How Vitamin D Deficiency Can Impact Your Health

Your overall orthopedic wellness is affected by many factors; your lifestyle, your genetics, your diet. Many would say the heart of orthopedic wellness is maintaining strong bone and muscle integrity, as doing so enables you to be able to live a healthy and active lifestyle, not to mention aids greatly in recovery in case of injury. Common issues patients seek treatment for regarding orthopedic wellness include osteoporosis, rehabilitation, muscle or joint pain, physical strengthening, and maybe surprisingly, vitamin deficiency.

In 2010 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery reported that almost half of orthopedic surgery patients were found to have a vitamin D deficiency. This is particularly important as this condition is known to impair muscle function and bone healing during the recovery stage.

Why is that?

Well, Vitamin D acts to maintain calcium and phosphate homeostasis within the body. It is now estimated that 1 billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient. This problem is particularly important to athletes of all ages, as vitamin D plays a significant role in bone health, immune function, and physical performance. Sports goers may be at an increased risk for potential problems such as stress fractures, respiratory infections, and muscle injuries. Not only is it important for the more active of us, but according to Steven Clinton, a professor of medical oncology at Ohio State University, “Vitamin D, working with calcium, is very clearly critically important for bone health, particularly in youth during skeletal development up through puberty and. . . in your 50s, 60s and beyond, for the prevention of osteoporosis, fractures and falls”

It worth noting that numerous published studies have concluded that Vitamin D might play a role in preventing everything from cancer and cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, immune function and, though not all the medical community is convinced that Vitamin D can really influence all of these to any great extent, they certainly do agree that Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health.

So what does this mean?

Well, we certainly still want to give a thumbs up to those who seek cover from the sun to prevent premature aging, melanoma and other skin damage. Still, it’s important to recognize that more sun protection means less Vitamin D, which our bodies produce after exposure to UVB rays.

How can you help protect yourself?

The RDA suggests a daily intake of 600 IU per day for those who are of the ages 1-70 years and 800 IU per day for persons older than 70. These intakes correspond to achieving a serum vitamin D status of 20 ng/ml. In short, between diet, supplements, and the sun, do your body a favor and make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D.

As the  American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons notes, longer lifespans mean that maladies like arthritis and joint deterioration are more common now than ever before. If you’re wondering if it’s time for hip or knee replacement — also known as Arthroplasty — Comprehensive Orthopaedics of the Gulf Coast can help you to better evaluate your options.

What is Arthroplasty?

Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure whereby joints in the hip, knee, and shoulder that have been badly worn or damaged by advanced arthritis are replaced. While it should be viewed as a last line of treatment, it’s highly effective and proven to give lasting relief to those for whom other, more conservative, treatments have proven ineffective.

How Do I Know It’s Time for Arthroplasty?

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for this. Most patients who elect to have a joint replacement performed are doing so for one (or both) of two reasons: pain and mobility restrictions. For mild pain and mobility issues, conservative approaches like painkillers, exercises, and physical therapy can work quite well. In advanced cases, where mobility keeps you from your work and day-to-day activities, or pain becomes a quality of life issue, surgery may be called for.

What Should I Expect?

Comprehensive Orthopedics of the Gulf Coast’s Dr. Rocha uses a direct anterior approach to surgery. This procedure spares muscle mass while avoiding soft-tissue trauma and blood loss. For patients, that means less pain, a shorter recovery time, and a faster return to full function than would be found with a more traditional approach to joint replacement.

Recovery time averages six weeks. Many patients fear the pain of recovery, but find that with proper pain management and diligent physical and occupational therapy, the pain during recovery is not only manageable, it’s also less than what they endured prior to surgery. The duration of recovery — and how you’ll feel during the process — will be determined in part by your physical condition and any other health issues you may have, so there’s no one size fits all template for recovery.

Is It Worthwhile?

Here again, it depends on your pre-surgical quality of life. If your pain and mobility issues are better managed by more conservative approaches, we typically advocate using them for as long as possible. However, given that a joint replacement lasts up to twenty years under normal use, that can mean many pain-free and active years ahead.

Who Will Perform My Surgery?

Your surgeon at Comprehensive Orthopaedics of the Gulf Coast is Dr. Jason Rocha, whose surgical calling came during his tenure in the United States Air Force. His education includes undergraduate work at the University of South Florida (summa cum laude), Florida State University Medical School (where he was a member of the inaugural graduating class).

Dr. Rocha leverages knowledge gained on humanitarian missions, trauma cases at Tampa General Hospital, and clinical rotations at Orlando Health Medical Center in Orlando, FL. After a six-year stint as director for Orthopedic Trauma at Baptist Hospital and Andrews Institute, he entered private practice in 2017.

To find out whether arthroplasty is the right approach to address your joint issues, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rocha at either of our Comprehensive Orthopaedics of the Gulf Coast locations.

Living an active lifestyle can be great for your health, wellbeing, mood, and more. No one likes to be injured, but it happens. One very important part of being healthy and living that sporty, active life, is to know what to do if you or someone you know is injured. There is an effective five-step process that’s used for treating simple joint or muscle injuries like an ankle sprain. This process is known as P.R.I.C.E., short for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

It’s important to follow this process immediately after an injury occurs. The rule of thumb – the earlier, the better. Also, it’s important to know when to seek further medical attention. This is not a cure or stand-alone treatment for an injury, but instead a best practice for care.

Protection

It’s important to protect the injured person and the area that’s been injured. If playing a game or in the middle of a sport, remove the injured person from the game. Protect the injured area with a splint or by wrapping it.

Rest

Inflammation occurs to an injured are shortly after injury occurs in an effort to defend, localize and begin healing the process. Also, when injury occurs, blood vessels rupture and cause tissue bleeding, which is the reason for the bruising and swelling. Rest allows the natural healing process to begin and helps to control the amount of inflammation.

Ice

As soon as possible after injury, begin applying ice continuously for the first 15-20 minutes to decrease swelling and pain. While icing will be uncomfortable at first, in 2 to 3 minutes, the skin will go numb and the ice bag will feel more comfortable. During the application of the ice, ask the injured person to wiggle their fingers/toes and monitor tissue around area that is being iced to ensure that they are not experiencing a loss of sensation.

Compression

Compression is used to prevent swelling. Start by wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage or compression sleeve.  The wrap should be tight enough to be firm, but still comfortable. If the wrap is causing pain or tingling, that means it’s too tight.

Elevation

It very important to keep the limb elevated to minimize swelling, whether it’s an upper or lower limb. Keep the limb elevated to the level of the heart to allow for excess fluid to be pumped back into the blood vessel system.

 

Orthopedic Surgeons – Who are they and what do they do? We’re glad you asked! If you’re suffering from joint pain, osteoarthritis, back pain, or one of numerous ailments listed below, it’s time to pay your doctor a visit to see if a trip to an Orthopedic Surgeon is appropriate. Don’t go on suffering with the symptoms of these conditions. Consult a physician first and foremost. That starts with knowing what type of physican to visit!

An Orthopedic Surgeon is a type of physician that works with the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes bones, ligaments, nerves, muscles, joints, and tendons. Often an Orthopedic Surgeon will specialize in specific areas, such as the ankle, foot, hand, shoulder, spine, knee, or hip. This type of physician also may focus on a specific field, such as pediatrics, trauma, reconstructive surgery, oncology, or sports medicine. For more information on different types of Orthopedic Surgeons, check out this interesting article from Chron. http://work.chron.com/types-orthopedic-surgeons-4249.html

 

What type of ailments do Orthopedic Surgeons treat?

An Orthopedic Surgeon can treat many musculoskeletal conditions, often without surgery. It’s common for these physicians to use medications, exercise and other rehabilitative or alternative therapies to treat various ailments. They also may recommend surgical treatment if the patient does not respond to other treatments.

 

Some of the conditions and diseases an orthopedic surgeon treats include:

• Growth abnormalities
• Sports and work-related injuries
• Tendon injuries, pulled muscles, bursitis, torn cartilage
• Torn ligaments, sprains and strains
• Abnormalities of the fingers and toes
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Bone tumors, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy
• Club foot, bunions, bow legs, knock knees, unequal leg length
• Fractures and dislocations
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Back pain, ruptured disks, sciatica, scoliosis

For more information on what we treat at Comprehensive Orthopedics of the Gulf Coast, click here http://comporthogulfcoast.com/services/

 

Surgeries Orthopedic Surgeons Perform 

Orthopedic surgeons perform numerous types of surgeries. Common surgeries include:

• Arthroscopy – a procedure using special cameras and equipment to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint.
• Internal Fixation – a method to hold the broken pieces of bone in proper position with metal plates, pins or screws while the bone is healing.
• Joint replacement (partial, total and revision) – when an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis.
• Osteotomy – the correction of bone deformity by cutting and repositioning the bone.
• Fusion – a “welding” process by which bones are fused together with bone grafts and internal devices – such as metal rods – to heal into a single solid bone.
• Soft Tissue Repair – the mending of soft tissue, such as torn tendons or ligaments.

So, if you find you are suffering from back pain, sports injuries, arthritic hips and knees, or stiff neck muscles, it may be time to see an Orthopedic Surgeon! For more information about us or to ask a question, visit http://comporthogulfcoast.com/contact/

 

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is simply the inflammation of bursa which is a lubricating fluid filled sac located between bones, muscles, tendons and skin. Bursa is important for reducing the friction between these two tissues. Bursitis occurs due to continuous repetitive movements or due to sudden trauma to the bursa. So it is more commonly seen in people involved in sports such as playing dart, golfing, tennis and in people doing certain jobs which involve repetitive work such as gardening, carpentry, painting, scrubbing etc. Rarely bursitis may result from diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid diseases or infection.

What are the symptoms of bursitis?

Pain, swelling and tenderness of the affected area are the main symptoms of bursitis. The pain may be gradually increasing or if there are calcium deposits, it may be sudden. The most common areas where bursitis can occur include the shoulder, knee, elbow, hip and ankle. Bursitis in the shoulder may give rise to frozen shoulder with severe loss of motion and pain. Bursitis in the knee is also known as the housemaid’s knee while bursitis of the elbow or olecranon bursitis is known as the student’s elbow.

How is bursitis treated?

In most cases, bursitis doesn’t need special treatment. All you need to do is rest the affected area, keep an ice pack to reduce inflammation and taking simple pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease with the pain. Although pain usually improves within a few weeks, the swelling might take longer to resolve.

If there is no improvement, it is important that you see the doctor. The doctor may aspirate the excess fluid and drain them out using a needle. This can improve the movements of the joint. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities for a few days after the procedure.

If the symptoms don’t improve, the doctor may inject corticosteroids into the area to reduce the inflammation. However, it is only indicated in some people and the doctor will decide whether you need one based on your condition. If there is associated infection, the doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. They need to be taken in the correct doses for the specified time.

If your symptoms are resistant to treatment, you may be referred to a specialist such as an orthopaedic surgeon. Procedures such as surgery to remove bursa in some cases need specialist treatment.

How do I prevent getting bursitis?

You need to wear protective pads when kneeling, warming up before exercises, taking regular breaks from activities and wearing fitting shoes can prevent you from getting bursitis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common disease that affects the joints, occurring in roughly 27 million Americans. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage ( which acts as a cushion between the bones ) in the joints to break down. Consequentially a reduction in cartilage can cause the bones to break down and develop spurs.

Who is Affected by Osteoarthritis

By 2040, the Arthritis Foundation estimates that more than 78 million will be diagnosed with osteoarthritis, by orthopedic doctors.  Currently, it leads to more than $156 billion lost in wages and medical bills and 6.7 million hospitalizations.

The risk factors are genetics, age, weight, diet, and gender. But, if you have a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease you are more prone to arthritis. Some other risk factors include the injury or surgery and occupation.

According to the Arthritis Foundation:

• One in two adults will develop symptoms of knee Osteoarthritis during their lives.
• One in four adults will development symptoms of hip Osteoarthritis by age 85.
• One in 12 people 60 years or older have hand Osteoarthritis .

Arthritis will decrease your quality of life, by limiting your movement. It will negatively impact your emotional wellness, statistics from the Arthritis Foundation, estimate that of all the arthritis patients aged, 45 years and above, one-third have anxiety disorders and depression.

How to Reduce the Risk of Osteoarthritis

• Proper nutrition
• Maintain Healthy Weight
• Early diagnosis and treatment
• Regular Exercise
• Continued education on general and orthopedic wellness

Practicing independently allows Dr. Rocha to offer excellent Orthopedic health care without the burden of excessive facility fees that come with employed physicians working for hospitals. Dr. Rocha strives to offer excellent Orthopedic health care to all his patients, whether it be a simple sprain or major injury. He treats patients with acute injuries or helps patients maintain musculoskeletal wellness.

Compassionate, quality, expert care for all your orthopedic and wellness needs from Dr. Rocha at Comprehensive Orthopaedics of the Gulf Coast.  Feel free to contact us (850) 492-7775 
info@comporthogulfcoast.co

 

Some injuries result in a fracture, which is the breaking of the bone. Fractures are extremely painful and often need to be managed by a professional. However, at the moment of injury, a professional will most likely not be present. So what should you do if someone you know fractures a bone?

The Mayo Clinic recommends that you should immediately:

-Stop any bleeding.
-Immobilize the injured area.
-Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain.
-Treat for shock.

These steps are a wise approach to take. You cannot get too caught up in the intensity of the moment. You must keep your awareness and treat the patient until the paramedics arrive. Remember, that it is imperative never to move the patient. Further structural damage can occur (or something even more severe) if you try and move him/her. So please don’t!

After you get out of the hospital, please do not hesitate to contact us at Comprehensive Orthopaedics.

Dr. Rocha has been taking care of patients in the Pensacola area for over six years. His expertise extends from simple fractures to complex injuries and nonunions. In the event of an unfortunate injury, let us help you on the road to recovery.

Orthopedic wellness involves maintaining strong bone and muscle integrity to be able to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Physical fitness and a daily exercise routine is an excellent way to support orthopedic wellness. As you age and develop joint and muscle pain, it’s important to remain active. The CDC suggests that if you are 65 or older, are fit, and have no limiting health conditions you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and complete muscle-strengthening activities 2 days during a week.

The CDC lists the following activities as requiring moderate effort:

• Walking fast
• Doing water aerobics
• Riding a bike on level ground or with few hills
• Playing doubles tennis
• Pushing a lawn mower

To maintain orthopedic wellness, you also need to maintain a healthy weight. Healthy diet plans and reducing screen time are a great way to begin down the road to orthopedic wellness.

Whether it is mild joint or muscle pain that is limiting your ability to exercise or you are trying to become more active and need to know where to start, Comprehensive Orthopedics of the Gulf Coast is here to evaluate your needs. With two convenient locations, it’s easy to meet you wherever you are.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, there are ways that you can prevent sports injuries. They list out the following steps that you can put into practice to prevent sports injuries:

• Warm up properly before any physical activity.
• Alternate exercising different muscle groups and exercise every other day.
• Cool down properly after exercise or sports.
• Stretching exercises can improve the ability of muscles to contract and perform, reducing the risk of injury.
• Shoe support may correct certain foot problems that can lead to injury.
• If you do sustain a sports injury, make sure you participate in adequate rehabilitation before resuming strenuous activity.

Most injuries can be cared for with simple measures (Remember the acronym PRICE: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). However, some injuries do require special treatment like physical therapy or surgery. Many sports injuries look inflamed, so you must actively pay attention to the healing process within the first few days. If you do not notice any significant improvement, it might be the time to consider seeing a doctor.

At Comprehensive Orthopaedics of the Gulf Coast, we specialize in treating sports injuries. If you are experiencing any pain from an injury sustained by playing athletics, please feel free to call us for an appointment and evaluation.