How to Find Relief from Stiff Joints

Article featured on Healthline

With age, stiff joints become a reality for many people. Years of use can take a toll on joints, muscles, and bones, but there are steps you can take to find relief.

Why does joint stiffness occur?

Many people experience stiff joints just after waking up. Lying down for several hours to sleep reduces fluid amounts, making moving joints more difficult first thing in the morning.

Joint stiffness may be mild and only impact your mobility for a brief period each morning or after sitting for extended periods of time. The stiffness can also be more severe and impact your mobility.

In some cases, pain and inflammation accompany joint stiffness. This may make walking, standing, or putting weight on your joints painful.

Not all stiff joints are the result of age. Many other conditions can cause stiff joints. These include arthritis, lupus, and bursitis. Lifestyle factors, including diet and weight management, can also impact joint mobility.

Keep reading to learn more about possible causes and treatments.

Possible causes

1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

The most common cause of joint pain is arthritis. About 15 million people with arthritis report experiencing severe joint pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting over 1.5 million Americans. Its symptoms typically appear between ages 30 and 60.

RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder. It’s also an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks healthy parts of your body, such as the lining of your joints. This causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Over time, it can also cause joint deformity and bone erosion.

Common symptoms of RA include:

  • joint pain
  • joint stiffness
  • joint swelling

RA has no cure, so its symptoms can’t be entirely eliminated. They can be managed through medication and other treatments. However, little can be done to prevent the disease once it has advanced.

2. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Another common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is sometimes called degenerative arthritis. It affects nearly 32.5 million Americans. It’s most common in people over age 50.

This type of arthritis results from wear and tear on your joints. Cartilage, the thin tissue that protects the bones in your joints, wears away with use. Over time, the cartilage can no longer protect your bones.

OA can affect any joint in the body, but it most often affects the:

  • knees
  • hips
  • fingers
  • neck
  • back

As OA progresses, it can begin to cause symptoms other than stiffness. These include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • cracking sounds when the joint is in motion

As the condition worsens, you could develop bone spurs. In the advanced stages of OA, the cartilage virtually disappears. Bones rub against other bones in your joint. This can cause extreme pain, stiffness, and disability.

Treatment for OA can help. Lifestyle treatments can be effective, such as exercise to reduce weight and pressure on joints. Additionally, medication may be administered to help relieve immense pain, such as:

  • pain relievers
  • paracetamol
  • non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • opioids

In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.

3. Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease like RA. Your body attacks itself, including your organs and tissues. Lupus that attacks your joints can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling.

Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic many other conditions. A lupus diagnosis may take several months while tests rule out other conditions.

Like RA, lupus is chronic. Once you develop it, you will likely experience symptoms of the condition for the rest of your life. There isn’t a cure, but treatments effectively reduce and control symptoms. Treatments include:

  • Benlysta (belimumab): a biologic therapy taken with other medications that help prevent autoreactive B cells (an underlying cause of lupus) from remaining in the body for too long.
  • Saphnelo (anifrolumab): a prescription medication that blocks type 1 interferon activity, which plays a central role in how lupus affects the human body.
  • Lupkynis (voclosporin): another prescription medication that binds to calcineurin proteins in the body, helping reduce inflammation in the kidneys.

Other potential treatment options include hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and a shift toward healthier lifestyle choices may also be prescribed to combat lupus symptoms.

4. Bursitis

Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, ligaments, and muscles in your joints. You develop bursitis when those sacs become inflamed. This condition can cause stiffness and pain in the affected joint.

Bursitis can affect any joint, but it is most common in large joints like the:

  • elbow
  • shoulder
  • hip

Other common sites include the following:

  • knee
  • ankle
  • big toe

Bursitis is often temporary, and treatment relies on resting the affected joint for several weeks. This may mean you need to reduce physical activity and keep the joint stationary for periods, allowing the bursae to recover and stiffness to resolve.

Your healthcare professional may ask you to perform exercises to relieve certain bursitis pain.

5. Gout

Unlike some other possible causes of joint stiffness, gout comes on suddenly. It may appear while you’re asleep, making the joints especially painful when you wake up.

Severe, sudden episodes of pain and tenderness in joints characterize gout. Gout can impact any joint. The big toe is frequently the first joint to experience symptoms.

Gout is a type of arthritis. It affects men more often than women, but a woman’s risk for developing gout increases after menopause. Most people will deal with periods of gout symptoms for the rest of their life, but symptoms are treatable.

6. Bone cancer

This is rarely a cause of joint pain and stiffness, but it is possible. People with bone cancer may experience joint pain or bone pain. You may also experience swelling or sensitivity near a bone.

Not everyone will have pain, which is why bone cancer may advance and begin causing other symptoms before it’s discovered.

Cancer is treatable, but the outcome depends on several factors. These factors include the size, location, and type of tumor.

Treatment options for bone cancer include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Additionally, immunotherapy (immuno-oncology), a newer treatment option, uses checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to boost the immune response against cancer cells.

How to find relief

The best way to ease joint stiffness depends on what’s causing it in the first place. If stiffness lasts longer than 30 minutes after you wake up or if symptoms worsen, it’s important you seek medical attention.

Diagnosing the underlying problem will help you and your doctor determine the best way to ease stiffness and stop other associated symptoms.

Hot or cold compress

Both temperature extremes may be beneficial for stiff joints.

Apply a cold compress or bag of ice to your stiff joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation or swelling and ease the joint into movement. It can also dull pain receptors, so you experience less pain.

Heat is also therapeutic to joints and muscles. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm water from a shower or bath to relax muscles and increase circulation.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medication

Many mild symptoms of joint pain can be relieved by OTC medicines. NSAIDs are the most commonly used medication for arthritis. Generic names for NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Steroids

If inflammation and swelling in the joint cause joint stiffness, steroids may be a treatment option. Swelling and inflammation are common with arthritis.

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation. When inflammation decreases, joint pain and stiffness decrease too.

Steroids may not be beneficial for people with advanced arthritis. In some cases, relief may be short-lived, and future steroid injections may not be as effective.

Exercise

Exercise and physical therapy may help increase joint mobility, reducing stiffness.

It’s also a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Carrying around excess pounds can increase your risk for conditions that cause joint pain and stiffness.

If you’re unsure how to begin exercising or have difficulty with movement, talk with your doctor or a trained physical therapist. Exercise is an easy way to relieve pain and stiffness, but you can aggravate certain conditions if you don’t take precautions before beginning an exercise plan. Causes, Relief Tips, When…

When to see your doctor

If joint stiffness and pain come on suddenly, talk with your doctor. Likewise, if the stiffness and pain don’t resolve after five to seven days, you should seek medical attention.

You should also seek attention from your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • severe pain
  • rapid swelling
  • joint deformity
  • inability to move the joint
  • intense redness and hot to the touch

Though joint stiffness isn’t uncommon, especially as you age, it can be the first sign of another condition. A physical exam is an easy way to determine what might be causing the issue.

If a physical exam isn’t conclusive, your doctor may suggest some treatments to help ease the stiffness while you wait to see if it disappears. If it doesn’t disappear, you may need tests to get a diagnosis.

Once your doctor determines the cause, they can help determine the best treatment plan for you. This may help ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.


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 Achilles Tendinitis

Article featured on Mount Sinai

Achilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. This tendon is called the Achilles tendon. It allows you to push your foot down. You use your Achilles tendon when walking, running, and jumping.

Causes

There are two large muscles in the calf. These create the power needed to push off with the foot or go up on the toes. The large Achilles tendon connects these muscles to the heel.

Heel pain is most often due to overuse of the foot. Rarely, it is caused by an injury.

Tendinitis due to overuse is most common in younger people. It can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes.

Achilles tendinitis may be more likely to occur if:

  • There is a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of an activity.
  • Your calf muscles are very tight (not stretched out).
  • You run on hard surfaces, such as concrete.
  • You run too often.
  • You jump a lot (such as when playing basketball).
  • You do not wear shoes that give your feet proper support.
  • Your foot suddenly turns in or out.

Tendinitis from arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older adults. A bone spur or growth may form in the back of the heel bone. This may irritate the Achilles tendon and cause pain and swelling. Flat feet will put more tension on the tendon.

Heel pain can be a common problem. Though the cause is rarely serious, the pain can be severe and sometimes disabling.

Heel pain is often the result of overusing your foot. Causes may include, running, especially on hard surfaces like concrete, tightness in your calf, or from Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of that large tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel), shoes with poor support, sudden inward or outward turning of your heel, or landing hard or awkwardly on your heel after a jump or fall.

Problems related to heel pain include bursitis (inflammation of the bursa at the back of the heel), bone spurs in the heel, and plantar fasciitis (swelling of the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot). Heel pain is something you can usually treat at home.

If you can, try resting as much as possible for at least a week. Apply ice to the painful area twice a day or so, for 10 to 15 minutes. If you need to, you can buy a heel cup, felts pads, or shoe inserts to comfort your heel.

You should call your doctor if your heel pain does not get better after two or three weeks of home treatment. But also call your doctor if your pain is getting worse, or your pain is sudden and severe, your feet are red or swollen, or you can’t put weight on your foot.

If you visit the doctor, you may have a foot x-ray. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your heel pain. You may need to see a physical therapist to learn exercises to stretch and strengthen your foot. To prevent future heel pain, we recommend you exercise.

Maintaining flexible, strong muscles in your calves, ankles, and feet can help ward off some types of heel pain. And do yourself a favor, trade those sleek high heels in for a comfortable, properly fitting pair of shoes.

Symptoms

Symptoms include pain in the heel and along the length of the tendon when walking or running. The area may feel painful and stiff in the morning.

The tendon may be painful to touch or move. The area may be swollen and warm. You may have trouble standing up on your toes. You may also have trouble finding shoes that fit comfortably due to pain in the back of your heel.

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. They will look for tenderness along the tendon and pain in the area of the tendon when you stand on your toes.

X-rays can help diagnose bone problems.

An MRI scan of the foot may be done if you are considering surgery or there is a chance that you have a tear in the Achilles tendon.

Treatment

The main treatments for Achilles tendinitis do not involve surgery. It is important to remember that it may take at least 2 to 3 months for the pain to go away.

Try putting ice on the Achilles tendon area for 15 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. Remove the ice if the area gets numb.

Changes in activity may help manage the symptoms:

  • Decrease or stop any activity that causes pain.
  • Run or walk on smoother and softer surfaces.
  • Switch to biking, swimming, or other activities that put less stress on the Achilles tendon.

Your provider or physical therapist can show you stretching exercises or eccentric loading exercises for the Achilles tendon.

You may also need to make changes in your footwear, such as:

  • Using a brace, boot or cast to keep the heel and tendon still and allow the swelling to go down
  • Placing heel lifts in the shoe under the heel
  • Wearing shoes that are softer in the areas over and under the heel cushion

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can help ease pain or swelling.

Other treatment include injections, such as platelet rich plasma or steroids, to reduce the inflammation. However, the tendon can become even weaker following injection and should be protected after the injections.

If these treatments do not improve symptoms, you may need surgery to remove inflamed tissue and abnormal areas of the tendon. If there is a bone spur irritating the tendon, surgery can be used to remove the spur.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may be an alternative to surgery for people who have not responded to other treatments. This treatment uses low-dose sound waves.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In most cases, lifestyle changes help improve symptoms. Keep in mind that symptoms may return if you do not limit activities that cause pain, or if you do not maintain the strength and flexibility of the tendon.

Possible Complications

Achilles tendinitis may make you more likely to have an Achilles rupture. This condition most often causes a sharp pain that feels as if you have been hit in the back of the heel with a stick. Surgical repair is often necessary. However, the surgery may not be as successful as usual because there is already damage to the tendon.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

  • You have pain in the heel around the Achilles tendon that is worse with activity.
  • You have sharp pain and are unable to walk or push-off without extreme pain or weakness.

Prevention

Exercises to keep your calf muscles strong and flexible will help reduce the risk for tendinitis. Overusing a weak or tight Achilles tendon makes you more likely to develop tendinitis.


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 Strains

Article featured on Medical News Today

Muscle strain occurs when a muscle becomes overstretched or works too hard. People can often treat muscle strains at home and use specific exercises to speed up their recovery.

Muscle strains vary in severity depending on how much damage the muscle fibers sustain. Strains range from mild overexertion to a partial or complete tear of the muscle.

In many cases, home care and exercises can heal a muscle strain, but severe strains may need medical treatment.

People can get muscle strains from playing sports, doing physical work, or just taking part in everyday activities. Early identification and treatment of the injury will speed up recovery.

Symptoms

Muscle strains can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • bruising
  • muscle cramps
  • difficulty moving the muscle
  • muscle spasms
  • muscle weakness
  • pain, which usually worsens with movement
  • swelling

A person may also hear an audible snapping or popping when the muscle strains.

Causes

A strained muscle occurs when a person stretches a muscle excessively, overuses a muscle, or experiences an accident, such as a fall.

People with tight, inflexible muscles and those who do not warm up properly before exercise may have a higher risk of muscle strain.

Some people whose job requires them to do repetitive movements, such as heavy lifting or sports, may develop chronic muscle strain injuries.

Diagnosis

If a doctor suspects a muscle strain, they will perform a physical examination and ask a person about their symptom history. They may also order imaging studies, such as X-rays, to make sure that the bone has not broken.

As part of the diagnosis, a doctor will usually designate the injury as a grade 1, 2, or 3 strain. A grade 1 strain is mild and should heal quickly, while a grade 3 strain is a severe muscle tear.

How to treat muscle strain

Even if a person’s muscle strain does not require medical attention, it is important to rest the muscle and allow time for recovery. A strained muscle is more susceptible to re-injury.

Home remedies

Several home treatments can help promote muscle healing. One of the most effective approaches to muscle strain recovery is the RICE technique.

RICE stands for:

  • Rest: Resting the injured muscle gives the body time to repair.
  • Ice: Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the damaged muscle for 10 to 15 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
  • Compression: If possible, apply a compression bandage to reduce swelling. People can use cloth or elastic bandages from drug stores or online stores to wrap up an injured foot, ankle, leg, wrist, or arm.
  • Elevation: Elevating an injured arm or leg can help reduce swelling and allow fluid to flow back toward the heart.

In addition to using the RICE method, a person can take medication to control pain and reduce swelling or inflammation.

Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, reduce both pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen can relieve pain, but it does not have the anti-inflammatory properties of NSAIDs.

Medical treatments

If OTC medications are insufficient to relieve pain, a doctor may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or pain-relieving medicines.

Massage therapy may also help relax injured muscles and enhance a person’s range of motion

Recovery exercises

If a doctor clears a person to engage in regular exercise after their injury, they can usually benefit from doing stretching exercises. It is important to talk to a doctor before trying recovery exercises, as overexerting an already injured muscle can cause extra damage.

A person should never stretch to the extent that it causes pain and discomfort.

The specific stretches will depend on the injured area, but a person should always repeat the stretch two or three times. Examples of these stretches include:

  1. Hamstring stretch
    • Tight hamstrings can make walking and running difficult and increase injury risk. To stretch the hamstrings, stand with the feet hip-width apart, and bend at the waist to lean forward. There should be a mild stretch along the back of the legs.
  2. Hip flexor stretch
    • For a strained muscle in the hip, lie flat on the back and pull the right knee to the chest. Hold it there for 10 to 15 seconds before straightening the leg out again. Repeat with the left leg, feeling a stretch in the upper thigh and hips.
  3. Neck stretches
    • For a strained neck muscle, lean the head forward to try to touch the chin to the chest. Next, lean the head first to the left and then to the right, trying to touch the ear to the shoulder.

Prevention

People may be able to prevent muscle strains by warming up the muscles before doing physical activity and by avoiding overstretching the muscles.

Following the guidance below may help prevent muscle strains:

  • Walk at a moderate pace for 3 to 5 minutes before doing any sports or other physical activities. Doing this will warm up the muscles and prepare them for an increase in the intensity of the activity.
  • Follow a healthful diet and exercise program to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put additional stress on the muscles, making muscle strains more likely to occur.
  • Lift heavy objects or items with care and always use the correct technique. It is vital to lift with the legs rather than the back and to carry any heavy loads with the torso to avoid straining the arm or back muscles.
  • Wear shoes that provide stability and ensure that any other protective equipment fits appropriately and is in good condition.

Some people may benefit from working with a physical therapist or a strength and conditioning professional to help improve their exercise technique and allow them to build strength and flexibility safely.

Recovery times

The duration of recovery after a muscle strain will depend on the severity of the injury.

Most soft tissue injuries take a few weeks to heal, but severe strains may take much longer.

Trying to return to normal activities too soon can cause further injury, so always follow a doctor’s instructions and start gently.

If a person’s injury requires surgery, the recovery time will depend on the nature of the procedure. A doctor will be able to provide information on the likely timeframe of recovery after surgery.

When to see a doctor

It is important to see a doctor for any painful muscle strain to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

If a person hears a popping sound when the injury occurs, this can indicate a muscle tear. A tear is a severe strain that will need medical attention.

If the pain from an injury gets worse instead of better, this can signify that a person should seek medical attention.

Other symptoms that indicate the need to visit a doctor include:

  • severe swelling that makes it difficult to move the injured area
  • difficulty bending or straightening the affected area
  • significant bruising

People should see a doctor if their injury keeps them from completing their usual physical activities.

Outlook

Muscle strains can range from mild to severe. Taking time to rest and rehabilitate the strained muscle can help a person recover and return to their previous physical activity level. Performing some simple stretching exercises, with a doctor’s approval, may also be beneficial.

If the pain worsens or gets in the way of everyday activities, it is best to see a doctor.


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 Dance Injuries and Prevention Tips

Article featured on Johns Hopkins Medicine

Dance may look effortless, but it requires a lot of strength, flexibility and stamina. It also comes with a high risk of injuries. Whether you are a dancer, the parent of a dancer or a dance teacher, you should be aware of the most common dance injuries and learn how to avoid them.

Johns Hopkins performing arts physical therapists Andrea Lasner and Amanda Greene share valuable information about dance injury treatments and prevention tips. Lasner and Greene, both dancers, have turned their love for the art into a means of helping injured dancers.

What are some common dance injuries?

A few studies that looked into dance injuries found that injuries from using your joints and muscles too much (overuse injuries) are the most common in dancers. The majority of these overuse injuries involve an ankle, leg, foot or lower back. Some common dance injuries are:

  • Hip injuries: snapping hip syndrome, hip impingement, labral tears, hip flexor tendonitis, hip bursitis and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Foot and ankle injuries: Achilles tendonitis, trigger toe and ankle impingement
  • Knee injuries: patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • Stress fractures: metatarsals, tibia, sesamoids and lumbar spine
  • Dancers are also likely to develop arthritis in the knee, hip, ankle and foot

Generally, dancers have a much lower rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than other athletes. One explanation could be that dance training involves much more intense jumping from an earlier age than other sports, which helps improve muscle control.

How do I know if the pain is from an injury?

In most cases, the pain you experience after dancing is muscle soreness that usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes, it takes a few days for muscles to get sore, which is also normal. However, if you experience the following types of pain, you may have suffered an injury:

  • Pain that wakes you up at night
  • Pain that is present at the start of an activity
  • Pain that increases with an activity
  • Pain that makes you shift your weight or otherwise compensate your movements

If you experience such pain, consult with a medical specialist — preferably a physical therapist or physician with experience in treating dancers. They will be able to determine whether additional testing is needed and will formulate an appropriate treatment plan.

Why do dance injuries happen?

Dance is a physically demanding activity. Dancers perform repetitive movements for several hours a day. Studies have shown that dancing five hours a day or longer leads to an increased risk of stress fractures and other injuries.

On top of the intensive training, many dancers get little time to recover between the sessions and have no “offseason.” Restrictive diets and unhealthy body weights may also contribute to dance injuries. Proper nutrition is important for dancers of all ages.

How do dancers get ankle sprains?

Ankle sprains are the number one traumatic injury in dancers. Traumatic injuries are different from overuse injuries as they happen unexpectedly. When an ankle is sprained, ligaments on the inside or outside of your foot get twisted or overstretched and may experience tears. Ankle sprains often happen due to improper landing from a jump, misaligned ankles (when they roll in or out) or poorly fitted shoes. Torn ligaments never heal to their preinjury condition. Once you’ve sprained your ankle, you are at risk of doing it again. It’s important to build muscle strength to prevent further injuries.

Dance Injury Prevention

How can dance injuries be prevented?

The majority of overuse injuries and even some traumatic dance injuries can be prevented. Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk of injury:

  • Eat well and stay hydrated before, during and after class.
  • Get enough rest and avoid overtraining.
  • Do cross-training exercises to build strength and endurance in all parts of your body.
  • Always wear proper shoes and attire.
  • Always warm-up before training or performances.
  • Lead a healthy lifestyle and get to know your body.

When injuries happen, address them immediately and get advice from a doctor or physical therapist.

What are good cross-training exercises for dancers?

Core and hip strengthening exercises like Pilates and stability-based yoga are great for dancers. And so are aerobic and cardiovascular activities, such as running, swimming or biking. They get your heart rate up and help build stamina for long performances.

Many dancers don’t do enough cardio during their regular training. Just 30 minutes three to four times a week is usually enough to improve your endurance. As always, do this in moderation and in short intervals to avoid stressing your joints. Being screened by a physical therapist with experience treating dancers will help you identify individual areas of weakness to address with specific exercises.

How much rest should a dancer get?

While many experts stress the importance of proper rest, there are no specific guidelines on the frequency and amount of rest. However, we know that dancing five hours a day or longer is linked to an increased risk of injury. It is also known that intense activity leads to microdamage, which peaks in recovery 12 to 14 hours after a workout. So it would make sense to take the next day off after a high-intensity activity. Dancers should work at their highest intensity a couple of times per week and then take at least two days off, preferably in a row. Also, a three- to four-week period of rest after the season is ideal for recovery.

Dance Injury Treatment

Should I ice or heat after a dance injury?

If it’s a sudden injury, it’s best to apply ice first to reduce swelling and inflammation. RICE treatment is a common approach that involves rest, ice, compression and elevation. After a few days, you can switch to heat to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing. However, every person is different. If you feel that ice helps you better than heat, then there is nothing wrong with continuing to ice. But be careful not to ice before dancing or stretching, because you want those muscles to be warmed up to prevent re-injury.

What are my treatment options for a dance injury?

It depends on the type of injury, your level as a dancer and many other factors. For example, for traumatic injuries like ankle sprains, your doctor may recommend RICE, joint protection and physical therapy. For stress fractures you may need to limit weight on your foot by using crutches, wearing a leg brace or walking boots. Surgery is typically used as the last resort. It is best to discuss your treatment options with a doctor who specializes in dance injuries. And if you are working with a physical therapist, make sure he or she is experienced in treating dancers. A big part of physical therapy is correcting the training technique that led to the injury. Otherwise, you risk hurting yourself again by making the same mistake.

What should be in the first aid kit for dance injuries?

Your regular first aid kit might already have many of the essentials for handling a medical emergency. However, when it comes to common dance injuries, you may want to include a few additional items, such as:

  • Instant cold pack
  • Pre-wrap and athletic tape (if qualified providers are available to apply)
  • Elastic bandages (to be used only for compression, not support while dancing)
  • Crutches
  • Topical pain reliever

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 Most Commonly Affected by Arthritis

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

What is Chronic Ankle Instability?

Article featured on Foot Health Facts

What Is Chronic Ankle Instability?

Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring giving way of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually, the giving way occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, suffer from chronic ankle instability.

People with chronic ankle instability often complain of:

  • A repeated turning of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports
  • Persistent (chronic) discomfort and swelling
  • Pain or tenderness
  • The ankle feeling wobbly or unstable

Causes of Chronic Ankle Instability

Chronic ankle instability usually develops following an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or was not rehabilitated completely. When you sprain your ankle, the connective tissues (ligaments) are stretched or torn. The ability to balance is often affected. Proper rehabilitation is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and retrain the tissues within the ankle that affect balance. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains.

Repeated ankle sprains often cause—and perpetuate—chronic ankle instability. Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening (or stretching) of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle.

Diagnosis of Chronic Ankle Instability

In evaluating and diagnosing your condition, the foot and ankle surgeon will ask you about any previous ankle injuries and instability. Then s/he will examine your ankle to check for tender areas, signs of swelling and instability of your ankle as shown in the illustration. X-rays or other imaging studies may be helpful in further evaluating the ankle.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment for chronic ankle instability is based on the results of the examination and tests, as well as on the patient’s level of activity. Nonsurgical treatment may include:

  • Physical therapy. Physical therapy involves various treatments and exercises to strengthen the ankle, improve balance and range of motion and retrain your muscles. As you progress through rehabilitation, you may also receive training that relates specifically to your activities or sport.
  • Bracing. Some patients wear an ankle brace to gain support for the ankle and keep the ankle from turning. Bracing also helps prevent additional ankle sprains.
  • Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

When Is Surgery Needed?

In some cases, the foot and ankle surgeon will recommend surgery based on the degree of instability or lack of response to nonsurgical approaches. Surgery usually involves repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s). The surgeon will select the surgical procedure best suited for your case based on the severity of the instability and your activity level. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

Why choose a foot and ankle surgeon?

Foot and ankle surgeons are the leading experts in foot and ankle care today. As doctors of podiatric medicine – also known as podiatrists, DPMs or occasionally “foot and ankle doctors” – they are the board-certified surgical specialists of the podiatric profession. Foot and ankle surgeons have more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any other healthcare provider.

Foot and ankle surgeons treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex, in patients of all ages including chronic ankle instability. Their intensive education and training qualify foot and ankle surgeons to perform a wide range of surgeries, including any surgery that may be indicated for chronic ankle instability.


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

Causes of Arch Pain

Article featured on News-Medical 

Arch pain, also known by the medical term plantar pain, refers to pain in the arch at the bottom of the foot. This pain can present as a result of various causes, usually following activities that involve significant stress to the arch of the foot.

The arches of the feet are a principle structure of the foot, which play an important role to absorb and return the force between the body and the ground, supporting bodily movement when people are on their feet. However, when the arches are put under excessive stress due to intense movements or extended periods of time standing on their feet, injury and pain to the area can present.

Plantar Fasciitis

The most common cause of arch pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis, which involves inflammation of the plantar fascia connective tissue along the arch of the foot. This usually follows excessive stress to the area from activities such as extended periods of time spent on feet at work or after sporting activities.

Injury to the arch of the foot can occur due to direct force trauma can result in pain and inflammation. This may include:

  • Ligament sprains
  • Muscle strains
  • Biomechanical misalignment
  • Fractures due to mechanical stress
  • Muscle overuse
  • Inflammatory arthritis

Activities that are most likely to cause damage to the foot arch include those that involve a significant amount or extended period of stress to the feet. This includes intense sport activities, long distance running and simply standing on the feet all day in a workplace environment.

Foot Deformity

Some deformities of the foot, such as hammertoe or clubfoot, may also cause arch pain. Additionally, people with abnormal arches of the feet are more likely to be affected by arch pain, including both people with flat feet and those with high arches.

Sudden Weight Changes

Drastic changes in weight that occur over a short period of time can be responsible for causing stress to the arch of the foot and result in arch pain.

In particular, people who are obese, have Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or are pregnant are more likely to be affected by excess stress on their feet and report symptoms of arch pain.

Footwear

Inappropriate footwear that is ill-fitting or does not provide adequate support to the food and may lead to pain and inflammation in the arch of the foot. The sole of the shoe is of particular importance and those with poor arch support or soft soles are most likely to cause problems.

Diagnosis

The structure of the foot is very complex and, for this reason, an individual that is experiencing arch pain should be referred to a podiatrist who will make the relevant investigations as to the cause of the condition.

This usually begins with a physical examination of the foot and a consultation about the medical history and events recent that may have caused the pain. There is often evidence of a lump or bruise in the arch of the foot that is evidence of damage to the connective tissue.

Other tests that may be used to determine the cause of the arch pain include X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans.


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 Exactly Is Arthritis?

Article featured on Movement Orthopedics

“Arthritis” is used to describe joint pain and inflammation. There are many different types of arthritis. It can occur at any joint in the body, including the hip, knee, and shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, as well as the foot and ankle. It most often occurs in the hands, hips, and knees.

Arthritis tends to cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint.

The most common types of arthritis are:

  • Osteoarthritis – a wear-and-tear type of arthritis in which the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones begins to wear away. This ultimately leads to bone-on-bone friction, which is what causes the pain and swelling associated with arthritic joints. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, and the condition gets progressively worse over time. This is by far the most common type of arthritis.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis – considered an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane that­­ lines and lubricates joints, causing the membrane to become inflamed. This can lead to deterioration of cartilage and bone at the joint.
  • Gout – another very common type of arthritis. In this case, a build-up of uric acid in the blood (often due to a purine-rich diet that includes foods like red meat, organ meat, scallops, tuna, or sardines) causes sharp crystals to collect at the joints. This results in pain, swelling, redness, and heat – typically occurring in one joint at a time. ­

Who Is Prone to Arthritis?

Those who may be at an increased risk of developing arthritis include:

  • Older adults – symptomatic osteoarthritis is estimated to affect nearly 10% of men and 20% of women over the age of 60.
  • Athletes – active people, whether young or old, face an increased risk of arthritis developing after an injury to a joint, although anyone with a joint injury is more likely to develop arthritis, which is called post-traumatic arthritis.
  • Obese adults – added stress on the joints can make the wearing away of cartilage occur faster.

Treating Arthritis

There are numerous conservative methods used to treat symptomatic arthritis, including:

  • Medications (prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or pain relievers)
  • Physical therapy that includes strengthening the muscles around the joint
  • Pain-relieving injections like cortisone shots or viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis
  • Activity modification to reduce the strain on your arthritic joint
  • Assistive devices, such as using bracing or a cane

Lifestyle approaches that can help include weight loss and engaging in regular, joint-friendly exercise, such as swimming, bicycling, walking, or dancing.

Your Surgical Options

Should conservative measures fail to relieve your symptoms, or if these measures stop working for you, the orthopedic specialists at Movement Orthopedics are experts in the use state-of-the-art surgical techniques to help you return to your usual activities, free from the pain of arthritis.

In many cases, this may mean minimally invasive joint replacement, reconstruction, or repair – including robotic-assisted surgery – to improve your mobility and decrease pain and inflammation.


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

Arthritis of the Ankle

Article featured on University of Michigan Health

Ankle arthritis occurs when there is a breakdown of cartilage in the ankle joint.  It can result from a variety of causes, including trauma (such as a car accident), autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or infection. In most cases, ankle arthritis is due to the degeneration of the cartilage from an old injury.

If you have – or suspect you have – ankle arthritis, we can provide you with a complete diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Experience is crucial in treating ankle arthritis, and we see many patients with complicated foot and ankle conditions.

Ankle Arthritis Symptoms

  • Pain that may increase with activity
  • Stiffness or loss of mobility
  • Swelling
  • Deformity of the ankle

Ankle Arthritis Diagnosis

So we can understand your condition, during your office visit:

  • We will take a complete history and conduct a physical examination to assess skin changes, the presence or absence of pulses and nerve sensations, the range of motion in your ankle, and the areas of discomfort.
  • We will take X-rays to evaluate your degree of arthritis and any associated ankle problem.
  • We may order further testing, such as a CT scan or MRI if we are considering surgery as an option.

Ankle Arthritis Treatments

Your individualized treatment plan is based on any previous treatments you have had, your current level of disability,  the presence of other medical conditions, and our findings from your health history, exam and X-rays.

Non-Surgical Treatments

We always look at non-surgical treatments first, especially if you have never received any other treatments. Treatments can include:

  • Ankle bracing – Either a custom-made or pre-fabricated ankle brace will stabilize your ankle joint and provide support for your ankle.
  • Cortisone injections – Cortisone injected into the ankle can reduce pain and swelling during a flare-up.
  • Activity modifications – Limiting high-impact activities, such as running, jumping or court sports, or switching out high-impact activities for low-impact options may be an option for you.
  • Ice and anti-inflammatory medications – We may give you these as needed to decrease symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery is only considered if all appropriate non-surgery treatments have failed. The types of surgeries we do include:

  • Ankle fusion (arthrodesis) – This procedure can be done either inpatient or outpatient, depending on your condition. Ankle fusion fuses together the two bones that make up the ankle joint – the tibia and talus – to make one solid block of bone. Fusion is an excellent pain-reliving procedure for arthritic joints. It involves removing the cartilage from a joint so it grows into one bone, eliminating the pain of bones rubbing against each other. Fusion of the ankle does result in loss of approximately 75% of ankle motion, but some motion is kept through the joints underneath the ankle and into the mid-foot.
  • Total ankle joint replacement (arthroplasty) – This ankle joint replacement treatment utilizes the newest implants (prosthesis) available. The surgery is only appropriate for certain patients with ankle arthritis, but for the right candidate, it can be very successful in preserving function and providing excellent pain relief. We are one of the few health care providers to offer total ankle replacement to our patients, and our surgeons are highly experienced in this procedure.
  • Bone spur removal (debridement) – Arthritis can cause bone spurs to develop on the ankle joint, and removal of these bone spurs, either through an open ankle incision or through an ankle scope (arthroscopy), may relieve pain and improve range of motion.
  • Distraction arthroplasty – This is a new joint restoration technique that uses an external frame (applied surgically) placed around the outside of the leg to spread the surfaces of the ankle joint, to encourage new cartilage growth. This procedure maintains ankle motion and relieves pain.

Our surgeons will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of surgery, and to let you know if they think surgery is the best option for 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

The Common Joint Reconstruction Surgeries

Article featured on Movement Orthopedics

Aching and tired joints can be due to the natural aging process, playing sports, repetitive-motion injury from work or a hobby, or even from previous injuries. Degradation of the protective cartilage in a joint (osteoarthritis) and/or reduction of the lubricating synovial fluid (usually caused by rheumatoid arthritis) can cause stiff, achy, and swollen joints. This often occurs in the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, or feet.

When less-invasive treatments – like pain-relief injections and physical therapy – do not work to relieve your joint pain, then your orthopedic doctor may recommend joint reconstruction surgery. There are different types of joint reconstruction surgery that can be performed to repair or replace the painful tissues and structures of the joint, and bio-grade prosthetic materials may be implemented to replace damaged areas of the joint.

Popular Types of Joint Reconstruction Surgery

Orthopedic medicine is constantly improving with new innovations and techniques. These are the most common joint reconstruction surgeries:

Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery is an orthopedic surgery that is performed to remove and replace an arthritic or otherwise damaged joint with prosthetic parts. An orthopedic doctor may conduct a partial or total joint replacement, depending on the severity of the injury or damage.

Surgeons today can perform many types of total joint replacements as an outpatient procedure, especially with the knees and hips. Total joint replacement is most often done on the shoulder, elbow, finger, hip, knee, and ankle.

Joint Resurfacing Surgery

Joint resurfacing is often recommended for younger patients who may not benefit from a total joint replacement. Orthopedic surgeons usually perform this on the hip joint, where an injury tends to accelerate damage to the joint surfaces. This is done mainly where the ends of the hip bones rub against one another and move awkwardly.

Hip joint resurfacing surgery includes filing down part of the femoral head, which is the curved top of the femur (upper leg bone) which fits into the hip socket. The orthopedic surgeon then removes the socket area and replaces it with a metal prosthetic socket to support bone integrity.

Osteotomy

Osteotomy, or bone cutting and repairing, is the process of removing a specific section of bone – usually to straighten it or to make it even with the other limb or joint. The procedure is usually performed by orthopedic surgeons on the knees, hips, or legs of younger patients, and it is often an alternative to joint replacement 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