OrthoCarolina

The Facts About Your Cartilage

When people think of cartilage, they often picture the tip of their nose or ears. While these areas of the body do contain cartilage, this essential tissue can also be found in virtually all of the joints. As the following facts explain, the presence and health of cartilage in the joints is critical to a person’s orthopedic wellbeing.

Cartilage cushions your bones

If your joints didn’t contain cartilage, your bones would rub directly against each other. Not only would this be incredibly painful, but also extremely damaging to the bone tips. To prevent these problems, cartilage provides a smooth, slick surface against which the bones can glide with ease.

Cartilage is comprised mostly of water

Why is cartilage the perfect tissue for joint movement? It contains a high percentage of water, which makes it very pliable. The flexibility of cartilage allows a person to carry out the many movements he demands of his body during athletic activities and everyday behaviors. These movements also put tremendous strain on the joints; if cartilage wasn’t present, this force could potentially damage the bones and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Since it is made primarily of water, cartilage can absorb much of this pressure to preserve the joint.

Cartilage receives no blood flow

A cartilage injury can have a long-lasting impact on a person. Unlike bone or muscle, cartilage has no blood flow. To some extent, this prevents it from being able to repair trauma. That’s why orthopedic surgeons stress the importance of both preventative care and early treatment for individuals who are prone to cartilage injuries. Only with immediate care can an orthopedic specialist ward off further harm to a joint suffering from cartilage damage.

OrthoCarolina in Charlotte can help you recover from your cartilage injury. No matter if you have sustained your injury through a sudden incident or ongoing disease, our orthopedic surgeons can provide effective care to alleviate your discomfort and mobility issues. To find out more about our sports medicine and physical therapy options, call (704) 323-2778.

The Basics of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH, is a congenital problem that affects the ball and socket joint of the hip. This condition may present mild or no symptoms, so it is important that young babies undergo multiple physicals to check for DDH. Orthopedic treatment such as bracing or surgery is often successful in treating DDH and allowing for normal movement.

What is DDH?

In infants with DDH, the socket of the hip is too shallow to facilitate a stable joint. This causes dislocation of the hip when the ball-like end of the femur slips out of position. Though the causes of DDH are unknown, certain factors appear to increase a baby’s risk of being born with this condition. Lower than normal levels of amniotic fluid, a family history of DDH, breech position babies, females, and first children have all been found to have a higher incidence of DDH.

What Are the Symptoms of DDH?

Your doctor will examine your infant’s hip joints by gently moving them. Popping or clicking sounds indicate problems with the joint. In mild cases of DDH, however, no symptoms may be present. In more severe cases, common symptoms of DDH include a leg that is rotated outwards, one leg that is shorter than the other, uneven folding of the skin around the thighs and buttocks, and difficulty moving.

What Treatments Are Available for DDH?

Orthopedic bracing is used to keep the legs turned outward and facilitate proper growth in children when DDH is identified before six months of age. This treatment is extremely effective in most cases of DDH. If the problem is diagnosed later in childhood or your child has a more severe case of DDH, surgery may be needed to repair the hip joint.

At OrthoCarolina, we proudly provide top-quality orthopedic treatment for hip disorders that is recognized worldwide. Call (704) 323-2778 to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists for diagnosis and development of a treatment plan today. You can find out more about our facilities and surgeons by clicking on the link to our website.

Understanding Physical Therapy

Certain injuries or health problems can cause difficulty moving that interferes with your ability to perform everyday tasks or take part in the activities you love. Physical therapy is a treatment targeted toward rebuilding strength and flexibility in the body to facilitate pain-free motion. This type of therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including back pain, injuries to the tendons and ligaments of the joints, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.

During physical therapy, your therapist will evaluate your body and your goals to develop a program for both pain management and fitness. Swelling and pain may be addressed before you begin to perform flexibility and strengthening exercises. You will be given a regimen of home exercises to perform between treatment sessions as your therapy progresses to help you maintain your results.

OrthoCarolina provides orthopedic and physical therapy services for improved wellness and health. Contact us today by calling (704) 323-2778 to find the nearest location and set up your appointment. You can find more information about the benefits of physical therapy and orthopedic care by exploring our blog.

Healing Your Orthopedic Injury [INFOGRAPHIC]

Orthopedic doctors specialize in treating conditions of the muscular and skeletal systems, including ligament and tendon injuries, broken bones, rotator cuff tears, and arthritis. You might be referred to an orthopedic doctor or surgeon by your primary care doctor or urgent care physician. First, your orthopedic doctor provides an accurate diagnosis using an x-ray, joint aspiration, or blood test. After the injury is initially treated by your Charlotte orthopedic doctor, you may also work with a physical therapist for several weeks or months. Your physical therapy will focus on stretches and exercises that build strength in the injured area and improve your range of motion. Share your full medical history with the doctor and physical therapist, and discuss any concerns you might have about your rehabilitation. Please pass along this infographic to anyone you know who has suffered an orthopedic injury.

What You Need to Know About Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous mass that frequently appears on the back of the wrist. While these masses often do not require medical intervention, in some cases non-surgical or surgical treatment is recommended. If you are concerned about the effects of a cyst on the appearance or function of your hands, talk to an orthopedic doctor for evaluation.

What is a Ganglion Cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sack that forms as an extension of the tissues surrounding a joint. The cyst is connected to the joint via a stalk, which allows joint fluid to move in a one- or two-way pattern between the joint and the cyst. The causes of these cysts is unknown, although doctors suspect that joint stress or arthritis increases the risk of cyst development. Ganglion cysts most often appear on the back of the wrist, but may be found on any joint in the hand. Other common sites of cysts include the finger joints near the nails and the underside of the hand where the finger meets the palm.

How Are Ganglion Cysts Treated?

In many cases, ganglion cysts do not cause pain and will not require treatment. Your doctor may wish to observe a cyst to ensure that it does not cause pain or trouble. Cysts located on the upper areas of the hand may be removed via aspiration, which drains the fluid with a needle. Your doctor then injects a steroid to reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of recurrence. Cysts near the inside of the wrist may press on the radial artery, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness of the hand. These cysts cannot be safely aspirated because of their proximity to the radial artery. They are most often removed via outpatient surgery.

OrthoCarolina provides orthopedic treatment solutions for the hands, including observation and removal of ganglion cysts. Our doctors have been recognized internationally for their dedication and high quality of orthopedic care. Visit us online to learn more about your treatment options or call (704) 323-2778 to find the location nearest you.