The last five years have been the warmest in recorded history. July is typically the hottest month of the year for many parts of the United States. During every season, Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Texas are consistently among the top four of the nation’s hottest states, based on statewide average temperatures. Florida ranks overall as […]
July: Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, a campaign initiated by the Arthritis Foundation to increase awareness about the symptoms of and treatment for juvenile arthritis (JA). Juvenile arthritis currently affects 300,000 children nationwide. Juvenile or childhood arthritis can affect children of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds. It is […]
DOC Fixes Growth Plate Fractures A child’s bones are subject to a unique injury, a growth plate fracture. Approximately 15% to 30% of all childhood fractures are growth plate fractures. Most long bones in the body have at least two growth plates, including one at each end of the bone. Long bones include […]
Iliotibial band syndrome or IT band syndrome (ITBS) is one of the most common overuse injuries among runners. The IT band is a thick band of connective tissue that runs from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee at the top of the shinbone (tibia) to help stabilize and move the […]
Runner’s Knee: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patellofemoral pain syndrome, “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee” is common among people who participate in sports, particularly females and young adults, but can occur in non-athletes. It causes pain and stiffness, making it difficult to climb stairs, kneel, participate in sports, and even perform everyday activities. The knee is the largest […]
Runner’s Knee Prevention Runner’s knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome, is usually relieved with rest, activity revisions or physical therapy. It may recur if you do not make changes to your training routine or activity level. There are steps that you can take to prevent recurrence of runner’s knee, including: Wear shoes appropriate for the […]
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy blocks pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS may help DOC guests better manage chronic back, neck, leg, and/or arm pain and reduce the use of opioid medications. Dr. Brannon Frank, DOC pain management specialist, conducts spinal cord stimulator seminars in Austin, Texas. Ask about upcoming DOC seminars at […]
Wearable Fitness Technology A new wave of wearable fitness activity trackers have become all-in-one devices that can connect to the Internet or your smartphone for long-term tracking of fitness data and data sharing with your fitness friends. Traditional features of wearable fitness devices include: Step counter Heart rate monitor Calories burned and calories consumed Exercise […]
MLB teams go to the warm climates of Arizona and Florida for spring training warm-up for the regular season. Of the 30 teams in MLB, 15 spend spring training in Florida in the Grapefruit League, while the other 15 have spring training in Arizona in the Cactus League. “The warm weather simulates typical summertime conditions across […]
Texans may want to think twice about their next visit to the ER. Many ER doctors work for a contracting company called Texas Medicine Resources (TMR). Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Texas, the largest health insurer in the state, and TMR could not reach a contract agreement. Effective immediately, TMR ER doctors are […]
In 2017, more than 72,000 people in the US died of drug overdoses and two-thirds of the deaths were linked to opioids, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is the highest number of Americans who ever died of drug overdoses in a single year, and more than people […]
Most people are able to perform daily activities more easily after joint replacement surgery. They enjoy an improved quality of life that includes less pain, and improved motion and strength that would not have been possible otherwise. “The best reason to have a joint replacement is for pain relief. During a joint replacement, the […]
One in four adults have some problem with their feet, according Emily Delzell’s article Feet Hurt? Sleep in Some Relief with Shoe Inserts, published by the Arthritis Foundation. Foot orthotic insoles are intended to support or correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern. The insoles change the angle at which the foot strikes while walking […]
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket as the result of a sudden injury or from overuse. Once a shoulder has dislocated, it may dislocate again. When the shoulder dislocates repeatedly, the condition is called chronic shoulder instability. The shoulder is made […]
Your sleeping pose can have a major impact on your sleep and your health. Poor posture while awake or asleep can increase joint, back and neck pain, fatigue, sleep apnea symptoms, muscle cramps, impaired circulation, indigestion, and premature wrinkles. Although only 8% of people sleep on their backs, it’s the healthiest option for most […]
