Pain Management Archives | Page 3 of 3

Text Neck, It’s a Real Thing!

Neck Pain? Texting too much at the wrong angle (15 to 60 degrees forward) for too long can lead to “Text Neck”. Also called “Tech Neck”, it’s a real, modern-age issue of neck muscle pain, headaches, and potentially “dowagers” hump. Less common symptoms are numbness, weakness, balance issues, and jaw pain. Adults have it. Children are now developing it, and worse still, it may impact how young bodies’ grow and develop – leading to prolonged neck, shoulder, curving of the spine, and low-back issues. Holding phones and mobile devices at different angles is linked to pounds of downward pressure exerted on the neck. Studies have shown how holding the phone at different angles varies this pressure: So, what can we do to prevent pain and inflammation associated with texting, or treat it if you already have it? Wear proper footwear. Athletic shoes or rubber soled shoes are preferred. Don’t wear sandals, open-toed shoes or shoes with slippery soles. Look for good traction. Watch out for long cords, toys, throw rugs, and other objects on the floor. Avoid wet floors and let your family members know when a floor was just mopped. OrthoConnecticut Can Help Our physicians and physician assistants are available to help you if you’re experiencing text neck or other spinal issues. Contact us today for an appointment and #getmovingCT.

March 18, 2020

mature couple raking autumn leaves in yard

Tips to Avoid Back Pain During Leaf Clean-Up

Fall in New England is synonymous with beautiful changing leaves, but it also a time for yard work, slippery leaves, and avoiding ticks. Here are some tips from OrthoConnecticut to protect you during leaf season. OrthoConnecticut Can Help Our physicians and physician assistants are available to help you if you’ve strained your muscles or back during Fall Leaf Season. Contact us today for an appointment and #getmovingCT.

November 7, 2019

Tips to help with Osteoarthritis

Nine tips to help with Osteoarthritis If you’re middle-aged or older, it’s likely you have some Osteoarthritis in your hands, fingers, hips, knees, feet or spine. The most common form of arthritis, Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage between joints and bone gradually wears away causing joint swelling, pain, stiffness, deformity, and reduced range of motion. Most often X-rays are used to diagnose and assess the amount of joint loss, or other issues that can occur like thinning bone, reduced joint space, joint fluid, or bone spurs. If you have osteoarthritis, here are some options your orthopedist might recommend. If you’re in pain, seek treatment and get help! Nonsurgical treatment for joint mobility, strength and pain relief can include: OrthoConnecticut recommends you consult your orthopedist surgeon for advice on surgical options, which might include: OrthoConnecticut Can Help Our physicians and physician assistants are available to diagnose and advise you on the best ways to treat your Osteoarthritis. Contact us today for an appointment and #getmovingCT.

October 10, 2019

Close up of woman leg with pain - long driving on the way.

Managing Knee Pain When Driving and Traveling

10 Tips for Managing Knee Pain When You Travel Knee pain while traveling is common, but if you’re prepared you don’t have to be sidelined. What Causes Knee Pain While Traveling? Sitting in tight, no-room-to-stretch airline seats, bouncing trains or buses, and sitting in one position in a car for too long can exacerbate pre-existing knee conditions or create knee stiffness and muscular cramping. Whether it’s arthritis, runner’s knee, kneecap, meniscus, ligament, or other knee conditions causing you discomfort, employing these helpful strategies can reduce or eliminate knee pain while traveling. Strategies to Manage Knee Pain When Driving Tips to Prepare for Travel Tips for Treating Knee Pain Post-Travel OrthoConnecticut Can Help Our physicians and physician assistants are available for travel consults in advance of your journey. Contact us today for an appointment and enjoy a safe and wonderful trip!

August 15, 2019

De Quervain’s Tendonitis: What It Is & How It’s Treated

By Michael G. Soojian, M.D., Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon What is De Quervain’s Tendonitis? If you are experiencing a shooting pain from your wrist into your thumb, you may be suffering from a common form of tendonitis called de Quervain’s tendonitis. This condition gets its name from Dr Fritz de Quervain who first described it in 1895, and is often referred to by other names such as texting thumb, gamer’s thumb, and mother’s wrist. Anatomically, two separate tendons start in the forearm and pass through a small sheath or tunnel as they cross the wrist, before they attach to the thumb. Repetitive movements can cause these tendons to experience friction and lead to a build-up of inflammation within this sheath, which manifests as pain, swelling and a feeling of weakness with routine daily activities.

May 4, 2018

Tennis Elbow

By Paul D. Protomastro, M.D. Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon, OrthoConnecticut TENNIS AND GOLFER’S elbow are common orthopaedic conditions that lead to pain, weakness and disfunction of the elbow. Both conditions actually represent tears of the forearm tendons off of the humerus bone at the elbow. A tear on the outside (lateral) part of the elbow is known as Tennis elbow. A tear on the inside is known as golfer’s elbow. The muscles involved in this condition help to extend (tennis) and flex (golfer’s) the wrist. With both disorders there is degeneration of the tendon attachment usually following repetitive grasp or lifting activities and subsequent weakening of the anchor site leading to tendon detachment. Patients usually experience the insidious onset of elbow pain associated with activities in which this muscle is active, such as lifting, gripping, and/or grasping. Sports such as tennis, golf and weight training are common causes. The problem can occur with many different types of activities such as home renovation and gardening.

April 4, 2017