Newest Technique for Relief of Back Pain
By Becky Weise Minimally invasive surgery” has been a medical buzz term for the past few years, and for a very good reason. Most traditional surgeries have a minimally invasive option. These options offer improved patient outcomes with a quick recovery. For example, most traditional spine surgery involves exposing the spine by cutting through healthy […]
Is It Time for Knee Surgery?
By Richard P. Driessnack, MD If you have knee pain and stiffness due to arthritis and have tried all other non-surgical treatments but still can’t function without pain, then it may be time to consider surgery. When I counsel patients regarding surgery, I review the benefits as well as the risks. One should expect less […]
A Herniated Disc Can Be More Than a Pain in the Neck
Submitted by Orthopaedic Specialists Dr. Michael Dolphin leads the Spine Center of Orthopaedic Specialists. He oversees the treatment of both back and neck disorders, with a particular emphasis on degenerative conditions. As a railroad engineer, Bob Stammer of Albany, Ill., knows the importance of well-aligned tracks. While he can easily spot when railroad tracks are […]
Awake Spine Surgery: A Promising Option for Relieving Back Pain
By Becky Wiese Back surgery has a bad stigma for a good reason. It is often the last resort for patients who have chronic back pain and have tried a variety of non-surgical options in hopes of getting relief. Traditional “open” back surgery, used since the 1960s, involves gaining access to the spine to fix […]
Non-surgical Treatments for Arthritis
By Richard P. Driessnack, MD Ok, I know I have arthritis of the knee, but I really do not want surgery for it. What can I do to decrease the pain and help me function better?” This is a common scenario in my office. Here are some things that can help before considering surgical […]
Repairing the Human Toolset
By Alexander Germanis In the toolbox of the human anatomy, the wrists, hands, and fingers are the screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and even hammers. In short, they are meant to tackle just about every job. Even the best tools break or wear out, and the flesh-and-bone set can’t just be replaced with a purchase from the […]
Why You Need Magnesium
Submitted by Elizabeth Madlem, APN, The Bone Health Clinic at Millennium Pain Center No one can argue that having strong bones is important. After all, bones support your body and allow you to move. They protect your brain, heart, and other organs from injury. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone is aware of the things […]
What Is Gout? Part 1 of a Series
Information provided by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Gout is a painful condition that occurs when the bodily waste product uric acid is deposited as needle-like crystals in the joints and/or soft tissues. In the joints, these uric acid crystals cause inflammatory arthritis, which in turn leads to intermittent swelling, […]
The Sunny Side of Vitamin D
By Angie Lollock, Nutritionist, Peoria City/County Health Department Worldwide, every three seconds a bone will break. That is a startling statistic according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation that estimates one in three women and one in five men over 50 will experience osteoporotic bone fractures at some point in their lives. What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis […]
Is It Time to Consider a Shoulder Replacement?
Submitted by Orthopaedic Specialists You’re all ready for your busy weekend — numerous errands, a round of golf, a birthday party, and dinner with friends. Now if only you could get rid of that nagging shoulder pain, the days would go so much better… Treatment options If this is happening to you, you’re not alone. […]