In any sport or activity, there is a risk of injury, but being forewarned can prevent some of the more common kayaking injuries. While being injured is never a happy experience, it can happen to anyone.
There are all sorts of possible injuries sustained from kayaking, ranging from chronic overuse injuries to minor skin irritations.
Key Takeaways
- There are different possible injuries you can get from kayaking, ranging from chronic overuse injuries to minor skin irritations.
- Shoulder, lower back, arm, and leg pain are often caused by overuse, poor technique, or improper posture while paddling.
- Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, numbness, and skin irritations are some of the possible soft tissue injuries that can affect kayakers.
- Swimmer’s ear, hypothermia, and heatstroke are some of the environmental hazards that kayakers should be aware of and protect themselves from.
- To avoid injuries, start slow, build up gradually, check your safety gear, pay attention to your body signals, and seek professional help if needed.
Top 10 Most Common Kayaking Injuries
These are some of the most common kayaking injuries you’ll see. We’ll go through these, and also take a look at what causes them, as well as how to avoid such injuries in the future.
1. Shoulder Pain After Kayaking
Kayaking uses a lot of the upper body musculature and includes the smaller muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulders – this makes shoulder injuries of all kinds relatively common. In fact, this sports journal states that around 55 percent of paddlers report some kind of shoulder pain.
Sudden shoulder pain after kayaking is one of the most commonly reported injuries, however, understanding why your shoulder is hurting depends on your experience. The most common scenarios for shoulder pain are as follows:
- Pain in the muscles (like after exercise) after your first couple of kayaking trips.
- Joint pain that restricts proper movement and a chronic, almost dull pain.
- A dislocated shoulder – this will be incredibly painful and uncomfortable.
If you’re experiencing pain in the muscles that feel like you’ve gone to the gym and you’re new to kayaking, this means that your body is adapting to the demands of your recent trips.
Don’t be alarmed by this, even someone in very good shape can still get this kind of muscle pain, but you should get it checked out if it persists longer than a week.
Joint pain that restricts movement or makes movement uncomfortable is usually because of an overuse injury or tendon inflammation. This is usually solved with a combination of therapeutic exercises and anti-inflammatory medication. Rotator cuff injuries can also be another reason for this kind of pain.
A dislocated shoulder usually requires emergency medical attention to reset it into place. You’ll also need to rest up the rotator cuff tendons or you can dislocate your shoulder again very easily. This is one of the more serious injuries and should be attended to immediately.
2. Lower Back Pain After Kayaking
This is another injury that depends on the kayaker, the most common reason for lower back (or lumbar spine region) is due to a combination of muscle imbalance and improper posture.
Sometimes your kayak doesn’t fit you well, and it can force you into positions that put pressure on the spinal discs in the lower back. If you combine this with weaker hamstrings, abdominal, and glutes, you have a recipe for lower back pain.
The other reason for lower back pain is engaging in more intense activities, like whitewater kayaking. This style of kayaking can push you from side to side and if it’s vigorous enough the impacts send a lot of force through your lower back, if the muscles around the spine aren’t strong enough, this can also lead to back pain.
If you have lower back pain, you can seek the aid of a sports physiotherapist, who’ll check you for muscle imbalances and they can also determine if your kayaking sitting posture is harming your back.
There are specific exercises and even yoga programs that can help strengthen the muscles in the back, especially the erector spinae (these are two almost column-like muscles that track either side of your spine).
3. Pain in Arms After Kayaking
Arm pain after kayaking is one of the more common physical ailments that paddlers may have to deal with. This can be due to:
- Fatigued muscles
- Irritated joints and ligaments
- Gripping the paddle too tightly
As mentioned, kayaking makes extensive use of all the muscles in the upper extremities, and the arms get used a lot by any kayaker. However, poor technique can place too much stress on the arms and this then leads to overuse injuries down the line.
There are tons of ligaments and joints across the arms and excessive stress can lead to soft tissue injuries of all kinds. There can be all sorts of reasons that your arms are in pain after kayaking, but the cause is often similar.
In fact, having too tight a grip on a paddle, bat, or club (referred to as “white-knuckling”) is a cause of sports injuries among many athletes. It’s very easy to overdo it when you’re kayaking.
If this is a problem for you then you’re going to have to improve your paddling technique, use the arms less and the bigger, more powerful torso muscles more. You might have to get someone more experienced to show you how to do this.
Improving your technique will naturally place less stress on the arms and cause you to have a good grip (not a death grip) on your paddle.
4. Tendonitis
This is another one of the upper extremity injuries that’s prevalent in many sports but seems to occur regularly in water sports like kayaking.
Wrist, shoulder, and elbow tendonitis are the most likely kayaking injuries, as these joints and the ligaments that surround them are the ones most in use. Usually, tendonitis happens because of repetitive strain and such injuries are usually more common toward the end of a paddling season.
Poor technique can also play a part in chronic injuries, as you place less strain on the muscles and more on delicate soft tissue. Poor technique could be anything from your overall posture in the kayak, to how you paddle.
One sign of tendonitis is stiffness and swelling, and it can lead to lingering and chronic pain if not addressed.
One way to treat tendonitis is through joint rotations – arm circles, ankle rotations, or any exercise that runs a joint through its full range of motion. However, this doesn’t guarantee protection, and if you’re getting symptoms of tendonitis frequently it’s your body’s way of telling you to back off.
5. Wrist, Hand, and Finger Pain
Pain in the lower arms is a common sports injury and can have all sorts of causes, from tendon injuries to potentially trapped nerves. Numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness are often due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Placing pressure on the median nerve in the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and improper technique can hurt the tendons that wrap around the wrist – this can cause pain practically anywhere in your hand.
Often, the paddling technique is the culprit here, and if you’re constantly feeling pain throughout the wrist, hands, and fingers then you might need some coaching to improve here, especially if you’re whitewater paddling or engaging in more intense forms of kayaking.
6. Numb Legs
Numbness is usually down to a loss of circulation or pressure on nerves. This is another one of the common injuries reported, and this is because compared to most other items on this list, it’s not the most severe injury, and some choose to just “grin and bear it.”
However, don’t fall into this trap, as simply tolerating numbness can make it worse over time.
So, why do kayakers get numb legs?
It nearly always comes down to seating positions and postures putting pressure on the sciatic nerve – which runs from the low back all the way to the feet. The best way to address numb legs is to stretch out the legs and strengthen the muscles in the core and the hamstrings.
This ensures that the body’s load is balanced and not just pinpointed in one portion of the lower back. A physiotherapist should be able to point out what the best exercises are for you.
7. Skin Irritation
Blisters and skin irritations often occur because of a lack of proper protection in the affected areas. The most common place to find skin irritations is on the hands – usually because your gloves aren’t padded enough.
If you do have any skin irritations then you can apply waterproof plasters over the affected areas, clean any grit, sand, or debris from the paddle, and then, later on, apply some skin cream.
Another major cause of skin irritations is allergens – while this is unlikely there could be something in your equipment that you’re allergic to.
8. Swimmer’s Ear (External Otitis)
Swimmer’s ear can be one of the potential “injuries” suffered by kayakers and can feel like your ear is tender on the outside, and swollen, itchy, and painful on the inside.
External is an infection caused by your ear becoming host to bacteria and microorganisms present in warmer water, and is a condition that can affect kayakers who spend time in warmer oceans.
A course of a cream that contains antibiotics will kill off the bacteria in your ear causing the infection in due time.
9. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition where your body is losing heat faster than it can produce it – this causes you to rapidly lose body temperature and can potentially be life-threatening.
Water can get very cold – for example, if you’re whitewater kayaking and you get thrown out of your kayak a few times it’ll be cold but you’re probably not going to freeze to death.
However, if you’re not used to this and you’re being thrown in the water and pushing yourself hard then you should take caution, and watch for signs like uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, and incoherent behavior.
Hypothermia isn’t exactly a super common injury but it is definitely something to pay attention to if you plan to do any sea kayaking at all.
10. Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke
This is the final item on this list – while it’s easily avoidable and usually only applies to anyone who is kayaking in the summer or in the warmer states, heatstroke is still a risk factor.
This also applies especially to ocean kayakers for two reasons, there’s no treeline or surrounding terrain to filter or block some of the sunshine, and the ocean reflects the sun’s rays right back to you.
This means that if you’re not careful you can end up with heatstroke – while this one’s high on the injury severity list – it’s the easiest one to avoid, don’t forget your sunscreen.
How to Prevent Common Kayaking Injuries: Some Simple Tips
Now that we’ve covered the most common kayaking injuries, it’s time to learn what you can do to help prevent them. Take a look at the following tips and things to keep in mind to help you avoid the most common kayaking injuries, and stay safe while paddling.
Know Your Limits
A lot of the injuries here are due to overuse and inflammation. The root cause of these injuries is pushing too hard too quickly – if your muscles are tired it means that your technique is also poor.
Athletes spend an enormous amount of time honing their technique and building the stamina to execute their chosen activity as efficiently as possible. However, hobbyists often launch themselves at the deep end and kayaking is no exception.
It’s better to start slow and build up very gradually, the older you are the more this applies to you.
10 Common Kayaking Injuries & How to Avoid Them
in Sports Related InjuriesArticle featured on Kayak Scout
In any sport or activity, there is a risk of injury, but being forewarned can prevent some of the more common kayaking injuries. While being injured is never a happy experience, it can happen to anyone.
There are all sorts of possible injuries sustained from kayaking, ranging from chronic overuse injuries to minor skin irritations.
Key Takeaways
Top 10 Most Common Kayaking Injuries
These are some of the most common kayaking injuries you’ll see. We’ll go through these, and also take a look at what causes them, as well as how to avoid such injuries in the future.
1. Shoulder Pain After Kayaking
Kayaking uses a lot of the upper body musculature and includes the smaller muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulders – this makes shoulder injuries of all kinds relatively common. In fact, this sports journal states that around 55 percent of paddlers report some kind of shoulder pain.
Sudden shoulder pain after kayaking is one of the most commonly reported injuries, however, understanding why your shoulder is hurting depends on your experience. The most common scenarios for shoulder pain are as follows:
If you’re experiencing pain in the muscles that feel like you’ve gone to the gym and you’re new to kayaking, this means that your body is adapting to the demands of your recent trips.
Don’t be alarmed by this, even someone in very good shape can still get this kind of muscle pain, but you should get it checked out if it persists longer than a week.
Joint pain that restricts movement or makes movement uncomfortable is usually because of an overuse injury or tendon inflammation. This is usually solved with a combination of therapeutic exercises and anti-inflammatory medication. Rotator cuff injuries can also be another reason for this kind of pain.
A dislocated shoulder usually requires emergency medical attention to reset it into place. You’ll also need to rest up the rotator cuff tendons or you can dislocate your shoulder again very easily. This is one of the more serious injuries and should be attended to immediately.
2. Lower Back Pain After Kayaking
This is another injury that depends on the kayaker, the most common reason for lower back (or lumbar spine region) is due to a combination of muscle imbalance and improper posture.
Sometimes your kayak doesn’t fit you well, and it can force you into positions that put pressure on the spinal discs in the lower back. If you combine this with weaker hamstrings, abdominal, and glutes, you have a recipe for lower back pain.
The other reason for lower back pain is engaging in more intense activities, like whitewater kayaking. This style of kayaking can push you from side to side and if it’s vigorous enough the impacts send a lot of force through your lower back, if the muscles around the spine aren’t strong enough, this can also lead to back pain.
If you have lower back pain, you can seek the aid of a sports physiotherapist, who’ll check you for muscle imbalances and they can also determine if your kayaking sitting posture is harming your back.
There are specific exercises and even yoga programs that can help strengthen the muscles in the back, especially the erector spinae (these are two almost column-like muscles that track either side of your spine).
3. Pain in Arms After Kayaking
Arm pain after kayaking is one of the more common physical ailments that paddlers may have to deal with. This can be due to:
As mentioned, kayaking makes extensive use of all the muscles in the upper extremities, and the arms get used a lot by any kayaker. However, poor technique can place too much stress on the arms and this then leads to overuse injuries down the line.
There are tons of ligaments and joints across the arms and excessive stress can lead to soft tissue injuries of all kinds. There can be all sorts of reasons that your arms are in pain after kayaking, but the cause is often similar.
In fact, having too tight a grip on a paddle, bat, or club (referred to as “white-knuckling”) is a cause of sports injuries among many athletes. It’s very easy to overdo it when you’re kayaking.
If this is a problem for you then you’re going to have to improve your paddling technique, use the arms less and the bigger, more powerful torso muscles more. You might have to get someone more experienced to show you how to do this.
Improving your technique will naturally place less stress on the arms and cause you to have a good grip (not a death grip) on your paddle.
4. Tendonitis
This is another one of the upper extremity injuries that’s prevalent in many sports but seems to occur regularly in water sports like kayaking.
Wrist, shoulder, and elbow tendonitis are the most likely kayaking injuries, as these joints and the ligaments that surround them are the ones most in use. Usually, tendonitis happens because of repetitive strain and such injuries are usually more common toward the end of a paddling season.
Poor technique can also play a part in chronic injuries, as you place less strain on the muscles and more on delicate soft tissue. Poor technique could be anything from your overall posture in the kayak, to how you paddle.
One sign of tendonitis is stiffness and swelling, and it can lead to lingering and chronic pain if not addressed.
One way to treat tendonitis is through joint rotations – arm circles, ankle rotations, or any exercise that runs a joint through its full range of motion. However, this doesn’t guarantee protection, and if you’re getting symptoms of tendonitis frequently it’s your body’s way of telling you to back off.
5. Wrist, Hand, and Finger Pain
Pain in the lower arms is a common sports injury and can have all sorts of causes, from tendon injuries to potentially trapped nerves. Numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness are often due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Placing pressure on the median nerve in the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and improper technique can hurt the tendons that wrap around the wrist – this can cause pain practically anywhere in your hand.
Often, the paddling technique is the culprit here, and if you’re constantly feeling pain throughout the wrist, hands, and fingers then you might need some coaching to improve here, especially if you’re whitewater paddling or engaging in more intense forms of kayaking.
6. Numb Legs
Numbness is usually down to a loss of circulation or pressure on nerves. This is another one of the common injuries reported, and this is because compared to most other items on this list, it’s not the most severe injury, and some choose to just “grin and bear it.”
However, don’t fall into this trap, as simply tolerating numbness can make it worse over time.
So, why do kayakers get numb legs?
It nearly always comes down to seating positions and postures putting pressure on the sciatic nerve – which runs from the low back all the way to the feet. The best way to address numb legs is to stretch out the legs and strengthen the muscles in the core and the hamstrings.
This ensures that the body’s load is balanced and not just pinpointed in one portion of the lower back. A physiotherapist should be able to point out what the best exercises are for you.
7. Skin Irritation
Blisters and skin irritations often occur because of a lack of proper protection in the affected areas. The most common place to find skin irritations is on the hands – usually because your gloves aren’t padded enough.
If you do have any skin irritations then you can apply waterproof plasters over the affected areas, clean any grit, sand, or debris from the paddle, and then, later on, apply some skin cream.
Another major cause of skin irritations is allergens – while this is unlikely there could be something in your equipment that you’re allergic to.
8. Swimmer’s Ear (External Otitis)
Swimmer’s ear can be one of the potential “injuries” suffered by kayakers and can feel like your ear is tender on the outside, and swollen, itchy, and painful on the inside.
External is an infection caused by your ear becoming host to bacteria and microorganisms present in warmer water, and is a condition that can affect kayakers who spend time in warmer oceans.
A course of a cream that contains antibiotics will kill off the bacteria in your ear causing the infection in due time.
9. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition where your body is losing heat faster than it can produce it – this causes you to rapidly lose body temperature and can potentially be life-threatening.
Water can get very cold – for example, if you’re whitewater kayaking and you get thrown out of your kayak a few times it’ll be cold but you’re probably not going to freeze to death.
However, if you’re not used to this and you’re being thrown in the water and pushing yourself hard then you should take caution, and watch for signs like uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, and incoherent behavior.
Hypothermia isn’t exactly a super common injury but it is definitely something to pay attention to if you plan to do any sea kayaking at all.
10. Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke
This is the final item on this list – while it’s easily avoidable and usually only applies to anyone who is kayaking in the summer or in the warmer states, heatstroke is still a risk factor.
This also applies especially to ocean kayakers for two reasons, there’s no treeline or surrounding terrain to filter or block some of the sunshine, and the ocean reflects the sun’s rays right back to you.
This means that if you’re not careful you can end up with heatstroke – while this one’s high on the injury severity list – it’s the easiest one to avoid, don’t forget your sunscreen.
How to Prevent Common Kayaking Injuries: Some Simple Tips
Now that we’ve covered the most common kayaking injuries, it’s time to learn what you can do to help prevent them. Take a look at the following tips and things to keep in mind to help you avoid the most common kayaking injuries, and stay safe while paddling.
Know Your Limits
A lot of the injuries here are due to overuse and inflammation. The root cause of these injuries is pushing too hard too quickly – if your muscles are tired it means that your technique is also poor.
Athletes spend an enormous amount of time honing their technique and building the stamina to execute their chosen activity as efficiently as possible. However, hobbyists often launch themselves at the deep end and kayaking is no exception.
It’s better to start slow and build up very gradually, the older you are the more this applies to you.
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 Frozen Shoulder?
in Shoulder InjuriesArticle featured on UCSF Health
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a common condition usually affecting people over 40, and women more often than men. Statistics suggest that 5 percent to 20 percent of the population will experience an episode of frozen shoulder. Individuals with a history of diabetes, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease or heart disease are at particular risk. Patients with frozen shoulder experience a progressive increase in pain and loss in range of motion.
To understand the condition, it helps to understand the shoulder’s structure. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, yet the shoulder’s anatomy allows for an amazing amount of flexibility. The head of the humerus (upper arm bone) is a ball that sits in the glenoid fossa (shallow socket) of the shoulder blade. (Picture a golf ball on a tee.) Because the socket is so shallow, the shoulder relies on the surrounding soft tissues for stability. The labrum (cartilage lining the socket) and capsule (containing joint fluid and several ligaments) provide a majority of the shoulder’s stability. The muscles of the rotator cuff and shoulder blade also help.
Signs & symptoms
Patients with frozen shoulder usually have increasing pain as their shoulder loses mobility. Quick shoulder motions often exacerbate the pain. Worsening stiffness can even make it difficult for other people, such as a doctor performing an exam, to move the shoulder. Frozen shoulder has been divided into three stages (note that the condition typically improves as it moves through the stages):
The freezing stage can last from one to nine months; the frozen stage, four to nine months; and the thawing stage, five months to two years.
Diagnosis
A doctor can usually make the diagnosis by doing a physical exam, but sometimes imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI, are useful for ruling out other problems.
Treatments
Frozen shoulder will usually get better on its own, although it takes considerable time – sometimes two or three years. The goals of treatment are controlling pain and restoring motion.
Physical therapy
The mainstay of frozen shoulder treatment is aggressive physical therapy. Techniques include stretching and range-of-motion exercises, followed by applying heat or ice to the area. As with any physical therapy regime, a good home program is essential.
Medications
Taken orally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen) can relieve pain, especially during the first (“freezing”) stage.
Injections
A corticosteroid injection into the shoulder joint may foster a more rapid recovery, especially when done early in the disease process, as the shoulder is getting stiff. The procedure is performed in the office, often using ultrasound imaging to ensure the injection is placed accurately.
Surgery
More than 90 percent of patients improve without surgery. For those who don’t get better with physical therapy and time, surgical intervention can be considered. In the arthroscopic (minimally invasive) procedure, the surgeon uses specialized instruments to view and release the tissue that has contracted around the shoulder joint and to break up any other adhesions (damaged tissues that have grown together). Patients can usually go home the same day, and physical therapy begins a few days later. Recovery varies from six weeks to four months.
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
4 Signs You May Have Nociplastic Pain
in pain reliefThe four signs that you have nociplastic pain include:
Symptoms Are Long-Standing
The disordered sensory processing seen with nociplastic pain develops over time. Symptoms are present for longer than 3 months, often lasting years. An injury or stressful event may trigger the pain, but abnormal pain processing perpetuates it.
A common example is a disk herniation in the back. The disk herniation may heal after 6 months, but sensitization can perpetuate the pain after the injury has healed.
Symptoms Spread Beyond the Expected Area of Injury
The pain area spreads to involve a greater region of the body. For example, instead of a small area of the back hurting, you feel discomfort across your back and into the legs. Someone with a pinched nerve in their neck may feel their entire arm is numb instead of just the area supplied by the nerve.
Increased Sensitivity to Painful Stimuli
A lowered threshold for feeling pain develops. You feel pain more easily than those without sensitization. For example, let’s look at two people, one with sensitization and the other without it. They both lift a 50-pound box and feel a pull in the back. The person without sensitization reports the pain as a “3 out of 10.” Meanwhile, the person with sensitization reports the pain as a “7 out of 10.” The nerves are telling the brain it hurts more than what a person without the condition feels. It’s not the person overreacting; the intensity is very real. The sensation is because the nerves are hypersensitive.
Non-Pain Symptoms
In addition to affecting how pain is experienced, sensitization causes symptoms that affect the entire body. These are called “non-pain symptoms.” They include fatigue, poor sleep, and thinking difficulties (brain fog).
The fatigue can be severe, with a much lower energy level compared to others of the same age and health. Fatigue sets in sooner and recovery takes longer. For example, after an hour of exercise, someone with sensitization may need to rest for the remainder of the day or 2 days.
The environment is full of sensory inputs, and sensitization magnifies these stimuli, too. The impact of harsh lights, loud noise, and odors is amplified. These stimuli may provoke headaches, nausea, or dizziness.
If you recognize the four signs in yourself, talk with your provider about nociplastic pain. The treatment approach for this pain type is different from others, making a correct diagnosis imperative. Get the right diagnosis, so you receive the right 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
Arthrodesis of the Ankle
in Ankle InjuriesArticle featured on Mercy Health
What is arthrodesis/surgical fusion of the ankle?
Arthrodesis/surgical fusion is the surgery that joins the bones in your ankle to form a single unit and eliminate movement. You may need this surgery if you have arthritis or another condition where moving your ankle joint is painful. By eliminating the movement, you eliminate the pain.
The bones in your ankle joint are the tibia, fibula and talus. The tibia and fibula are the bones in your lower leg. The talus is the bone that sits right above the heel bone. It acts as a hinge. Arthrodesis fuses the tibia to the talus.
Your doctor opts for arthrodesis over an artificial joint because a fused ankle joint doesn’t wear out. This surgery is a permanent solution and lasts for the rest of your life.
What to expect from arthrodesis/surgical fusion of the ankle
Doctors perform arthrodesis both arthroscopically and as open surgery. Which one your doctor chooses depends on your personal needs. The surgeries are similar in both situations. The main difference is the incisions are smaller in an arthroscopic surgery.
You need general anesthesia for this surgery. That means you’re asleep and don’t feel any pain. Your doctor makes an incision in your skin to access the ankle joint.
The doctor uses a saw or rotary tool to remove cartilage from the surfaces on both sides of your ankle joint. By doing this, your body can fuse the bones together during healing — much like bone heals after a break.
Your doctor inserts screws or metal plates into the joint to hold the bones in the right position so they heal properly. These screws stay in place permanently. They may start to cause pain or affect the joint later on. If that happens, your doctor removes them.
You wear a cast in the first few weeks following the surgery. You need to keep your ankle elevated to prevent swelling and reduce pain, also. The doctor may give you crutches. They’ll also advise you to avoid putting weight on your ankle while the joint heals.
After up to 12 weeks, your doctor removes the cast and replaces it with a brace. As the joint heals, you can put more weight on the ankle. During this time, you work with a physical therapist to learn how to walk with a fused ankle joint.
Shoe modifications and special shoes make walking easier. Though you won’t be able to run normally again, you can walk with a normal gait following arthrodesis.
Common ankle conditions requiring arthrodesis/surgical fusion
If you have severe pain, inflammation and stiffness in your ankle joint due to arthritis, your doctor may recommend arthrodesis. The main types of arthritis that affect your ankle are:
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
Scoliosis in Children
in Back Pain, SpineWhat Is Scoliosis In Children?
Scoliosis is a deformity of the backbone (spine). It’s when the spine has a side-to-side curve. The curve of the spine measures 10 degrees or more.
A normal spine appears straight when looked at from behind. But a child with scoliosis has a spine with an S or C shape. The child may look like they’re leaning to one side. The curve can happen on the right or left side of the spine. Or it can happen on both sides in different sections. Both the middle (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) spine may be affected.
What Causes Scoliosis In A Child?
In most cases, the cause of scoliosis isn’t known. A child may be born with it. Or they can develop it later in life. It’s most often seen in children ages 10 to 18. It tends to affect more girls than boys.
Possible causes of scoliosis include:
What Are The Symptoms Of Scoliosis In A Child?
These are the most common symptoms of scoliosis:
These symptoms may seem like other back problems. Or they may be a result of an injury or infection. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed In A Child?
Your child’s healthcare provider can diagnose scoliosis with a complete health history of your child and a physical exam. Your child may also need these tests:
Finding scoliosis early is important for treatment. If left untreated, scoliosis can cause problems with heart and lung function. Healthcare providers, and even some school programs, routinely look for signs of scoliosis in children.
How Is Scoliosis Treated In A Child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It’ll also depend on how bad the condition is.
The goal of treatment is to stop the curve from getting worse and prevent deformity. Treatment may include:
Key Points About Scoliosis In Children
Next Steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
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
Is It Possible to Prevent Arthritis?
in ArthritisArticle featured on Harvard Health Publishing
Q. So many of my relatives and friends have arthritis. I have been fortunate so far. Is there any proven way to prevent it?
A. You may be able to lower your risk for three of the most common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Here’s a brief description of each and how to possibly prevent them.
Osteoarthritis, the most common type, occurs when the cartilage of a joint erodes (breaks down). Bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and difficulty moving the joint. It’s also the most common reason for knee and hip replacements. Take these steps to lower your risk:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness, and swelling in joints. Over time, the affected joints may become misshapen, misaligned, and damaged. Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand has it, the other usually does, too. Ways to reduce your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include avoiding tobacco and improving your oral health. Gum inflammation (gingivitis) caused by certain bacteria has been linked to many health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Good oral hygiene and regular dental care may lower the risk.
Gout occurs when crystals of uric acid get deposited in one or more joints and trigger inflammation that causes pain, swelling, and redness. You can reduce your risk by doing the following:
If you notice joint pain, joint swelling, or difficulty doing activities, see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in your future joint health.
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
Cycling Vs. Walking: Which is the Better Workout for You?
in walking, Wellness TipsArticle featured on Healthline
Aerobic exercise is an important way to maintain your health and vitality. If you’re new to exercising or have an injury or health condition that’s forcing you to change your exercise routine, you may wonder what type of aerobic exercise to choose.
Cycling and walking are two of the most popular types of aerobic activity. Both can be adapted for beginners or people with injuries or other health conditions.
They both provide a lower impact activity than other aerobic activities, such as running or jumping rope. Also, you can do them both outdoors or indoors, making them accessible no matter what the weather is like.
However, they tend to differ in terms of cost. Cycling obviously requires a bike, while all you need to start walking is a pair of shoes (or not) and the will to move.
Still, you may wonder which is the better workout and which is better for your health.
Which burns more calories?
How many calories you burn with cycling and walking depends on your workout intensity. The following table shows approximately how many calories a 150-pound (68-kg) person would burn in a 30-minute session.
Thus, cycling tends to burn more calories for the same category of intensity during the same time period. You can think of the intensity as the rate of perceived exertion.
If you want to burn calories and you’re short on time, cycling may be the better option.
Which works muscles better?
Cycling and walking involve using many of the same muscles to produce force to move. The gluteal muscles of the hip and hamstrings are involved in power production in both walking and cycling.
These muscles increase their activation when you increase your speed during cycling, especially when you stand up to pedal. In addition, gluteal activation increases when you walk uphill or up stairs.
The quadriceps (knee extensors) are involved to a larger extent in cycling compared with walking. They are larger producers of force during the power or push-down phase of cycling when you’re sitting down.
Finally, the calf muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius) play an important role in both cycling and walking. They are the muscles that propel you in the push phase of cycling and the push-off phase of walking (mid-stance to pre-swing phases).
Thus, both activities work the same muscles, but cycling tends to require the muscles to exert more force.
Cycling and walking use many of the same muscles to produce force and movement. However, cycling tends to work your muscles harder.
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
Most Common Spring Injuries
in Health & WellnessArticle featured on CareNow Urgent Care
As the weather warms up and the flowers begin to bloom, many people are eager to spend more time outdoors and engage in activities that they may have put on hold during the winter months.
While spring is a time to enjoy the outdoors and soak up some vitamin D, it also comes with its fair share of risks, including the potential for injuries. From gardening mishaps to sports-related accidents, there are a variety of injuries that tend to be more common during the spring season.
We’re exploring some of the most common spring injuries, along with tips for prevention and treatment. Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy the spring weather, it’s important to be aware of these common injuries so that you can take steps to stay safe and healthy.
What are the most common spring injuries?
There are certain injuries that typically occur more this time of year than any other season. Educating yourself on these injuries is the first step in learning how to prevent them. Here’s a look at the injuries most common during springtime:
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries that affect the soft tissues in the body, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons. A sprain occurs when a ligament, the tissue that connects bone to bone, is stretched or torn.
This can happen due to a sudden twist or turn of the joint, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.
On the other hand, a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is inflamed, usually as a result of overuse or repetitive motion. Symptoms of a strain include pain, swelling, muscle spasm, and weakness.
Both sprains and strains can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with physical therapy and pain management techniques. However, severe cases may require surgery to repair the damaged tissue.
Fractures
Fractures, or broken bones, can happen any time of year, but they are particularly common during the spring season. With the arrival of warmer weather, many people become more active, and this can increase the risk of falls, collisions, and other accidents that can result in fractures.
Common spring activities such as biking, skateboarding, and playing sports can also increase the risk of fractures. It’s important to take steps to prevent fractures, such as wearing proper protective gear and taking precautions to avoid falls.
Sunburn and heat-related illness
With warmer temperatures and longer days, many people spend more time outdoors during the spring season. However, spending too much time in the sun can increase the risk of sunburn and heat-related illnesses.
Sunburn can be painful and uncomfortable, and it also increases the risk of skin cancer. Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be serious and even life-threatening.
It’s important to take steps to protect yourself from the sun and heat, such as wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, staying hydrated, and taking breaks in the shade or indoors. By being proactive, you can enjoy the outdoors safely during the spring season.
Bites and stings
Bites and stings from insects can be a common occurrence during the spring season, especially as people spend more time outdoors. While many insect bites and stings are harmless and cause only mild irritation, others can be more serious and lead to an allergic reaction or infection.
When possible, take steps to avoid insect bites and stings, such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. If a bite or sting does occur, it’s important to monitor the area for signs of infection or allergic reaction and seek medical attention if necessary.
Overuse injuries
Spring is a popular time for people to ramp up their exercise routines after a long winter, but overdoing it can lead to overuse injuries like tendonitis, shin splints, and stress fractures. It’s important to gradually increase your activity level and listen to your body to avoid these types of injuries.
How to prevent common spring injuries
Preventing injuries is always better than treating them after the fact. When it comes to spring injuries, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of getting hurt.
First, it’s important to stay active throughout the year, rather than suddenly jumping into strenuous activities once the weather warms up. This helps your body adjust to the increased activity level and reduces the risk of injury. Warming up before physical activity, wearing protective gear, and staying hydrated can all help prevent injuries.
Another way to prevent spring injuries is to be aware of potential hazards and take steps to avoid them. For example, wearing the right footwear and being aware when you walk on uneven surfaces can help prevent ankle sprains and other foot injuries.
Taking precautions to avoid insect bites, such as using bug spray and wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, can also help reduce the risk of allergic reactions and other insect-related injuries.
Finally, you should always seek medical attention if you experience an injury rather than trying to tough it out or self-diagnose it. Delaying treatment can lead to more serious complications and a longer recovery time. By taking these preventative measures, you can reduce the risk of injury and enjoy the gorgeous spring weather.
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
Sports & Pain
in Sports Medicine, Sports Related InjuriesGradual Return to Activity
For musculoskeletal injuries, a gradual return to exercise is key. This involves:
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
Torn MCL Average Recovery Time
in Knee Injuries, Knee Pain, Knee SurgeryArticle featured on Summit Orthopedics
MCL stands for medial collateral ligament. It’s a ligament on the inside of the knee. Like all ligaments, the MCL is a strong, tough band of tissue that connects one bone to another bone. Physical Therapist, Josh Feeney talks about the recovery time for a MCL tear and whether surgery is needed.
What is an MCL tear?
Although an MCL tear can happen to anyone, athletes are most at risk. It can happen when an athlete suddenly twists or changes direction. It can also happen when something hits the athlete’s knee. Sports like football, basketball, rugby, volleyball, and skiing can result in MCL tears. MCL tears are the most common knee ligament injury.
MCL tears are classified as “partial” or “complete.” In a partial MCL tear, the ligament has torn partway, but some of the ligament’s fibers remain attached. In a complete tear, the ligament has snapped, fully separating into two pieces.
What are the symptoms of an MCL tear?
Symptoms of an MCL tear include:
What is a torn MCL treatment and recovery time?
If you suspect you’ve torn or damaged your MCL, the first thing to do is to get it evaluated by an orthopedic specialist. Your provider will conduct a physical exam and may order imaging tests, like an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, to confirm the diagnosis.
Surgery is not always required, and in fact, many people recover from a torn MCL with conservative measures. Treatment options for a torn MCL include:
“Because MCL tears can take some time to heal, the flexibility and strength of the knee may begin to decrease. This is when PT can play a larger part in not only giving you ways to combat this, but also to identify what areas may be weak or tight,” said physical therapist Josh Feeney, DPT, OCS, CGFI.
“Many times, we think of an MCL as just needing to heal and then we return to sport or activity. But what happens in those weeks of recovery when you aren’t able to be as active?”
MCL tear recovery time varies depending on how severe the tear is and whether or not you had surgery to repair the tear:
“You want your knee to be strong and flexible when your MCL heals, so you can return back to activity without as much fear of reinjury,” Feeney said. “PT can significantly improve this outcome.” Your specific recovery time will depend on your unique injury.
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