Have you done something to your should that has caused it to hurt? If you have and the pain doesn’t seem to be going away, you need to see a doctor as soon as you can. However, in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to deal with this pain and prevent it from getting worse.
Rest Your Shoulder
First, it’s important that you don’t do anything to further injure your shoulder. Rest your shoulder as much as you can. Try to avoid stretching up to reach for items or lifting anything really heavy. If the pain increases while doing an activity, stop immediately. When the pain has decreased, go slow when you begin resuming your normal activities so you don’t re-injure the shoulder.
Use Ice
Icing your shoulder will reduce inflammation and can help with pain. You’ll want to wrap ice in a towel or other cloth—do not place ice on your skin without some kind of barrier in between. Ice your shoulder for 15 minutes at a time, with at least 15 minutes in between applications. You can use ice on your shoulder three to four times within a 24-hour period. If after three days you aren’t seeing any improvement, you need to see a doctor.
Use Heat for Tense Muscles
If your shoulder is stiff and the muscle hurts, you can try heat. This will help relax the muscle and relieve some of the pain. If you know you have arthritis in your shoulder, heat is a good option. A heating pad or a heated gel pack can be used regularly.
Use Over-the-Counter Medication
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are two over-the-counter medications that will help you with the pain and with inflammation. Take them as directed, and be certain that you aren’t mixing medications in any dangerous way. If you already take medication for chronic pain or are on a number of medications that may not mix well with pain pills, talk to your doctor before you use anything.
If you continue to have pain or if the pain gets worse, you need to see an expert. The team here at Maximum Orthopedics can help you with any type of shoulder pain. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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Posted on: Jun 15 2021
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By: admin
Arthritis can leave your joints stiff and painful. You may find that you simply can’t enjoy many of your hobbies and other activities like you once did. Fortunately, an orthopedic surgeon can help alleviate or at least decrease some of this pain and stiffness. These experts understand how to diagnose, treat, and repair damage to the muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments. This includes arthritis.
Do You Need Surgery?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, and many treatment options simply reduce the pain temporarily. This doesn’t mean your only option is to have surgery. However, it does mean that you will need to learn how to properly manage your arthritis. This is typically the first type of orthopedic treatment. The orthopedic expert will determine how bad your arthritis is and work with you to treat it. This may include using heat or cold, resting regularly, doing specific exercises, taking corticosteroid injections, or doing physical therapy.
Typically, arthritis does progress. Over time, you may find that the wear on your joints makes treatment options that once worked very well no longer as effective. In that case, it may be time for surgery.
What Are Your Surgical Options?
There are two main surgical options for arthritis. The first is joint reconstruction or repair. Here, the surgeon may remove damaged and defective tissue, may reshape the joint sockets, or use other methods to smooth out the area so your joint moves more easily. This is often successful for those who have mild to moderate arthritis.
However, for severe arthritis, joint replacement may be the only real option. Here, the arthritic bone is removed and replaced with an artificial joint. This does remove the arthritis from that joint. However, since arthritis is a progression disease, it is possible you will develop arthritis elsewhere. You won’t suffer any stiffness or pain in the replaced joint, though.
While surgery is an option, you will want to carefully consider all of the pros and cons. It can take quite some time to recover, and you will need physical therapy before you can fully return to your regular activities. It’s also possible for your body to reject the artificial joint.
If you’re dealing with arthritis, it helps to have an experienced medical professional on your side. The team here at Maximum Orthopedics can help you determine the best way of treating your arthritis. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Posted on: May 30 2021
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By: admin
Falling on your back is a fairly common workplace injury, especially if your job involves climbing up ladders. This type of injury can be very serious, especially if you fall a good distance. Falling on your back can damage the spine, neck, and much more. Here are some of the most common injuries that can be caused by falling on your back.
You Can Fracture or Break Bones
If you fall forward, you’re likely to put your arms out to try to break your fall. This can result in breaking bones in the hands and arms. If you fall backwards, you may not necessarily put your arms out. That doesn’t mean you won’t break bones, though. It’s very possible to break your tailbone, your back, your neck, and even your ribs. If you twist as you fall, you can break a number of other bones, too.
You Can Get a Concussion
If you land on your back, it’s very possible that your head will hit the ground, too. This can lead to a concussion. This is a type of traumatic brain injury that can cause headache, difficulty concentrating, problems with your balance, and even short-term memory loss. Normally, these symptoms are temporary. However, a major blow or repeated damage to your head can cause permanent damage. If you start falling backwards, do what you can to keep your head forward to avoid damage to the brain.
Spinal Injuries
When people think of spinal injuries, they often think of being paralyzed. While paralysis can certainly happen from falling on your back, it’s not the only type of spinal injury. You may lose some range of movement, but you may also lose feeling in parts of your back or your body. You could feel tingling or burning from the damage to your nerves, or you could simply stop feeling any sensation at all. It all depends on how severe the injury is and what part of your spine was damaged.
Have you fallen on your back at work? If so, you definitely have a workers’ comp case. You need to work with an expert in both pain management and workers’ comp cases to make certain you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact the team at Maximum Orthopedics today to schedule a consultation so we can begin working on your case.
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Posted on: May 15 2021
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By: admin
Bursitis is a condition that affects the bursae, the small sacs filled with fluid that are found around the joints. These sacs help to cushion your muscles, tendons, and bones. When bursitis sits in, these bursae become inflamed. The condition can be quite painful, and it can make it difficult to move the joint.
Which Joints Are Affected?
The bursae near any joints can become inflamed, but typically, this condition is limited to the shoulder, hip, and elbow. However, it’s possible to develop bursitis in the knee, the heel of your foot, and even at the base of the big toe. You are more likely to develop bursitis around the joints that you use to make repetitive motions. For example, if your job involves bending your elbows repeatedly throughout the day, you’re more at risk of developing bursitis there than in your knees.
Symptoms of Bursitis
The symptoms of bursitis are typically not severe, but they are noticeable. In addition to the pain, you may find that the joint feels stiff and that it hurts when you move or apply pressure to the area. You may also find that the joint feels swollen and has a reddish color to it.
If you find that the pain becomes so bad that you cannot move the joint, that the swelling has become excessive, or that you experience sharp pains when moving, you need to see a doctor. Also seek medical attention if you have a fever or notice a rash around the joint.
How Is Bursitis Treated?
If you suspect you have bursitis, we will first do an X-ray to look at the joint. We may also need to do a blood test or draw fluid from the bursae to determine the cause of the pain. Once that is done, we can move on to treatment. In most cases, bursitis clears up on its own if you simply take the time to rest. In other cases, you may need physical therapy to help build up the muscles around the joint. Corticosteroid injections can help relieve the inflammation and the pain, too. These injections are fairly common for bursitis in the hips or shoulder.
Are you suffering from bursitis or think that may be the cause of your pain? The team at Maximum Orthopedics can diagnose the condition and treat it. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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Posted on: Apr 27 2021
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By: admin
Are you in need of physical therapy? One mistake many people make is putting off getting the right kind of help when they’re injured. Physical therapy can often greatly reduce your recovery time and even prevent permanent damage or chronic pain. Here are some signs that you need to consider physical therapy.
The Pain Recures
Pain is a sign that something isn’t right with your body, so if that pain becomes recurring, it means you still have an injury or damage from an injury. If you find that you have pain in the same area that comes and goes or is almost always present, you should seek out a physical therapist as soon as you can.
You Hurt After Several Days
If you find yourself still in pain days after the injury, it means that your body isn’t able to heal itself. Once you’re injured, you should take several days to rest, ice the injury, and keep it elevated. However, if the pain hasn’t gone away or isn’t greatly reduced in intensity after several days, you need to have a physical therapist evaluate it.
You’re Relying on Over-the-Counter Medication
Taking medication for pain right after the injury and for a few days after it occurs is normal. However, you shouldn’t need to continue taking medication for much longer than that. If you find yourself taking pain medication regularly, it’s a sign that the injury is worse than you thought.
Your Range of Motion or Abilities Have Changed
You know what your body is capable of, and you know when you aren’t physically able to perform your best. If you find that the injury has reduced your range of motion or is preventing you from doing activities that you can normally do with no problem, you need medical attention. If you don’t get help, it’s possible the damage will become permanent.
The Injury Resulted in Acute Pain
In many cases, common injuries that occur from playing sports or exercising result in a fairly dull pain. It throbs, but it isn’t acute or sharp pain. If you did feel a sharp pain when you injured yourself, it can be an indication that you tore a ligament, pulled a muscle, or even fractured a bone. These are more serious issues that need medical care.
Do you need to see a physical therapist about an accident? If so, the team at Maximum Orthopedics can take care of you. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Posted on: Apr 15 2021
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By: admin
Many people have heard of tennis elbow, but few people really understand what it is. Many also assume you can only get it from playing tennis, but that is not true at all. In fact, many people who work in an office, in trade jobs, or even in supermarkets and other establishments are often diagnosed with tennis elbow. If you develop tennis elbow, you will feel pain when moving your forearm. This pain can spread and, if untreated, may result in feeling pain from your shoulder to your wrist.
What Causes Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by making repetitive motions with the elbow and arm. When you overuse the muscles in the forearm, they become strained. The tissue in the tendons can even tear, making it incredibly painful to move the arm. This condition gets its name because tennis requires players to move their elbow often. Certain movements, especially the backhand, place a lot of stress on the muscles and tendons in the forearm.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Tennis Elbow?
You can develop tennis elbow without ever playing tennis. All you need is a job that requires you to make similar types of movements. For example, plumbers may develop tennis elbow while performing maintenance on drains. The repeated use of a computer mouse can also cause tennis elbow, as can painting, chopping meat, and driving screws into components.
In addition to your occupation, there are a few different risk factors. While anyone can develop tennis elbow, it is more typically found in those over age 30. Another issue for those playing tennis and other sports is their technique. If you use sloppy or poor technique, you run the risk of injuring yourself more easily than if you use proper, well-developed techniques.
Treating Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is typically treated with rest. Generally, once you rest the arm, it will heal up on its own. You may need to take some over-the-counter pain medication to deal with the ache, but you shouldn’t need anything more.
Advanced cases of tennis elbow can be treated by physical therapy. You will do some exercises to help strengthen the forearm muscles, and you may need to wear a brace to help reduce the amount of stress on your arm. In rare cases, surgery can be an option.
Want to learn more about physical therapy for tennis elbow? The team at Maximum Orthopedics can help you treat this condition and many others. Contact us today to learn more.
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Posted on: Mar 29 2021
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By: admin
If you were involved in an injury at work that didn’t require an ambulance or even a trip to the ER, you may have booked an appointment with your primary care physician for an evaluation. It’s always a good idea to see a doctor after being hurt while on the job, even if you don’t seem to be that badly injured. However, while it’s fine to see your doctor, you also need to seek out a medical professional who specializes in workers’ comp claims. Visiting with one of these workers’ comp doctors can be very helpful in several ways.
They Understand Common Workers’ Comp Injuries
While your doctor may have a general understanding about many different types of injuries, they likely aren’t an expert in common workers’ comp injuries. They may not know exactly what to look for beyond the basic and immediate issues. This can lead to an undiagnosed injury that doesn’t start to bother you for weeks, months, or even years. By then, it’s too late to make a workers’ comp claim, which means you won’t receive any compensation or help with medical bills.
They Can Help with Paperwork
Workers’ comp experts also understand the paperwork involved in a claim. They can assist you in filling it out and provide reports that include all of the necessary information. A lack of specific information or entire reports can hold up your claim for days, so it’s always important to get this information as soon as you can and submit it through the proper channels. A doctor with years of experience in workers’ comp cases will be able to do just that.
They Are Certified by Your Employer’s Workers’ Comp Insurance
You are limited in what doctors you can see in a workers’ comp case because you can only be evaluated by a doctor authorized by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance company. This means they may not be willing to let you see your doctor. Of course, if it’s a life-threatening emergency, you are certainly allowed to seek medical attention, but in other circumstances, you may need to see a specific workers’ comp expert.
If you need to see a workers’ comp doctor who can help you with your case, the team at Maximum Orthopedics is here for you. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Posted on: Mar 15 2021
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By: admin
Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are very convenient and affordable, and many people use them every day. But what happens if your driver gets in an auto accident while you’re a passenger? If you’ve been in such an accident, you need to know what to do to ensure that you receive the compensation you’re due, especially if you were injured.
The Service Has Liability Insurance
While your driver will have their own auto insurance, the ride-sharing service will also insure them through its own policy. This means if the driver’s insurance won’t pay for your injuries, the company’s insurance might. However, the service’s insurance doesn’t always apply. For example, if you are friends with an Uber driver and they are giving you a ride as a friend, Uber’s insurance won’t cover you. The driver has to be working for the service, and you have to be a paying passenger in order to be covered.
You Need to Call the Ride-Share Company as Soon as You Can
You need to call the ride-sharing company as soon as you can after the accident. In fact, call them at the site of the accident if you possibly can. Yes, your driver is likely required to call, too, but you need to make a separate call as the passenger. Be certain to get the name of the person who answers and give them your contact information.
Remember, however, that these representatives are also looking out for the service, so don’t say anything that could hurt your case. If they ask if you are injured, for example, don’t say no. Instead tell them that you need to be examined by a medical expert before you can answer. If you say no, they may try to deny compensation for any injuries you have.
These Cases Are Complicated
Ride-share cases are complicated, especially since they typically revolve around divided responsibility. This means that the driver may pay some of the damages, but the service may pay, too. Of course, both may try to avoid taking on any of the blame. One way to ensure you get the compensation you’re due is by having a medical expert who is familiar with auto accidents examine you. The team here at Maximum Orthopedics is made up of such experts. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Posted on: Feb 26 2021
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By: admin
While it’s true that many worker’s comp injuries happen in industries such as construction or manufacturing, that doesn’t mean those who work in an office never suffer these types of accidents. There are a number of ways you can get hurt in an office setting. If you are aware of these common injuries, you can reduce your risk of injuring yourself. Here are some injuries that an occur in an office.
Slip and Fall Accidents
You can slip and fall anywhere, but there are some things in an office setting that can make it more likely. First, tile floors that have been freshly mopped are slippery. While your office’s cleaning crew is unlikely to mop areas that are in use during the day, they may have to clean the bathrooms or mop up spills. Always keep an eye out for a sign stating that the floor is wet.
Also watch for cords stretching across the floor. You should never run an extension cord or other cable across a walkway if at all possible. Even if the cable is flat on the ground, it can still result in a fall.
Items Falling from Shelves
Another common accident is being hit on the head with falling items. Your supply closet may have boxes of supplies stored on the top shelves that could fall if you bump the shelf or if you try to get the box down without a ladder. Always be careful when reaching for items above your head, and get help if you know a box is fairly heavy.
Carpal Tunnel
Most people don’t think of carpal tunnel as a worker’s comp injury, but it can be. If you work on a computer all day or do work that requires you to make repetitive motions with your arms and hands, you are at risk of developing carpal tunnel. You can prevent this by taking regular breaks and doing wrist exercises.
If you have been in a worker’s comp accident at the office and need someone to assist you with the paperwork, Maximum Orthopedics can help. Contact us today to make an appointment to discuss your case.
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Posted on: Feb 15 2021
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By: admin
If you are taking pain medication, you may be concerned about becoming addicted or dependent on it. This is a valid concern, especially if you know you have addictive tendencies or have a family history that includes addiction. If you believe you are starting to become dependent on your pain medication, here are some steps to take.
Signs You Are Becoming Dependent
If you believe you’re starting to become dependent on a medication, there are a few different signs to look for. Do you feel a craving for the medication? If you delay taking it for an hour or so, do you feel any effects? Another sign is that you feel the need to take your pain medication more often than instructed or you want to take more than you should.
Call Your Doctor
Immediately call your doctor if you believe you’re starting to become addicted to your pain medication or any type of medication. If you can’t talk to your doctor right away, ask to speak to a nurse or your doctor’s assistant. Call 911 if you believe you have overdosed or if you are experiencing dangerous symptoms.
Return to Following Your Doctor’s Directions
While your instinct may be to stop taking the pain medication immediately, that can cause further problems. Stopping some medication cold turkey can be dangerous. Instead of stopping, do your best to return to taking the medication as instructed until you can reach your doctor.
Consider Alternatives
If you are concerned about becoming dependent on a medication or already have, talk to your doctor about alternatives. While pain medication may be easy and convenient, it’s often not the best option for managing or reducing the amount of pain you’re in. There may be some exercises that will help your body build up injured muscles or that will help take some of the burden off the injured part of your body. Alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care may also help.
If you need to discuss these alternative options or if you believe you’re starting to become dependent on pain medication, the team at Maximum Orthopedics can help. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Posted on: Jan 25 2021
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By: admin
