Most of us have had an injection of some kind at some point in our lives, whether it’s a seasonal flu vaccine or a Novocaine shot at the dentist. But not all injections are built the same in their execution nor their purpose.
Let’s break down the six most prevalent injections you might receive when visiting Orthopedic Institute (OI).
Epidural Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of nerve pain
This injection takes place in the epidural space, directly over the compressed nerve root in the spine or neck. These types of injections are typically used in the treatment of back, neck or limb pain or inflammation that can be sourced back to nerve damage in the spine.
Facet Block Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of severe arthritis
Facet joints can be found at each segment of the spine. They help provide stability and your range of motion. These joints can become painful over time from arthritis in the spine, back injuries or other back conditions. A facet block injection is traditionally used to assist your physician in determining if facet treatment is necessary, as well as to offer continued pain reduction for the patient thanks to a steroid element.
Medial Branch Block
Primary Function: Diagnosis of facet-joint blockage
The medial branch block goes hand in hand with the facet block joints mentioned above. The blockage is treated by injecting an anesthetic near the small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint. There are usually multiple injections that occur in a single procedure.
SI Joint Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of lower back pain
A sacroiliac, or “SI,” joint injection can work to counteract sacroiliac joint dysfunction. There are two of these joints in your body, and they’re located near the spine on either side, connecting the sacrum (between the hip bones). Inflammation of these joints causes pain that can be remedied by an SI joint injection.
Corticosteroid Injection
Primary Function: Relief of inflammation
Also known as cortisone injections, corticosteroid injections are concentrated injections of anti-inflammatories. These types of injections offer quick relief to potentially inflamed muscles, joints and tendons. The most common places for injections are the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow and ankle.
Interested?
If you feel like one of these injections might help you with your own orthopedic care, talk to our team and make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
5 Common Injections for Treating Orthopedic Conditions
/in Hip, Knee, Neck and Spine, Pain Management, Shoulder and Elbow /by Christopher HolmanMost of us have had an injection of some kind at some point in our lives, whether it’s a seasonal flu vaccine or a Novocaine shot at the dentist. But not all injections are built the same in their execution nor their purpose.
Let’s break down the six most prevalent injections you might receive when visiting Orthopedic Institute (OI).
Epidural Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of nerve pain
This injection takes place in the epidural space, directly over the compressed nerve root in the spine or neck. These types of injections are typically used in the treatment of back, neck or limb pain or inflammation that can be sourced back to nerve damage in the spine.
Facet Block Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of severe arthritis
Facet joints can be found at each segment of the spine. They help provide stability and your range of motion. These joints can become painful over time from arthritis in the spine, back injuries or other back conditions. A facet block injection is traditionally used to assist your physician in determining if facet treatment is necessary, as well as to offer continued pain reduction for the patient thanks to a steroid element.
Medial Branch Block
Primary Function: Diagnosis of facet-joint blockage
The medial branch block goes hand in hand with the facet block joints mentioned above. The blockage is treated by injecting an anesthetic near the small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint. There are usually multiple injections that occur in a single procedure.
SI Joint Injection
Primary Function: Treatment of lower back pain
A sacroiliac, or “SI,” joint injection can work to counteract sacroiliac joint dysfunction. There are two of these joints in your body, and they’re located near the spine on either side, connecting the sacrum (between the hip bones). Inflammation of these joints causes pain that can be remedied by an SI joint injection.
Corticosteroid Injection
Primary Function: Relief of inflammation
Also known as cortisone injections, corticosteroid injections are concentrated injections of anti-inflammatories. These types of injections offer quick relief to potentially inflamed muscles, joints and tendons. The most common places for injections are the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow and ankle.
Interested?
If you feel like one of these injections might help you with your own orthopedic care, talk to our team and make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
How to Do the Lunge Correctly
/in Foot and Ankle, Knee, Sports Medicine /by Christopher HolmanLunges are one of the most efficient ways to easily build strength in multiple parts of your body, including your calves, core, and glutes. Their relative ease makes them incredibly popular for at home or gym workouts. However, the exercise is only effective when done correctly. If you let your form slip, you’ll lose a lot of the powerful punch a lunge can provide – as well as possible cause long-term damage.
Foot Placement
One of the most common issues keeping people from achieving a proper lung is foot placement. Your foot should point straight ahead – avoid rotating it out and away from your body. If your foot is rotated, it can put undue stress on your ankle and knee.
Knee Alignment
As you place your foot correctly and begin to lower into a lunge, pay attention to where your knee is landing. Your knee should be in line with the outer portion of your leg. It is common for people to rotate their knee to the inside of their body as they lunge forward. This usually happens because of improper training or some sort of knee weakness. As soon as you rotate your knee to the inside, you stop working the outside of your glut, losing potential muscle work.
Holding Your Chest
Once you have fully lowered into a lunge, make sure to keep your chest high and neutral. Avoid leaning excessively forward. When you lean forward, you drive all the pressure and weight towards your toes and knees. You should keep your body established in a vertical placement over your legs.
Make it Even
You may have perfect lunge technique on your right side, but everything starts to slip when you move to your left side. This is actually relatively common, especially if you have an injury or are recovering from surgery. Find a qualified trainer to work with you on making sure you keep your weaker knee in the correct position.
If you are placing your body directly in a lunge, you should come down into the proper position without any issue. Interested in becoming a lunge expert? Join the qualified trainers at D1 Sports Training to learn how to exercise safely and effectively.
6 Training Tips Every Female Athlete Needs to Know
/in Orthopedic Institute, Sports Medicine /by Christopher HolmanIt’s that time of year – you probably have a New Year’s resolution with some sort of element of health and fitness. But before you hit the gym or sign up for any program, make sure you know your stuff. Female athletes have to consider different things when it comes to working out.
Female trainees should try these tips on for size.
Replenish
You might assume eating after a workout is counter-productive, but it’s actually the opposite. While women might try to avoid post-workout eating, a high-protein, good-carb meal within an hour of working out is critical to maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Increase Reps
Due to the makeup of their muscle fibers and their natural resistance to fatigue, women actually respond more positively to higher-rep workouts than many men do. If you’re building your workout regimen, consider higher frequency, versus higher weight or resistance.
Vary it Up
Not only does constantly going through the motions of the same workout time and again bore your brain, it can bore your body. Too much sameness gives your body a chance to grow too accustomed to what’s coming and stall progress. Keep things interesting – add reps, work out different muscle groups, etc.
Don’t Fear Pushups
Women might tend to avoid chest exercises in workouts, but the truth is they’re pivotal to strength training. Because the female body is inherently prone to more weakness in the shoulders and chest than the male body, simple chest workouts like pushups can add a lot of valuable strength that benefits other exercises and technique.
Train More Often
Women as a general rule also are able to recover from a workout more quickly than a man might. Females might respond better to working out often or with a higher degree of frequency than males, who often require more recovery time after a high-intensity workout.
Rely on Teamwork
It’s amazing what a little camaraderie and encouragement can do for your workout. Having a coach or trainer is one thing, but having fellow trainees you can relate to is powerful both for a healthy, competitive spirit and for motivation. Consider bringing a friend along to the gym who has similar goals.
Your future workout team is waiting. The D1 facility in Sioux Falls is comprehensive, effective coaching in a variety of specialty areas with athletic and Orthopedic Institute professionals on hand. Interested in finding out more? Join D1’s coaches for a FREE class! Stop by our facility at 5901 S. Southeastern Avenue or reach us at 605.271.7130. You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @D1SiouxFalls.
The Physical Effects of Training on Your Body
/in Orthopedic Institute, Physical Therapy, Shoulder and Elbow /by Christopher HolmanYou can feel it every time you engage in physical activity. Something is happening, physiologically speaking, when you train or work out. But what exactly is it doing, and what are the positive effects of the visual effects of change in breath patterns, muscle fatigue or a pounding heartbeat?
Here are some of the physical effects your body undergoes when you’re training.
Joints & Bones
If bone density is a priority for you (it starts to decrease once you reach your maximum in early adulthood) training can actually have a positive effect on your joints and bones. Inactivity is the quickest route to brittle bones – weight-bearing exercise helps build up your bone mass and staves off bone disease and weakness of joints.
Bloodflow
So you’ve heard the phrase “get your blood pumping” when it comes to exercise, but what does that even mean? Well, when you’re working out or training, your bloodflow is redirected to the most pressing areas of need, namely muscles, where the increase of oxygen and decrease of waste and acid buildup improves flow efficiency in the long-term.
Brain Function
One of the bonuses of improved bloodflow is improved brain function – exercise and fitness actually has positive physical effects on your brain power. You might notice your ability to focus and recall facts is improved immediately following a workout. It’s a direct result of improved bloodflow.
Cardiology
Bloodflow is pretty much a wash without the heart, another element of the body that undergoes distinct physiological effects during training. With frequent physical activity, your heart becomes better over time at pumping more blood to the most effective locations in the body. This means a more efficient distribution of blood with a lower heart rate, something virtually impossible in a body devoid of frequent exercise.
Lung Capacity
The fact of the matter is, when you’re working out, you’re pushing your lungs to their maximum breathing capacity – often requiring as much as 15 times as much oxygen than when you’re sitting still. There’s a reason this has positive long-term effects. Each time you reach your maximum oxygen intake you’re building up the level at which it normally rests. The more you exercise, the more this level increases and improves your fitness.
Muscles
When your muscles are in action, they require more oxygen and blood vessels expand to allow this intake. And the more they’re used, the more nutrients are delivered, spurring growth and ability. The process of working out delivers the right hormones and other elements to your muscular system to improve your athletic prowess over time.
When to Know If an ER Visit Is Necessary
/in Fractures and Trauma, Pain Management /by Christopher HolmanVisiting the ER or emergency department of a hospital for immediate orthopedic needs can be a traumatic and stressful experience for anyone. But with the right team on the case and the right frame of mind, you can weather an ER visit without adding to the pressure.
Here are five details on ER care to keep in mind, courtesy of the experts at Orthopedic Institute (OI).
Is it a true emergency?
If you find yourself needing orthopedic care that is non-life-threatening and occurs between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., you have the option of calling a clinic, such as OI (605-331-5890). Speaking with a knowledgeable and caring nurse will help you find out more about the seriousness of your injury and potentially get you scheduled with a doctor on the same day, encourage you to come to a walk-in clinic like the ones OI offers or head directly to an ER.
Emergency or urgency?
If you require urgent but not necessarily emergency orthopedic care, a walk-in clinic may be your best option. OI offers OI NOW from 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturdays. Urgent care or walk-in clinics are typically staffed by a professional orthopedic physician assistant (PA). They’re an option when your situation is concerning enough that you don’t want to wait until the next day. The PA will be able to assess your injury and help determine what the best route is for you. You may need to see a physician, and the PA can get the ball rolling with X-rays and, when necessary, an MRI.
Is it after hours?
If you’re in need of orthopedic medical care after typical office hours and you’re not certain a trip to the emergency room is the right way to go, you can call a clinic’s after-hours service (OI’s is at 605-331-5890). The service provider will listen and take a message to quickly transmit it to an available doctor on call. He or she then calls you back to determine how urgent your situation is and whether a trip to the ER is necessary or you should set an office appointment in the next day or two.
Ready to wait?
Sometimes a trip to the ER is necessary—so it’s important to have a grasp on how best to approach it. More than 130 million times a year, people in the United States end up in an emergency room—often with non-life-threatening problems that can mean hours of waiting for treatment. Before seeing a doctor, expect to wait more than 55 minutes, the average ER wait time across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On a busy night or weekend, the wait could end up being several hours, depending on where you live.
Seeing a specialist?
A word to the wise: If you do end up in the ER, most people don’t know that you can choose your own doctor. Your ER doctor may try to keep you within his or her network rather than offer you a choice of a specialist you may prefer, so you insist on seeing the doctor of your choice. Exercising this option can be useful if you regularly see a doctor familiar with your condition or if you have never been seen by a specialist such as an OI doctor, but wish to see one with skill in the area that’s landed you in the ER in the first place. Having the ER call an orthopedic doctor with whom you already have a relationship will get the process started much more quickly than with a doctor who has never treated you before. This will only help get you in and out of the ER as soon as possible and ahead of patients waiting to be assigned a doctor.
When is Too Young for Your Child to Start Training?
/in Sports Medicine /by Christopher HolmanYou and your child both might have big dreams for athletic prowess in the coming years. Whether it’s college sports, a run at the Olympics or simply a lifelong commitment to health and wellness, athletic training might be on your itinerary.
But what are the potential benefits of starting your child on training at an early age? And how young is “too young” to start?
Growth
Overall, a regular health and fitness routine is positive for growth in children – those who are healthy have a leg up in height, weight management, muscle strength and even lung capacity. When it comes to resistance training in particular, studies have shown, in fact, that it can actually have a great impact on strength prior to adolescence. With the right trainer and program, preadolescents can achieve the same levels of strength gains that their adolescent counterparts do. (And there’s no marked difference between boys and girls in this regard – the same similarity of results can be achieved regardless of gender.)
Benefits
Exercise is always a good thing. But what does strength training, and namely resistance training, offer a child? The NSCA has found that youth resistance training regimens can spur improvements in future weight management and risk of heart-related ailments. Beyond that, it can give children a start to optimum motor skills and improve athleticism – including decreasing a child’s tendency toward injury while engaging in sports.
Getting Started
If your child is ready to get the ball rolling on a training program, such as resistance training, getting started is often as easy as finding a qualified, licensed professional to administer the program. A good rule of thumb for determining whether your child is ready is, if he or she is ready for participation in sports, then some degree of resistance training is likely possible and safe. First things first – consider scheduling a physical for your child to pinpoint any potential physical ailments before diving headfirst into training. A qualified instructor will walk your child through gym safety, initial ability expectations and proper use of the equipment right off the bat.
A youth training regimen should include a warm-up and cool-down period in each session that should last approximately five to 10 minutes apiece. Most coaches recommend starting with a high rep count and lighter weights: ask a trusted instructor for their opinion. To start, the NSCA recommends avoiding sessions on back-to-back days and to limit them to three per week at the most. These can be increased over time.
And this one’s important – don’t forget to ensure your child gets healthy meals, plenty of water and the optimum amount of sleep.
Are you ready to set your child up for future physical and athletic success by starting a resistance-training program? Orthopedic Institute along with D1 of Sioux Falls offers experienced and tailored training your child deserves. Contact D1 of Sioux Falls to get started.
Sources: National Strength and Conditioning Association
3 Ways Orthopedic Care is a Gift During the Holidays
/in Fractures and Trauma, Pain Management /by Christopher HolmanThe gift of healing. It’s a gift that keeps on giving and can keep you going. During the holiday season, this is one gift that may be critically important and highly useful. We are sometimes so worried about finding that perfect Black Friday deal or the perfect Christmas decorations that we might forget to take care of our own bodies.
Aches, breaks, and dislocations don’t take a break—here’s how orthopedic care can brighten your spirits over the holidays.
Always on call
The holidays don’t mean a vacation from potential orthopedic pitfalls, and, luckily for you, orthopedic caregivers are typically on-call throughout the break to ensure patients are well provided for in the event of an injury or incident. Pain can wear on you in both the physical and emotional sense and can consume your energy and focus. When that pain is alleviated, you can get back to the things you truly care about and were otherwise unable to do.
Because of a team of committed physicians, Orthopedic Institute (OI) is one such facility that has on-call physicians provide healing services from when the first snowflake falls to when the last one melts.
Physicians with passion
You won’t get better care than from physicians and clinic staff who have a drive and a passion for healing. That’s why selecting a healthcare provider with a stellar crew is so critical to your end results. OI’s own team members are drawn to the field of orthopedics for a variety of reasons, including genuine curiosity for medicine, family influences and a nurturing spirit. One thing they all have in common, though, is passion for healing.
Determined follow-through
A commitment to seeing the healing process through to a patient-pleasing ending is another crucial gift when it comes to orthopedic care, particularly during the holiday season. Injury can keep you from taking part in family traditions and things you truly care about, so having a caregiver with amazing follow-through can make all the difference.
OI’s physicians appreciate the opportunity to come alongside patients in their times of need, whether that’s a devastating injury or debilitating pain. They’re committed to walking patients through the process step by step – and the last step is resolution. OI’s team strives to get patients back to the things that matter most to them through the healing process.
Just remember this season to always be conscious of your health. There is a lot of comfort in knowing that if unexpected injury or physical pain occurs for you or your loved ones, there are caring physicians in your community who are ready to deliver the gift of healing.
A Thanksgiving Note from Orthopedic Institute
/in News, Orthopedic Institute /by Christopher HolmanThanksgiving has become a tradition in which many individuals get together with their family and friends, enjoy a break from their busy schedule, and eat turkey. However, many of us have a hard time taking a moment to merely sit and be grateful. In between the appointments, activities, family gatherings, and delicious food, we may fail to reflect on the blessings in our lives.
So here at Orthopedic Institute, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude. We recognize our good fortune: we are so grateful that we live and work in a community like Sioux Falls where we enjoy a clean city with a low crime rate, a low unemployment rate, a good cost of living and wonderful neighbors. In our line of work, we see many people who have terrible injuries who seem to find ways to appreciate even the smallest things. One of the things we find our patients are most grateful for is their ability to drive. These are the types of small things that we try not to take for granted.
We have been honored to have so many of you choose Orthopedic Institute for your care. We want to wish everyone a very happy, blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas with lots of family, friends, food, gratitude.
Would you like to see an expert at Orthopedic Institute? Feel free to request an appointment or keep in touch on our website at orthopedicinstitutesf.com or give us a call at 605-331-5890. Follow us on Facebook!
What Is Aquatic Therapy?
/in Aquatic Therapy, Pain Management /by Christopher HolmanWhether you’ve suffered an acute injury or have ongoing pain or stress from a chronic illness such as arthritis, you have options when it comes to recovery techniques.
One such style of therapy can work wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing – aquatic therapy.
The Technique
Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy, offered in a warm water environment, that facilitates walking, joint and muscle mobility, balance, and reduction in swelling. Not all aquatic therapy sessions are alike! Your physical therapist will assess your strengths and weaknesses and build a program that is specific to your needs, and that will promote functional independence for you to return to your daily activities on land as soon as possible.
The Benefits
Exercising in the water is typically easier to tolerate than land-based exercise. The warmth of the water produces relaxation, decreased muscle tension, and often a reduction in anxiety or fear that may be associated with therapy. The buoyancy of the water allows for decreased stress on your joints, making walking and weight-bearing more comfortable. The hydrostatic pressure of the water on your limbs can help to reduce swelling, therefore allowing better circulation and mobility of the affected joint. For those who struggle with balance, aquatic therapy is a great way to work on stability without the fear of falling on a hard surface.
The Results
Studies have proven that aquatic therapy has great benefits for people with chronic illnesses, such as osteoarthritis. Research from the American Physical Therapy Association found that 72% of sufferers saw marked improvements in pain reduction and 75% in overall joint function as a result of just six weeks of aquatic therapy. A 2014 study of women who suffer from fibromyalgia found that four months of aquatic therapy significantly improved their quality of sleep, cognitive function and physical abilities.
The Opportunities
The best results will come from scheduling an aquatic therapy session with a licensed, trusted professional. If you are interested in aquatic therapy, and want to learn more, check out www.orthopedicinstitutesf.com/services/aquatic-therapy/ or call Orthopedic Institute to schedule an appointment at our physical therapy location inside the GreatLife Woodlake Athletic Club. 605.977.6845 or 1.866.777.7678.
A Family Guide to a Healthy, Safe Halloween
/in Orthopedic Institute /by Christopher HolmanHalloween is fast approaching—have you mentally prepared for navigating this holiday in which your kids will be amped for a sugar rush and you’ve got the added pressure of delivering great decorations, costumes and candy at your doorstep?
Well, there are several ways in which you can have a successful Halloween without sacrificing health and safety. Try these on for size.
Candy in Moderation
Here’s the crux of staying healthy and fit amidst a holiday built around gathering as much candy as possible – enjoy in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to have your kids select their three most-wanted pieces of candy once they return home and save the rest for later. You as the parent can set the tone by following the same rules.
Another good route is to feed them a filling, nutritious meal prior to trick-or-treating to curb their appetites for later. (Plus, there are ample opportunities in Sioux Falls for your kids to donate their candy to charities or food banks – have them take a handful of their favorites and then do some good for their community with the rest.)
Trick-or-Treating Ground Rules
You’re the best judge of how old your kids should be before they can head out on the trick-or-treating trek alone, but it’s always a good idea to keep an adult close by when wandering around the neighborhood at night. Make sure you walk through the rules with your kids before they head out so they know how to navigate traffic, unfamiliar houses and sticking with the sidewalk. It’s a good idea to pack a flashlight, a phone or some other form of contacting you for help and information about your name and address in case your child gets lost and asks someone for help.
Pumpkin Precautions
Carving jack-o-lanterns is a pretty important part of many people’s Halloween celebrations, but when it comes to involving your kids, make sure you’re keeping an eye on those cutting utensils. Most pumpkins have enough give that a fairly dull or kid-friendly carver is totally appropriate (maybe skip the high-end cutlery). And when it comes to fire safety, make sure you adequately clean out the innards of your pumpkins and try swapping out your candles for flameless tea lights or glow sticks.
De-Complicate the Costume
Remember that old adage, “take one thing off before leaving the house?” Maybe implement that when it comes to cumbersome Halloween costumes. Skip the clunky costumes that could cause your children to trip and injure themselves like long robes or capes, and avoid heavy masks that could hinder breathing. (And some reflective tape never hurt when it comes to being noticed by drivers.)
Post-Halloween Fitness
It’s inevitable sometimes – the trick-or-treating fest could end with a pretty substantial bellyache among your kids (and possibly even yourself). Here’s a handy trick to get back into the swing of things post-Halloween – make Nov. 1 a day of family physical activity. This year it falls on a Tuesday, so plan on taking a family outing to the park after school or the tennis courts after dinner. (Or maybe even bring a picnic with healthy fruits and vegetables and lean proteins to help your bodies recover from that sugar rush.)