Back pain is an extremely common problem. It affects nearly 70% of Americans at some point in their life. The pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily life. Unfortunately, there is no magic wand that can take away back pain. Getting rid of back pain is often a process of trial and error. What works for one patient may … Read More
Knee Arthroscopy vs. Total Knee Replacement
If you are suffering from a knee injury or chronic knee pain, it is a good idea to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. A good musculoskeletal examination and proper imaging will help determine if surgical intervention is necessary for you. If surgery is the next step, it is important to decide if arthroscopic surgery is or a more invasive surgery … Read More
Preventing Blood Clots after Orthopedic Surgery
Certain types of orthopedic surgery carry with them the risk of developing a blood clot in the post-operative period. Blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) can be life threatening. A pulmonary embolism usually happens when a DVT, often in your leg, travels to your lungs and blocks a blood vessel. This can lead to … Read More
What is a Physician Assistant?
In my 5 years as a physician assistant (PA), I have often been asked when I am going on to finish my schooling to become a physician. Time and time again, I have had to explain to family, friends and patients that a physician assistant is not a stepping stone to becoming a physician; it is the end-goal for those … Read More
Heat Vs. Cold Therapy: How They Work and When to Use Them
Although it seems like a simple concept, one question that we are commonly asked is when to use ice versus heat therapy to treat pain. In this post, we will discuss how each one works on a physiologic level, and when to use each one. Both heat and cold therapy are an inexpensive and easy-to-use treatment for the management of … Read More
Common Golf Injuries: Prevention and Treatment
Golf may seem like a low-impact sport, but injuries are common for many golfers. As in all sports, it is extremely important to understand and execute proper mechanics when swinging a golf club as well as carrying your golf bag. Golf may not be a high cardiac sport either, but it is essential to condition your body and increase your … Read More
Fracture Prevention in the Elderly Population
Osteoporosis A major cause of disability in older adults is often due to fractures that limit mobility and interfere with activities of daily living. Fractures are common amongst elderly individuals for a multitude of reasons. One of the most common being osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is defined as a condition in which the body loses too much bone or makes too little … Read More
Lyme Disease: Something to keep in mind as the weather gets warmer…
What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is tick-borne illness transmitted to humans by deer ticks. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick must be present on the skin for at least 24 hours to actually transmit Lyme disease. This seems like a long time but often these ticks are so small and go unnoticed by the individual. … Read More
Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Statistics Drug overdose deaths have increased by 300% since 1999. Opioid pain medications were the cause of 14,800 deaths in 2008 alone; more than deaths caused by cocaine and heroin abuse combined. This number has surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. In 2009, opioid misuse/abuse led to more than 475,000 emergency … Read More
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Cervical Radiculopathy
Hand pain, numbness and tingling is a common symptom of both carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine issues. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two problems. Sometimes a careful exam and assessment is required by a hand and/or spine specialist. This article will discuss the cause, symptoms and treatment of each diagnosis. It will also review … Read More
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