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Warmer weather means spending more time outdoors. Although there are risks involved with many summer activities, there are lots of things you can do to make it a safe summer. For more information on avoiding heat exhaustion and summer injury prevention, visit http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. Just last week, 93-year-old actress Zsa Zsa Gabor fell out of bed and broke her hip, ultimately she required hip replacement surgery. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) knows that a fall in the home can be both life threatening and debilitating. Older Americans and their caregivers can take a proactive approach using the following AAOS guidelines to help keep seniors fall and injury-free.

Tips for the Home:

• Eliminate all tripping hazards, such as loose rugs in the home.
• Install grab bars or handrails on both sides of the stairway and other safety devices near bathtubs and beds.
• Place a lamp or flashlight near the bed.
• Keep clutter – like pets’ toys or papers – off the bedroom floor.
• Replace satiny bed sheets with products made of non-slippery material; i.e. wool or cotton.
• Arrange furniture to allow a clear pathway between rooms.
• Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or slip-resistant backing.
• Keep stairs clear of packages, boxes or other clutter.
• Install light-switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Or, try motion-detector lights that turn on automatically.
• Put non-slip treads on each bare-wood step.
• Consider adding rails to the bed to prevent the sleeping person from rolling off.
• Keep track of pets, as these creatures are responsible for more than 86,000 fall-related injuries each year.

Dress:

• Wear properly-fitting shoes or slippers with non-skid soles, throughout the home and especially on stairs.
• Replace slippers that have stretched out of shape and are too loose.
• Never walk with socks or stockings on hardwood floors.
• Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you cannot get up from a fall.

Watch the: 60 second television ad on falls prevention, Alone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2cfBBnt3Fo&feature=player_embedded

AAOS has more resources on falls:

• Guidelines for preventing falls
• Getting up from a fall
• Lifting techniques for caregivers

For more information on hip replacement surgery, visit http://www.bone-fix.com/ or call 239-368-8277.

• Do you sometimes limp?
• Is it difficult to perform daily tasks like walking, housework or tying shoes?
• Does pain limit your activities and lifestyle?
• Does one leg feel “shorter”? 
• Do you have balance problems?
• Do you experience pain in the thigh, groin or buttocks?
• Does pain radiate to the knee?

It’s estimated 70 million people in the U.S. have some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types, causing wear and tear that deteriorates the “cushion” in your joints. Because osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, it won’t get better and may get worse.

In healthy hips, the end of each bone in the joint is covered with cartilage, acting as a cushion so the joint functions without pain.

In cases of a diseased hip or osteoarthritis, the wear and tear deteriorates the natural cushion, leading to bone-on-bone contact, soreness and swelling.

For a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options, consult your physician or a board certified orthopaedic surgeon. For more information, visit http://www.bone-fix.com/.

For those suffering with chronic knee pain, there is good news! Options for knee replacement surgery have improved and the benefits include a shorter hospital stay, less blood loss and potentially less scarring. Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center is pleased to be among the first practices in the South Florida area to offer custom knee replacement. Using this new technique, we can now match the fit and placement of the total knee implant to the patient’s unique anatomy.

Why is this important? Because everyone’s knees are different. These differences, determined by factors such as age, gender, ethnicity and lifestyle, can have a tremendous impact on the success of knee replacement surgery. Just slight variations in the way the implant fits can lead to pain, stiffness, instability and potentially shorter implant life.

With custom knee replacement, surgeons can preserve more of the patient’s own bone and ligaments, which allows for better implant fit and knee alignment. This means that patients have the opportunity to experience a more “natural” feeling knee, greater range of motion and a quicker return to normal activities.

For more information, visit www.bone-fix.com or call 239-368-8277.

As a participating provider at Lehigh Regional Medical Center and Gulf Coast Medical Center, we are able to offer advanced surgical care for patients with a team of experienced surgical support staff at both facilities. With specialized services and accommodations for patients receiving total knee and hip replacements, Gulf Coast Medical Center and The Joint Academy at Lehigh Regional Medical Center provide patients with pre-surgical education, inpatient hospital care and post-surgical rehabilitation. At both facilities, our patients receive the highest quality, specialized surgical and post-surgical care available. In addition, our surgical teams work together closely and frequently so that patients can expect a team that is highly experienced in joint replacement. As a result, we have good outcomes and our patients return to their healthy, active lifestyles more quickly. Are you considering orthopaedic surgery? I’d like to hear from those of you considering surgery. Share your comments or call us at 239-368-8277 or visit www.bone-fix.com.

Shoulder injuries are frequently caused by athletic activities that involve excessive, repetitive, overhead motion such as swimming, tennis, pitching and weightlifting. Injuries also can occur during everyday activities such washing walls, hanging curtains and gardening.

While shoulder pain can often result from injury, the most common cause of shoulder and other joint pain is osteoarthritis, which involves the wearing down of cartilage in the joints. As the cartilage wears away, the bones rub directly against each other, resulting in pain and stiffness. 

If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, ask yourself these questions:

• Is your shoulder stiff? Can you rotate your arm in all the normal positions?
• Does it feel like your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket?
• Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?

If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, share your comments below. Be sure to consult an orthopaedic surgeon for help in determining the severity of the problem. Early detection is the key to preventing and treating osteoarthritis and shoulder injuries.

For more information, call 239-368-8277 or visit http://www.bone-fix.com/.

Staying active as you age has many benefits, including preserving your bone health. For more information and tips for staying active safely, visit http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00237.

Hip replacement is a major surgery. While traditional hip replacement involves operating from the side or back of the hip, the direct anterior approach requires a smaller incision, about three to four inches long at the front or anterior of the hip.

The anterior approach procedure to total hip replacement has been gaining popularity due to the benefits for patients including reduced scarring and minimized risk of muscle damage. The time from replacement to recovery is reduced and patients are returning to their active lifestyles more quickly.

The benefits of anterior approach to hip replacement include:

-Muscle-friendly
-Less invasive
-Less pain
-Less scarring
-Faster recovery

For more information, call 239-368-8277.

Falls are a serious problem in Lee County. Falls are the most common cause of accidents in people over 65 years of age and the leading cause death to the injury. In fact, 94 people died in Lee County in 2008 due to falls. People living with orthopaedic conditions are especially at risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition is stepping up to help residents and their loved ones prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths through a community-wide campaign, appropriately named “Step WiseLee.”

Step Up and Do Your Part
Falls are not a normal part of aging. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they are more common among the elderly population and the leading cause of injury deaths. Hip fractures and head traumas are the most serious injuries resulting from falls. The CDC recommends taking the following steps to reduce the risk of falls:
• Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape or non-stick pads under rugs
• Eliminate clutter in walkways such as cords, wires, shoes, clothes, books, etc.
• Keep items you regularly use within reach and stored safely in cabinets and drawers
• Have grab bars installed in showers, bathtubs, next to toilets and in hallways
• Use non-slip mats in bathtubs and shower floors
• Have handrails and lights installed on staircases
• Add nightlights in bathrooms and hallways
• Wear shoes both inside and outside the house and avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers
• Schedule an appointment annually to have your vision checked
• Encourage seniors to participate in regular exercise such as walking or water aerobics to maintain balance and muscle tone
• Have health care provider review medications

By working together, we can reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. For more information, visit www.StepWiseLee.com.

When preparing for surgery, Kari Massengill is the point person for patients and families, providing them guidance and helping to prepare them for the next step in their road to recovery.

As surgical coordinator for Dr. Curcione, Kari is responsible for coordinating pre-operative tests and exams and scheduling surgeries. Having worked with Dr. Curcione and his staff for the past five years, Kari has formed friendly relationships with patients and serves as an advocate for patient care.

“When patients call or come to see me, it usually means their pain has increased and non-surgical options are not effective,” said Kari. “It’s time for surgery, and that can bring fear and anxiety along with it. I try to reassure them and walk them through the process, one step at a time.”

For Kari, the best part of her job is when they return: “When patients return following surgery, they always tell me two things – ‘I wish I hadn’t waited so long and I’m no longer in pain. That’s what we like to hear.’”