When discussing health conditions caused by obesity, we most often hear about diabetes, heart disease and stroke. But did you know your weight can have a significant impact on your bones, joints and muscles, too? In this article, we address how obesity impacts your joints and ways to prevent joint damage with weight loss.
Obesity has become one of the most common diseases negatively affecting bone and joint health. More than 40 percent of adults in the United States are considered obese. In North Carolina, the percentage of obese adults is between 30% and 35%.
The percentage of adults with obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years, and with it, so have the number of joint problems. Obesity can damage joints and cause other orthopedic health problems.
With these staggering statistics, it’s time to take a closer look at the impact of obesity on joint health.
How to define obesity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined weight-to-height ratios by calculating a person’s body mass index, or BMI. A BMI that is too low is underweight, and one that exceeds healthy ranges is considered overweight or obese.
To calculate your body mass index, divide your weight by your height squared, then multiply that number by 703. Use the CDC’s BMI calculator to determine your BMI.
Being overweight causes joint damage
How does obesity affect your joints? Obesity increases your risk of joint pain and damage. It is a top risk factor for initiating and progressing osteoarthritis in load-bearing joints like the knee, hip and ankle.
The more weight placed on a joint, the more stressed the joint becomes. The smooth cartilage at the ends of the bones begins to wear down and become damaged. Osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage is worn down and pain and stiffness in the joint increase. Additional weight on the joint adds even more stress, pressure and pain.
Extra weight also puts pressure on the tendons, or connecting tissue, around the joints. Tendons connect muscles to the bones, so any extra weight pushing down on joints causes the tendons to become inflamed, leading to tendonitis.
The effects of obesity are felt especially in the hip and knee joints. Studies consistently show that obesity causes higher rates of osteoarthritis in the knees. Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent painful joint conditions.
Each pound of body weight is equivalent to four to six pounds of pressure on each knee joint. For example, a person who is 10 pounds overweight has an extra 40 to 60 pounds of pressure on their knees. A person who is 100 pounds overweight has an additional 400 to 600 pounds of weight on their knees.
With the number of steps most people take daily, it’s easy to see how the added pressure leads to significant damage in weight-bearing joints.
This is why obese individuals have a 20 times higher likelihood of needing a knee replacement than those within a healthy weight. The effects of obesity can also alter people’s gait and the stress placed on other joints.
Obesity causes health challenges
Being overweight puts you at risk for additional problems such as rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder impingements, fractures in the leg or ankle, meniscal tears, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other problems.
Falling can also cause problems for heavy people. Low-energy falls by obese people can result in spontaneous knee dislocations, meniscal tears and other complications. Ankle fractures happen more often and are usually worse for people who are overweight as opposed to those with a healthy weight.
Obtaining accurate diagnostic imaging for obese patients can be a challenge. Many advanced imaging machines have weight limits, requiring special appointments or preventing imaging at all.
Overweight patients with a high BMI often develop arthritis at a younger age. Needing joint replacement at a younger age complicates treatment because the replacement is more likely to wear out in the patient’s lifetime.
Additionally, orthopedic surgery on obese patients often takes longer, leading to an extended period of anesthesia.
Obese patients may have multiple complications following surgeries, including joint replacement surgery. Studies have found a higher chance of blood clots, infections, chronic pain, failure of implants and dislocation after a hip replacement.
Weight loss helps reduce joint pain
If you are diagnosed with obesity, it is essential to recognize what the excessive wear and tear can do to your body. Now that you understand how obesity impacts your joints, what can you do about it? You can make positive, healthy choices to change your health.
You can lose weight to ease the pressure on your joints. Losing just 10 pounds can decrease the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee by 50 percent. It can also reduce the force placed on the knee with every step by 30 to 60 pounds.
Losing weight has been proven to substantially decrease joint pain, reduce the likelihood of weight-related tendonitis and fractures, and lessen the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
The development of osteoarthritis is related to weakness in the quadriceps muscles in the legs of obese people. The good news is that exercises focusing on increasing muscle strength can reduce arthritis pain.
Achieve a healthy weight to help joints
Weight loss is often easier said than done. However, following a weight loss program combining nutrition and physical activity can help you reach a healthy weight.
Talk with your physician about meeting with a dietician or nutrition specialist to create an eating plan that will enable you to succeed. What you eat matters just as much as how often you exercise. Choose to feed your body healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Also, plan to be physically active for at least 30 minutes five times a week. Exercise can sometimes be difficult and painful for overweight people. The bone and joint experts at Cary Orthopaedics recommend gentle, low-impact workouts when starting a weight-loss program.
Swimming or water aerobics are also excellent exercise options for overweight people with joint pain. The water relieves pressure on the joints while also providing resistance that will strengthen your muscles.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What is Joint Replacement Surgery?
in Joint Pain, Joint ReplacementArticle featured on National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Joint replacement surgery is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a damaged joint and replaces it with a new, artificial part. A joint is where two or more bones come together, like the knee, hip, and shoulder. The surgery is usually done by a doctor called an orthopaedic (or-tho-PEE-dik) surgeon. Sometimes, the surgeon will not remove the whole joint, but will only replace or fix the damaged parts.
The doctor may suggest a joint replacement to improve how you live. Replacing a joint can relieve pain and help you move and feel better. Hips and knees are replaced most often. Other joints that can be replaced include the shoulders, fingers, ankles, and elbows.
What Can Happen to Joints?
Joints can be damaged by arthritis and other diseases, injuries, or other causes. Arthritis or simply years of use may cause the joint to wear away. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow, causing problems in the bones, which need blood to be healthy, grow, and repair themselves.
What is a New Joint Like?
A new joint, called a prosthesis (praas-THEE-sis), can be made of metal, plastic, or ceramic parts. It may be cemented into place or not cemented, so that your bone will grow into it. Both methods may be combined to keep the new joint in place. Your doctor will discuss these options with you.
When Should Joint Replacement Be Considered?
Your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery when other treatments are not effective in relieving pain and helping you move. These include walking aids such as braces or canes, physical therapy, medicines, exercise, and weight loss.
Your doctor may also consider a different surgery that does not involve replacing the whole joint.
Joint replacement is often the answer if you have constant pain and can’t move the joint well—for example, if you have trouble with daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and taking a bath.
What Happens During Surgery?
First, the surgical team will give you medicine so you won’t feel pain (anesthesia). The medicine may block the pain only in one part of the body (regional), or it may put your whole body to sleep (general). The surgical team will then replace the damaged joint with a new artificial joint.
Each surgery is different. How long it takes depends on how badly the joint is damaged and how the surgery is done. Your doctor or someone on your doctor’s team will inform you how to prepare for surgery, how long it will take, and what to expect in the hours after surgery.
What Happens After Surgery?
Several things affect how soon you will be able to return home after joint replacement. These include the type of surgery that you have, your medical history and your support network at home. You may have some temporary pain in the new joint because your muscles are weak from not being used. Also, your body is healing. The pain can be helped with medicines and should end in a few weeks or months.
Physical therapy may help strengthen the muscles around the new joint and help you regain motion in the joint.
As you move your new joint and let your muscles grow strong again, pain will lessen, flexibility will increase, and movement will improve.
Are There Risks Associated with Joint Replacement?
Any surgery has risks. The risks of joint surgery will depend on your overall health and the health of your joints before surgery, and the type of surgery done.
After surgery, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice about what to eat, how to take your medicines, and how to exercise. Talk with your doctor about any pain or trouble moving.
Joint replacement is usually a success in most people who have it. When problems do occur, most are treatable. Possible problems include: infection, blood clots, loosening of the new joint, and nerve and blood vessel injuries.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Relationship Between Poor Posture and Spinal Degeneration
in SpineArticle featured on McNulty Spine
Poor posture not only looks sloppy, but it can also significantly impact your spinal health, leading to a degeneration of your intervertebral discs.
Why do discs degenerate?
Intervertebral discs are the shock-absorbing pads that sit between the vertebrae in our spine. They help distribute the forces on our spine during movement, such as walking or running. Over time, these disks can begin to degenerate, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Disc degeneration is a natural part of aging, but certain lifestyle factors can accelerate the process.
How poor posture leads to disc degeneration
One of the biggest factors that contribute to disc degeneration is poor posture. When you slouch or hunch over, you put more pressure on your lumbar spine, which can cause your discs to wear down more quickly. And when your discs lose their cushioning ability, your vertebrae lose their protection and rub against each other, leading to further damage and pain.
Sitting for long periods, especially if you slouch, exacerbates the problem. Plus, when you sit, you put more pressure on your discs than when you stand or walk, causing the discs to compress.
The bottom line is that poor posture can accelerate natural disc degeneration.
The link between sitting and disc degeneration
Unfortunately, most folks spend most of their day sitting at a desk or on the couch. If you sit a lot, it affects your spine in two ways.
Sitting reduces the amount of muscle activity in your lower back, which can cause the discs to bear more weight.
Sitting also places more pressure on your lower back than standing or walking, further contributing to disc degeneration.
How we treat posture-related disc degeneration
There’s no cure for disc degeneration — posture-related or otherwise — but Dr. McNulty can relieve your pain and other symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. You can do your part by adopting proper posture. As for our part, here are a few of the treatments Dr. McNulty uses, depending on your unique condition and symptoms.
Poor posture can significantly impact our spinal health, but you can avoid the problems by keeping your spine straight and neutral and taking breaks from prolonged sitting.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
How Obesity Impacts Your Joints
in Joint Pain, pain relief, Prevention, Weight LossArticle featured on Cary Orthopaedics
How Obesity Impacts Your Joints
When discussing health conditions caused by obesity, we most often hear about diabetes, heart disease and stroke. But did you know your weight can have a significant impact on your bones, joints and muscles, too? In this article, we address how obesity impacts your joints and ways to prevent joint damage with weight loss.
Obesity has become one of the most common diseases negatively affecting bone and joint health. More than 40 percent of adults in the United States are considered obese. In North Carolina, the percentage of obese adults is between 30% and 35%.
The percentage of adults with obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years, and with it, so have the number of joint problems. Obesity can damage joints and cause other orthopedic health problems.
With these staggering statistics, it’s time to take a closer look at the impact of obesity on joint health.
How to define obesity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined weight-to-height ratios by calculating a person’s body mass index, or BMI. A BMI that is too low is underweight, and one that exceeds healthy ranges is considered overweight or obese.
To calculate your body mass index, divide your weight by your height squared, then multiply that number by 703. Use the CDC’s BMI calculator to determine your BMI.
Being overweight causes joint damage
How does obesity affect your joints? Obesity increases your risk of joint pain and damage. It is a top risk factor for initiating and progressing osteoarthritis in load-bearing joints like the knee, hip and ankle.
The more weight placed on a joint, the more stressed the joint becomes. The smooth cartilage at the ends of the bones begins to wear down and become damaged. Osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage is worn down and pain and stiffness in the joint increase. Additional weight on the joint adds even more stress, pressure and pain.
Extra weight also puts pressure on the tendons, or connecting tissue, around the joints. Tendons connect muscles to the bones, so any extra weight pushing down on joints causes the tendons to become inflamed, leading to tendonitis.
The effects of obesity are felt especially in the hip and knee joints. Studies consistently show that obesity causes higher rates of osteoarthritis in the knees. Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent painful joint conditions.
Each pound of body weight is equivalent to four to six pounds of pressure on each knee joint. For example, a person who is 10 pounds overweight has an extra 40 to 60 pounds of pressure on their knees. A person who is 100 pounds overweight has an additional 400 to 600 pounds of weight on their knees.
With the number of steps most people take daily, it’s easy to see how the added pressure leads to significant damage in weight-bearing joints.
This is why obese individuals have a 20 times higher likelihood of needing a knee replacement than those within a healthy weight. The effects of obesity can also alter people’s gait and the stress placed on other joints.
Obesity causes health challenges
Being overweight puts you at risk for additional problems such as rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder impingements, fractures in the leg or ankle, meniscal tears, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other problems.
Falling can also cause problems for heavy people. Low-energy falls by obese people can result in spontaneous knee dislocations, meniscal tears and other complications. Ankle fractures happen more often and are usually worse for people who are overweight as opposed to those with a healthy weight.
Obtaining accurate diagnostic imaging for obese patients can be a challenge. Many advanced imaging machines have weight limits, requiring special appointments or preventing imaging at all.
Overweight patients with a high BMI often develop arthritis at a younger age. Needing joint replacement at a younger age complicates treatment because the replacement is more likely to wear out in the patient’s lifetime.
Additionally, orthopedic surgery on obese patients often takes longer, leading to an extended period of anesthesia.
Obese patients may have multiple complications following surgeries, including joint replacement surgery. Studies have found a higher chance of blood clots, infections, chronic pain, failure of implants and dislocation after a hip replacement.
Weight loss helps reduce joint pain
If you are diagnosed with obesity, it is essential to recognize what the excessive wear and tear can do to your body. Now that you understand how obesity impacts your joints, what can you do about it? You can make positive, healthy choices to change your health.
You can lose weight to ease the pressure on your joints. Losing just 10 pounds can decrease the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee by 50 percent. It can also reduce the force placed on the knee with every step by 30 to 60 pounds.
Losing weight has been proven to substantially decrease joint pain, reduce the likelihood of weight-related tendonitis and fractures, and lessen the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
The development of osteoarthritis is related to weakness in the quadriceps muscles in the legs of obese people. The good news is that exercises focusing on increasing muscle strength can reduce arthritis pain.
Achieve a healthy weight to help joints
Weight loss is often easier said than done. However, following a weight loss program combining nutrition and physical activity can help you reach a healthy weight.
Talk with your physician about meeting with a dietician or nutrition specialist to create an eating plan that will enable you to succeed. What you eat matters just as much as how often you exercise. Choose to feed your body healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Also, plan to be physically active for at least 30 minutes five times a week. Exercise can sometimes be difficult and painful for overweight people. The bone and joint experts at Cary Orthopaedics recommend gentle, low-impact workouts when starting a weight-loss program.
Swimming or water aerobics are also excellent exercise options for overweight people with joint pain. The water relieves pressure on the joints while also providing resistance that will strengthen your muscles.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What is a Fracture?
in FracturesArticle featured on MedicalNewsToday
A bone fracture is a crack or break in a bone. Bone fractures usually result from a high force impact or stress. People with osteoporosis or bone cancer may experience a fracture with very little impact.
A fracture that results from a medical condition that weakens the bones is called a pathological fracture.
In this article, we detail the different types of bone fractures, their various causes, and the treatments available.
What is a bone fracture?
A bone fracture is a full or partial break in the continuity of bone tissue. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body.
There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture. For example, a closed fracture is a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin.
By contrast, a compound fracture is one that damages surrounding tissue and penetrates the skin. Compound fractures are generally more serious than simple fractures due to the risk of infection.
Types
There are a number of other fracture types, including:
Symptoms
Symptoms of a fracture vary depending on its location, a person’s age and general health, and the severity of the injury.
However, people with a bone fracture will typically experience some of the following:
In more severe cases, a person may experience:
Causes
Healthy bones are extremely resilient and can withstand surprisingly powerful impacts. However, under enough force, they may crack or break.
Physical trauma, overuse, and health conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, are the leading causes of bone fractures. Other factors can also increase an individual’s risk of sustaining fractures.
A person’s bones will typically weaken with age, which increases the risk of them breaking. As a person ages, the likelihood of their developing a condition that weakens the bones is also greater.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
5 Do’s and Don’ts of Working Out After Injury
in RecoveryArticle featured on Hospital for Special Surgery
It can be tough to know how to safely return to exercise after you’ve been hurt.
Here’s how to get back to exercising after an injury.
1. Do check in with your doctor for a game plan.
First things first: If you have a persistent injury that you haven’t yet seen a doctor for, that’s step one. “The most important thing to do after an injury is to get the right diagnosis for treatment and a recovery plan,” Dr. Carr says. He explains that he customizes treatments and recovery programs based on his patients’ injuries and sports of choice. “Every injury is unique, and there are different demands on your body based on the activities you’re involved in. I won’t give the same advice to an equestrian that I would give to a soccer player, even for the same kind of knee injury.”
2. Don’t rush back too quickly.
If you were off for a week because of a shoulder injury, plan to take two weeks to get back to where you were before the injury,According to Dr. Carr, your recovery should last twice as long as the time that your injury kept you out of commission. “If you were off for a week because of a shoulder injury, plan to take two weeks to get back to where you were before the injury,” he says.
Keep in mind that the period in which you weren’t able to exercise or participate in sports affected more than just the injured area. “After a break, you lose strength, coordination and flexibility — not only where you were injured but also elsewhere in your body,” Dr. Carr says. That deconditioning, combined with adjusting your movements to compensate for weaker or painful areas, is how many people get hurt. “It’s common to come back from an injury and then get an injury in a different spot,” he says. “People with a hurt right knee will put more weight on their left side, for instance. That sets you up for another injury.”
3. Do start with small goals.
A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step — so do yourself a favor and make it a small one. “Go gradually, with the aim of slowly getting back to normal,” Dr. Carr says. Start with some easy stretching and strength training. “There are a variety of things you can do to regain flexibility and range of motion,” he adds, like Pilates or yoga. If you’re working out at home, try some flexibility training with dynamic (active) stretching.
As for strengthening, Dr. Carr advises starting with bodyweight or band exercises, cable machines or light weights. “Avoid Olympic weights and bench presses,” he says. “Increase your strength without loading your body too much. Then gradually work your way up to more weight.”
4. Don’t ignore pain.
Though we may enjoy the physical and mental challenges of being uncomfortable when we exercise, post-injury is not the time to push through pain. “Don’t be a hero,” Dr. Carr says. “Rehab is not the time to push it — don’t ignore pain, discomfort or other reactions in your body.”
Check in with your body before you exercise. “I tell patients that they need to have normal function for daily activities before they start exercising,” he says. “If you twinged your knee, and it hurts when you’re doing the dishes or walking up and down stairs, it’s going to hurt if you go for a four-mile run. Make sure you have no pain and full range of motion before loading the joint again. And if you’re feeling discomfort two days after exercise, or persisted through an activity despite pain, you’ve pushed too hard. Cut back on the effort.”
5. Do get back to what you love, once you’re ready.
Ultimately, you want to return to the exercises and activities you love — and you should! Once you’re pain-free, hit the courts or links for some limited play. “If you play tennis, for example, start with a few groundstrokes — but no serves,” Dr. Carr says. “See how you’re feeling during and after. The next time you go out, work the baseline a bit, maybe hit a couple serves. Work your way into it. Next time out, play a few points — a game or two. Then, by all means, test it out and play a match.”
Similarly, if your sport of choice is golf, start with chipping and putting. “Then play nine,” he says. “If that feels OK, go ahead and play 18 next time.”
“You want a nice, gradual return,” Dr. Carr says. “That’s how the pros do it. The skills will come back.”
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
How to Select the Best Athletic Shoes for You
in Ergonomics, FeetArticle featured on Foot Cared MD
How Do I Pick Athletic Shoes?
Gym shoes, sport shoes, sneakers — whatever you call them, proper-fitting athletic shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Follow these fitting tips from foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons when purchasing your next pair.
What Type of Athletic Shoe Should I Get?
Athletic shoes can vary in design, material, and weight. These differences have been developed to protect the areas of the feet that are most stressed during a particular athletic activity.
What Should I Look for in an Athletic Shoe?
Running Shoes
Conventional thinking suggests that a good running shoe should have ample cushioning to absorb shock, but there are advocates for minimalist running shoes that have almost no cushioning. No data exist to say which type of shoe is better.
If you choose a cushioned shoe, look for overall shock absorption, flexibility, control, and stability in the heel counter area (a hard insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe), as well as lightness and good traction. These features may help prevent shin splints, tendinitis, heel pain, stress fractures, and other overuse injuries.
Walking Shoes
If walking is your activity of choice, look for a lightweight shoe with extra shock absorption in the heel of the shoe and especially under the ball of the foot. This will help reduce heel pain as well as burning and tenderness in the ball of the foot. A shoe with a slightly rounded or rocker sole (the entire part of the shoe that sits below the foot) also helps to encourage the natural roll of the foot during the walking motion. You should also look for a comfortable soft upper (the entire part of the shoe that covers the foot) and smooth tread (the part of the sole that touches the ground).
Aerobic Shoes
Shoes for aerobic conditioning should be lightweight to prevent foot fatigue and have extra shock absorption in the sole beneath the ball of the foot, where the most stress occurs. If possible, work out on a soft surface (e.g., a carpet).
Tennis Shoes
Tennis players need a shoe that supports the foot during quick side-to-side movements or shifts in weight. Look for a shoe that provides stability on the inside and outside of the foot. Flexibility in the sole beneath the ball of the foot allows repeated, quick forward movements for a fast reaction at the net. On soft courts, wear a softer soled shoe that allows better traction. On hard courts, you want a sole with greater tread.
Basketball Shoes
If basketball is your sport, choose a shoe with a thick, stiff sole. This gives extra stability when running on the court. A high-top shoe may provide added support but won’t necessarily decrease the risk of ankle sprain or injury.
Cross Trainers
Cross-training shoes, or cross trainers, combine several of the above features so that you can participate in more than one sport. A good cross trainer should have both flexibility in the front of the foot needed for running and lateral control necessary for aerobics or tennis.
You do not necessarily need a different pair of shoes for every sport in which you participate. Generally, you should wear sport-specific shoes for sports you play more than 3 times a week.
You may need a special shoe to address specific foot and ankle problems. For example, if your ankles turn easily, you may need to wear a shoe with a wide heel. If you have trouble with shin splints, you may need a shoe with better shock absorption. Talk to your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon if you have concerns.
Other Design Features
Special features in construction will make athletic shoes more comfortable as well as help prevent injury:
What If I Develop Foot Problems?
If you begin to develop foot or ankle problems, simple adjustments in the shoes may relieve the symptoms. Many of these devices are available without prescription.
Talk to your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon if you are experiencing foot or ankle problems. Working with your surgeon along with pedorthists and orthotists (specialists trained to make and modify shoe inserts) will ensure you get the right shoe for the best possible treatment.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Identifying and Treating Early Orthopedic Conditions in Children
in Health & Wellness, Nutrition & General Health, PreventionThe Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Nourishing Your Body for Optimal Orthopedic Surgery Recovery
in Nutrition & General Health, Surgery RecoveryThe Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Common Hand Conditions or Injuries That May Require Surgery
in Carpal Tunnel, Finger Injuries, Hand Diseases, Hand Fractures, Hand InjuriesThe Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
3 Common Running Injuries and Prevention
in Joint Replacement, Prevention, Sports Related Injuries, Wellness TipsThe Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm