The spine is one of the most essential parts of the human body; without it we wouldn’t be able to function. Unfortunately when spinal injuries occur, it causes a series of complications throughout our entire body. The spine is responsible for posture, head movement, and upper body movement.

The spine is made up of individual vertebrae, and each vertebrae is independent of each other. While this is necessary for a healthy moving and functional spine, there are patients who can benefit from the joining of two or more vertebrae to relieve pain. This procedure is called spinal fusion.

If movement is identified as the primary source of pain in the spine, the spinal fusion procedure is sometimes the answer. The procedure essentially fuses together two or more vertebrae to create a solid link, limited movement in that particular area, easing pain.

Spinal fusion may be used to treat:

• Herniated disk
• Scoliosis
• Degenerative disk disease
• Weakness, instability, and fractures

While surgery is never the first solution, a complete evaluation and alternative treatment plan is suggested before exploring the surgical route. Our team of orthopedic specialists can help you find ways to cope with back pain. Contact us today to get started on your healing journey today.

Basketball is a popular sport played throughout the country by professionals, student athletes, and laypeople alike. Fun as it may be, basketball has been known to produce any number of  injuries. Five common injuries specific to basketball include:

• Ankle Sprains. Ankle sprains involve the tearing of ligaments in the ankle, occurring when a person receives a blow to that joint, steps the wrong way, or experiences a sudden twisting motion during play.  Two types of ankle sprains–lateral inversion and medial inversion–can lead to sprains ranging in degree from mild pain and bruising to severe pain and mobility loss.  Proper stretching before play can reduce the risk of an ankle sprain.
• Overuse Injuries. These injuries occur because of repeated use that puts immense pressure on tissue, muscles, or joints.  To avoid an overuse injury, players must get sufficient rest and stay hydrated.  Untreated injuries can lead to tendonitis.
• ACL Injury. One of the four major ligaments of the knee is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which assists in holding the knee together.  The ACL provides rotational stability by connecting the femur to the tibia.  The knee can be abnormally twisted from suddenly stopping or altering direction, improperly landing, or through direct impact
• Meniscus Tear. The meniscus, a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee, provides protection and stability to the knee. Symptoms of a tear include pain, stiffness, and impaired motion and occurs due to stress on the knee.  It can be avoided with proper nutrition, hydration, and rest.
• Muscle Strain. Strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is pushed past its capacity, ranging from a grade one strain to a grade three strain, which indicates a complete tear.  Basketball players commonly experience muscle strains in their calves, which can be avoided through stretching before play and regular exercise between games and practices.

Because of the nature of the sport, basketball makes players susceptible to specific injuries.  To reduce the possibility of an injury, a proper training regimen is necessary.  If injury does occur, it is suggested that the player immediately visit an orthopedic specialist to treat injuries and enhance recovery.

Poor posture has many detrimental effects on the body. Individuals often experience chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, digestive issues, stiffness, and fatigue.  Poor posture can also lead to nerve compression, muscle atrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sciatica.  Although sometimes unnoticed, posture also has a strong impact on the mind, considering people may experience worsened depression and stress, along with tension headaches.

Poor alignment creates ligament and muscle imbalances, which cause many problems.  Deviations exist because of the imbalance of muscles, which work together in holding a joint in place.  With one tight muscle and one loose one, muscles are pulled away from their rightful positions. Overactive muscles then overcompensate for underactive ones, causing issues and stress on the body.

There are various ways to improve posture, but it is important to understand exactly where alignment is impaired.  To determine the postural deviation, one must conduct a standing assessment.  During the assessment, which consists of various stances, the overactive and underactive muscles are assessed to discover the strengthening exercises that must be used.

To achieve an upright posture, individuals can follow a few simple steps.

• Step 1: Place feet shoulder width apart.
• Step 2: Stand up straight.
• Step 3: Keep weight on balls of feet.
• Step 4: Keep shoulders square.
• Step 5: Pull head back and up.

These steps can assist individuals who tend to hunch over from poor posture.  The greatest challenge is to remain aware of your posture as you go about your day. It is easy to go minutes or hours without realized that you are slumping or slouching. One of the best ways to develop better posture is to be mindful of specific deviations and contact an orthopedic specialist for more assistance.

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are an excess growth of bone around a vertebral body.  Problems occur due to the pain and inflammation caused by bone spurs rubbing against ligaments, nerves, and other bones.  Eventually, with increased growth, nerve roots can be impacted, causing immense pain.  Bone spurs are highly prevalent among individuals over the age of 60.  Over time, discs in the spine naturally degenerate, thereby losing some of their shock-absorbing ability.  But bone spurs do not only affect the spine; they also impact the shoulders, hands, hips, knees, and feet.  Stress, injury, poor posture, poor nutrition, and family history can contribute to this problem as well.  Those with osteoporosis are also more likely to develop bone spurs due to the body’s production of new bone after joint cartilage wears down.

Symptoms of bone spurs include:

• Back and neck pain
• Radiating pain through an arm or leg
• Lumps on hands, feet, or spine
• Numbness and/or burning
• Swelling
• Muscle cramps

To determine the best treatment plan, diagnostic tools are used to evaluate the condition.  An orthopedic specialist may use X-rays, which provide a visual of any bone deposits.  CT scans, electro-diagnostics, bone scans, and discography are also used, each with its own detection measures.  Possible treatment interventions include weight loss, physical therapy, and rest.  Injections and medications can also be used for relief.  However, in severe cases, bone spurs may have to be surgically removed.  Generally, bone spurs serve as evidence to an underlying problem, which must be addressed accordingly.  To minimize pain and prevent additional joint damage, proper treatment from a NJ orthopedic surgeon is needed.

Modern medicine, though extremely effective and precise, has frequently downplayed the utility of vitamin and mineral supplements in the treatment and management of a variety of health conditions. For individuals suffering from the chronic pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, the side effects of frequent medication use can be substantial. Incorporating supplements into your routine can limit the need for other medications to manage arthritis pain.

Research indicates that the following supplements may be effective in the treatment of arthritis and other orthopedic conditions. Some are available in capsule form, as a topical cream or gel, or can even be effectively derived from fruit and vegetable consumption.

• Capsaicin. This nutrient, useful in the treatment of fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, helps manage pain by acting on a particular pain transmitter in the brain. Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers.

• Turmeric. This popular cooking spice, frequently used in Indian foods, boasts an array of health benefits, including reductions in swelling and joint pain produced by inflammation.

• Ginger. Several studies have pointed to the efficacy of ginger in reducing inflammation and joint pain, particularly in osteoarthritis. Ginger is available in capsule form but is also a popular ingredient in food and blended smoothie recipes.

• Fish Oil. Also acting on inflammation, fish oil reduces stiffness in the joint and promotes better range of motion and flexibility.

If arthritis pain is limiting your quality of life, an orthopedic specialist at AOSMI can work with you to develop an ongoing treatment plan to manage this chronic condition. Contact us today to learn about how our integrative team of specialists can support you.