Causes of Ankle Popping and Clicking

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Article featured on Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania

No matter your age, you might have heard a crackle or pop in your joints when sitting down, standing up or simply walking. Luckily most popping cases are not detrimental to your physical health. However, if left untreated, they could cause mobility complications.

Medically, popping in your joints is known as crepitus. If you’re experiencing a bout of crepitus, it could be from overworking your joints through exercise or stiffness in the joints after a long period of inactivity. While these causes may sound contradictory, it’s how our bodies adapt to certain stimuli — or lack thereof.

Why Does My Ankle Keep Popping?

Ankle popping on its own is very common. If your popping ankle isn’t painful, it is likely caused by a gas release or tendon rubbing. However, if it is accompanied by pain or swelling, there may be an underlying cause.

The most common causes of ankle clicking or popping include:

  • Gas release: Every time your ankle moves, the joint capsule filled with lubrication fluid is stretched. The fluid in the capsule can contain bubbles of nitrogen that can pop when you move, causing a loud popping sound — similar to when you pop your knuckles in your hand. Tight muscles can also contribute to gas buildup in the fluid, especially after inactivity like sleeping or binging a TV show. This is normal and does not signify an underlying cause.
  • Tendon slip: The peroneal tendons in the lower outside of your leg work to stabilize the ankle joint. Sometimes, these tendons slip from the muscle surrounding them, resulting in a snapping sound or feeling. A recent ankle injury could increase the ankle popping frequency. This is also common and not a cause of concern unless it is painful.

Less common reasons that may signify an underlying health condition include:

  • Tendon dislocation: The peroneal muscles surrounding the tendons can be pushed from their usual location, causing popping and snapping sounds in your ankle every time you move. This can happen during an ankle sprain. The inflammation, swelling and pain that occurs will need medical attention.
  • Osteochondritis dissecans: This condition causes a small segment of bone to separate and causes the cartilage in the ankle joint to wear away. This cracking sound could be painful after a lot of movement, like walking or running.
  • Osteochondral lesion: Lesions can form on the cartilage on the ends of your joint bones. Clicking and locking the ankle can occur, limiting the range of motion and causing swelling.
  • Ankle osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis refers to a joint deterioration similar to osteochondritis with the wearing down of joint cartilage over time. While most common in the knees, it can also occur in the ankle.
  • Peroneal tendon injury: The peroneal tendons that may slip to make a cracking noise can also become injured.

Prevention and Remedies of Ankle Popping and Cracking

You can do several exercises at home to strengthen your popping ankles. These stretches both prevent ankle popping and reduce cracking sounds that already exist.

Ankle Circles

Performing ankle circles can warm up your joints and increase mobility. You can do this exercise from a seated or lying position:

  1. Sit or lay with your legs stretched out front. Prop your leg on a stable surface with the ankle hanging off the edge.
  2. Rotate your foot in clockwise circles 10 times with your ankle.
  3. Switch to counterclockwise circles 10 more times.
  4. Swap feet and repeat with the other ankle.

Towel Stretches

Relieve tight ankles with these simple towel stretches you can do at home:

  1. Sit on a flat surface with your legs straight out in front of the body.
  2. Loop a towel horizontally around the sole.
  3. Gently pull the towel ends toward the body, stretching the foot.
  4. Hold this position for 20 seconds.
  5. Repeat as needed.

Calf Raises

Strengthen your calf muscles to reduce pressure on the ankles in motion.

  1. Stand on the edge of a platform or the bottom stair step with the heels hanging off.
  2. Slowly rise onto the toes, driving the body fully upward with the calves.
  3. Let the heels gently fall, stretching slightly below the ledge.
  4. Repeat 10 times.

When to See a Doctor

When your ankle popping begins to cause discomfort or pain, consider getting a proper diagnosis from a doctor. They may order tests like an MRI or CT scan to look inwardly at the bone and cartilage.

If you recently had an ankle injury, rest is a major proponent of healing. A doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to help with the pain and swelling.

A doctor can stabilize the ankle with a brace or orthotic to promote faster healing for more serious conditions. Physical therapy also works alongside any stabilization devices to slowly get your ankle back to regular functioning. If necessary, surgical options are available, including arthroscopy and total joint replacements.

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 Are the Red Flags for Knee Pain

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Article featured on The Noyes Knee Institute

Knee pain can result from overexertion, injury, or medical conditions like arthritis. This pain hinders daily activities like walking, decreasing your overall productivity. At Noyes Knee Institute, we’ll treat your knee pain to improve your quality of life. Here are some red flags that necessitate seeing an orthopedic knee surgeon:

Sudden Severe Pain

Sudden severe pain with no apparent cause can indicate a serious knee injury. This could include a meniscus tear, torn ligament, fractured bone, or a dislocated kneecap. Seek immediate professional help if the sudden severe pin limits your movement or ability to bear weight on the affected knee.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we have decades of experience helping patients with severe knee pain. We’ll identify the root cause of your pain and create a personalized treatment plan to get you back to your active lifestyle.

Buckling of the Knee

Knee buckling may signal instability in the knee joint or a ligament tear. Ligament tears like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears can make the knee unstable. This results in a sensation of the knee giving way during weight-bearing activities.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we’ll ask questions about the buckling sensation and order imaging tests to determine if you have a torn ACL. We have a 95% rehabilitation success rate, having conducted over 5,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries. You’ll be in safe hands if you need ACL reconstruction surgery.

Swelling and Warmth

Swelling and warmth around the knee joint can indicate an inflammatory condition like arthritis or an infection. Inflammation can cause the knee joint to become painful and warm to the touch. Sometimes the swelling may be accompanied by a limited range of motion and joint stiffness.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we’ll determine the root cause of the swelling by conducting a physical examination and ordering blood tests. The examination allows us to determine whether your range of motion has been affected. Blood tests will enable us to identify underlying systemic conditions like infections or rheumatoid arthritis.

Knee Locking

Healthy knees are flexible. You should be able to rotate your knees slightly and bend them up and down. Their flexibility allows you to perform daily living activities like standing and sitting. If you can’t, you may be dealing with a locked knee.

Locked knees fall into two categories: true-locked knee and pseudo-locked knee. You can’t move your knee in any direction with a true-locked knee. A pseudo-locked knee occurs when pain in the knee joint is too severe to move the knee. True-locked knees can occur because of limited blood supply to the knees. Pseudo-locked knees can occur because of a tear in the ligament cushioning the knee joint, knee joint dislocation, or fractures.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we’ll conduct imaging tests like MRIs and CT scans to determine whether you have a true or pseudo-locked knee. Our orthopedic knee surgeon, Dr. Noyes, may recommend surgery to remove the obstruction limiting blood supply in the knee joints if our tests determine that you have a true-locked knee. If you have a pseudo-locked knee, we’ll recommend conservative treatments like activity modification and medication.

Persistent Pain

Persistent knee pain that doesn’t improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) or doctor-prescribed conservative treatments like pain medications can signal a serious underlying condition. Seek professional help if your pain progresses over time to find an effective solution.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we’ll conduct a joint aspiration to understand your condition. This involves removing a fluid sample from the knee joint to determine if there’s an infection, inflammation, or other underlying condition before recommending treatment.

Consistent Knee Pain After Surgery

It’s normal for patients to feel knee pain for a few weeks after surgery. The pain should wear off as your knee heals. Your surgery may have failed if you continue experiencing pain, swelling, and bruising around your knee months after surgery. This calls for revision surgery.

At Noyes Knee Institute, we only use grafts from FDA-approved tissue banks for our surgeries and take patients through an active rehabilitation program after their procedures. This, combined with Dr. Noyes’s expertise in orthopedic surgery, improves your chances of having a successful revision surgery.

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

Types of Surgery for Chronic Neck Pain

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Article featured on Arkansas Surgical Hospital

Chronic neck pain can be debilitating, interfering with your ability to work and enjoy life to the fullest. If conservative treatments haven’t helped relieve your symptoms, it may be time to consider surgery.

What Conditions Need Neck Surgery?

There are several conditions that cause chronic neck pain that my require surgery. Some of the most common include:

  • A pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy). When the vertebrae in the neck become compressed, they can pinch or irritate the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, or numbness.
  • A herniated disc. This occurs when there is a tear in one of the discs between two vertebrae and it bulges out into the spinal canal, pressing on nerves and causing pain, tingling, and numbness.
  • Spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy). The spinal cord becomes compressed by pressure from swelling, bone spurs, or tumors near the base of the skull. If untreated, it can cause permanent paralysis and loss of sensation in the arms or legs.
  • A broken neck (cervical fracture). This injury often results from a direct blow to the front of the head during contact sports or from a car accident.

Surgery for Chronic Neck Pain

If you’re experiencing chronic neck pain, you should consider all your treatment options before deciding whether or not surgery is for you. However, with so many surgical procedures available today, your doctor can recommend which one will work best for you.

Here are some of the most common types of surgery performed on patients with chronic neck pain and what each of them does to help reduce symptoms in your body.

Cervical Spinal Fusion

One type of surgery that may be recommended for chronic neck pain is cervical spinal fusion. This is a procedure where the surgeon fuses, or joins, two or more vertebrae in the neck. This can help to stabilize the spine and relieve pain.

The surgeon makes an incision in the front of the neck and carefully detaches the muscles and other tissues from the vertebrae. The surgeon will then position the vertebrae so they can be fused together.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

ACDF is usually performed when symptoms are caused by two or more cervical discs that have ruptured and/or herniated simultaneously. In this procedure, the surgeon accesses the spine through an incision in the front of the neck. The damaged disc is removed and replaced with a bone graft. Metal screws and plates are used to fuse the vertebrae, providing stability to the spine.

Laminectomy

Also known as decompressive surgery, a laminectomy is a type of spinal surgery that involves removing a small section of bone (the lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It’s used in cases where there is compression, irritation, and inflammation of the nerve roots or spinal cord due to injury, herniated discs, or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)

ADR involves replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one. It has several benefits, including improved range of motion, decreased pain, and improved quality of life. In addition, it is considered a less invasive option than other types of neck surgery.

Posterior Cervical Laminoforaminotomy

A posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy involves removing a small section of bone and tissue in the back of the neck to take pressure off the spinal cord and nerves. It is considered a fairly invasive procedure because it requires breaking through bone, but many people find it effective in alleviating chronic neck pain.

Recovery from Neck Surgery

Most people who have surgery for chronic neck pain recover well and can return to their normal activities within a few months. However, following all your surgeon’s instructions and attending all follow-up appointments is important to ensure a successful recovery.

You should not start any strenuous activity until you can do so without feeling sore or experiencing any other discomfort. As your body heals, you may need to modify some daily activities to reduce the risk of re-injury. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s advice because it will be tailored specifically to your situation.

Factors to Consider

If you are considering surgery for your chronic neck pain, discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor. While several surgical options are available to treat chronic neck pain, the type of surgery your doctor recommends will depend on the underlying cause. Surgery is typically only recommended if other conservative treatment options have failed.

Additional factors that your doctor will consider include whether there is muscle weakness in addition to pain or if other areas of your body are affected. They will also look at your overall health and any other issues you may face. For example, if you have diabetes, it could impact which treatment option is recommended. If you’re obese, smoking tobacco, or taking certain medications, these factors can also impact treatment recommendations.

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

Joints That Are Most Commonly Affected by Arthritis

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Article featured on Healthgrades

Arthritis is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes joint inflammation. When you’re living with arthritis, a simple task, such as tying your shoe or buttoning your shirt can become a challenging one. Not only does the swelling and aching interfere with work and daily living activities, it can also be painful and sometimes debilitating.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common include rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease) and osteoarthritis (a “wear-and-tear” condition related to aging, injury or obesity). Both cause joint stiffness, pain and decreased range of motion, and can affect many different joints throughout the body.

1. Knee

The knee is one of the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis. This happens when there’s a breakdown of cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones where they meet the joints. Symptoms of knee arthritis include stiffness, swelling, and pain, which can make it hard to walk and get in and out of chairs and bed. In severe cases, osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to disability.

2. Hand

When you have arthritis in your hands, it usually includes aching, stiffness or numbness in the fingers or at the base of the thumb joint, making it difficult to pinch or grip items. Small, bony knobs may appear on the middle or end joints (those closest to the fingernails) of the fingers, which can become enlarged and gnarled. This type of arthritis in the hands seems to run in families.

3. Hip

The hip is also a common arthritis site. You may have pain and stiffness in your hip joint, but some people also notice pain in the groin, buttocks, lower back, or front or inner thigh. Or they may have pain in only one of these areas. This type of hip arthritis can affect your ability to move or bend, and make daily activities a challenge.

4. Spine, Neck and Back

Arthritis in the spine usually results in stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back, but in some cases, it may not lead to any pain at all. Arthritis changes can also cause pressure on the nerves where they exit the spinal column, leading to weakness, tingling or numbness of the arms and legs. Since these symptoms can often seem like other health conditions, always check with your doctor for a diagnosis.

5. Foot and Ankle

Arthritis can also cause swelling and pain in the foot and ankle. It most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, which can make walking difficult. The swelling can also lead to bunions on the toes, which can sometimes make the pain and deformity of the foot worse. With rheumatoid arthritis, the same joints on both sides of the body (such as both feet or both ankles) are usually affected.

6. Elbow

Joint inflammation can also be to blame for elbow pain or loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the elbow, and if one elbow is affected, the other likely will be, too. While elbow osteoarthritis is more common in weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and hip, it can also occur in the elbow, and is often the result of overuse or an injury, such as in the case of a tennis or baseball player.

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

Foot or Ankle Fractures & Dislocations

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Article featured on Mercy Health

Causes of foot or ankle fractures or dislocations

A foot or ankle fracture or dislocation can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of these include:

  • An acute injury caused by direct force like a fall, car accident or a sporting accident
  • Overuse or repeated movements that wear down the musculoskeletal tissues

Risk factors for foot or ankle fractures and dislocations

Risk factors for fractures and dislocations are:

  • Foot or ankle fractures and dislocations are most common in high impact or extreme sports such as downhill skiing, football, basketball, soccer or rugby
  • Jobs and sports (such as running) that require repetitive movements lead to a higher risk for stress fractures

Symptoms of foot or ankle fractures or dislocations

The most obvious symptoms of a foot or ankle fracture or dislocation are severe pain, swelling and bruising.

Other symptoms of foot or ankle fractures and dislocations include:

  • Misaligned foot or ankle
  • Numbness to the impacted area
  • Loss of use of the injured area
  • Muscle spasms around the injured area

Not all fractures or dislocations will cause the person to lose mobility. Contact your orthopedic physician if you suspect you have a fracture or dislocation or you have several of the above symptoms. The longer you wait to see a physician, the longer the healing process will be.

Stress fractures are more challenging to self-diagnose because they can be caused by minor injuries and can be mistaken as a sprain or a strain .  If the pain does not subside in 3 – 5 days after a minor injury, schedule a consult with your physician.

Visit the emergency room immediately if the injury is severe and multiple body parts have been impacted.

Diagnosis of foot or ankle fractures or dislocations

A foot or ankle fracture or dislocation is diagnosed under the care of your orthopedic or sports medicine provider.

Typically, the physician will order an x-ray to identify the fracture. In more severe cases, your orthopedic physician will order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan.

Treatment for foot or ankle fractures or dislocations

After suffering a fracture or dislocation apply pressure to the impacted foot or ankle, splint the area, and call for a medical appointment as soon as possible.

  • Surgical realignment
  • Splint/Brace
  • Cast

Recovery from foot or ankle fractures or dislocations

Recovering from a fractured or dislocated foot or ankle can take anywhere from 6 weeks to more than a year depending on the severity of the injury. Staying off the ankle and rest are crucial in allowing you to heal as quickly as possible.

It is important to follow your physician’s recommendations for recovery including follow up visits and x-rays of the injured area.

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

Synovitis: Causes and Treatments of Joint Inflammation

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Article featured on Verywellhealth

Synovitis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of the synovial tissue, the lining of a joint. This condition can cause joint pain and swelling. It is the hallmark of all inflammatory joint diseases.

This article will explain what synovial tissue is, the causes of synovitis, and how you can treat the condition so you can gain relief from the inflammation and pain.

What Is the Synovium?

The synovium is a thin layer of tissue that lines the joints and tendon sheaths; it is only a few cells thick. The synovium acts to control the environment within the joint and tendon sheath. It does this in two ways:

First, it acts as a membrane to determine what can pass into the joint space and what stays outside.
Second, the cells within the synovium produce substances that lubricate the joint.

Synovitis Symptoms

The signs of synovitis are similar to other joint disorders:

  • Arthralgia, aching or pain in the joint
  • A warm sensation in the area of the joint
  • Stiffness, which may be worse when you first wake up
  • Swelling; although in some cases, your joint may not swell at all.

You may feel the symptoms of synovium inflammation in different joints throughout your body, or the pain and discomfort might be restricted to one area.

Causes of Synovitis

The primary cause of inflammation of the synovium is related to an overactive immune system. In these situations, your immune system attacks your healthy synovium. This causes excessive growth of the synovium. The membrane becomes inflamed and produces additional synovial fluid.

With these conditions, the joint cartilage and bone can eventually become damaged, leading to stiffness, swelling, warmth in the joint, and significant pain.

Inflammation of the synovial tissue is often related to arthritic conditions. It’s most common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it also presents with psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and gout.

Synovitis can also be seen with trauma and infection.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing synovitis, a healthcare provider usually starts with a physical exam of the joints, checking for warmth and seeing if they are tender when touched. The thickening of the area manifests as a sponginess that can be felt.

In cases where the inflammation is related to a joint that is deeper under the skin and can’t be checked by hand or eyes, your healthcare provider may order an MRI or musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Treatment

To reduce inflammation and relieve pain, your healthcare provider will likely advise rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that help manage arthritis may also relieve symptoms of synovitis. Sometimes, your healthcare provider may prescribe steroid injections to reduce swelling and discomfort.

If medication does not help ease synovitis, you may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who can perform a synovectomy. This is a procedure in which part of the synovium is removed.

Summary

Synovitis is the medical term for inflammation of the tissue that lines your joints. This tissue can become damaged, which leads to a thickening of the membrane and excessive fluid. An underlying autoimmune disease that affects the joints, usually RA, is the most likely cause of synovitis, but other types of arthritis and wear and tear can also cause it.

Anti-inflammatory medications are the first line of treatment. However, DMARDS, steroid injections, or even surgery may be required to relieve your pain.

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 Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery?

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Article featured on FootCareMD

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) treats foot and ankle conditions and deformities using very small incisions. In these procedures, your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon uses special instruments to cut bones under X-ray guidance and inserts screws through very small incisions. Advantages of minimally invasive surgery over traditional surgery include faster healing, smaller scars, and less stiffness. The main disadvantage is that it takes additional training and practice for your surgeon to feel comfortable performing these procedures without the traditional open visualization.

Diagnosis

A variety of foot and ankle problems, including big toe arthritis, bunions, and hammertoes, can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. Importantly, not all patients are good candidates for minimally invasive surgery, and not all surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery. If you are interested in the procedure, talk to a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with experience in minimally invasive surgery to see if you are a good candidate for it.

Recovery

Recovery is often faster from minimally invasive procedures compared to open procedures. Some weight-bearing can be allowed immediately after surgery, but this depends on the procedure you are having done.

Risks and Complications

The risks of minimally invasive surgery are similar to traditional, open surgeries, although the risks of infection and wound healing problems may be lower with minimally invasive surgery because the incisions are so small.

While the small incisions used in minimally invasive surgery can make it easier to damage unseen structures like nerves and tendons, research studies have not shown a higher rate of these injuries. With good technique and surgeon experience, these surgeries may even have lower risk compared to open surgeries. More research still needs to be done on these procedures to determine their risks and benefits relative to more traditional surgical methods.

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 to Know About Muscle Soreness

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Article featured on MedicalNewsToday

Any physical activity that places too much or unusual strain on the muscles can lead to soreness. Everyone can experience muscle soreness, even people who exercise regularly and have good physical fitness.

Muscle soreness can be uncomfortable and disruptive. However, the pain typically disappears within a few days.

This article outlines the causes of muscle soreness and the typical duration of symptoms. We also list the treatments that may help to relieve muscle soreness, along with research into their effectiveness.

Causes

During physical activity, the body’s muscles extend and contract to support movement. Prolonged or repetitive physical activity can overexert the muscles. This activity can lead to muscle soreness.

Overexertion and muscle soreness are more likely to occur after physical activity that differs from normal. This could be due to:

  • exercising more often than usual
  • doing higher intensity workouts
  • performing longer workouts
  • introducing new exercises to a routine

Muscle soreness usually occurs several hours after physical activity. For this reason, doctors refer to the condition as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Most people experience DOMS at some point, regardless of their physical fitness.

The exact cause of DOMS is still unclear. Some experts believe it may be due to microscopic tears in the muscle fibers, which can develop during exercise. They believe that muscle soreness is the result of the body healing these tears. DOMS is not due to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.

How Long Does it Last?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), muscle soreness usually begins 12–24 hours following exercise. The muscle soreness then tends to peak around 24–72 hours after the exercise. After this time, the pain should start to go away.

The level of soreness a person feels during DOMS depends on the type, duration, and frequency of the activity that caused the pain.

It is possible to continue exercising with muscle soreness, but it can be uncomfortable.

Sharp pains that occur immediately after activity could be a sign of injuries, such as strains or sprains. These injuries are the result of a muscle, tendon, or ligament becoming stretched or torn and are more severe than DOMS, possibly requiring medical attention.

Relieving Muscle Soreness

Muscle soreness is normal and rarely requires medical attention. In most cases, symptoms go away on their own within a few days. In the meantime, it is best to avoid putting too much strain on the injured muscles.

People sometimes recommend the following treatments to alleviate muscle soreness following exercise:

Massage: A qualified sports massage therapist or physiotherapist can provide massages for alleviating muscle soreness. Massages increase blood flow to the injured area, which may promote healing and help to relieve the pain.

Heat therapy: Taking a warm bath or applying heat pads can also stimulate blood flow to the injured muscles. Heat therapy tends to offer only temporary symptom relief.

Cold therapy: Cold packs or immersion in cold water can reduce inflammation and swelling in the muscles. Cold therapy is, therefore, useful as a longer-term treatment for muscle injuries.

Light exercise: Keeping the muscles active may help to reduce pain. It is important to keep the intensity light and avoid movements that put too much strain on injured muscles. Examples of light exercises include walking and gentle stretching.

Pain medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help to reduce muscle inflammation and associated pain.

What the Research Says

A 2012 meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of four popular DOMS treatments. The meta-analysis included 35 studies, each of which investigated one of the following treatments:

  • massage
  • cold therapy, or “cryotherapy“
  • stretching
  • light exercise

The meta-analysis revealed that massage was effective in treating the signs and symptoms of DOMS in some people. However, the effect was small and was not significant across the group as a whole. There was no evidence to support the use of cryotherapy, stretching, or light exercise in treating DOMS.

A 2011 meta-analysis also found that stretching before or after exercise does not lead to a noticeable reduction in DOMS.

A 2016 meta-analysis investigated whether a type of cryotherapy called cold water immersion (CWI) helps to alleviate muscle soreness. The results showed that CWI was slightly more effective than no treatment. Bathing in water temperatures between 11°C–15°C for 11–15 minutes provided the best results.

Overall, these studies indicate that there are few scientifically proven treatments for DOMS. Those that are effective appear to provide only a slight benefit. Nonetheless, some people may find the treatments helpful.

Importantly, while a treatment may help to alleviate pain, it will not undo the underlying muscle damage or improve muscle function.

Prevention

While it is not possible to completely prevent DOMS, a person can take steps to reduce the severity of symptoms.

According to the ACSM, the best way to do this is to build up slowly to any changes in exercise routines. This cautious approach will give the muscles time to adapt to the changes they are experiencing.

Summary

Physical activity can sometimes lead to DOMS. The symptoms of DOMS usually appear several hours after physical activity and may last up to 72 hours.

While DOMS can be uncomfortable, it does not require medical attention. People sometimes recommend home remedies to alleviate the symptoms, but there is little scientific evidence to support this. It may be necessary to try multiple treatments before finding one that helps in some way.

People may experience a sharp pain during or immediately after physical activity. This sensation could signal a more serious injury, such as a strain or sprain. People should see a doctor if the pain persists or worsens.

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

Common Overuse Injuries in Fall Sports

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Article featured on TheCenter

Fall sports are here and with that comes overuse injuries and burnout especially in adolescent athletes. An overuse injury develops slowly over time due to repetitive stress on tendons, muscles, bones, or joints. It is important to be aware and pay attention to any minor aches and pains to prevent a more serious injury down the road. Here are a few of the most common overuse injuries during the fall season.

SHIN SPLINTS

Shin splints are an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your shinbone (tibia). Typically, this develops when the muscle and bone tissue become overworked by repetitive or sudden change in activity, such as increasing the intensity or amount that you exercise. Runners are at the highest risk for developing shin splints.

It might be time to take a break and rest if you start to experience these symptoms:

  • Sharp, dull, or throbbing pain
  • Pain during and after exercise
  • Sore to touch and mild swelling

Sometimes, other problems exist that can have an impact on healing. If the pain persists, contact one of our orthopedic surgeons for an examination.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain, radiating from the bottom of the heel throughout the foot. The plantar fascia is the strong band of tissue in the arch of your foot that runs from your heel to toe, and absorbs strains and stress placed on the foot each time it is in use. Plantar fasciitis occurs when that supporting tissue becomes irritated and inflamed.

Common causes and risk factors include:

Tight calf muscles
Repetitive activity (sports/running)
New or increased activity
Obesity
Diagnosis and treatment are important with this painful condition and healing can begin quickly once diagnosed. Your doctor will most likely recommend rest and possibly frequent icing on the area. Anti-inflammatories may also help symptoms subside combined with light stretching of your feet and calves. If pain continues to linger, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend a partial release procedure.

ACHILLES TENDINITIS

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. Although it can withstand a lot of stress, it is also prone to tendinitis, which is when the tendon becomes inflamed causing swelling, pain, or irritation. This condition is caused by repetitive stress to the tendon, such as pushing our bodies too far or too soon from walking, running, jumping, etc.

Common symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis include:

  • Pain on the back of the heel that worsens with activity
  • Pain or stiffness along the tendon in the morning
  • Pain the day after exercising
  • Swelling

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

Tips on How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Article featured on Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when constant pressure is put on the median nerve. This nerve runs from the forearm through the wrist and provides feeling and sensation to the whole hand — palm, fingers and thumbs.

If you have carpal tunnel, you will notice numbness or tingling in your hand. You may also experience weakness in your affected hand, occasionally dropping items from a loose grip. CTS has no leading cause, as it results from anything that can squeeze or cut off circulation in this nerve.

How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel

Incorporate some of the following methods into your routine to help prevent the development of carpal tunnel. Be sure to talk to your doctor about other options or exercises you can try.

RELAX YOUR GRIP

Sometimes, we don’t notice how tightly we are tensing up our hands until it’s too late. While gripping something, become aware of the strength needed to hold it and don’t overexert. For example, if your work involves typing, hit the keys softly rather than punching them. If you prefer to handwrite, consider using a bigger pen with a soft adapter for easy grip.

STRETCH YOUR FINGERS

It is important to get up and stretch your legs every so often, and do the same for your hands! If you consistently use a computer mouse, ink pen or other office materials, there is likely pressure on your median nerve. Gently stretch and bend your wrists periodically to give them a bit of a hiatus.

IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE

Sitting in a forward hunch harms your back alignment and nerves. Rolling your shoulders forward can shorten your neck and shoulder muscles, compressing the nerves in your forearms. Keep proper posture to maintain healthy nerve function.

Carpal Tunnel Treatments

If you already have carpal tunnel, you can get help from several available treatments. Nonsurgical approaches are usually the first choice, but surgical options are the next resort if the pain worsens.

NONSURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS

The Orthopedic Institute of PA offers multiple nonsurgical options for our patients. Physical and occupational therapies are the standard choices. You will walk through a series of exercises and use splints to regain your hand and wrist’s full range of motion.

Additionally, we offer Xiaflex nonsurgical solutions, which are an injection to help improve hand and wrist function.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS

Surgical approaches are best for severe carpal tunnel symptoms. We offer:

  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel release
  • Arthroscopic surgery
  • Joint replacement

RECOVERY

Your hands are one of your most used body parts, so they must receive the proper healing time. Full recovery from carpal tunnel treatments can last from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the condition. If surgery is used, physical therapy is a standard follow-up to ensure the procedure went smoothly and the full range of motion is returning.

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