Thankfully, only the most stubborn or severe cases of frozen shoulder require surgical intervention. Physical therapy treatment may help you regain some of your lost motion and experience less pain. Orthopedic clinics often utilize various physical therapy techniques to treat frozen shoulder. For instance, a type of electrical stimulation called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS can ease pain during the first stage of the condition while also strengthening shoulder muscles. Physical therapy can play another crucial role in restoring shoulder strength and flexibility. Your physical therapist may start by teaching you some range-of-motion exercises to do at home during the initial stage of the condition, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises throughout the later stages.

If your shoulder has frozen up and you suspect adhesive capsulitis as the cause, consult the joint care experts at Maximum Orthopedics. We can confirm the diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan to ease your discomfort and restore your range of shoulder motion.  Contact our office  to schedule an appointment.

• Posted on: Aug 4 2023
• By: admin

When you consider the subject of work-related injuries, common examples such as herniated discs and carpal tunnel syndrome may spring to mind. However, many people also experience acute or chronic hip injuries stemming from their daily tasks. Treatment can range from rest and physical therapy to surgical joint replacement.

The more you know about workplace hip injuries, the more readily you can recognize the signs of a hip injury in the making, seek appropriate orthopedic care, and reduce your risk for future such injuries once you’ve recuperated. Take a moment to acquaint yourself with hip injury causes, symptoms, and solutions.

Why Different Kinds of Hip Injuries Occur

The hip may look like a simple ball-and-socket joint, but it relies on tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other structures to hold the joint together and control its motion. Many hip injuries involve strains, sprains, or other damage to these soft tissues. If you constantly bend or twist in your work, you can injure these tissues.

Hip fractures can also occur in the workplace. A slip and fall incident, a fall from a great height, or a forceful collision impact can break the bones that make up the ball and/or socket of the joint. In most cases, the break occurs at the neck of the femur or just below, in a part of the femur known as the intertrochanteric area.

Degeneration of the hip’s ball and/or socket can develop after years of overuse on the job. When constant stress on the joint causes its layer of cushioning cartilage to break up, osteoarthritis can set in, limiting your ability to work without pain or even do any work at all.

When to Suspect a Hip Injury

Hip injury symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific type of injury you sustain. Repetitive motion injuries such as tendonitis, muscular strains, osteoarthritis, and bursitis (inflammation of the anti-friction sacs in joints) can produce steadily-worsening discomfort, while an acute hip fracture can cause immediate, agonizing pain.

If your hip tends to bother you more when you first start work and then feel a little better once you start moving it, you may have osteoarthritis. A burning pain in your thigh might mean a compressed nerve. Strains and sprains can create thigh pain, stiffness, and spasms. A hip fracture often causes the foot to turn outward.

How Medical Specialists Treat Hip Injuries

An orthopedic specialist can diagnose your hip injury and create a treatment plan to get you back into working condition again. Rest and cold packs at home can help many soft tissue injuries heal. You may also need a course of physical therapy to strengthen and limber the healing tissues safely and gradually.

Rarely, a hip fracture can heal on its own as long as you don’t put any weight on it for the prescribed recuperation period. However, most cases call for surgical replacement or repair. If the socket of your hip remains undamaged, the surgeon may simply replace the ball. Pins or screws can repair more complex fractures.

Chiropractic care, anti-inflammatory medications, and regular exercise can prove helpful for managing hip osteoarthritis. In severe cases, you might benefit from a total hip replacement. This form of surgery replaces both the ball and socket, eliminating painful bone-on-bone friction.

How to Prevent Future Workplace Hip Injuries

You can reduce your risk of hip injuries somewhat by keeping yourself fit. Exercises can help maintain strong bones and flexible tendons. Warm-up stretches can limber up your hips before work. Ask your workplace about other safeguards such as protective clothing, floor mats, and ergonomic work practices.

Extra weight can make you more vulnerable to hip injuries. Ask your orthopedic surgeon or therapist if you could benefit from a medically-supervised weight loss plan.

Whether a sudden accident or years of work-related wear and tear caused your hip injury, Maximum Orthopedics can help. Our skilled team of medical experts can diagnose the nature of the hip injury, prescribe an individualized treatment plan, and guide you through the steps toward an optimal recovery. Contact Workers Compensation Drs today.

• Posted on: Jul 17 2023
• By: admin

Although a round of golf can ease your mind and lift your spirits, too much of a good thing can have the reverse effect. Chronic overuse of your elbow tendons and muscles can lead to a painful, potentially debilitating tendinitis disorder known as golfer’s elbow. However, this condition can plague you even if you’ve never touched a golf club.

If your elbow, forearm, or hand has started giving you trouble, you need to know what kind of damage causes golfer’s elbow, what it feels like, and how orthopedic treatment can help. The following frequently asked questions and answers should put you on the right track.

What Does Golfer’s Elbow Involve?

Doctors refer to golfer’s elbow by its medical name, medial epicondylitis. Your elbow has two bony bumps called epicondyles that serve as attachment points for the tendons of the forearm. The medial epicondyle sits on the inner surface on the elbow, with the lateral epicondyle on the outer surface.

In golfer’s elbow, constant overuse of the tendons attached to the medial epicondyle produces tears in the tissue. As the overuse continues, the damage accumulates, leading to chronic tendinitis. While the condition commonly strikes golfers,  90 percent  of golfer’s elbow cases stem from other kinds of repetitive motion activities outside of sports.

You might confuse golfer’s elbow with tennis elbow, especially since both count as a form of epicondylitis. However, while golfer’s elbow involves the epicondyle and tendons of the inner elbow, tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, develops along the outer surface of the elbow.

What Symptoms Can Golfer’s Elbow Cause?

Golfer’s elbow symptoms typically start with pain along the inner side of the elbow whenever you twist the hand or wrist on the affected arm. Efforts to grasp and hold objects can also trigger golfer’s elbow pain. You may notice that pain feels more intense early in the day.

As the tendinitis progresses, so can your symptoms. Your elbow pain may grow more severe while also spreading to your forearm or wrist. Tingling or numbness may accompany this pain. Your forearm and hand may also lose strength, with the combination of weakness and pain making the arm all but unusable.

What Treatments Can Help Golfer’s Elbow?

Thankfully, orthopedic specialists can use a variety of treatment techniques to get your elbow back into working order. If a bone scan or digital imaging confirms a golfer’s elbow diagnosis, your doctor will first prescribe rest to put an end to the damage. Ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and bracing may also help.

If you still struggle with golfer’s elbow in spite of these measures, your orthopedic specialist can move on to other conservative treatment techniques. Corticosteroid injections may relieve inflammation and swelling. Physical therapy can help injured tendons repair themselves more efficiently.

Even the most stubborn golfer’s elbow can respond well to surgery. In this treatment option, your orthopedic surgeon opens the area over the medial epicondyle and then trims away scar tissue, bone spurs, or frayed tendons that can’t heal normally. The surgeon then reattaches the remaining healthy tissue to the epicondyle.

How Can You Avoid Golfer’s Elbow Going Forward?

If you want to avoid future bouts of golfer’s elbow, you need to address the underlying factors that first created the problem. For instance, you may need to modify your sports training regimen or golf swing. If your job led to your golfer’s elbow, you may need to create a more ergonomic work environment.

Whether you developed golfer’s elbow through work or through play, you can reduce the odds of its recurrence by warming up your muscles and tendons before starting your activity. Your doctor can recommend stretching exercises to limber and relax the tissues, making them less prone to chronic strain injuries.

Maximum Orthopedics can provide the evaluation, treatment, and guidance you need to overcome golfer’s elbow and keep the condition at arm’s length.  Contact our office  to request an appointment.

• Posted on: May 9 2023
• By: admin

Workers who engage in manual labor often face various risks, including repetitive stress injuries. Repetitive stress injuries, or RSIs, occur when you perform the same actions repeatedly over a period of time. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe and can cause pain and other symptoms that can interfere with daily activities.

This blog post will explore the different types of RSIs, their associated risk factors and symptoms, and how a physical therapist can help.

Different Types of Repetitive Stress Injuries

RSIs can take various forms and involve different parts of the body. One common type is carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that develops when there is consistent pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This injury is particularly common among those who work with computers or other electronic devices for long hours.

Prolonged use of keyboards and other input devices can cause repetitive wrist motions that can strain the tendons and ligaments in your hands. As a result, you may experience numbness, tingling, or pain.

Another form of RSIs includes epicondylitis—also known as tennis elbow or trigger finger. Epicondylitis occurs when the tendons in your elbow become inflamed, which results in pain and tenderness. The condition occurs when you perform certain activities that require repetitive motions, like when you constantly use a hammer or scissors.

Risk Factors for Repetitive Stress Injuries

Prolonged, repetitive movements can lead to an increased risk of an RSI. Such types of activity strain your muscles, tendons, and bones, which can lead to injury. For instance, if you work in a job that requires you to do the same motions over and over again, such as typing or machinery operations, this repetitive movement can eventually cause an RSI.

The risk of RSI is greater for those who work in cramped or awkward positions, lift heavy objects, have poor posture, or use vibrating power tools. These conditions can lead to the overuse of certain body parts, which can leave these parts prone to injury.

Additionally, people with pre-existing conditions are more likely to experience increased pain and discomfort when they repeatedly perform the same motions. The symptoms of their condition can get worse because of repetitive movements. For instance, if you have arthritis, you may experience greater levels of pain and inflammation when you repeatedly lift heavy objects or type on a computer.

How a Physical Therapist Can Help with Repetitive Stress Injuries

Physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for many types of RSIs. Your physical therapist can help address the underlying cause of your injury to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore function.

For instance, if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, a physical therapist give you strengthening exercises to improve function of your wrist, as well as provide tips on stretches that can help relax tight muscles. By improving strength, function and movement of your wrist, and reducing constriction and tightness of the muscles we can help to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Physical therapists can also provide treatments for epicondylitis with options such as myofascial release and trigger point therapy. These treatments help reduce inflammation and improve joint movement to reduce pain and stiffness.

Additionally, physical therapists can advise on lifestyle changes that can help prevent further injury. They may recommend changes in your workstation, posture, or exercise routine to reduce stress on the affected area.

At  Maximum Orthopedics , we understand that sometimes your job can take a toll on your body. Our team can provide the necessary treatments and advice to help you manage your repetitive stress injury and return to normal activities. Contact us today to book an appointment and get on the road to recovery.

• Posted on: Mar 6 2023
• By: admin

If you have never experienced or researched chiropractic care, you might have numerous questions about the practice. In this article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about chiropractic therapy and care, and provide accurate and up-to-date information to help you better understand this form of healthcare.

We hope this article will help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a medical profession that focuses on providing treatment to people of any age who have a neuromuscular disorder. Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical, hands-on approaches to address mechanical issues of the spine and other joints, which reduces the amount of artificial interventions you will need.

The goal is to correct misalignments, reduce pain, and support the body’s natural healing process. A chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan to meet individual needs.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Referral to Visit a Chiropractor?

You do not need a referral from a doctor to visit a chiropractor. However, you should consult your doctor before you see one. Some health insurance plans may require a referral from a doctor to visit a chiropractor. In many cases, you can just call and schedule an appointment with a chiropractor without a referral.

Is Chiropractic Care Effective?

Chiropractic treatment has been proven to be an effective method of treating back pain and other spinal conditions. Studies have shown that five to ten chiropractic care sessions over two to four weeks can be just as effective as other treatments, such as medication and exercise. Generally, chiropractic care is gentle and adapted to the individual.

However, ensure your chiropractor is board-qualified and licensed before you seek treatment.

How Often or Long Do I Need to See a Chiropractor?

The length of chiropractic care an individual needs will depend on their goals and needs. After a patient has found the relief they are looking for, many choose to continue with some type of ongoing care to prevent future problems. During your initial consultation with their chiropractor, ask about the estimated treatment plan and how many sessions you might need.

Generally, good chiropractors strive to help their patients as quickly as possible with as few chiropractic treatments as necessary. Follow-up visits may detect problems early on and provide treatment and self-care exercises.

Ultimately, the frequency of visits depends on your lifestyle and stressors, as well as your ability to keep yourself healthy. The chiropractor’s job is to offer the best care possible, while the patient’s job is to decide how much of that care they want.

How Safe is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a safe treatment option for various neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Misconceptions and coincidences created the association, but research proved that the risk of stroke during an adjustment is only if you were already at risk for a stroke. Furthermore, the risks of chiropractic care are significantly lower than those associated with more traditional treatments like pharmaceutical therapy.

Why Do I Hear Popping Sounds During a Session?

The   popping sound  you might hear during a chiropractic session results from a change in pressure in the joint space, which releases gas bubbles. This same phenomenon happens when you crack your knuckles—the sound is not indicative of the quality of the adjustment. Typically, you will experience minimal discomfort in the production of this popping sound.

A licensed and experienced chiropractor can help you reap the benefits of chiropractic care. They will also work with you to adjust your treatment based on your responses and needs.   Visit us  today at Maximum Orthopedics for more information or to book an appointment.

• Posted on: Jan 6 2023
• By: admin