Emergency Orthopedic First Aid: How to Handle Traumatic Situations


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

 

A Guide to Managing Arthritis Pain Throughout the Body


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

 

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

Article featured on Orthopedic Associates

Preparing for orthopedic surgery can make a person nervous and hopeful at the same time. You are optimistic about the potential results and improvements that can come from surgical interventions. At the same time, there are often questions about the recovery process.

If you have an injury or chronic health issues affecting your function and movement, orthopedic surgery might be the key to restoring your health. Rest assured, knowing that the surgeon will plan the ideal treatment to address your unique needs, as well as recommendations to speed up your healing time and optimize overall results during recovery.

In addition to the surgical treatment, it’s just as important to ensure that you are diligent about implementing rehabilitation and care to support your healing. It takes time and effort to recover after surgery, but it will be worth the inconvenience because of the long-term results you can achieve.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

Remember that it is going to take time to recover from orthopedic surgery. Many patients are anxious to return to normal lifestyles as quickly as possible. But it’s critical that you follow the doctor’s recommendations to ensure proper healing.

Depending on the type of surgery you need, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to recover from orthopedic surgery.

The initial days and weeks after surgery often require immobilization and limited activities. But as your body heals, you can return to normal activities once again. Always follow the doctor’s recommendations because certain things might slow your progress if you aren’t careful about this healing time.

Initially, you will likely be dealing with pain, swelling, and inflammation. As these post-operative symptoms start to subside, your recovery treatment can change to include treatments that help you move again and restore normal function.

What Is Involved in Post-Surgery Recovery?

Each patient receives unique recommendations for their recovery plan, depending on the type of surgery and personalized concerns. Common recommendations during rehabilitation include services from medical experts and at-home methods to support the healing process.

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Ice and heat therapy
  • Stretching and strength training
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Pain management medications
  • Other medications to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of infection
  • Time off work and daily activities
  • Wound care

The more diligent you are in following the surgeon’s recommendations, the faster you can return to normal activities in the coming weeks and months. It’s critical that you respect this recovery period to allow your body time to heal. Returning to certain activities too soon could potentially harm your progress because of the damage or stress that occurs to the surgical site.

Recommendations for Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Always plan time for recovery after orthopedic surgery. Your doctor will recommend how many days, weeks, or months you will need during this recovery time.

While there are unique recommendations depending on the type of surgery you need, general suggestions apply to all types of surgery.

Have Patience During Your Recovery

Even though you are anxious to return to your normal activities as quickly as possible, it’s essential that you are patient with yourself during this recovery time. Be kind to yourself and remember that time is one of the most important factors in supporting your healing.

Recovery won’t happen overnight. Healing takes time, and you need to respect your body and allow the natural healing processes to take place. A positive attitude about this process will help you maintain consistency in implementing the recommended practices during your recovery.

Talk to the surgeon before the treatment to understand realistic expectations for your recovery period. This conversation will help you know what to expect so you can maintain the right mindset, including realistic expectations for the recovery timeframe and specific treatments to assist with this healing period.

There’s no question that surgery is a major, life-changing procedure. Not only will this treatment affect your life, but it also has an impact on the lives of your family and friends. Loved ones can step in to assist during this treatment time.

Additionally, your recovery ensures that you can return to your family and career responsibilities after the surgery. Our team at Orthopedic Associates prioritizes your overall health, helping you return to an optimal way of living as quickly as possible.

Long-Term Perspective for Optimal Recovery

Not only are we helping you with a fast and effective recovery, but we also want to be sure that you achieve the best possible results in the future.

The small recovery steps you take right now can impact the long-term results you can achieve in the future.

If immobilization is recommended after surgery, avoiding activities that could overwork this part of the body is essential. For example, if you have knee surgery and the doctor recommends no weight on that leg for the first few weeks, then be diligent about using crutches. Wait to walk on the leg until you have consulted with the surgeon, and they have determined that sufficient healing has occurred.

What to Expect After Different Types of Orthopedic Surgeries

Post-recovery recommendations will vary depending on the type of surgery and the area of the body that is treated. Small surgeries might only require a few days of downtime. But major treatments will need several weeks or months to ensure proper healing.

  • Knee Surgery: Often, knee surgery is required after a sports accident or to fix wear-and-tear in the joint. If you have a partial or complete tear in the knee ligaments, you will likely need 6 – 8 months for recovery.
  • Bone Fractures: Depending on the severity of the break, you will likely need six to eight weeks for upper limb recovery or as long as 12 weeks for lower limb recovery.
  • Spinal Surgery: The most common type of spinal surgery is to address nerve pain or alignment of the spinal column. Often, months of recovery are required, especially for more invasive types of spinal surgery. For example, you might need 12 – 18 weeks for your recovery time, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

Each situation is unique, and your doctor can offer recommendations to support your healing period. The best thing you can do is follow these suggestions to ensure your injured area recovers as quickly and effectively as possible.


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

When Does a Fracture Require Surgery?

Article featured on BCOS

A bone fracture is a broken bone. Bone fractures are one of the most common injuries orthopaedic doctors see. About 6.8 million people fracture a bone every year, with the most common being hip, ankle and leg bone fractures.

Bones are strong so it takes a big impact to break or fracture one. Bone fractures are most commonly caused by a car accident, a fall, or a sports-related injury. Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and weak, is related to numerous fractures as well.

While many bone fractures can heal with a cast, others require surgery to treat. The experienced orthopaedic surgeons at Burlington County Orthopaedic Specialists share important information on different types of fractures and when a fracture might require surgery to heal properly.

TYPE OF FRACTURE

Some bone fractures are minor with just a hairline fissure on the bone, while others result in a bone being broken into two or more pieces. The type of fracture will dictate your treatment options.

A hairline or stress fracture is a minor fracture, although one that may be difficult to detect in an x-ray, where there’s a small chink or simple line in the bone. A complete fracture is when the break goes through the bone, breaking it into two pieces. With an open fracture, the bone has broken through the skin, and a comminuted fracture means the fracture has shattered.

BONE FRACTURE SYMPTOMS

If the bone is sticking through your skin, it’s simple to figure out that you’ve broken it. In other cases, it’s no so evident that your injury caused a fracture.

Bone fracture symptoms include:

  • Severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Difficulty using or bearing weight on the limb

In some cases, the limb looks deformed or is sitting at a strange angle.

FRACTURES THAT REQUIRE SURGERY

The goal of fracture treatment is to allow the bone to heal and fuse back together. Often, this can be accomplished by immobilizing the bone for several months with the help of a cast and splint. The more severe the fracture is, the more likely it is that surgery will be recommended.

For example, an open or comminuted fracture will require surgery to ensure that the bone full grows back together and safely supports your weight. Surgical repair entrails using metal rods, screws, or plates to set the bone in place or align it while it heals.


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

Home-Related Injuries

Article featured on FORM

Home-Related Injuries

According to the National Safety Council, home-related injuries account for nearly 150,000 unintentional deaths each year. Falls are among the top 10 most common home-related injuries.

Falls

Falls are the number one cause of home injuries in the U.S. The two groups most at risk for falls are children under the age of 5 and adults over the age of 70. Typical injury symptoms are sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness.

As you age, you become more susceptible to trips, slips and falls because eyesight, hearing, and balance tend to worsen. Medication can also cause imbalance and confusion, which can lead to falls. Slip, trips and falls can cause

How can you prevent falls?

There are simple, practical measures you can take to prevent slips, trips and falls in your house:

  • Clean up spills immediately in the kitchen and bathroom, or on hardwood floors.
  • Clear clutter and obstacles from hallways and walkways.
  • Close cabinet and desk drawers when not in use.
  • Replace burnt out light bulbs promptly.
  • Replace worn-out flooring, loose carpet, slippery throw rugs and wooden floorboards that are sticking up.
  • Install handrails and grab bars on stairways, in the shower, and near the toilet if possible.

To prevent slips and falls as you age, consider these safety tips:

  • Stay physically active to maintain strength, healthy bones and balance.
  • Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly
  • Know the side effects of your medication. Talk to your doctor if your medicine makes you feel dizzy, sleepy or confused.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Limit how much alcohol you drink.
  • Use a cane or walker as needed, especially when walking in an unknown area or an area with an uneven surface.
  • Wear non-skid shoes.

Cuts

Cuts from kitchen knives or other sharp objects, like scissors, tools, and saws, are another common home-related injury.

How should you treat a minor cut?

If your cut is minor, you can treat it at home. Here are some DOs and DONT’S to follow:

Do —

  • Apply pressure to stop the bleeding and elevate the injured area.
  • Clean the wound with soap and water if you can.
  • Apply some antibacterial ointment or spray to keep it clean.
  • Dress it with a bandage.
  • Reapply antibiotic ointment and a bandage several times a day.
  • Keep a close eye on it to monitor healing.

If your cut doesn’t appear to be healing and is causing you concern, visit your doctor right away.

Don’t —

  • Do not use hydrogen peroxide to clean a wound, as it can damage the tissue.
  • Do not use Steri-Strips at home. If you think you need to use a Steri-Strip, then you probably need stitches.

How do you know if you need stitches?

It is not always easy to tell if a cut will need stitches or not, so here are some guidelines to help you make that decision. You or a loved one should get stitches:

  • If the cut is deep enough to expose deeper tissue, bone, etc.
  • If the wound is gaping open and you can’t press the edges together.
  • If the wound is located on or across a joint (you may have damaged nerves, tendons, or ligaments as well).
  • If a foreign object, such as a stick or piece of metal is stuck in the wound.
    (Caution: Don’t remove any foreign objects from a wound, as you don’t know what the foreign object has struck underneath–such as an artery.)
  • If the cut is large, maybe more than a few inches in size.
  • If you are bleeding profusely (and flow doesn’t appear to slow).
  • If you were cut or punctured by something that is dirty or contaminated, such as a rusted piece of metal, a dog bite, etc. In such cases, a tetanus booster shot may be required, especially for adults who haven’t had one in the last 10 years.
  • If you are ever uncertain how serious the cut really is, seek immediate medical attention.

Also, note that children who need stitches should not eat or drink anything beforehand, as they may need to be sedated before suturing because they do not typically stay still during the process. If they eat or drink before stitches, it will only delay treatment.

When stitches are required, they should be done within approximately 6 hours to ensure proper healing. At FORM Ortho, we can provide stitches on-site during your appointment.


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 Common Orthopaedic Trauma Injuries & How We Treat Them

Article featured on MedStar Health

How We Treat Common Othropaedic Trauma Injuries

Lower Extremity Fractures

We see a large number of lower extremity injuries from individuals getting struck by cars, such as a tibial plateau fracture, which occurs when you break the bone on the top part of your tibia, right below your knee. This often happens because a car’s bumper strikes someone from the side at about knee level. Other common lower extremity injuries, such as a femur fracture and pelvic fracture, occur the most in the spring and summer, when people are out riding their motorcycles, bicycles, and motorized scooters.

Treatment for lower extremity fractures typically involves a surgeon realigning a patient’s affected bone and joints to their natural positions and holding them in place with plates and screws in a way that allows for them to heal properly.

While bones typically take about three months to heal, the hardware we insert during surgery sometimes is strong enough to support patients’ weight, allowing them to walk right after surgery. But speak to your doctor to see what to expect from your surgery, as some fractures, such as those close to joints, need to be fixed with hardware that is not designed to support the patient’s weight, resulting in people waiting weeks to months to put weight on their legs. Once patients are able to bear weight again, physical therapists can help them with strength and flexibility exercises to minimize stiffness and regain muscle loss. Social workers also can help patients plan for disability insurance or any time off work while they recover.

Wrist Injuries

We often see individuals with wrist injuries after they try to catch themselves when they slip and fall. This is especially common during the winter months, when snow and ice are on the ground. One of the most common wrist injuries we see is a fractured distal radius (broken wrist).

Treatment for a distal radius fracture typically involves patients either wearing a cast for around six weeks to allow the wrist to heal or undergoing surgery to better align the wrist and stabilize it  in order for it to heal properly.

Bones That Don’t Heal Properly

Some people are referred to us by their primary care doctors or other orthopaedic specialists because they’re having complications from previous fractures, such as a bone healing crookedly or not healing at all (nonunion).

To treat a nonunion, we first try to identify whether the patient’s bones aren’t receiving enough blood supply or the patient is lacking vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, which are necessary for proper bone healing. If neither is the case, we typically can get the bone to begin healing by retrieving bone from another part of the body and inserting it into the fracture site of the bone that isn’t healing properly.  We may need to also stabilize the bone differently from what was tried initially.

For bones that heal crookedly, we may need to cut the bone to realign it to the proper position.  We then stabilize it to hold it in that position. Depending on the situation, this can be performed all on the inside of the body or by using a system on the outside of the body that connects with a computer program.

Bone Infections

Some patients are referred to us because of osteomyelitis, a complicated bone infection. Osteomyelitis often can occur after trauma and can affect any bone. Without the proper treatment, osteomyelitis can spread to the tissues near the bone, kill the bone, and prevent any fractures from healing.

We treat these bone infections with surgery in which we open up the bone, remove as much of the infection as possible, and prescribe the patient antibiotics to both kill any remaining traces of the infection and keep it away long-term.

Can You Prevent Orthopaedic Trauma Injuries?

Unfortunately, many orthopedic trauma injuries are due to random events, such as someone running a red light and hitting another person’s car. There isn’t much we can do to prevent these types of events.

But it’s possible for you to avoid some traumatic injuries by carefully selecting what activities you want to participate in and understanding your physical limits. If you’re riding a motorcycle or bicycle, for example, make sure you’re moving at a safe pace and are always aware of your surroundings. If you’re on a ski trip, don’t ski on the hardest trail without having the appropriate skill level.

What Should People Do in an Emergency?

If an individual experiences an orthopaedic trauma injury, such as a severely injured limb, call 911 right away to request an ambulance. While the ambulance is on the way, it’s important for the injured person to stay calm and keep the affected arm or leg still. This can not only reduce the pain but also help prevent further injury to the soft tissues surrounding the injured bones. If there’s newspaper or cardboard nearby, try rolling it up to form a makeshift splint.

If someone has an open fracture—when there’s an open wound or break in the skin near the broken bone, what used to be referred to as a compound fracture—or has any injury that causes excessive bleeding, applying pressure on the area helps reduce the bleeding while they wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

How Exercising Safely Contributes to Orthopedic Health and Injury Prevention


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

Understanding Common Orthopedic Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

Article featured on Coastal Orthopedics
We realize that car accidents can be traumatic experiences that can cause severe, visible, and invisible injuries. Often, the impact can result in orthopedic injuries, which are injuries to the musculoskeletal system that includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

These injuries can cause significant pain, limit mobility and the ability to perform everyday tasks and require a lengthy recovery process. Understanding the common orthopedic injuries resulting from car accidents can help you be aware of the potential risks and seek prompt medical attention.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury that results from a car accident, particularly rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is jerked back and forth suddenly, causing the head to move beyond its normal range of motion. Whiplash can result in neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. It may also cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

The severity of whiplash can vary depending on the force of the impact, the angle of the collision, and other factors. While some people may recover from whiplash within a few weeks with proper rest and pain management, others may experience chronic pain and long-term complications.

Fractures

Fractures, or broken bones, are another common orthopedic injury resulting from car accidents. Fractures can occur in any part of the body, including the arms, legs, hips, spine, and ribs. The severity of the fracture can vary from a hairline fracture to a complete break that requires surgical intervention.

Fractures can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility. In severe cases, fractures can result in permanent disability or chronic pain. Immediate medical attention is essential to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.

Dislocations

Dislocations occur when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. Car accidents can cause dislocations in various parts of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. Dislocations can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility. In severe cases, dislocations may require surgery to correct.

Torn Ligaments

Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other in joints. Car accidents can cause ligaments to tear, resulting in pain, swelling, and instability in the affected joint. Torn ligaments are most common in the knee and ankle, but they can occur in any joint. Recovery from torn ligaments can be lengthy and require physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are a severe orthopedic injury that can result from car accidents. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain to the lower back and controls various bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other complications.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of the damage. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent further damage and ensure the best possible outcome.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are not caused by a fracture or dislocation. Car accidents can cause soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn, while strains occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

Soft tissue injuries can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. While some soft tissue injuries may heal with rest and physical therapy, others may require surgical intervention.

Concussions

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can occur when the head is hit, shaken, or jerked suddenly. Car accidents can cause concussons, which can result in headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. In severe cases, concussions can cause unconsciousness, seizures, and other complications.

Recovery

Recovery from a concussion can take several weeks or even months, and it is essential to seek prompt medical attention to ensure proper treatment and avoid long-term complications.

Prevention

While car accidents can happen unexpectedly, taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of orthopedic injuries. Always wear a seatbelt and ensure that all passengers in the car do the same. Properly install and use car seats for children. Avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and limit distractions while driving, such as using your phone or eating.

Conclusion

Car accidents can cause a range of orthopedic injuries, including whiplash, fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and concussions.

These injuries can cause significant pain, limit mobility, and require lengthy recovery periods. Understanding the common orthopedic injuries resulting from car accidents can help you be aware of the potential risks and seek prompt medical attention.

Taking preventive measures, such as wearing a seatbelt and avoiding distractions while driving, can help reduce the risk of orthopedic injuries and ensure your safety on the road.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Tips to Maintain Athletic Performance

Article featured on Coastal Orthopedics

In order to ensure you are performing at your peak performance it’s important to take care of your body. The following tips will help you get the most out of your fitness and keep you healthy for the days to come.

Get Sleep

Making sure you get plenty of sleep at night is essential in ensuring a healthy recovery from any physical activity or workout. Your muscles’ only time to recover is while you sleep. Seven to eight hours of sleep each night is the recommended amount of time to ensure your body is properly recovered, and you get the best workout the next day. If you are finding it difficult to get enough sleep at night, take a 20- to 30-minute nap after your workout, this can aid in recovery.

Try Cardio Outside

It is easy to get into a routine almost as easy as it is to get out of one. If you find yourself in the gym for every workout, we recommend exercising outside every so often. The possibilities are exciting; You can bike, sprint, or even rollerblade. Try the beach – attack the dunes! You will be amazed at the progress you make! Not only will you notice improvement, but the diversity will help in injury prevention.

Eat Right

We are sure you know about this one – but we had to touch on it. A proper diet will give you power on the field, in the gym, or on the track. Make sure your diet has the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. Hydration is just as crucial as your diet because your body loses a lot of water during workouts. You need to drink more than eight 8-ounce glasses of water required for adults. Athletes should drink more water than average since they lose even more water from intense exercise. For intense workouts, it’s recommended that you should drink 16-20 ounces per pound of body weight lost during the workout.

Treat Your Injuries

When your body starts giving you warning signs, it’s important to listen. We know that this can be very frustrating, especially if you keep getting injuries. However, you need to back off until you get examined, and the injury is healed. Listening to your body is the best way to break the injury cycle.

Respect the Rest Day

After getting in the habit of exercising or working out almost every day, it can be hard to break it up and take a day off; in fact, it may seem counter-intuitive. Taking a day off is important as it allows for your body to repair itself and build back stronger. If you continually refuse to rest, you are only losing performance but putting yourself at a higher risk for injury

Pre and Post Stretching

It is recommended that athletes incorporate a stretch routine into workouts — even when you’re not preparing for a big event. Stretching your muscles regularly (before and after a workout) has many benefits that can help protect your musculoskeletal system and keep you performing at your best.


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

Benefits of Seeing an Orthopedic Doctor

Article featured on Movement Orthopedics

Orthopedic doctors are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Often, people seek a doctor when the pain becomes unbearable. This is not a good idea, because getting a diagnosis and treatment early on can often save you from a lot of suffering and make your recovery period shorter.

Here are a few benefits of seeing an orthopedic doctor.

Reduce or Eliminate Pain

By far, the most common reason why people seek orthopedic care is to reduce or eliminate pain. Whether the pain is caused by an injury or condition, an orthopedic doctor can diagnose you and recommend an effective treatment plan. One of the most common reasons for chronic pain is osteoarthritis. An orthopedic doctor can provide options for pain management that focus on bringing down inflammation, which is detrimental to your joint health. Pain management therapies include bracing, injection therapy, viscosupplementation, and physical therapy.

Restore Normal Joint Function

Following an injury or due to a condition like arthritis, you may experience stiffness and limited range of motion when you try to move an affected joint. Being unable to use your body to the full extent possible can significantly affect your daily life. As such, orthopedic doctors diagnose such issues and recommend treatments to improve functionality.

Enhance Your Exercise and Sports Performance

Many orthopedic doctors are also trained in sports medicine, which means they have the unique training and skills required to not just diagnose and treat injuries for the average person, but also for physically active individuals. What makes these individuals so different? Physically active individuals and athletes are susceptible to different types of injuries and conditions, and their recovery often needs to be completed sooner and well enough to not affect their athletic performance.

Sports medicine specialists can help professional athletes, amateur athletes, and weekend warriors perform at the best level possible. If you want excellent results that enhance your athletic performance, seeing an orthopedic doctor specializing in sports medicine is the best way to go. They can create a personalized plan that boosts your performance while minimizing negative long-term effects of rigorous physical activity on the body.

Receive Surgical Treatment If And When Necessary

Orthopedic doctors trained in surgery provide comprehensive services, including surgery. This means, while every attempt will be made to treat you through conservative treatments first, if you don’t achieve the results you want, surgery options will be explored. Orthopedic surgeons are experts in fixing musculoskeletal issues through surgery, so you can rest assured you will recover and return to normal function as soon as possible. Orthopedic surgeons often perform a lot of advanced surgeries in an outpatient setting, allowing you to recover at home on the same day as the procedure.


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