One of the easiest ways to ensure your body is at full strength to battle potential orthopaedic ailments is to remain physically active throughout your entire life. That’s right—get up and get moving!
Physical activity encourages orthopaedic health
“Physical activity creates stronger bones and muscles,” says Dr. John Hoffman, a fellowship-trained Sports Medicine Specialist and Total Joint Replacement Surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists (OS). “Even when an injury or chronic issue arises, we see people who engage in exercise are typically more likely to heal and get back on their feet faster.”
Dr. Hoffman adds that it’s important to remember that physical activity has many other benefits beyond orthopaedic health.
“Staying active is important on so many levels,” says Dr. Hoffman. “For example, exercise boosts serotonin levels that elevate mood and helps to relieve stress.”
Boost recovery time with minimally invasive surgery
Former OS patient, Emily Podschweit, was a freshman in high school when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. Despite the serious injury, Emily was back to training with hopes to someday make the USA National Beach Volleyball Team only six months after the surgery, when other doctors in town had predicted an 18 month recovery time. Her speedy recovery was due to her physical conditioning as well as Dr. Hoffman’s knowledge of minimally invasive surgery techniques that repaired the ACL. With over 1,600 ACL reconstructions in his career, Dr. Hoffman is recognized as one of the leaders in sports-related reconstruction surgeries in the Quad Cities.
Minimally invasive repair of Emily’s ACL meant Dr. Hoffman used tiny incisions instead of one large opening. Because the incisions were small, Emily had a quicker recovery time and less discomfort than with conventional surgery—all with the same benefits.
“After her ACL surgery was done using minimally invasive techniques, Emily was able to get back to playing the sport she loves, volleyball, much quicker than we predicted. She was very determined with a tenacious attitude to get back to the game. Another big part of her speedy recovery was her high level of fitness,” says Dr. Hoffman.
The combination of physical activity and minimally invasive techniques has also helped older patients.
“I’ve been doing total joint procedures for more than 10 years, and in the last decade, improvements in surgical techniques, anesthesia and joint technology means more patients return to their active lives much faster than before,” said Hoffman. “Minimally invasive techniques help everyone recover quicker, and those that are focused on physical activity and healthy before and after the surgery tend to see even faster results.”
Physical activity improves orthopaedic health at every age
No matter your age, physical activity improves orthopaedic health. For children and teens, exercise is especially important. Whether it is through participating in sports, doing chores, or playing outside with friends, kids should ideally be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.
Adults with families often have busy schedules, so exercise can be hard to squeeze in. But physical activity will improve your mood and give you more energy throughout the day, aiding in getting activities and tasks done with more ease. Going on family walks or bike rides or going to the gym for a short workout can provide adequate amounts of exercise.
As an older adult, moderate and low intensity aerobic activities for 30 minutes a day can help keep joints strong and active. Another benefit of physical activity is that it can help prevent falls and make daily tasks easier.
Activities such as walking and biking are great ways to get in daily physical activity and keep your body moving for people of any age. It limits strain and pressure on your joints.
Faster Recovery
Minimally invasive procedures and new advancements in care get patients of all ages back to an active lifestyle more quickly. Even if you find yourself in need of an orthopaedic treatment and are currently not a physically active person, pledging to become physically active post-procedure will improve your odds for a faster recovery.
If you do have orthopaedic concerns, the orthopaedic surgeons at Orthopaedic Specialists (OS) in Davenport, Iowa, are board-certified and fellowship-trained, which means they have the body of knowledge needed to provide patients with a better experience, and better results. With access to the latest advances in orthopaedic medicine, they use minimally invasive techniques to get patients back up and moving faster.
To learn more about the procedures that the surgeons at Orthopaedic Specialists perform, call 563.344.9292 or visit their website at osquadcities.com.