Bone & Joint Blog

Dr. Darla Grossman, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic West

Osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, is a common condition that can have serious consequences—including premature death from complications of broken bones.

Jason Denton, DPM, Deaconess Clinic Podiatry

Every day in my practice, I see patients who are suffering from large, painful bunions. The condition is common, affecting as many as 1/3 of all adults. Many times bunions don’t require professional treatment, but when they do, a podiatrist can play an important role in addressing the issue.
 

Dr. Daniel Emerson, Orthopaedic Associates, Deaconess Joint Replacement Program

If you suffer from knee pain, you’re not alone.  Out of approximately 320 million people living in the United States, more than 40 million suffer some form of arthritis.

Brandt Dodson, DPM, Deaconess Clinic Podiatry
 
In my 30 years of practicing podiatry, I’ve cared for thousands of people with heel pain. It’s actually one of the most common complaints I hear in my office. Treating heel pain can help people get back to living a better, more complete life.  
 

Paul Harries, MD, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Center

Osteoporosis and back pain are both common issues in patients over the age of 65, and these problems can exist separately or in combination. As a physician, it’s my job to determine the source of a patient’s back pain and figure out the best way to treat it.

From Deaconess Bone & Joint Care, in association with Orthopaedic Associates

Pain in your knees, hips, shoulders or ankles can interfere with your daily life. This simple "yes or no" questionnaire can help you determine if it’s time to see an orthopedic doctor.
 

Brooke Kline, PA-C, Orthopaedic Associates 
 
When someone is considering joint replacement, many questions come to mind about what to expect from the overall process—before surgery, during the hospital stay, and afterwards. 

Rhiannon Anderson, PA, Orthopaedic Associates

Experiencing joint pain? Surgery is not your only option. There are many conservative (non-surgical) options that can provide significant relief from joint pain.

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Your doctors’ appointments are an important and valuable time to connect with your doctor, share your perspective and information, and learn from your doctor’s expertise.  The best appointments happen when patients are very prepared.
 

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Chronic fatigue is a condition that causes someone to be extremely tired—to the point that they can’t function in their daily life.  It is also often misunderstood.
 

Jared Kiernicki, PA, Orthopaedic Associates

If you’re experiencing pain in any joint—your knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, etc.—you need to know how to best treat it at home. It’s also important to know when it’s time to see a doctor.
 
 

Deaconess Regional Trauma Team

Lack of exercise can lead to weak legs, which increases the chance of falling. Exercise programs can increase strength and improve balance, making falls less likely.


 

Kim Snyder, PT, Clinic Director, High Pointe Therapy at The Women's Hospital

Women seem to be very conscientious about getting routine exams completed.  Whether it is a mammogram, yearly physical, and colonoscopy or bone density.  When getting the results we are relieved when everything is negative or normal.

Michelle Galen, MD, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic
 
Our knees do a lot of “heavy lifting” so it’s not surprising that nearly 50% of adults will develop osteoarthritis in the knee by the age of 85.  The human knee consists of three bones (kneecap, tibia and femur) that must move in concert to allow normal range of motion.  The ends of all three bones are covered in cartilage to cushion the joint during movement.  With aging and “wear-and-tear,” the cartilage starts to wear away and the result is painful bone-on-bone friction and/or bone spurs. 

Dr. Gary Moore, MD, Sports Medicine, Total Joint Replacement, General Orthopaedics

The normal human knee will tolerate the stresses of life – walking, lifting, running, sports, even extreme sports without wearing out enough to ever require a total joint; but, not every knee is normal.  There are many circumstances that cause a knee to wear out and get osteoarthritis.  Plus, the life expectancy in the year 1900 was about 50 – now it is in to the late 80’s; so, we have over 30 extra years to get osteoarthritis.

Dr. Dennis Beck, Jr., MD, Trauma, Total Joint Replacement, General Orthopaedics

Hip fractures in the United States represent an epidemic of disease.  As of 2003, there were 2.25 million hip fractures in the world.  Hip fractures are increasing at a rate of approximately 8% every year due to the population aging and increased activity of our seniors and the community.

Dr. Becca Hopper, Deaconess Clinic Internist and Pediatrician

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced—bones actually become weaker. As bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs silently and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.