The Power of Partnership – Hurricane Ian… Coming Together in a Time of Crisis

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On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida. The Category 4 Hurricane slammed the Southwest Florida corridor with winds exceeding 150 mph and an unprecedented storm surge. PartnerCare’s Corporate office in Tampa and Jaffe Sports Medicine (JSM) clinics in Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral, Florida, lay in its path of destruction.

With the storm initially expected to land near Tampa, PartnerCare’s CEO Eric Worthan and Senior Team jumped into action and decided to close the Corporate office. “Our staff and patients were the main priority. We wanted to ensure that everyone had ample time to evacuate their families and get to an area of safety,” said Eric. “Jaffe Sports Medicine became a massive concern for us as the storm path continued to shift south. We quickly realized that what we thought was coming to Tampa was going to our team in Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral.

Chris Greengrass, the Practice Administrator with Jaffe Sports Medicine, sprung into action implementing a safety plan for the staff and patients. “The JSM leadership team quickly joined forces with PartnerCare to formulate a plan of action for our staff and patients. We utilized every PartnerCare resource available from HR to Communications to IT to allow us to communicate with our team and patients,” said Chris. “Eric Worthan called me every day to check on our team.”

The support from PartnerCare did not stop with Eric Worthan. “Amanda Nelson (HR) checked on every employee to ensure they were safe and accounted for. Jennifer Starling (Marketing) ensured that communication with our employees, patients, and the community was effective and transparent.

Last but not least, Rodney Bandy and his team in IT ensured that all of our technology was up and running quickly after Ian impacted our area,” noted Chris. “We could not have responded so quickly and effectively without the support of PartnerCare. Our entire system came together in a time of crisis to help one another. It is what makes our partnership with PartnerCare, so unique. We are more than a team; we are a family.”Thanks to those combined efforts, Jaffe Sports Medicine was back open and seeing patients Monday, October 3, less than one week after Hurricane Ian hit South Florida. “We know we got lucky. Our clinics weathered the storm well,” said Chris gratefully. “Only our Cape Coral office will be closed as we assess damages. However, our other three offices are open. Our main focus continues to be serving our patients and our community.”

In the upcoming weeks, the team at PartnerCare will continue to work hand in hand with JSM to assess the needs of both employees and the community. Amanda Nelson stated, “we want to ensure that our JSM employees have everything they need as they rebuild their lives in Southwest Florida. We are making every resource we have, from employee assistance resources to community resources, available to them at this time. Our main priority is always the safety and well-being of our team members.”

While Hurricane Ian took many things from the people of Southwest Florida, the one thing it did not impact was the power of community. “During Hurricane Ian, this team came together effortlessly,” said Eric Worthan. “Compassion was evident everywhere you looked. Every team member across the country asked, ‘What do you need?’ Every team member stepped in to help and serve. It was humbling to watch that in action. It reinforced what we are building here at PartnerCare, a community of people who genuinely care about each other, our patients, and the communities we serve.”

The Power of Pain Management

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The International Association for the Study of Pain reports one in five adults experience chronic pain each day. Persistent chronic pain can interfere with daily life and may lead to depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. This cycle of pain is one that is difficult to break. Interventional Pain management specialists are trained to help patients deal with their chronic pain through the use of medications, procedures, exercises or therapies. While many individuals may live with chronic pain, Jaffe Sports Medicine believes in finding individualized long-term solutions that treat the underlying cause of pain so patients can live their best lives possible.

Jaffe Sports Medicine’s approach to treating pain takes the individual into account, assessing each patient’s medical history, diagnosis and symptoms. Pain manifests differently for every patient, therefore, no two solutions look the same. At Jaffe Sports Medicine, we address pain on a case-by-case basis. 

“Pain is not a one size fits all issue and neither is our approach to treating it,” said Dr. Chaturani Ranasinghe. “Our staff is educated on the latest modalities that can be applicable in the treatment of a patient’s pain regardless of the location. We offer a full complement of treatment options that are tailored to best fit the patient’s needs, limitations and lifestyle. Ultimately, we want each patient to live their best lives possible, free of pain and its issues.” 

Rather than covering up symptoms with medication or unnecessary surgery, Jaffe Sports Medicine’s interventional approach treats the root cause of pain. The all-inclusive approach to pain management Jaffe Sports Medicine takes ensures every person is taken care 

of and their needs are addressed. Our providers use a variety of strategies to treat pain including medication, injections, blocks, lifestyle changes and therapies. Each treatment 

plan assesses the individual’s type and cause of pain, while also factoring in the patient’s age and overall health, to determine the best plan of action for each patient.

The well-rounded team of physicians and compassionate staff at Jaffe Sports Medicine use the latest therapeutics and resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into daily routines when combined with prescribed treatments or therapies such as physical therapy, prescription medication or injections can help reduce chronic pain. 

At Jaffe Sports Medicine finding the source of pain and treating its underlying cause is at the heart of what we do. While some patients may never be pain free, interventional pain management can drastically improve a patient’s quality of life by incorporating the latest treatments, medications and lifestyle changes, encouraging lasting healthy habits. Jaffe Sports Medicine believes patients do not have to experience a lifetime of pain. We deliver comprehensive care to help musculoskeletal and pain management patients live their best lives possible. To schedule an appointment at Jaffe Sports Medicine, visit www.jaffesportsmedicine.com/services/.

Back Pain and Migraines

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Chronic headaches are defined as occurring more than 15 days a month. Up to 4% of adults worldwide have this many headaches a month. Studies show no correlation between low back pain and a specific type of headache. Both primary and secondary headaches plague the adult population ranging from tension-type headaches (TTH) to migraines. Primary headaches are independent of health conditions or sickness, while secondary headaches are caused by various conditions such as stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol, fatigue, injury or infection. Below are several common types of headaches:

Tension-type headache
A tension-type headache (TTH) is typically a dull pain or continuous pressure occurring bilaterally or across the forehead. These headaches are often associated with a tightness of the scalp or neck in response to stress or depression. The best method of treatment for a TTH is rest and relaxation. Mild, over-the-counter painkillers may also be used in moderation.

Post-traumatic headache
A post-traumatic headache is often localized to an area inflicted with injury. It can feel like a TTH or a migraine, depending on the severity of the trauma. They may occur daily following an injury and are not quickly treatable. However, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.

Sinus headache
Sinus headaches are typically caused by viral infections producing pain in the face, sinuses, eyes, ears or forehead. Symptoms can include congestion, itchy, runny nose, fever or facial swelling.

Migraine
A migraine is a throbbing pain in the face or neck, concentrated in one area. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting and distorted vision. Pain may last anywhere from several hours to several days.

Studies have shown that individuals with headaches are significantly more likely to suffer from low back pain than those without headaches. Individuals are twice as likely to have both headaches and back pain simultaneously. Doctors and researchers speculate a potential biological underpinning between the two. While there is no specific correlation to the type of headache associated with chronic back pain, chronic headaches, whether primary or secondary, are associated with low back pain.

Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Low back pain affects 80% of adults at least once in their lifetime, while 20% of these individuals develop chronic low back pain.

Several factors put a person at higher risk for low back and headache pain. Females are more susceptible to chronic headaches and therefore are at a higher risk of experiencing the two pains side by side. Additional factors include smoking, obesity and low level of education. While these factors are not necessary for chronic headache and low back pain, they are strongly associated with the two.

While experts are unsure why the two co-occur, they know that a strong correlation exists. Preventative measures and treatments may help to alleviate some of the pain. Recommended treatment for headaches and back pain include:

  • Rest
  • A hot or cold compress on the head, neck, or back
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Maintain good posture
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid smoking
  • Manage high blood pressure
  • Avoid infections and wash your hands

To learn more about back pain and the resources available to you, visit https://jaffesportsmedicine.com/.

Back Pain with Radiating Pain

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Back pain can manifest itself in many different ways. As the leading cause of disability worldwide, back pain ranges from a mild muscle ache to shooting, burning or stabbing pain. Most back pain can be treated without surgery, but in severe cases surgery may be required.

The expression of back pain determines the method of treatment. A common cause of back pain is muscle or ligament strain induced by a sudden movement or repeated heavy lifting. In most cases, pain is resolved with rest and mild pain medication. Arthritis is another common cause of back pain that can present itself with the wear and tear of aging. If pain persists over a period of several weeks and does not get better with rest, it may be time to see a doctor.

When back pain worsens to the point that pain radiates down your legs, this may be a sign of a spine condition. Sciatica is a common spine condition that sends pain or numbness down the side of the leg, typically concentrated to one side of the body. The pain is most often caused by a herniated disc in the spine that compresses a nerve. Mild cases of sciatica typically go away with time and rest, but more serious cases with pain lasting longer than a week may require more aggressive forms of treatment.

Disc herniations and radiculopathy (pinched nerve) are additional causes of back pain with radiating pain. Herniated discs are discs in the spine that “spill out” of their lining causing pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. The compressed nerves cause numbness, tingling, or even sharp pain to shoot down the lower back and legs. Radiculopathy is caused by irritation to a nerve root exiting the spine. Nerves are responsible for pain and sensation and when they are damaged or compressed, pain or numbness occurs.

The lower back is a common spot for pain due to the stress and impact it takes from everyday movements. The lower back is where the spine and pelvis connect, bearing the majority of weight from the upper body. This area also contains fewer vertebrae than the neck and mid-back, making it a more susceptible to pain. To prevent back pain, here are some practical steps to take:

  1. Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.
  2. Strengthen the muscles in the lower back.
  3. Maintain a healthy weight.
  4. Quit smoking.
  5. Rest from strenuous activities if they cause discomfort or pain.

Avoid motions that are painful or cause stress to the lower back. This coupled with a healthy diet and exercise will help to prevent back. If you have questions about your back pain, visit https://jaffesportsmedicine.com/.

Recovering From Multiple Orthopedic Trauma Injuries

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Compassion and the effects of long-term recovery on physical and mental wellbeing.

Having multiple orthopedic injuries occur in one instance is considered trauma and requires immediate medical treatment.

There are several methods trauma can occur, and our patient care provides for a full range of treatment plans for any circumstance. However, we often see multiple traumas occur during a motor vehicle collision.

There is typically a long road to recovery associated with trauma injuries and requires the support of others, physical and mental strength, and compassion. There is fatigue associated with all three factors, but there is no set time that the fatigue will take effect.

Once the patient journeys through their trauma recovery, they always have a story of survival to share with others.

Here, we will discuss the factors of trauma and the physical and mental effects on the patient’s road to recovery.

 

Orthopedic Trauma and Common Causes

Broken bones, trauma to the organs, internal bleeding, and brain injuries are all considered traumatic injuries. However, we are explicitly discussing orthopedic issues in this article, which consist of:

• Strained muscles
• Torn or stained tissues surrounding the joints
• Broken bones
• Severe injury to the musculoskeletal system and one or more organs or tissue.

 

Multiple trauma injuries can be sustained during a number of circumstances, such as:

• Falling
• Motor Vehicle or Motorcycle Accident
• At Work and Home
• Playing Sports
• An Attack
• And more

 

Treatment Course

Patients will go through a trauma course as an in-patient at a hospital where they will receive intensive trauma care. Treatment will begin with imaging of their extremities, head, abdomen, and pelvis. The results will reveal any broken bones, affected organs, and any degenerative changes to the spine, hips, ankles, knees, and other extremities to be considered during the recovery process.

 

What is Considered Long-Term

Injuries that take an excessive amount of time to recover from are considered long-term. Chronic pain is often associated with the recovery process from any long-term injury. These injuries are severe and have a longer healing process than others. For example, breaking your ankle would take weeks, if not months, longer to recover from than spraining your ankle.

Long-term injuries acquired through trauma could even mean an impairment that lasts throughout your lifetime. Such injuries as a fractured limb that requires surgical repair with hardware implementation, like screws, metal rods, pins, and complete replacements of joints, can cause a limp or the inability to extend your arm or leg to a full range of motion.

The lasting effect of pain, stiffness, unsteady gait, and the need for prolonged use of a hand help assistive device like a cane, crutches, or walker are possible for some patients. Though these devices are required while healing, as a person ages and joint tissues, wear down, these old injuries will produce pain.

 

Compassion Fatigue

There are mental health factors to be aware of that are often associated with long-term injuries. Not only is the patient struggling to maintain a positive attitude while accepting they have severe injuries they will need to work hard to recover from, but the caregiver working alongside you may experience compassion fatigue.

The effort your caregiver has put into your recovery may result in emotional and physical exhaustion.
Unfortunately, this also means the caregiver has experienced diminished compassion toward you and your recovery. Not only are you affected, but others who are associated with the caregiver will also be affected.

 

Symptoms can include:

• Exhaustion- both physically and mentally
• A change in worldviews or spirituality
• Ruminating thoughts
• Emotional instability
• Increased depression

 

Compassion fatigue can happen with both professional caregivers and amongst family and friends. Be aware of the warning signs and work to surround yourself with those who have positive views and mindsets while you are recovering. Take care to notice if someone close to you is suffering from compassion fatigue and encourage that they take a step back while you continue to work on your progress.

 

If you are suffering from any pain, you can be confident that you can find relief with the help of Jaffe Sports Medicine. Our highly skilled staff specializes in a range of pain management techniques and welcomes patients from Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the surrounding areas of Florida. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

TEXT BY M. HIATT

Excellence in Care: Setting The Standard

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Q & A With Jaffe Sports Medicine

The board-certified medical staff at Jaffe Sports Medicine embodies the main disciplines in interventional pain management and includes skilled professionals who are dedicated to excellent treatment. Our clinical staff is committed to providing high-quality care in a comfortable and stress-free environment. We sat down this month with the providers at JSM to learn more about the standards the practice holds while providing essential services to their community.

 

Q: Describe the standard for excellence in care at Jaffe Sports Medicine.

 

A: We strive to put the patient first in all aspects of our care. From the moment the patient makes their first call to the office to schedule an appointment to their discharge visit. Our top priority is to ensure patient satisfaction, and their experience with Jaffe Sports Medicine is the highest and best possible outcome.

 

 

Q: How does JSM make excellent care a priority?

 

A: Whether within our medical or physical therapy department, we listen to the patients’ needs and develop a treatment plan that is unique to them. We offer all our patients our full complement of services, to provide them with the best possible outcome

 

 

Q:  Describe any technology or state-of-the-art treatments that Jaffe Sports Medicine provides for patients.

A: In addition to our Interventional Spine, Orthopeadic and Physical Therapy division, we offer:

  • K-Laser treatment
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy
  • PRP injections
  • EMG/NCV Testing

For more information on these specialized treatments options,  please see our service pages, or call any of our four convenient locations to schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options.

 

 

Q: How does JSM provide care that consistently meets or exceeds the expectations of your patients?

 

A: As mentioned above, we listen to the patient and their needs. We take the feedback given to us by the patient to continuously develop a treatment plan that not only alleviates their symptoms but focuses on the root of the problem. We combine this with a detailed home exercise plan to ensure the patient continues to receive the benefits of their treatment long after their discharge.

 

Jaffe Sports Medicine focuses on four primary disciplines: Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, and Pain Management. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to tailor your treatment and care with staff working within their fields of expertise. The result: you get the best chances for recovery with a certified staff of specialists all operating as a team and we pride ourselves on continually offering the latest, cutting-edge treatments with a focus on treating your pain conditions quickly, effectively, and with minimal downtime.

 

 

Excellence in Care: Types of Pain

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How to determine your pain level and when it’s time to begin seeking treatment.

 

Let’s talk about the most common reason most people see a doctor—pain.

Almost everyone experiences some pain in their lives, and most of us have a different way to cope. At times, your pain may begin from the moment you awake, and other times, with changes in the weather.

Of course, there is pain after a fall, sports injuries—new and old, and repetitive movement injuries that produce intermittent nagging pain.

These are just some examples of the types of joint pains we treat daily. We classify various kinds of pains as Acute, Chronic, Inflammatory, Functional, Neuropathic, and Nociceptive.

 

Acute vs. Chronic

Acute pain is temporary is not expected to last. With acute pain, there is a known treatment. The most common examples of acute pain can stem from a simple paper cut to a broken bone. There is an available treatment for both—one may require a bandage and the other a cast or air splint.

Chronic means the pain is lasting and persistent. When the acute injury becomes more persistent in pain and has lasting physical effects, the acute injury or pain then becomes chronic.

Any injury that produces chronic pain requires a treatment plan that is beyond primary care.

Excellence in care for Jaffe Sports Medicine means that we design a treatment plan specifically for you that reaches beyond essential treatment. We have an excellent physical therapist team, technology-applied treatments, and hands-on therapy with our patient’s recovery in mind.

 

Neuropathic vs. Nociceptive

Neuropathic pain, unfortunately, is chronic most of the time because the pain is often associated with a malfunction in your nervous system. The pain is described as burning, shooting pain that is severe at times but can be controlled with medication.

We often hear from our patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve entrapment, that they experience shooting pains in the wrist, whole hand, and affected arm. This symptom is not unusual. Common reasons for neuropathic pain are herniated disc, arthritis affecting the spinal cord, spinal surgery, diabetes, amputations with phantom limb disorder, chemotherapy, and multiple sclerosis.

Nociceptive pain is the signal that pain is active.

Nociceptive are the receptors that feel pain and occur when damage or injuries to the nerves happen. The impact sends a pain message from the brain to the spinal cord. The message is then sent to the skin and muscles in the body.

Examples of nociceptive pain are arthritis, bruises, sprains, repetitive use damage. This type of pain can be acute or acute, on chronic.

 

Inflammatory Pain

Inflammation is associated with almost any type of injury, arthritis, gout, degenerative diseases, and abdominal diseases. However, inflammatory pain is sometimes associated with healing and is not the same as inflammation.

If you have ever undergone any surgery, have had a sports injury, or any injury affected the spine or joints, you have likely experienced inflammatory pain.

Inflammatory pain is the sensitivity to an affected area with soreness felt after surgery or treatment such as physical therapy. The pain felt is in direct response to the tissue damage.

This type of pain is not chronic and resolves along with healing. For best healing practices, it’s always best to comply with wearing a brace or splint, and any additional regime’s prescribed by your doctor.

 

Functional Pain

Function pain is also pain with no determined origin or apparent reason for the pain. You could consider widespread body pain, such as musculoskeletal pain or fibromyalgia, to be in the category of functional pain. There are additional medical terms associated, such as a pain scale.

Did you know that there are methods to measure your pain?

Your physician may sometimes ask from a scale from 1-10 to measure your pain, with a ten being the worst.

Your answer will help your physician to establish a baseline for your ongoing pain management treatment. This scale is referred to as a functional pain scale.

 

Find Your Pain Relief

Now that you have more information on pain, you may better understand how we treat and evaluate our patients.

If you are suffering from any pain, you can be confident that you will find relief with the help of Jaffe Sports Medicine. Our excellence in care is provided by a highly skilled staff that specializes in a range of pain management techniques. We welcome patients from Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the surrounding areas of Florida. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

TEXT BY M. HIATT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Body in Motion, Part 2

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Treating for Better Flexibility and Range of Motion in the Lower Extremities

 

Last month, Jaffe Sports Medicine informed blog readers about optimal range of motion (ROM) of the upper extremities. Part two of this series will discuss the lower extremities and what you can do when optimal motion cannot be achieved.

Anytime you experience pain with motion or loss of movement that worsens over time, these are both signs that there may be something more serious going on within the joint.

Remember, there is always a reasonable concern when our bodies are not moving the way they should. Let us look again at the proper range of motion guides to help in understanding more about where your motion is limited.

Lower Extremities

The lower extremities consist of your hips, knees, and ankles. Decreased motion can occur after an injury, a fall, impact sports, working out, or wear and tear on your joints from repetitive motions over time.

Obesity can also play a part in the decreased motion of the lower extremities—considering that all your weight is resting on your hips, knees, and ankles, which are weight-bearing joints. Excess weight will always affect these weight-bearing joints.

One indicator that ROM is compromised in the lower extremities is an altered gait or the stride you walk. To determine if your gait is altered, your doctor will analyze your gait to look for irregularities. Observation may indicate:

  • A nerve or muscle problem that is causing a limp.
  • An ataxic gait, which is characterized by poor balance, unsteady or weakened stride, or veering.
  • A dropped foot due to weakened muscles in the ankle joint.

Hips

Have you ever noticed that there is a stiffness in your hips after sitting for a long period? The stiffness will typically go away after taking steps forward; however, you may notice a pronounced “waddle” in those first few steps.

For some patients, an affected gait may be one of the first symptoms that hip strength and motion are on the decline.

The hip’s range of motion is produced by the hip joint–the ball and socket that join the pelvis and femur.

This ball and socket fit together to produce the fluid motion that allows the legs and torso to move. Good ROM in the hips is measured in degrees as in the graphic below:

Evaluations look at passive motions, which is how much you can move your ship around the joint with the assistance of a healthcare professional. Active range of motion also evaluates motion but puts the patient in control of the motion.

If ROM is affected, we will take an X-ray, CT, or MRI of the joint to determine deterioration, joint disease, infection, or a fracture. If there appear to be none of these problems affecting motion, we will recommend conservative treatments like at-home stretching, physical therapy, steroid injection, or other pain management options.

Suppose you are looking at just a mild stiffness in the hips rising from a seated position. In that case, we often recommend hip flexors to strengthen the joint and increase the ability to produce better motion in the hip.

Knees

Our knees are the ultimate bearers of all weight. The knees are the most injured joint of all sports-related injuries. Outside of sports, our knees can be injured through a fall, obesity, misstep, or strain while walking on uneven terrain or stairs or overextending while performing daily tasks.

Good ROM in the knees is needed for balancing and support. Good rotation is necessary for stability while the legs are in motion. ROM that is normal looks like this:

 

Again, your doctor will look for passive-active ROM to determine if motion has been compromised. Additional testing may be needed to determine the extent of any cartilage, joint, or patellofemoral damage. There are successful treatments for regaining good motion in the knees that JSM can recommend depending on the extent of your loss of motion.

Ankles

The ligaments, tendons, and bones of the ankles can become injured quite extensively. There are simple sprains and strains, tendonitis, and much more in-depth injuries such as a fracture or torn ligaments. Good ROM in the ankle will appear as in the graphic below:

 

Dorsiflex is raising the foot, and plantar flexion is pointing down with the foot.

Limited ROM can have additional symptoms that include swelling, throbbing, sharp pain, intermittent pain outside or inside of the ankle area, and bruising.

Again, the ankle is a weight-bearing joint and can easily become injured or strained by falling, rolling, or overstepping, balance problems, jumping, and other impact sports.

A good range of motion benefits includes decreased pain, better flexibility, strength, better blood flow, more vigorous movements, and bodily actions, and lower potential for injury.

Treatment Options

If you are experiencing pain that prevents good movement of any joint, we consider you to have a limited range of motion.

Jaffe Sports Medicine understands a good range of motion includes decreased pain, better flexibility, strength, better blood flow, more vital movements and bodily actions, and lower potential for injury. We work individually with each patient to ensure that their health and wellness goals are met. We focus on all aspects of the body, including alignment, movement, and postural habits.

With a blend of physical therapy, interventional pain management, and additional sports medicine strategies, we will help you protect your body and prevent further injury.

At Jaffe Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, we help our patients recover quickly, regain strength, and improve their range of motion while avoiding painful, expensive surgery. To schedule an appointment at one of our locations, contact Jaffe Sports Medicine today.

TEXT BY M. HIATT

 

 

 

Body in Motion

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Treating for Better Flexibility and Range of Motion in the Upper Extremities

Part 1-Upper Extremities- Range of motion is an important topic, so we will focus on the upper extremities this month and move to the lower extremities next month, so look for that article to come soon.

Movement, flexibility, and motion work together so our body can perform at an optimal level. Pain and discomfort will sound the warning alarm to alert you that something is off. Perhaps you notice stiffness in your knee while walking, or you cannot write with a pen or pencil for more than a few minutes due to cramping hand and wrist pain.

Aside from typical aches and pains, you may be experiencing loss of motion and flexibility, which prevent movements that are natural to your body. Maybe your elbow will not bend properly, or you’re not able to fully extend your arm while reaching, causing a sharp pain in your neck or back.

Pain with motion and loss of movement that worsens over time are critical indicators that there may be something more serious going on with the affected area. So, there’s a reasonable concern when our bodies are not moving the way they should.

To better understand your pain, you need to know how your body is designed to perform. For this, we look to the proper range of motion guides to help in understanding more about your limitations.

 

Upper Extremities

The upper extremities consist of both left and right wrists, elbows, shoulders, and hands. Decreased motion can occur after an injury, impact sports, a fall, working out too hard, or wear and tear on your joints over time from repetitive movements.

Repetitive motions can occur in various settings and are commonly referred to as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). Some examples of this include:

  • Work-related movements that cause you to reach throughout the day
  • Assembly line work
  • Grocery store checkout clerk, bagger, or stocking shelves
  • Construction or labor type work
  • Using a computer mouse, typing
  • Exercising and sports training–boxing, weight training, football, basketball, gymnastics, etc.

 

Elbows & Shoulders 

Your shoulders are the least stable and often least moved joint on your body. If you are sitting at a desk all day at work, consider stopping your work for a few minutes each hour to perform flexibility exercises. By improving your passive range of motion, you will find the stiffness and pain in your neck, back, and shoulders will significantly improve.

To test your range of motion in your shoulders, you will first need to stand straight, without arching your back; or you can lie flat on the floor if standing straight produces back pain.

From this position, relax and inhale.

While exhaling, begin to slowly raise your arms, reaching above your head and past your ears.

To test your shoulders, you should be able to raise your arms 180◦ flexion and hyperextend your arms slightly behind the ears, abduction to raise and lower. To test your elbows, follow the diagram of outward and inward rotation and flex inward and outward as you would if you were holding a barbell performing bicep curls. You will also feel this motion in your shoulders.

To increase your motion and obtain maximum motion, remember to work on your flexibility with upper extremity stretches throughout your workday and before and after workouts.

To reduce the risk of injury, use proper techniques while stretching and move slowly.

Wrists & Hands-

The wrist moves along two axes and can move by extension, flexion, adduction, and abduction.

There can be pain in the wrist for a host of reasons, and a diagnosis strongly depends on the symptoms you are experiencing with the loss of motion.

 

Rest your forearm on a table.

With your hand hanging down, follow the graphic to test the range of motion of each wrist.

If you are experiencing loss of motion, tingling, sharp pain, or swelling in the joint, contact Jaffe Sports Medicine for an evaluation.

 

 

Hands-

To test your hands, open and close each hand as you see in the abduction and adduction graphic below.

 

 

You should also periodically perform this exercise and stretch your fingers with opposing thumbs throughout the day. If you cannot touch your thumb to the base of your fifth finger (pinky finger), there may be an underlying cause.

 

If you have a loss of motion in your fingers or thumbs, this information is a helpful start in our determining the cause.

 

Treatment Options

If you cannot complete any of the exercises above or are experiencing pain that prevents the movement of any joint, we consider you to have a limited range of motion.

Jaffe Sports Medicine understands a good range of motion includes decreased pain, better flexibility, strength, better blood flow, more vital movements, and bodily actions, and lower potential for injury.

Jaffe Sports Medicine works individually with each patient to ensure that their health and wellness goals are met. We focus on all aspects of the body, including alignment, movement, and postural habits.

With a blend of physical therapy, interventional pain management, and additional sports medicine strategies, we will help you protect your body and prevent further injury.

At Jaffe Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, we help our patients recover quickly, regain strength, and improve their range of motion while avoiding painful, expensive surgery.

To schedule an appointment at one of our many locations, contact Jaffe Sports Medicine today.

TEXT BY M. HIATT

4 Common Reasons for Your Back Pain

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Understanding your pain, from diagnosis to treatment.

Back pain can happen at any time. The pain can be temporary or chronic in nature and can prevent you from functioning at your normal activity level. There are common back ailments that most doctors see every day, which are discussed here.

Herniated Disc

Spinal discs have a soft center. The soft center is enclosed around a rubber-like, tougher encasing (annulus.) A herniated disc occurs when this soft-like jelly center pushes through a tear in the annulus. These defects will show up on an X-Ray or CT scan of your spine, which we can use to make a correct diagnosis. At times, a herniated disc may be referred to as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc.

Herniations often occur in relation to age. However, a herniated disc can be the result of excess weightlifting, excess body weight, or in those who have jobs that require heavy or repetitive lifting; although, there are many other reasons.

Symptoms of a herniated disc will depend on where the disc is located along your spine. But most herniated discs occur in the lower back.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
  • A sensation of pins and needles in the arms or legs.
  • Sometimes burning throughout your arms or legs.
  • Problems can also include an unsteady gait.

To treat your herniated disc, we will suggest physical therapy first. If conservative treatments fail, we will consider surgical intervention, which includes removing just the protruding disc.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is located in the lower area of your back. The nerve travels through your buttocks and hips, and then down each leg.

Pressure on the sciatic nerve produces radiating pain in the lower extremities, typically in only one side of your body. The cause of sciatica is usually the result of a herniated disc, bone spur or could be from degeneration or narrowing of the spine.

Symptoms are described as a sharp pain along with a burning sensation in one of the legs—starting at the buttocks area and traveling into the leg. You may also experience a tingling sensation followed by burning in pain. The pain can be in one portion of your leg or buttock but could progress to more lasting pain and discomfort. Often, relief comes over time and without surgical intervention.

We see sciatica in our patients who have sedentary lifestyles or jobs that do not require much movement. In these patients, we recommend more activity will provide more relief. However, those who perform repetitive motions throughout the day are not excluded from experiencing sciatica.

Good posture, stretching, and regular movement are all recommended forms of day-to-day conservative treatment. We might suggest physical therapy to learn a few easy stretches you could do while working a sedentary job or after a long day on your feet.

 

disc

 

Degenerative Disc Disease 

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the spinal discs change in ways that are referred to as degeneration. This diagnosis is common and is almost always associated with chronic back pain. A diagnosis is confirmed with an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

There are many reasons one may suffer from disc degeneration. Do you remember the soft jelly-like center we discussed with a herniated disc? Not surprisingly, these discs break down over time, causing the fluid to dry out and crack, resulting in less “cushion” on the spinal column. We typically would see this type of degeneration in our older patients.

For those with job requirements that involve repetitive movement and anyone who played contact sports in their youth, these patients are more likely to suffer from degeneration of the spine.

Treatment options begin with controlling chronic pain through over-the-counter medications or prescription medications and physical therapy. For the most severe cases, we may discuss surgical options.

Back Injury

There are several ways to injure your back. The most common we see here at Jaffe Sports Medicine are:

  • Work-related injury
  • Sport-related injury- old or new
  • Repetitive motion- such as twisting back and forth while working.
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Working out too hard at the gym

Whether you have been dealing with an older injury or new pain, a diagnosis as to why you are having pain will involve imaging, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

Once we understand where the problem on your spine is, we can create a treatment plan for you. Our treatment plans include physical therapy, heat and ice therapy, pain management, and surgical intervention, including kyphoplasty.

The interventional pain management team at Jaffe Sports Medicine will address the site of the pain and determine its cause and treat that area as well. Let our medical professionals diagnose your back pain and find the best course of action to treat your discomfort. Call our offices today to schedule your consultation and start the process of living pain-free today.

TEXT BY M. HIATT