Are you considering back surgery? Depending on your personal circumstance, a back surgery may or may not be the best option for you. Back surgery is a major decision and ultimately it’s something you will need to discuss with your family and physician. As you think about your options, here are 3 things to consider when thinking about a possible back surgery.
Have you been through a full pain management plan?
Surgery is typically a last option. Depending on your injury, there are many options for treating back pain, including medication, rest, physical or massage therapy and pain injections. There are also alternative treatments like acupuncture that are used to reduce pain or slow back problems from progressing. If you are early in the development of your back problem, your physician may recommend you progress through a series of treatments before considering back surgery. However, if you’ve already been through a full pain management plan, surgery may be the best option.
Is your pain considerably reducing the quality of your life?
Many times surgery is considered because the pain is such that it has radically reduced the quality of the person’s life. Does your pain stop you from doing the things you love, with the people you love? Are you unable to do daily chores or work? Has the constant pain changed your attitude and negatively affected your relationships with people? These are all questions you must ask yourself and discuss with your family and physician. If you find the pain and the reduction of your quality of life to be more than the physical pain, you may want to discuss surgery as an option with your physician.
What happens after back surgery?
For many, back surgery is able to help increase range of motion, decrease pain and increase quality of life. But that’s not always the case, when considering surgery, you need to make sure that the likely benefits of your surgery outweigh the pain and decrease in quality of life you are experiencing now. A good physician will discuss what to expect after surgery and most would not even recommend surgery unless believed to be the best course of action. In spite of that, the final decision is yours, so make sure you have a good understanding of the surgery process and what to expect after surgery.
Speak with a physician
Most people try to avoid back surgery at all cost and most physicians will only recommend surgery as a last option. There are many possible treatments outside of surgery that may make your pain manageable and you may want to consider most or all of them before having back surgery. However, if your pain is such that your quality of life is severely reduced, you will want to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic physician to discuss your options. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make and you need to be informed and comfortable with your choice.
“To have Dr. Benson really restore so much of Ned’s mobility and independence, there’s just no way, we could ever measurably repay him.”
These are the words of a grateful mother for the exceptional orthopaedic care received for her son Ned Bryant. Ned was severely injured in a playground accident, suffering from a broken bone, multiple fractures in his arm, vascular trauma and nerve damage. He was rushed to the hospital with his mother where he had to receive multiple surgeries and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
After a couple of days in the intensive care unit, Ned was fairly quiet and a little down, even for someone who had such a traumatic experience. Dr. Benson decided that a good way to take Ned’s mind off of his injuries would be to bring his dog Chelsea into the hospital to play with Ned. And it worked; Chelsea gave Ned something else to focus on, something positive to look forward to and aided Ned as a therapy dog.
Ned is making a strong recovery and has regained many of his lost abilities, like zipping up his jacket, playing the piano, or riding his bike. But Ned is particularly happy about one thing he can do again, holding his mom’s hand. A simple comfort that Ned’s mother is also happy to have regained.
Ned has exhibited a tremendous amount of courage and has embarked on a journey that will only continue to build strength and character in his bright future.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the #1 cause of death for student athletes, claiming thousands of lives a year. Unfortunately, Sudden Cardiac Arrest happens unexpectedly and the only way to prevent it is to get tested and watch for the warning signs.
The good news is Simon's Fund and IBJI are teaming up to provide free heart screenings for middle school students in the Highland Park area. The screenings will be for students in Grades 6–8, on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Rehab – Highland Park 1919 Skokie Valley Road Highland Park, IL 60035.
Simon’s Fund Organization
Simon’s Fund was established in 2005 in memory of Simon Sudman, a seemingly healthy three month old that died in his sleep. The organization is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the need for heart screenings, through education, funding
research, advocating for legislation, and establishing a national registry. Simon’s Fund protects kids by providing free screenings and checking their hearts for defects. The organization has already provided over 5000 screenings and counting.
RSVP at Simonsfund.org
IBJI and Simon’s Fund are working together to provide this special opportunity, but we need you to take advantage. In order for your child to participate in this screening, you will need to register at simonsfund.org. On the day of the screening, a parent or legal guardian must be present and expect the screening process to take approximately 40 minutes.
Who: Students in Grade 6 – 8 When: Sunday, April 14th, 9am – 3pm Where: Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Rehab – Highland Park 1919 Skokie Valley Road Highland Park, IL 60035.
Has your physician recommended a total joint replacement or replacement arthroplasty? Simply put, a total joint replacement is a surgical procedure that removes a joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. The aim of the procedure is to eliminate or relieve pain, but the procedure is usually at the tail end of your pain management treatment plan, as surgery is typically a last resort. However, if your pain has progressed to a point where your physician feels that it’s necessary, you may benefit immensely from the surgery. Here are the top 3 benefits of having a total joint replacement surgery.
Pain Free Living
Do you remember what it was like to live pain free or at least live with a manageable amount of pain? A successful total joint replacement surgery will help reduce or eliminate the pain.
The procedure is designed to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial one called a prosthesis. The prosthesis should allow for pain free movement after the surgery recovery period.
Increased Mobility
Our bodies are designed for movement and a restriction or limitation in movement goes against our nature. The restriction of mobility also has a negative effect on our muscles, often weakening them and further decreasing our flexibility and movement. Of course, if you are not in severe pain every time you move, you will move more, and the prosthesis will help you move without severe pain or in many cases without pain at all.
Return to Day-to-Day Activities
The ultimate goal of your total joint replacement surgery is to get you back to your normal day-to-day activities, and after the surgery recovery period most patients are able to return to doing daily chores, working, and exercising. A successful surgery will help increase your quality of life by reducing pain and allowing you to get back to doing some of the physical activities you enjoy.
Over 7,000 Joint Replacement Surgeries Each Year
Total joint replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that is usually used as a last resort for patients that have severe pain in an affected area, but has great benefits for those who follow through with the procedure including pain free living, increased mobility and a return to normal daily activities. Overall a successful procedure will increase the quality of your life, and help you get back to a point where you enjoy being physically active.
If you have any question about a total joint replacement surgery, make an appointment to see one of our expert orthopedic physicians at IBJI.
This information is not intended to provide advise or treatment for a specific situation. Consult your physician and medical team for information and treatment plans on your specific condition(s).
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can be very painful. RA causes inflammation of the joints which can lead to stiffness and swelling in the affected area. The key to slowing the progression of the disease is recognizing the symptoms and getting treatment as early as possible. Unfortunately, recognizing the symptoms can be tricky as RA may have periods of remission and during those periods there will likely be no symptoms. The key is to listen to your body and not ignore the symptoms.
Numbness or tingling in the hands
One of the most common symptoms of RA is numbness or tingling in the hands. The inflammation compresses the nerves which may cause pain in the wrist area or the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a known condition that affects the wrists and hands and also may be an early sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness is a common complaint of people with RA. The joints are usually very stiff and may have limited range of motion in the morning and then loosen during the day with movement and activity.
Joint Pain
Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect many areas of the body but pain is often directly related to joints. The numbness and tingling in the hands is a common area affected, but pain may be felt in the knees, elbows, shoulders, jaw or neck.
Fatigue
Fatigue by itself is not enough to classify it as a symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis. But constant fatigue in combination with some of the other symptoms, like pain in the joints or tingling in the hands, may be a result of inflammation caused by RA.
Foot Pain
Some people with RA find they have pain in the heel or forefront of the foot as a result of the inflammation. The pain can be such that it stops men from wearing dress shoes or women from heels.
Don’t Ignore the Symptoms of RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis may affect your entire body, but more commonly you will have pain in your hands or joint areas like knees or elbows. The pain or stiffness may be worse in the morning and take you a few hours to feel like you have loosened up.
Remember, individually not all of the symptoms will be good indications of RA, but if you have multiple symptoms, that may be a better indication of the possibility of the disorder. Knowing these symptoms may help you recognize the disease early and get the proper treatment. The key is to not ignore the symptoms and to speak with a physician as soon as the symptoms surface.
This information is not intended to provide advise or treatment for a specific situation. Consult your physician and medical team for information and treatment plans on your specific condition(s).
If you’re suffering from chronic heel pain, you already know the condition can be very inconvenient and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, having pain in the foot area can prevent you from playing sports like basketball and racquetball or stop you from enjoying a nice jog around the block. In more severe cases, pain can be felt while walking or standing. Chronic heel pain may severely reduce the quality of your life if undiagnosed and untreated. It’s important to understand the most common causes and symptoms of heel pain, so that you may seek medical treatment if necessary.
Do you have plantar fasciitis?
The most common cause for heel pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis. The condition is known to be very painful and typically happens as a result of straining or overusing the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is connective tissue that runs from your heel bone to your toes.
Causes ofplantar fasciitis
Typically plantar fasciitis is caused from overuse from activities like running or standing for extended periods of time. But having flat feet or high arches may also contribute to the condition. Additionally, wearing improper footwear over extended periods of time may also cause inflammation to the plantar fascia.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
The most common and obvious symptom is pain in the bottom of the foot at your heel. The pain may be a dull ache or a sharp sensation but often will feel like a stab in the heel of your foot. Because plantar fascia is commonly associated with overuse, the pain may build gradually.
A popular complaint among people with plantar fasciitis is heel pain in the morning upon waking up and taking their first steps. After “warming up” the pain may lessen throughout the day, unless aggravated with strenuous activity.
Get Diagnosed – Don’t live with heel pain
Chronic heel pain is a very painful and uncomfortable condition that may reduce the quality of your life if untreated. A physician will be able to accurately diagnose the condition and put you on a treatment plan, but that starts with you recognizing the symptoms and seeking out help. The most common cause of chronic heel pain is plantar fasciitis which is typically caused by overuse from activities like jogging or running for long periods of time.
If you are suffering from chronic heel pain and have not yet seen a physician, please contact a podiatrist at IBJI for expert treatment. You don’t have to live with heel pain because IBJI can help you enjoy every step.
This information is not intended to provide advise or treatment for a specific situation. Consult your physician and medical team for information and treatment plans on your specific condition(s).
If you have been living with pain in any area of your body for an extended period of time, you are probably familiar with the phrase “pain management”. Many people suffer from conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and other conditions that may gradually progress without the help of a pain management treatment plan. An effective pain management treatment program will usually involve multiple physicians and therapist that will work together to help reduce or eliminate your pain.
What is Pain Management?
Chronic pain conditions can stop you from playing your favorite sports, working or conducting normal day-to-day activities. The main purpose of pain management is to reduce your pain and increase your function to improve quality of life. Pain management usually involves a team effort, for instance, you may start off seeing a doctor because you have low back pain. That physician may prescribe you medication and recommend you see a physical therapist. If the physical therapist and the physician are able to eliminate your pain, your pain management treatment would stop.
However, if the physical therapist put you through an entire program and you were still in pain, she may recommend non-steroidal injections. All of these health practitioners will work together to help you reduce and eliminate your pain.
Posted in Orthopedics on
Thursday, 28 February 2013
What is Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Spinal fusion is a major surgery and medical procedure used to treat back injuries. The surgery includes using rods and screws, and bone grafts to stabilize the spine. This surgery is usually a last resort after other treatments have been tried and failed.
Why would someone need Spinal Fusion Surgery?
In general the surgery is performed to help stabilize the spine, so any major back injury that may reduce stabilization may benefit from this procedure. Spinal injuries can be acute like a fractured or broken back from a severe car accident or as a result of degeneration of the disk in the back over time. Common symptoms that may cause a doctor to consider spinal fusion include:
Posted in Orthopedics on
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Concussions are common injuries in contact sports like hockey, football and basketball and some studies show that up to 10% of athletes in physical sports will experience a concussion in their athletic career. Sports like soccer and hockey pose an even higher risk for athletes due to the nature of the sport, but in reality every athlete is always at risk in contact sports.
Complementary Pre-Concussion Baseline Screening
While some concussions are minor and just need time for the brain to heal and others more complicated and severe, for the safety of the athlete, all head injuries should be examined by a knowledgeable physician. For this reason, IBJI is offering complementary pre-concussion baseline screening for all athletes in the area. Pre-concussion screening is one of the best ways to help physicians evaluate concussions.
What is Baseline Screening?
The baseline screening consists of a computer administered test called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). The test addresses several cognitive areas including memory, symptoms, and reaction time and only takes about twenty minutes to complete. Concussions are handled on an individual basis and the ImPACT provides an objective evaluation for each athlete.
Physicians are able to refer to this baseline as normal for this athlete when comparing it to a post-injury score and thus more effectively guide the management of each specific concussion. ImPACT is recognized world-wide as an accurate and effective way to assess brain function and safely guide an athlete’s return to a sport following a head injury.
How Do I Get a Complementary ImPACT screening?
ImPACT testing is available through Dr. Andrew Hunt. To schedule the ImPACT test please call Tammy at 847-724-4384. If you have specific questions for Dr. Hunt, he can be reached through Cindy at 847-724-4669.
Locations
For your convenience we have several locations to take the test. The ImPACT is available in the Wilmette, Glenview, and Highland Park locations.
1144 Wilmette Ave.-Wilmette, IL
2350 Ravine Way-Glenview, IL
1919 Skokie Vally Road-Highland Park, IL
So When Can I Go Back In?
In accordance with Illinois state law, any athlete who sustained a concussion must be cleared by a physician prior to rejoining the sport. So if you want to get back in the game make sure you get your complementary ImPACT screening as soon as possible. It only takes about 20 minutes and will help your physician make the best recommendations in the event of a head injury.
Call Tammy at 847-724-4384 and schedule the ImPACT test today.
Do you have pain in your wrist or hands? Do you have stiffness in your fingers that seems to be worst in the mornings? What about numbness in your fingers? All of these symptoms are common with arthritis in the hands. Arthritis in the hands can dramatically reduce the quality of life as not having full usage of your hands can really alter how you do things or stop normal day-to-day activities completely.
What is arthritis of the hand?
Arthritis is a condition that describes inflammation of the joints. The most common form of arthritis is degenerative arthritis, also called osteoarthritis. This form of arthritis in your hands can limit functionality and cause much pain due to the loss of cartilage as it wears over time. Osteoarthritis of the hands is usually experienced later in life as it is a degenerative disease.
What are some of the symptoms?
While there are many types of arthritis many of them have common symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
Pain in hands or fingers
Stiffness in hands, especially early in the morning and may improve with day.
Surgery is typically a last option. Depending on your injury, there are many options for treating back pain, including medication, rest, physical or massage therapy and pain injections. There are also alternative treatments like acupuncture that are used to reduce pain or slow back problems from progressing. If you are early in the development of your back problem, your physician may recommend you progress through a series of treatments before considering back surgery. However, if you’ve already been through a full pain management plan, surgery may be the best option.
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can be very painful. RA causes inflammation of the joints which can lead to stiffness and swelling in the affected area. The key to slowing the progression of the disease is recognizing the symptoms and getting treatment as early as possible. Unfortunately, recognizing the symptoms can be tricky as RA may have periods of remission and during those periods there will likely be no symptoms. The key is to listen to your body and not ignore the symptoms.
If you’re suffering from chronic heel pain, you already know the condition can be very inconvenient and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, having pain in the foot area can prevent you from playing sports like basketball and racquetball or stop you from enjoying a nice jog around the block. In more severe cases, pain can be felt while walking or standing. Chronic heel pain may severely reduce the quality of your life if undiagnosed and untreated. It’s important to understand the most common causes and symptoms of heel pain, so that you may seek medical treatment if necessary.
Concussions are common injuries in contact sports like hockey, football and basketball and some studies show that up to 10% of athletes in physical sports will experience a concussion in their athletic career. Sports like soccer and hockey pose an even higher risk for athletes due to the nature of the sport, but in reality every athlete is always at risk in contact sports.
