Computerized Baseline Concussion Testing Continues in the Fort Zumwalt District for a fifth year!

I had the opportunity to speak to the Fort Zumwalt School District School Board Meeting last month to detail the results of the district's ImPACT neurocognitive testing.  The program allows us to ensure that athletes are not returned to the field too soon, helping to decrease risk of further injury.

The conversation was detailed in an article in Mid Rivers Newsmagazine this month.  Congratulations to Fort Zumwalt, as well as Francis Howell and Wentzville, two other districts who have instituted the program.

Advanced Bone & Joint Quick Care Center is available on a walk-in basis!

We are now Advanced Bone and Joint!

If you’ve been around the office lately, you’ve probably noticed us wearing buttons featuring the phrase “Ask me why we are advanced!”  It’s a great question, because we know you have a choice in who you trust to care for your injuries.  We have been asking ourselves the same question a lot lately, along with “why should our patients choose our practice and allow us to help them?” 

It’s not an easy answer, because a lot goes into not only getting you better, but into making sure the experience you have while you are with us is as smooth and enjoyable for you as possible.

When the people who make up St. Peters Bone and Joint sat down and really thought about it, we had many ideas about what makes us advanced and why so many people come back to our practice, and send their friends and family to us.  In our office, everyone with whom you come in contact treats you as a guest.  Not a number.  Not a diagnosis to fix.  As a person, just as we would treat you in our own home. 

We are skilled specialty physicians, with talents that span not only bone and joint injuries, but include management of concussions, overuse injuries, and chronic pain.  What makes us advanced?  We employ cutting edge diagnostic and treatment strategies to get you better.  And we do this with you as our guide.  Every guest’s treatment is individualized to his or her goals and desires. 

Want to run a marathon but have some knee pain?  We’ll talk with you about why you have that pain, how you can fix it, and how you can avoid having it ever again.  Have a shoulder that keeps you up at night?  We’ll show you what is going on, help control the pain, and educate you on how make it go away forever.  Together, we will come up with a plan and help you execute it.  You are in charge.  We are here to help you meet your goals and live your life.  And we hope that while you are with us, you will actually enjoy being at the doctor’s office.

So when it came down to it, we felt the name “St. Peters Bone and Joint Surgery” didn’t illustrate to our guests what makes our practice special.  It tells you where we are, but it doesn’t describe the incredible things that are going on here.  It doesn’t express why we should be your ally in meeting your goals.  So welcome to the new “Advanced Bone & Joint.”  We are happy to be your partner in health.  When the need arises, come on in and let us show you why we are advanced!

Check out the new Advanced Bone & Joint!

Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot!

This summer in the Midwest sure has been a hot one.  Thankfully, a break in the oppressive temperatures appears to be here—just in time for the start of the high school fall sports practice season.  While the weather will be relatively cooler, two-a-day practices on days with highs in the 90s and high humidity still put athletes at risk for heat injury.  Fortunately, heat injury is largely preventable with a little common sense.

When an athlete exercises, the body’s temperature is elevated and the body sweats to cool itself down.  Body fluid and critical electrolytes are lost in the process.  If fluids and electrolytes are not replaced, dehydration occurs, increasing the risk of heat injury.

Symptoms of heat injury may include:

·         Cramps

·         Chills

·         Dark urine

·         Dizziness

·         Dry mouth

·         Weakness

·         Thirst

·         Headaches

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Confusion

Heat-related illness can be prevented.  Athletes should stay hydrated before, during and after exercise.  Light, loose clothing should be worn and skin should be exposed as much as possible.  They should train appropriately to be ready for the heat, usually starting with short, low intensity workouts that may gradually increase over 7-14 days.  This allows the body to get used to the conditions safely. 

Coaches and parents play an important role in prevention, as well.  Each should strive to be able to recognize early signs of heat injury.  Practicing during the early morning or later evening hours decreases risk.  Additionally, workouts should be altered when heat and humidity are high, and when individual athletes are not ready for the heat.

Hydration is the most important way to prevent heat illness.  Athletes should drink at least 16 ounces of water or sports drink one hour prior to exercise.  During exercise, they should continue to drink regularly, about 4-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes.   If an event lasts longer than one hour, or if there will be multiple bouts of exercise in a day (like a tournament), a drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes should be used.  Most sports drinks will do the trick.  Otherwise, plain water is fine.

If you see any signs of heat illness, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency.  Do not hesitate to call for an ambulance early on if an athlete seems to be in trouble.  While you are waiting, begin cooling the athlete by getting him or her to a shaded area.  Consider placing the athlete in a pool of cold water, if available.  If not, placing ice bags or cold towels around the neck, armpits, and groin will help.  Provide cool beverages if the athlete is able to drink.  Act quickly, as these interventions may save someone’s life.

Exercise Helps Decrease Arthritis Pain!

Did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States? 22% of adults have arthritis. For many of my patients a diagnosis conjures up fears of needles, medication side effects, and ultimately--surgery. Most look at me with disbelief when I tell them that exercise--even weightbearing exercise--may actually help alleviate their pain.

Numerous medical studies have shown that physical activity is an important but underused intervention for adults with arthritis that decreases pain, delays the onset of disability, improves physical functioning, mood and independence, and enhances quality of life, aerobic capacity, and muscle strength.

Here are some recommendations for all adults:

• 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity.

• Additional health benefits are provided by increasing to 5 hours a week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity, or 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of vigorous intensity physical activity, or a combination of both.

• Muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups performed on 2 or more days per week.

Brisk walking is a good example of moderate intensity exercise and more intense jogging is considered vigorous. Biking and swimming are also good options.

It is often difficult for folks to find time in their busy schedules to exercise, but the great thing is that these periods of exercise can be broken up into small chunks. Even a ten minute bout of exercise is worth it. Strive to do enough of these a week to add up to the recommendations above. Those knees won't ache as much if you do!

For more ideas on exercise activities: http://www.health.gov/

Take a look at this striking concussion video...

Little Rocky: Is Boxing Appropriate for Children?

Boxing is becoming an increasingly popular sport in young athletes. Proponents feel boxing teaches children discipline and promotes success. However, these benefits are likely outweighed by the inherent risks of the sport. In a recent policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society contend that the intention to win points for blows to an opponent's head or body or even inflict a knockout makes boxing inappropriate for children and adolescents. Medical literature agrees. There is a significant risk of neurological injury, including deaths, from severe brain injuries.

According to injury databases, young boxers have the highest hospitalization rate among those participating in combat sports. Most commonly, they suffer from facial fractures and closed head injuries (concussions). A study of emergency department visits found 8,700 boxing injuries per year between 1990 and 2008. That's one emergency room visit per hour for 19 years! And injuries are on the rise.

While fractures are the most common injury overall, there is also a high risk of concussion, which are potentially far more dangerous in children than in adults because the brain is still developing. Repetitive blows to the head also put children at risk for structural brain injuries like bleeds, cognitive abnormalities and neurological deficits that can be permanent.

Boxing is a dangerous sport. With recent findings about the dangers of repetitive head trauma, parents should think very carefully about whether their child's participation is appropriate. There are numerous other combat sports, such as martial arts, that can provide a safer alternative while still promoting discipline and physical fitness.