Category Archives: AOC Physician Articles

Dr. Donahoe explains lumbar laminectomy and how the best results come from removing the pressure on “pinched nerves” in the neck or back.

Lumbar Laminectomy

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Have you been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? Do you have difficulty walking any long distances without experiencing leg pain? Patients who have not improved after conservative treatment may benefit from surgery. During surgery, the bone spurs and arthritis are removed that place pressure on nerves that affect the legs and buttock region. Dr. Donahoe specializes in lumbar laminectomy surgery and would be happy to evaluate your MRI. Like most spine surgeons, the best results come from removing the pressure on “pinched nerves” in the neck or back.

 

 

Dr. Donahoe explains why Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is one of the most successful procedures performed in spine surgery.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

Dr. Donahoe explains Anterior cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is one of the most successful procedures performed in spine surgery.

Have you been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in your neck? This condition can cause pain that radiates to the shoulder or arm. Patients who have not improved with conservative treatment including medication and physical therapy may be candidates for surgery. Patients typically spend one night in the hospital, and almost immediately after surgery are relieved from the arm pain, numbness, and tingling.  Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is one of the most successful procedures performed in spine surgery.

 

 

Dr. Donahoe explains how low back and leg pain from a herniated disc or pinched nerve can be relieved by a Microdiscectomy-Lumbar procedure.

Microdiscectomy-Lumbar

Dr. Donahoe explains how low back and leg pain from a herniated disc or pinched nerve can be relieved by a Microdiscectomy-Lumbar procedure.

Low back and leg pain can be caused by a herniated disc or “pinched nerve”.  Like most spine surgeons, Dr. Donahoe gets the best surgical results from relieving pain caused by nerve compression. Patients who have not improved with medication and physical therapy may be candidates for a minimally invasion procedure done in our same day surgery center.  Using a microscope during the procedure, Dr. Donahoe removes bone spurs and the herniated disc to alleviate compression of the spinal nerves.  Patients go home the same day and experience pain relief in the leg from “pinched nerves”.

 

 

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

The anterior cruciate ligament, better known as the ACL, is one of four ligaments that hold the knee together. The ACL is also one of the most easily—and commonly—injured parts of the knee, especially for athletes. This type of injury frequently occurs in athletes who participate in high impact sports like football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. But, it can also happen even without impact from another player.

Symptoms of an ACL tear include:

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Instability of the knee

  • Loss of full range of motion

Approximately 200,000 ACL injuries occur every year in the United States, and on average, about half of those require ACL reconstruction surgery because once torn, ACLs generally cannot be repaired.

ACL reconstruction surgery is performed through a small incision in the front of the knee, it includes removing the torn ligament and replacing it with a new tendon, which can be taken from another part of the knee. It’s an outpatient procedure, so patients get to go home in the same day.

For more information, call 251-410-3600.

AOC, comebacks start here.

 

What You Need to Know About Knee Injuries

Many people involved in some kind of athletic activity know the wear and constant use of your knees and joints can sometimes result in injury or pain. There are several ways to injure your knees. Knee injuries are generally caused by direct trauma and/or repetitive overuse.

Some of these different knee injuries can include damage to the articular cartilage, meniscus cartilage, collateral cartilage or cruciate cartilage. Cartilage is a thin, elastic tissue that protects the bone and makes certain that the joint surfaces can slide easily over each other. Cartilage ensures supple knee movement.

Ways to prevent injury to your knees is through strength conditioning, work and sports safety as well as proper sports techniques. If you do happen to have a slight injury you could try some conservative treatments. Active rest, the RICE treatment, or Physical Therapy. However, if you think you have an injury be sure to seek an evaluation as soon as you can.

There are also surgical treatments of knee injuries to fix the areas of your knee. AOC can help you determine if you are in need of surgery or not.

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TEAM USA COMEBACK ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Tyson Gay

During the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics AOC is going to spotlight some USA Team members who have came back from injury and fulfilled their dream of making the team. AOC loves when an athlete has a real COMEBACK RECOVERY and PERFORMANCE and is able to return to their passion.

 

Tyson Gay saw his Olympic dream shattered in 2008 by a hamstring injury and now the former world champion comes to the London Olympics after needing nearly a year to recover from right hip surgery.

In 2010, Gay delivered reigning Olympic champion Bolt’s first defeat in two years on his way to capturing the Diamond League 100m crown.

But in 2011, Gay underwent hip surgery to solve several chronic problems. There were times during the recovery when Gay doubted he might ever run again at a world-class level.

“It was a slower process with me,” Gay said. “I had a lot of doubts. I tried to tune them out. It was just everything I had to go through. I couldn’t even jog until March.”

Gay made his competitive comeback after being idled for 50 weeks on June 9 in a secondary race at the Diamond League meet in New York, winning in 10.00 seconds running into a 1.5m/sec headwind.

That was Gay’s only tuneup race for the US Olympic trials, where he finished second in the final to 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin’s career-best 9.80, qualifying for London in 9.86.

Gay remains cautious about his health.
“The plan worked. It held up pretty well,” Gay said. “I’m just going to continue to take care of my body and stay healthy. That is the big thing.”

(via: www.indianexpress.com)

The men’s 100m dash is one of the most popular and most watched events of the Olympic Games, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best in Olympic history. The door is wide open; it’s anybody’s race. Tyson Gay, after his great COMEBACK PERFORMANCE, is hoping that he will be the one to cross the finish line and achieve his lifelong dream of Olympic gold.

(via: www.rantsports.com)

Keep up with Tyson Gay in this year’s London Olympics. You can follow him on twitter at @TysonLGay and we will keep you updated on our blog and Facebook page.

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Injury Analysis: University of Alabama RB Jalston Fowler

 

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The recent injury to the knee of University of Alabama RB Jalston Fowler reminds us of how debilitating such injuries can be. Although no official report of the exact structures that have been damaged has been released, the video shows hyperextension of his knee which can damage major ligaments such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), side ligaments (collateral ligaments) or cause fractures to occur.

Seventy percent of non-contact injuries that result in swelling within one hour are ACL injuries. Furthermore, the C-shaped cartilages, called the menisci, can be torn during sporting injuries.

Treatment of knee injuries during football or other sports is most often treated arthroscopically– meaning via small incisions using a small camera to assist in visualizing the injured structures. Over 400,000 ACL reconstructions alone are done in the United States yearly.

According to R. Kavner’s article on collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com, Alabama coach Nick Saban announced Monday that running back Jalston Fowler will have surgery on his injured knee and is most likely going to be out for the season. Regaining muscle tone, control and joint range of motion is important if returning to sports is desired. This can take many months of hard work and dedication. AOC hopes Jalston has a good recovery and can return to the sport as soon as he is able.

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TEAM USA COMEBACK ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Katie Bell

During the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics AOC is going to spotlight some USA Team members who were able to recover from an injury and fulfill their dreams of making the team. At AOC we applaud and love it when an athlete has a real COMEBACK RECOVERY and PERFORMANCE and is able to return to their passion.

The Olympics have been Katie Bell’s goal since she was younger, but injuries almost derailed that dream. At the Big Ten championships in Minnesota her freshman year, she mistimed a dive. She punctured a lung, separated chest cartilage and popped ribs out of place, though the full extent of the injury took two years to diagnose. Bell continued to battle injuries. She suffered a torn labrum in her shoulder two years ago, possibly because she was overcompensating from the previous injury.

“At that point, I didn’t even know if I was going to keep diving or not,” Bell said. “When I decided to keep diving, I set my mind on going to the Olympics. I worked so hard every year.”

To overcome her sports injury she saw many doctors, athletic trainers and a psychologist to heal her body and mind to get back to competitive diving. Last month after years of surgery, rehabilitation and hard work, Katie had a stellar COMEBACK PERFORMANCE and reached her dream of making the US Olympic Diving Team.

Keep up with Katie in this year’s London Olympics.

You can follow her on twitter at @HippieBell and we will keep you updated on our blog and Facebook page.

(info via www.dispatch.com)

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Why Your Orthopaedic Physician Cares About What You Eat

 

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Orthopaedic Surgeons do more than fix broken bones. We also help people decrease the aches and pains that are part of life.  We know that what you EAT has a big effect on how you feel.

Overeating and obesity have the obvious effect of adding stress to joints resulting in arthritis and pain at an early age. The rate of obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Poor diets and obesity are also linked to Type II Diabetes. Diabetes results in damage to both nerves and blood vessels. This damage not only can be painful, but also hinders the body’s ability to heal and can even result in amputations or other painful disabilities.

Various foods have different effects on the body. Some help decrease inflammation and pain. Some can help us to metabolize fat and lose weight.

As Orthopaedic Surgeons, we see the problems that result from bad eating habits. We realize that most people don’t know enough about what makes up a healthy diet. We also know that this is not our area of expertise. That is why we are happy to partner with The Delicious Dietitian. Since 2011, they have offered a FREE Wellness program for our patients.

To see how proper nutrition can Take A Bite Out Of Arthritis, join us at our July 10th wellness program nutrition seminar.

At the Delicious Dietician, they teach people about healthy foods and portions. They can help with proper diets for individual health problems. They can also teach you how to buy the best foods on a budget.

Healthy eating is a choice that impacts how we feel for the rest of our lives.  At AOC, we know that healthy people are more productive. We encourage our employees to improve their health and happiness by working with The Delicious Dietician.

 

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Return to Sports After ACL Reconstruction

 

One question often asked by athletes before they undergo ACL reconstruction is “When and will I be able to return to sports?” This is an important question because returning to play (RTP) is just one of the factors taken into consideration as to the decision to undergo this invasive procedure. The answer to this question depends on many factors: level of activity before the injury, extent of the damage inside the knee, and level of competition.

Namdari et al in The Physician and Sportsmedicine in February 2011 reported on a study of 18 WNBA basketball players who underwent ACL reconstruction. They found reported that 78% returned to play in the WNBA. For those that did return, changes in performance were not statistically reduced compared to a comparison group.

Shah et al reported in The American Journal of Sports Medicine in November 2010 on a group of NFL athletes who had ACL reconstruction.  This study of 49 NFL players who underwent primary (first-time) ACL surgery found that 63% returned to NFL game play at an average of 10.8 months.  They found that the odds of returning to play were higher for those with more than four years of NFL experience.  Furthermore, Shah et al found that those drafted in the first four rounds of the NFL draft had higher odds of returning to play than those drafted later. They concluded that more experienced and established athletes are more likely to return to competition at the same level after ACL reconstruction than those with less experience.

Return to sports two to seven years after ACL reconstruction was studied by Ardern et al and reported in The American Journal of Sports Medicine in January 2012.  This medium-term analysis of 314 patients with the average age of 32.5 years used a self-reported questionnaire to ask questions regarding knee function and attempt to RTP.  Adern et al found that 45% of participants reported playing sports at their pre-injury level and 29% were playing competitive sports. However, younger patients were more likely to return to pre-injury levels of participation, and most patients reported good postoperative function of their knee.

In a separate study reported in The American Journal of Sports Medicine in March 2011, Adern et al reported on RTP 12 months after ACL reconstruction in Australian athletes. These athletes in competitive level Australian football, basketball, netball, or soccer had a return rate to competitive sport of 33% at twelve months. However, 47% indicated in this short term study that they planned on returning.  Ardern et al concluded that people may require a longer rehabilitation period to return to competitive sports than previously believed.

As you can see just from these few studies here, more research is needed to provide patients with the answer of returning to play after ACL reconstruction. Currently, there is a wide range of answers depending on age, athletic ability, and lifestyle that has to be factored into this important issue.

 

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