Joint and back pain can be extremely debilitating. What starts out as a bothersome twinge can evolve into the kind of pain that makes even the simplest activities close to impossible. No one should have to live with pain like that. The Orthopedic and Spine Institute at UHMC can help you resolve this pain and get you back to living a lifestyle you expect and enjoy.

Your Options
Significant joint or back pain that affects your daily life needs to be treated. The question is “how?” The first step is to set up a consultation with a physician who specializes in orthopedics. Typically, a physician will consider using oral medication, topical agents, injections, physical therapy or home care methods before discussing surgery with you. Every patient is different, with different causes for pain. While certain methods for pain treatment work better for some patients than others, you and your physician will determine a plan of action to treat your specific condition.

Risk Assessment
The Orthopedic and Spine Institute has online risk assessment cards for back and joint pain, athletic injuries, and other orthopedic issues. Review them here and if you answer “yes” to any of the six questions on the card, then you should be evaluated by a physician or orthopedic surgeon.

Physical Therapy and Rehab
Building up muscles to support and stabilize your joint or spine can make a significant difference to your mobility. Whether therapy is needed before or after surgery, exercising regularly under the direction of a trained therapist could be the answer to your pain issues and recovery.

Preparing for Surgery
If surgery is the best option to treat your pain, there are a number of ways to prepare so that you know what to expect. UHMC offers a concierge service for pre-op patients to answer questions and assist the patient and the family before and on the day of surgery.

UHMC also offers a Pre-Operative Education Class. Information is shared about diet suggestions, home preparation during recovery, and what to expect from the procedure itself. You will also meet other pre-op patients with your same concerns and experiences.

If you would like to meet with a physician or orthopedic surgeon at UHMC, please contact our Consult-A-Nurse service for a free referral at 1-888-256-7728. For more information about the Orthopedic and Spine Institute, please visit our website.

Back pain, one of the most common ailments, is estimated to affect approximately 80 percent of people at some time in their lives. It can come on suddenly or be a result of gradual wear and tear over years. It can also be mild or severe in nature, and can last a few days or be a chronic condition. Treatment options include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, ice, heat, massage, yoga, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, prescription drugs and surgery. However, finding effective long-term back pain relief is often an individualized process as both doctors and patients try specific treatment options that find success depending on each patient’s condition.

Is Surgery the Answer?
There is no overall sure-fire remedy to fix every person’s back pain; however, doctors do agree that it’s best to evaluate a person on an individual basis. While surgery is successful in some cases, in others it does not produce any noticeable difference. Typically, doctors advise giving more conservative treatment options a try first, and only consider surgery if back pain is:

• chronic, and lasts longer than three months
• causing permanent nerve damage or other complications
• interfering with wok, sleep, or the ability to perform everyday tasks
• determined to be caused by a specific condition that is likely to be remedied with surgery
• extreme enough to warrant the risks of surgery

Surgeries to aid in the relief of back pain include discectomy to remove a portion of bone, spinal fusion to join two or more vertebrae together, disc replacement, and more. To determine if surgery may be the answer to a person’s back problems, patients should talk with a qualified doctor, explore all possible options and even get a second opinion.

University Hospital & Medical Center is home to a regionally recognized Orthopedic and Spine Institute. We consult with patients daily to determine the best treatment plan for their specific back pain issues. If you would like to learn more about the surgeries, therapies, and education classes that we offer, please visit our website or call 1-866-442-2362 for a physician referral.

Sources:

Back Pain (NIH)

Surgery for Back Pain (EhealthMD)

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The Orthopedic and Spine Institute

Every year millions of people suffer by way of pain and loss of mobility. A good percentage of the time this pain and impaired ability to move is brought on by injuries in the skeletal structure and its connecting joints. Whether the actual location of the medical issue is the spine, hips or knees, patients need to seek the advice of an orthopedic doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

While maintaining a high level of physical fitness is a great way to keep your skeletal structure intact, the fact of the matter is that aging is unavoidable and accidents happen. Through the aging process or accidents your skeletal structure will suffer both daily wear and tear and occasional extra stress. As this happens, your joints and skeletal structure begin to break down, requiring medical attention.

Back and Joint Care at UHMC

The residents of Tamarac, Coral Springs and all of North Lauderdale have a great resource when it comes to high quality orthopedic care. The Orthopedic and Spine Institute at University Hospital and Medical Center has been completely renovated and updated. The focus of the renovations was to provide high-quality, customer-centered care. We already knew that we had some of the best doctors, surgeons and other orthopedic specialists on staff, and we made a commitment to designing a facility that matched their expertise.

We redesigned our rooms to offer a more comfortable and inviting place for patients to receive treatment and recover from orthopedic surgeries. Our Orthopedic and Spine Institute now features private suites for our patients. Not only did we add in some of the comforts of home, like flat screen televisions and WiFi, but we also made the rooms large enough to accommodate pull-out couches for family members. It is our belief that when you are sick or injured your support network should be a big part of your medical care. Our doctors can provide the expert care and the instruction, but sometimes it is your family and friends who help provide the inspiration to recover.

A Concierge? At a Hospital?

We also want to make sure that every patient has all of the information that they need when they are being treated at our hospital. In this spirit we borrowed an idea from the hotel industry and brought in a concierge. The concierge is available to answer any questions, make sure that you are aware of your treatment schedule and even help you to organize your treatment that may take place outside of the hospital at other facilities. In addition to being there for the patients, the concierge is happy to communicate with family members, since we understand that family is a big part of medical care and everyone needs to be kept in the loop.

We also offer classes that help patients understand the procedures that they are about to undergo, to reduce some of the understandable anxiety that some patients have about medical care. We want open communication to be a part of the orthopedic experience at the University Hospital and Medical Center Orthopedic and Spine Institute.

Anyone who is experiencing back, neck, knee or other joint pain should be advised to seek treatment at our facility. If you are referred to an orthopedic specialist by your primary care provider, ask him or her to send you to the Orthopedic and Spine Institute at University Hospital and Medical Center for:

• Total Knee Replacements
• Total Hip Replacements
• Spinal Fusions
• Herniated Disk Treatments
• Arthritis Relief
• And Any Other Skeletal or Joint Conditions

If you’d like more information about our Orthopedic and Spine Institute, please contact us at 1-888-442-2362 or visit us online.

Sources:

University Hospital and Medical Center Orthopedic and Spine Institute

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

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Americans are living longer, and many are staying active well into their later years. As a result, an increasing number of men and women are experiencing bone and joint health issues during their lifetimes.

But it’s not just older folks with arthritis who need orthopedic care. Children can fall and suffer fractures, or have difficulty with walking, balance and coordination due to illness or disease; while teens and younger adults can be seriously injured playing sports or in automobile accidents.

UHMC meeting orthopedic needs

The Orthopedic and Spine Institute at University Hospital and Medical Center can assist people of all ages who have musculoskeletal illnesses or injuries.

Our team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, orthopedic certified/trained professional nurses, physical therapists and technicians, all of whom strive to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes, whether the patients are undergoing diagnosis, surgery or rehabilitation.

Among the musculoskeletal conditions seen in the Orthopedic and Spine Institute are:

• Joint injuries and disorders
• Joint discomfort
• Fractures
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Ligament and tendon damage
• Arthritis
• Sports injuries

Fast facts

A lot of people visit orthopedic specialists. Here are some statistics from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. These are based on 2006 data, the most current available.

• Almost 7 1/2 million physician visits were made because of shoulder ailments.
• Approximately 21 million visits were made to doctor’s offices because of back problems. (This includes more than 8 million visits for lower back problems.)
• Knee problems prompted about 12 million visits to physicians’ offices.

A family feeling

Late last year, the Orthopedic and Spine Institute was given an extensive renovation to make it more inviting and comfortable for patients. The result is that it feels very much like a luxury hotel.

There are private suites with space for a visitor or relative to stay overnight with the patient. There is also a private rehabilitation area for orthopedic and spine patients who are undergoing physical therapy and occupational therapy. And the décor was changed to a more neutral tone, to give the facility a more homelike atmosphere.

If you or a loved one has a musculoskeletal injury or condition, don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS if you have questions or would like a physician referral, or visit University Hospital and Medical Center online.

An estimated 80% of the population will suffer from back pain during adulthood. The condition is often chronic, and can be severe. Back pain is one of the leading causes of missed work for people under 45, and it often leads people to give up favorite activities and sports. Yet most back pain can be alleviated with lifestyle adaptation. Check out the top ten ways to combat back pain:

1. Confront the scale: Excess weight places extra stress on joints, including the vertebrae in the back. Losing even a few pounds can significantly relieve back pain. Discuss weight-loss options with a health care provider before beginning any weight-loss program.
2. Get moving: One reason for back pain is that the back muscles are too weak to support the body. Incorporating strength building exercises, along with aerobic exercise, builds these muscles and allows them to better support the body.
3. Bend and stretch: Activities like yoga and pilates encourage flexibility, improve posture and increase balance. They help protect the back muscles from strain during exercise or physical exertion.
4. Change positions frequently: Many people spend their workdays in the same position for long periods of time. To take the stress off the back, alternate between sitting and standing whenever possible.
5. Pamper your back: Invest in a high-quality ergonomic chair for the office, or consider getting a lumbar pillow. For frequent travelers, lumbar cushions make airplane and car seats much more back-friendly-and comfortable.
6. Lift from the knees: Perhaps the most common cause of back injury is improper lifting. Be sure to lift all items properly. For heavy items, bend down at the knees, place the item firmly in both hands, and straighten the knees. The back should remain relatively straight throughout lifting.
7. Go hands-free: Leaning over the telephone at the desk or in the car places strain on both sides of the body. Add a headset or other hands-free device, so that the neck and shoulders can remain in a neutral position.
8. Take a break from fancy footwear: Shoes that don’t offer proper support can increase back pain. Both men and women should look for shoes that have proper arch support and fit well. Women who wear high heels may want to alternate between heels and flats, to give their backs and legs a break.
9. Sleep right: Sleeping on one’s side often eases back pain. This position promotes proper alignment of the spine, all the way up through the neck. It is important to get proper support under the body as well; medium-firm mattresses and pillows tend to be the best bet.
10. Banish stress: Our bodies often manifest stress through tension and knotting of the muscles. Pain between the shoulder blades or in the lower neck is often stress-induced. Take time to relax, laugh and decompress each day.