Why Orthopedic Treatment is Best for Sciatica

Are you feeling pain in your back? Like most of our patients at Sea Spine Orlando Orthopedic you probably think it’s from sleeping in an awkward position or a common exercise strain. But in most cases it turns out to be Sciatica. Sciatica is the pain that runs from the lower back or (lumbar region) down the back of the leg caused from inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The diagnosis of ‘sciatica' means that the sciatic nerve is compressed or injured.

Symptoms of sciatica are most commonly seen among 30 - 50-year-olds, symptoms that include muscle weakness, burning, cramping, and numbness. The pain can become intense and long lasting. Pain increases due to prolonged seating or if the body has sudden irregular movements. Fortunately sciatica is treatable.

Orlando Orthopedic Specialists are an accepted choice for treatment of sciatica, mostly because they often treat lower back pain and problems related to the spine.  An orthopedic surgeon will often use the same procedures a chiropractor would to evaluate the condition of a patient. But contrary to a chiropractor, an orthopedic surgeon may use both non-invasive and invasive measures of treatment.

The goal of many orthopedic doctors who treat patients suffering from sciatica is to help them manage the problem without having to resort to surgical options. Initially, the orthopedic specialist will try all non-invasive measures by recommending you to a specialist where you can receive massage, heat and ice therapy, and ultrasound therapy.

Generally, orthopedic doctors will advise a few days of bed rest, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and some gentle walking and stretches. In some cases your doctor may inject the affected areas of your spine with cortisone to reduce inflammation and to lessen the pain. While this may provide temporary relief it does not alleviate the problem.

If sciatic pain continues, the patient may require surgical intervention, so it is in the best interest of patients to follow the orthopedic surgeons orders and begin a physical therapy routine to increase their mobility and decrease any discomfort before undergoing surgery.

                              

Every case is different and if you find yourself suffering from the following:

•  Lower back pain
•  Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg
• Pain that originates in the low back or buttock and continues along the path of the sciatic nerve - down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg and foot
• Pain that feels better when laying down or are walking, but worsens when standing or sitting
• Pain that is typically described as sharp or searing, rather than dull

• You experience a “pins-and-needles” sensation, numbness or weakness, or a prickling sensation down the leg

Get immediate medical care if: Self-care measures fail to ease your symptoms, pain lasts longer than a week, or pain becomes progressively worse.

For complete diagnosis and treatment of Sciatica, visit us at Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at http://www.seaspineortho.com/ or call 866-816-ORTHO. Visit one of our four locations: Hallandale, Jacksonville, Tampa or Orlando Orthopedics. We are a team of orthopedists who specialize in treating conditions affecting the knee, hip, shoulder, arm, wrist and Spine.

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Is Orthopedic Treatment the Answer?

It is very common for people to start feeling back pain and have joint problems sometime within their lifetime. Suddenly many questions start coming up when this occurs: Do I Need Professional Treatment? Is an Orthopedic treatment the right choice? The simple answer is to go and get an evaluation or opinion by a Professional Orlando Orthopedic Specialist. 

Orthopedics is not only about bone related injuries. An orthopedic specialist deals with all injuries and illnesses affecting the musculoskeletal system. This is the system that comprises all the muscles and bones in your body. Therefore an orthopedic surgeon will deal with any damages that affect the bones and muscles in your body.

Back Pain is the most common reason people seek an orthopedic specialist. Pain and certain injuries can be caused due to excessive stress to the body at work or strenuous physical activities. These injuries usually are the result of high-risk activities, sports or accidents. Injuries such as: torn ligaments, pulled or strained muscles and joint injuries require orthopedic care. An orthopedic expert can help you get back on your feet, improve muscle strength, posture, and overall spinal health.

Depending on a person’s fitness and flexibility certain exercises or movements can cause different traumas. It’s your body, so you will know the difference between normal body aches and a potential injury better than anyone.

If you do experience an injury, Dr. Andrew Appel, from the Sea Spine Orlando Orthopedic branch suggests that you do the following:

Stop all activity immediately and do not “fight through ” the pain.

Follow the R.I.C.E. method:

• Rest the injury
•  Ice it
• Compress with a bandage
• Elevate it

If the injury does not improve in a few days, seek an orthopedic physician for assistance. Remember Orthopedics works to uncover and cure your health conditions, not merely cover up your symptoms. 

Even though age and physical fitness does affect risk of injury, children are still prone to suffer accidents. If a young one in your family has an injury, seek an orthopedic specialist for help. This is very important because children’s bones are developing as they grow. To ensure that the effects of the injuries are not long term, a specialist’s analysis is required.

Without knowing the specifics of a particular case it really is impossible to determine the best path for you to take. Most of the time a qualified orthopedic specialist will have a solution for your specific problem.

Many people who struggle with pain and injuries to the musculoskeletal system prefer to deal with it in their own or look for inadequate solutions. These injuries could worsen and cause serious problems. If you find yourself in such a situation, seek the advice of professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic specialist to ensure that you get proper treatment for your condition. Contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at http://www.seaspineortho.com/ or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Head Conditions and Orthopedic Treatment.

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute we don’t just help treat patients with their back problems, we also educate on how proper back care can benefit many aspects of an individual’s life. One of the most common conditions people suffer from daily are migraines.

The traditional way of migraine treatment has been medications. However many people who suffer migraines find that conventional medicine and prescription drugs offer little relief from their condition, and many are turning to alternatives methods of treatment in order to manage and cure the pain. One such alternative is Orthopedic/chiropractic treatment.

Migraines usually begin in childhood or adolescence; Common symptoms include:

• Moderate to severe pain on one side of the head
• Pulsating or throbbing head pains
• Pain that worsens with physical activity
• Pain that interferes with regular activities
• Sensibility to light and sound

Back treatment focuses on aiding numerous health issues through massage, spinal manipulation and adjustment of the body’s soft tissues and joints, primarily in the back. Experts believe that some migraines originate in the spine. Often a misalignment of the vertebrae, or subluxation, can irritate the nerves that travel through the spine to the brain. This type of misalignment makes a person more prone to chemical imbalances in the brain. Restoring the vertebrae relieves the pressure against inflamed nerves and can in turn relieve the pain and make migraines disappear.

Studies have shown that spinal manipulation therapy may help treat migraine headaches and pains. 22% of people with migraines who have received back treatment or surgery reported a 90% reduction of occurrences. Also, 49% reported an important reduction of the pain intensity in their migraines.

What Orthopedic back treatment does is relieve some of the nerve irritation and, as a result, the blood vessels are less reactive to triggers. For migraines caused by subluxation, experts recommend gently stretching the neck, rolling and sudden movements should be avoided. To prevent subluxations, pay attention to your posture. If you sit for long periods in front of a computer, move your body around frequently and stretch.

If you or someone you know experiences any or all of the migraine symptoms described or you are interested in learning how back care may treat migraine headaches, contact our expert Florida orthopedic at Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today  (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO to make an appointment.

Whiplash Injury Symptoms and Treatment

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute one of the most common yet underestimated injuries we face with our patients is Whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the tissues of the neck from an abrupt pull or "whipping" of the head. This sudden movement pulls the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion, hence causing pain and discomfort.

Causes

The most frequent cause of whiplash is car related incidents. When a vehicle suddenly stops from impact, the seat belt keeps a person's body from flying out. But the head usually snaps forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury. 

Many people believe that if they are involved in a low speed impact, they wont suffer whiplash. False! In reality, low impact collisions can cause more damage on a person because the force is not absorbed by the vehicle but by the occupants within.

Besides car accidents, one can sustain whiplash on amusement park rides like roller coasters, while practicing high impact sports, fighting or being shaken.

[Did you know?] Women are affected by whiplash more often than men due to the differences in muscular bulk and the female’s smaller bone structure.

Symptoms

A lot of people don’t know they’ve suffered whiplash after an accident. Most people don’t notice the pain or disregard it due to how small the discomfort is. You may feel fine but pain and stiffness can surface several days after the initial accident. In the worst case symptoms can last for months or years. If after an accident you feel any of the following you might have suffered whiplash.

·      Neck pain and/or stiffness

·      Blurred vision

·      Difficulty swallowing

·      Fatigue

·      Headache

·      Shoulder pain

·      Irritability

·      Dizziness

·      Pain between the shoulder blades

·      Low back pain and/or stiffness

·      Nausea

·      Vertigo

·      Numbness and tingling

·      Pain in the jaw or face

 Diagnosis & Treatment

If you feel you have any of the symptoms listed above ask your orthopedic doctor to take a look. For minor injures or strains of the neck, without serious signs and symptoms as, or without evidence of any neurologic problems, home care may be appropriate. If there is any question about the severity or treatment of a neck injury, see a doctor.

The recovery time from whiplash depends on the gravity of the injury. Most minor whiplash injuries usually resolve within a few weeks. However severe injuries especially those that involve nerve damage t or disc injury to the spine, may require future surgical intervention to avoid chronic or permanent disability.

If you find you have suffered minor whiplash. The symptoms can be treated with simple proper home care:

·     Cold packs or ice can be applied to the neck to minimize swelling and pain.

·     If its first time and the pain is minimal take over-the-counter pain medications (Contact an Orthopedic expert)

·     Reduce motion of the head and neck until pain and muscle tension are gone.

·      Reduce strenuous activities such as sports or heavy lifting.

·      Perform slow range-of-motion exercises to gradually stretch the neck muscles.

·      Massage the sore or painful areas.

·      Use a neck collar for a short period of time to relieve discomfort. 

If you suffer severe whiplash immediately contact an expert to see what measures need to be taken, depending on the severity of your case. Many times patients don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop. In fact 45% of whiplash victims report they still suffer with symptoms two years after the indicial incident.

Prevention

Prevention is the most effective way to avoid whiplash, there are few precautions one can take such as:

·      Properly adjusting the car seat headrest. Make sure that the headrest is positioned properly according to the your height.

·      Using the proper safety equipment when participating in sports.

·      Obey laws and regulations on carnival high-velocity rides, such as roller coasters.

·      Monitor children's activities to prevent falls or serious injuries

·      Drive safely

      ·      No matter how small of an accident still get a professional opinion.

Even without symptoms, it’s prudent to see a doctor in the case of a car accident. There can be damage without symptoms, or there can be delayed symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing pains or discomfort from car accident, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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