Orthopedic Specialists of North America (OSNA)
Arizona Bone and Joint Specialists is proud to be a partner of Orthopedic Specialists of North America. OSNA is comprised of more than 60 of the premier orthopedic specialists in Arizona. OSNA first began in 1994 as the Orthopedic Surgeons Network of Arizona. Orthopedic surgeons banded together in Phoenix in response to changes in managed care. The goal of the organization was to find the best orthopedic surgeons around who were willing to participate in a rigorous peer accountability process. Patient care has always been first in everything OSNA does. Each patient’s problem is carefully evaluated, especially the indications for …
Best Running Surfaces for Knee Pain
There is much debate within the fitness community about what surface is better for running, especially for those with weak, injured, or arthritic knees. Natural surfaces like grass or sand and harder surfaces like pavement or a treadmill are all contenders in this debate. Running, regardless of the surface, can place a lot of stress on the knees. This may lead to runner’s knee – a chronic condition that causes knee pain behind the kneecap during or after a run. The Phoenix orthopedic surgeons at OrthoArizona are evaluating the different surfaces to determine which one is most effective for building …
Does heat and humidity make joint pain worse? Humidity and joint pain.
As we head into the Arizona monsoon season, you may be finding you have more trouble with joint pain. Many people with arthritis find they have more stiffness and pain as the humidity rises and barometric pressure drops—as can happen before a monsoon storm. This may be because changes in temperature and humidity change the level of fluid in our joints. In addition, the extreme Arizona heat alone can aggravate pain, simply by placing more stress on the body and making us more irritable and sensitive to discomfort. Becoming dehydrated, which can happen quickly in the heat, can make things …
Types of Bone Fractures
Blog Takeaways: A fracture is medical jargon for a broken bone, and this type of injury is relatively common—the average person sustains two in their lifetime. Force exerted onto the bone that is stronger than the bone itself usually results in some kind of fracture. The orthopedic surgeons at OrthoArizona discuss different types of bone fractures and how they can be treated. As you age, your likelihood of sustaining a bone fracture increases as bones naturally become more brittle. Not to say fractures can’t happen to younger individuals—for the risk takers and sensation seekers out there, sustaining a fracture could …
Hot and Cold Pain Relief
Here at OrthoArizona, we know that when patients are dealing with stiff joints and tight muscles, they want pain relief. The best way to get that is through hot and cold therapy. Let’s take a look at some popular temperature therapies. Heat and ice can be used in two different ways. Heat helps soothe stiff joints and relax muscles while cold helps numb sharp pain and reduce inflammation. For those dealing with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and neck pain, this type of therapy can be extremely helpful. When used for short-term relief, packs and compresses are an excellent …
Swimming with Shoulder Pain
Swimming is supposed to be a great low-impact activity for people with joint pain. But what if that joint is your shoulder? Can you still swim? That depends. The first thing you need to do is stop swimming and see your doctor. Too often people try to “play through” the pain, which only makes the injury worse. Don’t make that mistake. Through an interview, examination, and tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), your doctor can pinpoint the problem and give you a prognosis and treatment plan. A wide range of issues can cause shoulder pain, from tendinitis to a …
The Shoulder Exercise That May Be Destroying Your Joints (And How to Fix It)
A Common Complaint: Shoulder Pain A common injury that’s being reported right now is pain in the shoulder muscles and joints. When patients explain how they developed this injury, it’s usually from improper form during a weightlifting shoulder exercise. Or, patients are performing common weight-bearing exercises incorrectly. No matter the reason, the orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists at OrthoArizona have taken it upon themselves to provide a quick, educational tip on a common shoulder exercise that may be destroying your joints. This may come as a surprise, but bear with us! The Shoulder Pain Culprit: Push-Ups It may seem silly and unnecessary …
Arthritis and “Walking on Marbles”
For patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the feet, the common symptom of ‘walking on marbles’ is an agonizing one. Forefeet often contain some of the first joints to be affected by RA and those with the condition often say that they feel like they are ‘walking on marbles’. Mostly, people have thought that this was due to walking on foot joints that are affected by the RA. But researchers at the University of Southampton in England are about to begin a new stage of a study aimed at improving the health and mobility of those suffering from walking on marbles. …
When to Have Surgery for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome is a painful condition in the shoulders that is generally caused by doing activities with your arms above your head. It can affect anyone, but it is commonly seen in swimmers, tennis players, and other athletes who frequently raise their arms. When shoulder injury occurs, the muscles of the rotator cuff swell up. This becomes a problem because these muscles are trapped underneath the shoulder bones, so surrounding tendons and the bursa become impinged. In order to diagnose shoulder impingement syndrome, your provider will do a physical examination and should order X-ray imaging as well to clearly …
Benefits of Electric Muscle Stimulation
Blog Takeaways: Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) can help treat musculoskeletal injuries or ailments. EMS is a common and effective way to: Relieve discomfort and pain Reduce muscle spasms Restore muscle tone Rehabilitate parts of the body Continue reading for more information on how EMS works, how it feels and other added benefits. The orthopedic specialists and physical therapists at OrthoArizona utilize EMS on those with any of the above-mentioned issues to help restore function, mobility and balance, and reduce pain. How Electric Stimulation Works Electric stimulation works by attaching stick-on pieces of equipment to the skin and using the control …