Between home remedies and a variety of doctors and specialists to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between what injuries you should see a doctor for, which injuries to try and mend at home, and which injuries require the specialized qualifications of an orthopedic doctor. As a general rule of thumb, any persistent joint pain, daily soreness or stiffness, or injury that is taking a long time to heal could all be reasons to see an orthopedic doctor. For more specific reasons why you should see an orthopedic doctor, read about some of the ways an orthopedic specialist can help you.

Diagnosing and Treating Pain

Orthopedic doctors specialize in the entire musculoskeletal system. This system includes joints, muscles, nerves, bone, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. This vast understanding of the musculoskeletal system makes orthopedic doctors experts on pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons why patients visit an orthopedic doctor in the first place. Orthopedic doctors can help diagnose and treat pain in:

• Shoulders
• Knees
• Hips
• Ankle & Feet
• Wrists and Hands
• Elbows
• Neck

Improve Range of Motion

Inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and pain can all contribute to a limited range of motion. So many people just accept the limitation as a part of growing older or having been injured, but orthopedic specialists can actually help treat or improve your range of motion. If pain or stiffness makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, physical therapy, no-surgical treatment, or surgery may be able to help.

Injury Treatment and Prevention

Patients are referred to orthopedic doctors after experiencing injuries such as broken bones, fractures, dislocations, ligament tears, and more. Orthopedic doctors repair and treat these injuries while also working to reduce or eliminate pain. In order to optimize recovery, orthopedic doctors will often work alongside physical therapists and pain management specialists to create a more complete recovery. Athletes and patients alike see orthopedic doctors not only to repair injuries but to prevent them as well. Whether you’re dealing with a minor condition like an ankle sprain or carpal tunnel, or if you have a more serious injury like a hip fracture, orthopedic doctors can help.

Perform Surgical and Non Surgical Procedures 

While certain injuries require surgical treatments, there are many non-surgical procedures that can help with a wide variety of injuries and conditions. While patients may see an orthopedic doctor with surgery in mind, orthopedic specialists can actually help determine whether or not surgery is even necessary. More often than not, surgery is only considered when all other nonsurgical alternatives have been exhausted. This is why orthopedic doctors are a viable option when patients need a second opinion. 

Diagnose and Treat Musculoskeletal Conditions

Orthopedic doctors don’t just work with athletes and broken bones, they also work with conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. These chronic conditions require treatment just as much as broken bones because they continuously worsen over time. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

If you are experiencing chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system, or have recently undergone an injury, our specialists can help. The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have experienced limited mobility, joint pain, or chronic stiffness, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

If you’re following the CDC guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19, you’re staying home as much as possible. Many people are using this time at home to get some projects done around the house.  Not only do we have more time to notice things we want to fix, but these projects can also help us feel productive when we can’t get out and about. While checking things off of your home improvement list is gratifying, you have to watch out for common household injuries.

Common Household Injuries to Avoid

Some people are finally cleaning out their garage. Others are making long-needed repairs. And some people are just tired of looking at the same thing day after day and undertaking redecorating projects. All of these activities have the potential to cause common household injuries.

1. Sprains & Strains

Sprains and strains are both common orthopedic injuries. Sprains are injuries to ligaments. Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the areas of the body that are most vulnerable to sprains are the ankles knees and wrists. The areas most vulnerable to strains are the back and the leg.

2. Fractures

Fractures are common household injuries that can occur during the impact from a fall. Wrist fractures are one of the most common fractures caused by landing after a fall. Other common fractures include ankle fractures, collarbone fractures, leg fractures, and forearm fractures.

3. Tears

While these injuries are often associated with sports, it is possible to tear cartilage or a ligament doing things around the house. Repetitive motion is usually the culprit in these injuries which occur from damage to tissues in the joint. Tears can affect any of the joints in the body. Common tear injuries include:

• Meniscus tear
• ACL tear
• Rotator cuff tear

4. Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon. It can be caused by overuse or an acute injury. It can occur in many joints including the knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. Examples of tendonitis include:

• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Jumper’s knee
• Swimmer’s shoulder
• Pitcher’s shoulder

5. Dislocations

Joints can be dislocated during a fall. Shoulders are the most common joints to dislocate, but it can also happen to fingers, elbows, ankles, knees, hips, and the jaw.

Tips to Prevent Injury at Home

You can prevent common household injuries in many ways. Find out how you can prevent injuries due to falling, lifting, and overuse below.

Preventing Falls

A large number of common household injuries are caused by falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury.

• Use non-skid rubber mats or pads to ensure rugs are secure
• Secure all electrical cords away from places that get foot traffic
• Manage clutter to ensure there’s a clear path through rooms
• Use caution when descending the stairs and use the handrail
• Get a non-skid rubber mat for the shower floor if it’s slippery
• Install and use grab bars in showers and bathtubs, especially if kids use them
• Get your eyes checked to make sure you can see everything clearly
• Always stabilize ladders and don’t climb too high. Most ladders will have a warning on the last rung that it is safe to climb. Get someone to spot you if possible.
• Don’t use chairs or other objects to climb on. Use a stable ladder or step stool.

Preventing Lifting Injuries

• Avoid lifting heavy objects when possible. 
  • Ask for help and do a team lift
  • Use a cart or a dolly to move heavy objects
• If you do lift something, do not lift with your back muscles, use your legs.

Preventing Other Injuries

• If you have a hobby that requires repetitive motion (exercising, playing certain sports, doing projects around the house), warm-up beforehand and take breaks to avoid overuse.
• Use caution when doing chores that require scrubbing or sanding. Take breaks and stretch to avoid shoulder pain.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including common household injuries. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

Strains and sprains are both common orthopedic injuries. However, many people do not know that there is a difference between the two. The difference between sprains and strains comes down to the part of the musculoskeletal system affected. Sprains affect ligaments while strains affect muscles and tendons.

The Basics

A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect two or more bones to a joint. Sprains occur when one or more ligaments are stretched or torn. The severity of a sprain injury depends on how badly the ligament is damaged and how many ligaments are involved in the injury. Sprains can occur at any joint in the body, but according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), ankle sprains are the most common type of sprain.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Tendons are the fibrous cords of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Strains can range in severity from a mild overstretch to a complete tear. Strains can happen suddenly (acute muscle strains) or develop over time from repetitive movements or positions (chronic muscle strains). Muscle strains commonly occur in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and hamstring.

Symptoms of Sprains and Strains

As we’ve just seen, sprains and strains are different types of injuries, so it only makes sense that they have different symptoms. But because they are both injuries to the musculoskeletal system, there is some overlap in symptoms.

Sprains

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Inability to use the joint
• Skin discoloration
• Stiffness
• Tenderness

Strains

• Pain
• Muscle spasms
• Swelling
• Cramping
• Limited range of movement
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Bruising 
• Discoloration

Causes of Sprains and Strains

Both sprains and strains occur as a result of an injury during physical activity. They can be caused by similar things, from something as simple as walking to a traumatic injury like a fall or body blow.

Sprains

Sprains may be caused by a number of activities. They can happen during everyday activities or during exercise or playing sports. Sprains are common injuries in sports like track & field, football, baseball, and basketball.

• Walking on uneven surfaces
• Landing awkwardly from a jump
• Overextension while playing sports
• Landing on an outstretched arm after a fall
• Twisting or pivoting during physical activity
• A blow to the body that forces the joint out of its usual position

Strains

Strains can also be caused by a number of physical activities. Some strains occur during everyday activities while others happen during exercise or playing sports. Strains are common injuries in sports like gymnastics, tennis, golf, rowing, boxing, wrestling, soccer, football, and hockey.

• Slipping and losing footing
• Lifting something heavy incorrectly
• Throwing something
• Not warming up before exercising
• Overextension during activity
• Repetitive movements in sports
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Baseball
• Poor or awkward posture for a long period of time

Treatments for Sprains and Strains

The first line of treatment for strains and sprains includes resting, elevating, and icing the affected area. Wearing a bandage or brace may also help with healing by providing compression. Over-the-counter pain killers may help relieve the pain associated with a sprain. Physical therapy can help you regain complete mobility by giving you exercises that will stabilize and strengthen the injured area. Some severe sprains may require surgery to repair. 

Sprains can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to heal depending on the severity. However, if your symptoms last longer than a week, you should see a doctor so they can rule out further injury or develop a treatment plan to heal the injury correctly. Other signs you should seek medical attention include:

• Numbness in the injured area
• Inability to walk
• Inability to use arms and legs
• The injury is bleeding

The team Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine are dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions and injuries. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and a bone health clinic. If you’re having trouble with a suspected strain or sprain, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain each year. Some joint pain is due to injury or illness, but a lot of cases are caused by arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 23% of adults in the US are diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor. No matter the cause of your joint pain, you might experience worsening symptoms when it gets colder outside. To get relief, you can try some of these winter tips for joint pain.

1. Stay Active

One of the most important tips for joint pain relief year-round is staying active. Exercise strengthens muscles that help take the pressure off joints and keeps you loose. You may need to focus on this more during cold weather because we often spend less time being active outdoors. You can move many workouts inside during winter to stay active. Try low-impact training with swimming at an indoor pool or using an elliptical trainer. Make sure you safely warm-up for all workouts and include stretching in your routine.

2. Increase Anti-Inflammatories

To receive joint pain, you can increase the number of anti-inflammatory foods you consume. Look for foods that have healthy omega-3 fatty acids like avocados and certain fish. You can also take a supplement of krill oil to increase intake. Other foods that contain anti-inflammatory properties include garlic, turmeric, onions, probiotic foods, green tea, berries, and dark leafy greens.

3. Hydrate

Dehydration is linked to increased pain sensitivity. You lose moisture in cold and dry conditions even though you’re not sweating. Make a point to consume enough fluids throughout the day to relieve joint pain.

4. Dress Warmly

Make sure you bundle up in layers when it’s cold out. Ensure that the joints you have trouble with are well insulated so the cold won’t get to them and cause them to become stiff. 

5. Apply Heat

Along with dressing warmly, one of the best tips for relieving joint pain during winter is applying heat to stiff and aching areas. Heating pads and wraps are good options for applying heat directly to the joint. Electric blankets are good for keeping your entire body warm while relaxing. Some people find relief by soaking in warm water in either a bathtub or hot tub. If you can find a heated pool to swim in, you get the two-for-one benefit of a soak and low-impact exercise.

6. Lose Excess Weight

Extra weight increases strain on joints. It’s not always an easy task to lose weight, especially during the holidays when so many treats are around. However, if you stay active and make smart food choices, knocking off a few pounds might provide you with some pain relief. 

7. Increase Vitamin D

During the winter, some people don’t spend enough time outside in the sun. This can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which is linked to increased sensitivity to joint pain. Have your vitamin D levels checked during your next doctor’s appointment and if it’s low, ask your doctor about the best supplements to take.

8. Avoid Slipping

During the winter, the ground can be slippery due to ice, sleet, or snow. If you live in a place where those conditions are common, consider investing in winter boots that have treaded soles appropriate for gripping slick ground. If you’re already suffering from joint pain, then you don’t want to further injure yourself by slipping and falling.

9. Use Pain Relievers Sparingly

During winter months you might need to supplement these lifestyle habits with a pain reliever. Many times an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may be suitable to take on occasion. Sometimes these drugs, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have negative side effects that pose risks if you have conditions like kidney disease or stomach ulcers. That’s why it’s important to check with your doctor before beginning even OTC medication.

10. See an Orthopedic Specialist

Paris Orthopedic and Sports Medicine provide patients in Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma with comprehensive orthopedic services, including treatment for joint problems. If you’re struggling with joint pain, call our Paris, Texas orthopedics office at (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

As the grass finally starts to grow back from the winter months, it becomes a gentle reminder that a lot of work is ahead for you. Every year, thousands of injuries result from poor mechanics when performing yard work and many other injuries result from general mistakes.

While you get prepared to start your spring cleaning outdoors, it is important to consider ways to keep your body healthy and running strong all summer long. Proper consideration now can prevent many unwanted and unneeded medical bills, allowing your time in the yard to be relaxing opposed to causing additional stress.

The following are some helpful tips to prevent yard work injuries this spring and throughout the year:

1. Pay attention to the details

It is extremely common for individuals to get distracted with their thoughts while out in the yard. When this happens, it becomes easy to overlook rocks or debris which can quickly become dangerous projectiles when they come in contact with a lawn mower or weed eater.

It is also important to look for uneven ground that may cause an ankle or knee injury when carrying heavy objects or mowing the lawn. This uneven ground may be tough to see if the grass is too high, therefore a walk through prior to starting work is recommended. Flagging uneven ground may prove to be helpful in preventing a number of injuries.

2. Don’t forget to warm-up

Warming up prior to doing yard work may seem like a ridiculous idea. However, similar to performing any athletic activity it is important to get the body loose prior to engaging in strenuous physical activity. Failing to do so will leave the muscles cold and susceptible to injury when starting out, especially if carrying heavy materials.

It is not essential to perform an overly dynamic warm-up as you would before going for a run or hitting the gym, but light stretching of the major muscle groups in addition to moving the limbs and trunk around will help to get the blood flowing. This will prepare the body for physical activity, preventing and minor muscle strains from becoming nagging injuries over the next few months.

3. Use proper mechanics

Using proper mechanics when performing any physical activity including yard work is the best way to prevent injury. We all know the saying “lift with your legs and not your back” but not many actually put this saying into practice outside of the gym. Keep this in mind as you move pavers or larger plants around the garden. Bracing your core and thinking about proper movement will help keep you healthy, especially when considering back injuries.

If you do not possess the proper range of motion to use proper lifting and movement mechanics, it is important that you start a flexibility program that uses a combination of static and dynamic stretching. The inability to get in certain positions because of range of motion will greatly increase your risk of injuries, both minor and more substantial, such as in the case of a herniated disc.

This applies to both big movements as well as things that require a longer period of postural control, such as gardening. If you feel yourself starting to tighten-up while mending to your flowers or vegetables, it is a good idea to get up for a few minutes to get the blood flowing, assess your position, and get back to work in a healthy spine neutral position.

4. Read equipment manuals

While proper mechanics are important, many yard work injuries are the result of improper or negligent equipment use. Before operating new lawn care equipment or equipment you may not already be familiar with, read the manual to understand all of its safety features and instructions for use.

Always be mindful of your fingers or other extremities any time you are operating any equipment that has a blade including lawn mowers, edgers, chainsaws or hedge trimmers. Remember, sharp blades have the potential to cause injury even when they are not in motion.

5. Know your limits

Whether you’re 20 or 65 years old, there’s a good chance you don’t want to think of yourself as having limits when performing yard work duties. Whether you are trying to carry two bags of grass clippings in one trip or save money by scaling a ladder to clean the gutters yourself, pushing past your limits and comfort zone increase your risk of injury.

As with anything in life that requires a physical demand, be honest with your capabilities when it comes to yard work. There’s no shame in outsourcing these tasks to a professional especially when it helps you avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency room.

6. Have a plan if things go south

Taking the proper precautions can help you to get the most out of your body, achieve the tasks you need done and keep you healthy in the process. But, accidents can happen to even those who go to great lengths to prevent them.

The experienced team at Paris Orthopedic specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of injuries and conditions, including the most common yard work injuries such as strains, sprains and fractures. To request an appointment, call (903) 737-0000.

In Texas, we are fortunate to only experience relatively mild winters compared to other parts of the country. The coldest period tends to be late-December through mid-February. No matter how mild the winter, cooler temperatures have the potential to exasperate back pain (and joint pain) especially for those with conditions such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. While there is minimal evidence to support the connection between weather and back pain, there are several reasons why your pain may be affected by the season.

1. Vasoconstriction: When exposed to cold temperatures, the blood vessels in your extremities narrow to deliver extra blood to more vital areas such as your brain, heart, lungs and bowels–a process called vasoconstriction. This results in the tightening of your muscles, tendons and ligaments, which are all vital to supporting your spine. As these become stiff, it places extra strain on the back that may result in pain or discomfort.
2. Barometric Pressure: There have been no scientific studies to prove a connection, but the anecdotal experience is far too widespread to ignore it. The most popular hypothesis regarding barometric pressure and back pain is that when the barometric pressure drops prior to a storm or when there is a drastic change in temperature, there is less gravity to prevent further swelling in joints. When your joints are already inflamed from an existing condition, previous surgery or injury, the swelling is compounded and results in increased pain.
3. Lack of physical activity: Colder weather and shorter days may deter even those with the best intentions from getting enough physical activity on a regular basis. It may seem counterproductive, but outdoor activity and exercise actually help joint and back pain. Your muscles need continued exercise in order to fulfill their vital role of supporting the spine. Without it, you become more susceptible to injury.
4. Abnormal physical activity: In the winter, you may find yourself doing back-intensive activities that you otherwise don’t perform or participate in during other times of the year such as raking leaves, chopping wood or learning to ski on vacation. When your back isn’t conditioned or strong enough to handle these activities, your risk of experiencing back pain increases.
5. Seasonal Depression: Whether you experience the winter blues or suffer from seasonal affective disorder, winter weather and less sunlight can take their toll both mentally and physically. Seasonal depression can cause back pain, fatigue, increased perception of pain and decreased interest in daily physical activity.

Don’t let back pain force you into hibernation this winter. To help you stay active during the cooler months of the year, dress in layers to help keep your muscles warm especially when you’re outside. Activities you can do any time of year that are great for back health include swimming at an indoor heated pool, indoor aerobic exercise and walking. Just make sure you wear proper footwear to reduce your risk of slips and falls that can result in a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae.

Contact Paris Orthopedics

If your joint or back pain becomes more than you can manage on your own, call (903) 737-0000 to schedule an appointment with Paris Orthopedic. Our team of experts offers comprehensive orthopedic and musculoskeletal services for patients throughout Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma.