An ankle fracture is a very common injury in children and adults. A debilitating injury, broken or fractured ankles can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint, and some people may go weeks without knowing their ankle needs professional medical attention.

Ankle fractures are quite common among children between the ages of 8 and 15, this is due to the higher levels of activity associated with sudden movements that are prone to twisting ankles. Furthermore, with growth plates still shifting, it is important to identify if the ankle has indeed been fractured.

An X-ray is the ideal method for identifying where the bone placements are, if any changes are detrimental, and if indeed there needs to be further medical attention. Ankle fracture symptoms include:

• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Deformed or crooked appearance
• Inability to bear weight
• Pain when touched or moved

Because an ankle fracture, or even sprain, can limit mobility, it is critical to get to an orthopedic physician as soon as possible. Once an X-ray is completed, we can determine what type of treatment would be best, whether it be crutches, physical therapy, or a combination of treatments, it’s best to get help as soon as possible.

The benefits of running, jogging, or walking to your health and wellbeing seem endless. Although it might be tempting to take the winter off from your running routine, the colder months are one of the most important times of the year to stay active. Our orthopedic specialists encourage patients to maintain exercise year round in order to keep joints healthy and flexible, to remain at a healthy weight, to reduce inflammation, and to benefit from the feel-good brain chemicals released during exercise.

Here are some tips and strategies to stick to your activity schedule this winter.

• Upgrade Your Gear. Your health is worth investing in. Purchasing a new pair of running shoes, in addition to some warm, layered exercise outfits, will help you get motivated and excited about getting out to run. Having the appropriate footwear, warm clothing, and reflective material will also help to keep you safe while you workout, particularly outdoors.

• Stick to a Schedule. Running at the same time of day will help you to develop a routine that you can maintain. If you know the only way to fit in your run consistently is in the morning, then start waking up earlier to give yourself that extra “you” time.

• Buddy Up. Having a workout buddy to run with can do wonders for motivation. It’s much easier to cancel on yourself than to cancel on someone you made plans to workout with.

• Build a Backup Plan. Inclement weather is a harsh reality in the winter months. Unfortunately, running outdoors is sometimes just not feasible. Luckily, there are many low-cost gym membership options, and some local recreation centers offer access to cardio equipment for free!

Proper form while running is important at all times of year to prevent strain on the joints and muscles. If you are new to running, looking to start, or are experiencing pain after you run, an orthopedic specialist at AOSMI can help. Contact us today to learn more.

Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States.

This procedure is used to decrease pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life for many patients. Surgeons have performed conventional knee replacement surgery for more than 30 years with generally excellent results. Yet, as with any surgical technique, surgeons have sought new ways to perform the surgery less invasively, with less pain and a faster recovery. As a result, there have been numerous advances in this field over the last few years. Patients now experience less pain, and less time in a hospital, have less blood loss, and are able to return to activities much more rapidly.

Today, skilled orthopedic surgeons are able to implant a total knee replacement device without cutting the quadriceps muscle and tendon as they do in conventional surgery. This new procedure is called Quadriceps Sparing Knee Replacement Surgery. The quadriceps muscle is the most important muscle in the leg, responsible for straightening the leg and extending the knee. When the quadriceps is weak, the leg has a tendency to buckle.

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How can you avoid injury and still get the most out of the summer?

Summer sports are All-American favorites: baseball, tennis, swimming, softball, soccer, cycling, ultimate frisbee, surfing, rock climbing, kayaking, beach volleyball, archery, windsurfing, polo, golf, running, and more! But with all these exciting adventures come the risks and hazards associated with being active outdoors in hot and humid weather. 

See your primary care doctor regularly. 

As with any physical activity, it’s crucial to make sure you are fit enough to begin by seeing your primary care doctor regularly. Especially if you’ve had some time off due to inclement weather or sports injury, starting slowly and prudently is always the best plan. Working with a professional or trainer can be very helpful because he or she can guide you through increasingly vigorous levels of recreation.

Staying fit in the summer has its own particular challenges; namely, dealing with the heat and oppressive humidity all too familiar to the Northeast. It is even more vital that you:

• Practice assiduous warm ups and cool downs during intensely warm weather
• Take frequent breaks to stay hydrated
• Spend time in the shade
• Wear loose fitting but safe clothing for your activity can improve your body’s ability to stay cool

Whether your activity has you playing on a team or in solitary reflection, you can still practice safely by always letting someone know where you plan to go to exercise, and carrying a cell phone in case of an emergency. If you are on a team, try and find players who are close to your skill and fitness level, at least at first.

Some discomfort or soreness is to be expected anytime you increase your activity level, but if you feel any pain, be it joint, muscle, or any other kind, stop immediately and see a professional. Working through the pain means you may be ignoring your own body’s early warning system that something is awry, and may lead to greater irritation or serious injury. If you have a prior impairment, you should certainly speak with an orthopedic specialist about what level of workout you should aim for.

By following simple precautions and exercising prudent judgment, you can enjoy all the fun and sports this summer has to offer! For more great information about staying active and summer activity, visit our blog.

A common condition in the United States, joint pain can be a serious hindrance to athletic activity as well as everyday life.

An estimated two million American experience joint pain associated with cartilage injuries each year. Cartilage injuries can be debilitating and only the most modern methods of treatment can restore cartilage, minimize pain and relieve discomfort for patients of all ages.

So what is cartilage?

Cartilage is, essentially, connective tissue found in all animals, including humans. It is more flexible and softer than bone but stiffer and more rigid than muscle. As cartilage does not contain blood vessels or nerves, you cannot “feel” damage in your cartilage, though there are other signs.

There are three types of cartilage found in the human body.

Elastic cartilage is found in your ears and nose. This supports and adds shape to these structures. Fibrocartilage is tough and dense. This type is found in the joint connecting the upper pubic bones where it needs to be sturdy enough to support a lot of weight but flexible enough for childbirth. Fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus, can also be found in joints where the more flexible tissue has been destroyed. The meniscus transfers stress and protects the final type of cartilage, hyaline cartilage, from being damaged. Hyaline cartilage is the cartilage that allows healthy joints to function comfortably. Found in your joints, this type of cartilage can be degraded by arthritis, trauma and other conditions causing medical treatment to be needed.

The Cartilage Restoration Center of New Jersey, staffed by the board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons of AOSMI, utilizes the latest techniques to restore cartilage.

We are completely devoted to the treatment of cartilage injuries with the goal of eliminating pain, restoring function and facilitating your return to full activity.

So you suffer from joint pain and think you may have damaged your cartilage, what are your options?  Joint replacement surgery and medication used to be your only option to deal with joint pain. Now with our cutting-edge technology, the board-certified physicians at AOSMI are able to offer you many conservative options, including:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Steroid injections
• Hyaluronic Acid injections
• Orthobiologics
• Physical Therapy
• Bracing

If conservative treatment options do not work or if the cartilage damage is too severe, there are several surgical options that focus on repairing or re-growing your cartilage, helping reduce the need for joint replacement surgery. Procedures include:

• Microfracture: An arthroscopic procedure that stimulates cartilage regeneration
• Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation – Utilizing bone and cartilage plugs taken from a low load area of the knee and transferred to the damaged area
• Osteochondral Allograft Transplant – Used when donor bone and cartilage plugs are applied in the damaged area
• DeNovo NT – Used when juvenile donor cartilage is used to repair the damaged area
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation – Your cartilage cells are harvested via arthroscopic surgery, grown in a laboratory and then transplanted into the damaged area

These surgical options would be performed by our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at a hospital or outpatient surgery centers depending upon the procedure.

If you suffer from joint pain or feel you may have damaged your cartilage, call us today to schedule your cartilage consultation – 732-720-2555!