10 Questions with Dr. K.C. Chang

10 Questions with Dr. K.C. Chang

We’re diving into getting to know the team at Orthopedic Institute (OI), introducing you to some of our illustrious team members.

Today’s featured team member is Dr. K.C. Chang, one of our physicians. Dr. Chang graduated from Florida State University before attending medical school at University of Florida. With 25-plus years of experience treating neck and back pain in orthopedic patients, he’s an incredibly valuable part of the staff.

Let’s take a deeper dive into what Dr. Chang loves most about his work and how he approaches his work at OI.

1. How did you decide to become a physician?

I think I decided to be a physician when I was really young – around six years old. I remember being at the clinic with my dad in Malaysia. I had been riding my bike, and it started to rain. I was close to the clinic, so I went there. Suddenly this guy came in carrying someone who is bleeding everywhere from his head down – he’d been in a car accident. My dad was able to perform suturing and control the bleeding. I realized, “Wow, that was amazing. I want to be a doctor.” From then on, I never questioned what I was going to do. It is a rewarding and noble profession.

2. What led you to join OI?

I was in Orlando, Fla., practicing with 12 other orthopedic surgeons for about 10 years. I was pretty happy with what I was doing, but the group had ran into some difficulties and the group was slowly dissolving. I decided I needed someplace different to work. My brother-in-law let me know that Orthopedic Institute was looking for a muscular skeletal specialist. So I interviewed and loved it here. That was in 2001. I just love it.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

The best part of my job is to be able to help people control their pain without surgery. I try to control pain by providing them with different ways to treat it – acupuncture, injections, epidural injections, physical therapy. I am so happy when the patient feels better, and I can end some of their pain and suffering.

4. What are the strengths of the OI physician team?

We are all well-trained. We are all experts in each of our subspecialties. We have a comprehensive offering of all types of care from very conservative to the intricate work of specialized surgeries. Our doctors care about the patient – we have compassion for our patients, and they realize that.

5. What is the best part about working with patients?

The best part of working with patients is when they come in with pain and then are so grateful after the treatment you provide and how much relief you give them. To me, that is the best. When you know you did something to help them – it is so gratifying.

6. What would you consider your career highlight?

Joining Orthopedic Institute back in 2001 was the highlight of my career. I really like it here. My son Michael was one year old at the time. He was the youngest, and, even though he was born in Orlando, all he knows is South Dakota. A few months ago he asked me, “Dad, are you going to sell the house when you retire?” I told him “Maybe, I don’t know.” So he said, “Well if you don’t sell the house, can you give it to me? Because I love Sioux Falls!” My other kids say, “I want to go somewhere warm.” But Michael – I take him to New York, and he hates it. He always wants to come back to Sioux Falls!

7. How do you spend your time when you’re not at OI?

I like tennis, so I play singles on Mondays and doubles on Tuesdays. I was actually the No. 1 player on my high school tennis team in Florida. Right now, I am not that good, but I love to exercise! I like to read books and watch movies and travel.

8. What was the last book you read?

The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. It’s an interesting book about how to find happiness and identify the meaning of joy. I enjoy reading non-fiction.

9. What is your go-to movie snack?

I like action movies. And I like the popcorn at the movies, but my wife does not. She thinks it is too salty, so when we go, she say’s “No butter, no salt.” Then we have to get a small box and not a medium one. (You have to make your wife happy.)

10. If you could have dinner with one person living or dead, who would it be?

Gandhi I think is one person I would like to meet and talk about how he got into this non-violent thing and how he helped people. And Martin Luther King and JFK – those three people who influenced the world and changed the world for the better.

Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation for Your Back & Neck Arthritis

Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation for Your Back and Neck Arthritis

Arthritis pain can keep you from enjoying hobbies you love or getting the rest you need. If you’re not interested or able to pursue advanced surgical options, there are alternatives. One such alternative is a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) also known as a “rhizotomy.”

Read on to learn more about RFA and how it can help treat your arthritis.

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat severe, chronic pain associated with arthritis of the spine. The procedure uses heat, concentrated on specific nerve tissues, to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain.

A physician uses X-ray guidance to direct a specialized radiofrequency needle along the targeted nerves. A small amount of electrical current is used to target the correct nerves and to help align the needle. Then radiofrequency waves are sent through the needle to heat its tip and disrupt the nerve’s ability to send signals.

Additionally…

  1. RFA is a minimally invasive operation and can typically be done in day-surgery clinics. Patients go home shortly after the operation.
  1. Patients are awake during the procedure (although a sedative is administered), so any risks with anesthesia are avoided.
  1. Pain can be relieved for anywhere between six months to a year.

How does it help treat arthritis?

A rhizotomy procedure can be beneficial to facet or spondylosis arthritis in a few ways. While the joint will still be arthritic, the pain will be relieved significantly. The pain relief is also considered long-lasting. The average steroid injection provides about three to four months of relief, whereas an RFA provides 10-12 months. As a result, people get an increase in mobility and can be considerably more active.

It’s also a great alternative to surgery, especially for people with certain medical complications in which they can’t have surgery or surgery hasn’t been effective in the past. Others might be too young or not have enough pain to warrant a surgery. RFA can be particularly beneficial for these people.

8 Joint-Friendly Foods to Strengthen Your Mobility

8 Joint-Friendly Foods to Strengthen Your Mobility

On the hunt for ways to eat healthier and keep your joints operating in tip-top shape? There are plenty of delicious and versatile foods to add a joint-healthy spin to your daily diet. We’ve compiled some awesome options for you—take a look.

Berries

Berries are a great source of antioxidants with inflammation-fighting properties. You have plenty of options to choose from, and they taste great with a variety of foods or as a snack by themselves. Try them in yogurt or smoothies, or use them to add extra flavor to cereals.

Red Apples

Red apples are sweet and crunchy treats that get their reddish color from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants found among the healthiest properties of drinks such as green tea, cocoa and red wine. They are actually known to be often twice as powerful an antioxidant as Vitamin C and can be easily spotted due to the bright red-orange or blue-violet color they give a fruit or vegetable that contains them. Add red apples and Dijon mustard to your next turkey sandwich for an easy lunch.

Nuts

What food serves as an amazing source of protein, vitamin E, calcium, zinc and magnesium? The answer—nuts. Not only will they help combat your arthritis, they’re great for your heart and a must for anyone looking to lose weight. Give pistachios, almonds or walnuts a try.

Oily Fish

If you love fish, you’re in luck. Certain types of fish are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids excel at fighting off inflammation. Salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring are excellent Omega-3-rich fish. It’s recommended to eat three to four ounces of fish a couple times a week, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Orange Vegetables

Carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes—they’re rich with vitamin A and beta-carotene, and they help keep inflammation at bay. Combine the three in a pan, top with olive oil (plus your spices of choice) and lightly brown them in a 400-degree oven. Now you have a tasty side dish or afternoon snack.

Leafy Greens

Leafy veggies such as kale and spinach have antioxidants that help slow the progress of arthritis and relieve arthritis-related pain. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also good green veggies to consider.

Onions

Onions are a good source for quercetin, which was found to decrease arthritis symptoms in mice, according to this 2006 study. While that doesn’t mean it will act as effectively as a treatment in humans, adding onions to your meals won’t hurt. They’re great with burgers, steak or served up sauteed on their own.

Food Oils

Extra virgin olive oil immediately comes to mind. Not only is it good for your heart, but it also contains substances that act similarly to non-steroid-based, anti-inflammatory medicines. While olive oil is a popular choice, you should also consider avocado, safflower oil and even walnut oil. Walnut oil actually has 10 times more omega-3 than olive oil.