My mom has arthritis, so I know that I am at greater risk of getting it too. Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says that nearly 43 million Americans have the disease, which can also be hereditary.
"Medications can help reduce pain and inflammation, but many patients may require a joint replacement sometime in their lifetime," Dr. Klimisch says. "It's a safe and common procedure but like with any surgery, there are risks involved. That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider all your options if your doctor does recommend a replacement. Today, older folks are more active than they have ever been before. A surgery might help you get back to playing golf, hiking in the mountains, or being on your feet in the kitchen. Those activities are what make retirement years wonderful. And that's incredibly important."
Health Tip for 10/28/2010 - Better Bones
Do you ever feel that creaking in your knee when you walk up stairs, or on one of your runs around Green Lake? I do. Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says women are more susceptible to weak knees and pain.
"People in Seattle like to exercise and play outside, but if you are woman and often do high-impact exercises like running, hiking or tennis, you should try to mix up your exercise routine a bit," Dr. Klimisch says. "Try lower impact sports like swimming and biking. Some studies are showing that women are six times more likely than men to suffer from knee injuries like ACL tears. So, if you are experiencing achy, weak, or stiff knees, talk to your doctor. They can suggest some useful exercises that will help get you back on track."
Health Tip for 10/5/2010 - Better Bones
I sit a lot. I sit in the car. I sit at work. I sit in front of the TV. Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says that proper posture is even more important today because we sit so much.
"Slouching or other bad habits can turn into musculoskeletal pain and weakness in key parts of your body such as your lower back and hips," Dr. Klimisch says. "The best way to ensure proper sitting posture is to exercise your core muscles. Building up muscle strength in your abdomen and lower back will help teach your body how to maintain its alignment on its own. So when you are sitting at a desk, in a car, or at the movies, you don't have to constantly correct your position. Eventually, with the proper exercise, your body will just do it on its own."
Health Tip for 10/4/2010 - Better Bones
Remember when your mom used to say "stand up straight, don't slouch." Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says that we should all heed our moms' advice because not only will it improve our physical appearance, but 'not slouching' will improve our health too.
"Good posture is any position in your body that aligns your bones properly and doesn't put undue stress on your muscles and joints," Dr. Klimisch says. "Poor posture results from poor habits, so make sure to be more conscious of how you are sitting and standing. Proper posture is when your shoulders are level, head is straight, your hips are level and your kneecaps and ankles face straight ahead. Correct posture will reduce muscle fatigue and help you to avoid unnecessary strain on your joints and ligaments."
Health Tip for 9/30/2010 - Better Bones
My mom has arthritis, so I know that I am at greater risk of getting it too. Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says that nearly 43 million Americans have the disease, which can also be hereditary.
"Medications can help reduce pain and inflammation, but many patients may require a joint replacement sometime in their lifetime," Dr. Klimisch says. "It's a safe and common procedure but like with any surgery, there are risks involved. That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider all your options if your doctor does recommend a replacement. Today, older folks are more active than they have ever been before. A surgery might help you get back to playing golf, hiking in the mountains, or being on your feet in the kitchen. Those activities are what make retirement years wonderful. And that's incredibly important."
Health Tip for 9/28/2010 - Better Bones
Do you ever feel that creaking in your knee when you walk up stairs, or on one of your runs around Green Lake? I do. Dr. Justin Klimisch, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center of Seattle, says women are more susceptible to weak knees and pain.
"People in Seattle like to exercise and play outside, but if you are woman and often do high-impact exercises like running, hiking or tennis, you should try to mix up your exercise routine a bit," Dr. Klimisch says. "Try lower impact sports like swimming and biking. Some studies are showing that women are six times more likely than men to suffer from knee injuries like ACL tears. So, if you are experiencing achy, weak, or stiff knees, talk to your doctor. They can suggest some useful exercises that will help get you back on track."
Health Tip for 7/26/2010 - Better Bones
You've already heard about the obesity epidemic in the United States. It's being blamed on everything from too much fast food to not enough exercise. Dr. Julie Carkin, a rheumatologist with The Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital, says with people carrying so much extra weight, another epidemic is striking women in particular.
"Extra weight can cause osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis in the hips and knees and other weigh-bearing joints, even in young woman," Dr. Carkin says. "Many of us weigh a lot more than our skeletons were designed to support, and that causes pain and excess damage."
If you're finding that your knees or hips are stiff and sore when you get up from a chair, and the pain gets worse as you continue to walk around, you may have osteoarthritis. It may be time to take off some excess weight if you're carrying too many pounds. Talk to your doctor, to find out what to do to keep osteoarthritis in its place, while you keep moving!
Health Tip for 7/15/2010 - Better Bones
Have you ever fallen and heard a "pop" in your shoulder, or maybe felt a sudden, sharp pain while lifting weights? Northwest Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Smith says this could indicate a tear, strain, or inflammation in the rotator cuff muscles that help move your shoulder.
"Many people know of rotator cuffs because they hear about them in baseball pitchers, but it is a common injury that can occur in older people simply due to age and overuse," Dr. Smith says. "The tendons can progressively deteriorate just like the fabric on the knees of your blue jeans thin over time. If its pain resulting from a fall, you should probably see your doctor right away, but if it's from overuse after 36 holes of golf or you just woke up with it, take an anti-inflammatory, get some rest, and stretch your shoulder gently."
Health Tip for 7/6/2010 - Better Bones
As people age the cartilage that lines their joints can become thin and sometimes vanish all together. Northwest Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Smith says when this happens, you might feel some bone-on-bone pain. Dr. Smith suggests avoiding unnecessary stress on your joints.
"Exercise to maintain range of motion can help lessen pain, but try to avoid activities that put excessive pressure on your joints, such as running or weight lifting," Dr. Smith says. "Low-impact exercises such as swimming or bike riding are better options for most people. Surgical treatment options are also available when time and conservative measures fail to maintain satisfactory comfort and function."
Health Tip for 7/1/2010 - Better Bones
As people age many gradually lose cartilage in joints like their knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and more. Northwest Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Smith says that arthritis is a degenerative problem - it gets worse as we age.
"Joint replacements should be a last resort. I encourage my patients to adopt a joint maintenance program that is just like the routine maintenance you might have on your car," Dr.Smith says. "One of the best things you can do is to stretch the affected joints for several minutes a few times each day. Even if your joint is arthritic, a flexible joint feels better than a stiff one. If you are planning on playing a round of golf, try taking an anti-inflammatory before and after your game. It can keep your symptoms from flaring up mid-swing or later than night."
Health Tip for 5/27/2010 - Better Bones
You've already heard about the obesity epidemic in the United States. It's being blamed on everything from too much fast food to not enough exercise. Dr. Julie Carkin, a rheumatologist with The Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital, says with people carrying so much extra weight, another epidemic is striking women in particular.
"Extra weight can cause osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis in the hips and knees and other weigh-bearing joints, even in young woman," Dr. Carkin says. "Many of us weigh a lot more than our skeletons were designed to support, and that causes pain and excess damage."
If you're finding that your knees or hips are stiff and sore when you get up from a chair, and the pain gets worse as you continue to walk around, you may have osteoarthritis. It may be time to take off some excess weight if you're carrying too many pounds. Talk to your doctor, to find out what to do to keep osteoarthritis in its place, while you keep moving!
Health Tip for 5/25/2010 - Better Bones
You woke up in the middle of the night, with your knee, wrist or hand hurting, swollen and red. Then, when you got up this morning, you couldn't even begin your usual morning routine because of the pain. Dr. Julie Carkin, a rheumatologist with The Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital says you may be showing the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
"If you are having pain at rest or pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night, that is sign that it might be inflammatory arthritis. One type is rheumatoid," Dr. Carkin says. "We now have excellent medications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that will prevent destruction and disability."
The inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis can signal damage to your joints, so see your doctor as soon as possible. Letting arthritis go untreated can put a real cramp in your dance through life!
Health Tip for 5/24/2010 - Better Bones
If you're under 35 years old, you're probably adding to your bone bank account, even if you don't know it. Dr. Julie Carkin, a rheumatologist with the Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital, says up to that age, if you eat well and take in enough calcium and vitamin D, you're building up important reserves of high-quality bone.
"Everyone's goal should be to achieve the highest peak bone mass by the time they are 30," Carkin says. "Menapause, certain medications and other medical issues cause withdrawals from that bank account. Starting off with a high peak bone bank account gives you a safety net for future bone loss and prevents fractures."
The latest research says most women don't have enough vitamin D, and that the recommended amount has gone way up -to between 800 and 1000 international units a day. Vitamin D is extremely important, since you can't absorb calcium without it. Calcium and vitamin D are the building blocks of bone, so making sure you include them in your daily life is the way to insure that you're making deposits in your own personal bone bank.
Doors Open at The Bone & Joint Center of Seattle 1/6/2010
The Bone & Joint Center of Seattle, a new multi-specialty orthopedic practice, today announced that it has opened its doors and is accepting patients. Launched by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kevin Smith, the practice currently offers evaluation, treatment and management of injuries and conditions of the shoulder and elbow. The clinic is located in Suite 190 of the Northwest Outpatient Medical Center at 10330 Meridian Ave. North in Seattle.
Dr. Smith is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 15 years of surgical expertise. He earned his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at McLaren Regional Medical Center and a fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
During the coming year, Dr. Smith plans to add several more orthopedic specialists to the group, with the goal of providing a full complement of orthopedic surgery services including hip, knee, hand, wrist, foot, ankle and more.
Dr. Smith performs his surgeries at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. For more information or appointments, patients should contact 206-368-6360.
