Spring is here with many children on spring break this week. All of us might get out a little more and do things we haven’t done since the weather turned cold last fall. Paragon Orthopedic Center would like to remind you to stretch those muscles before you go for a bike ride, play volleyball with your teen, or pick up that bat for the softball season. Paragon Orthopedics sees many injuries caused by simply not warming up those muscles to be loose before making them work harder than they usually do. Just 10 minutes of warming up can make a huge difference. Think of your muscles like taffy; the more you work it, the softer it gets. It’s the same with your muscles. Prevent ligament tears and muscle strains Southern Oregon: warm them up!
Five Fabulous Providers for Southern Oregon
Paragon Orthopedics has five of the best orthopedic care providers ready to help the fine people of Jackson and Josephine counties. Dr. Rob Bents and Dr. Jim Van Horne each have over 20 years of orthopedic expertise and continue to seek out the most modern, up to date ways of treating all orthopedic problems. You can count on them to have the least invasive surgeries, which means less chance of infection and a quicker return to health. Michael Swartz, Greg Stanko, and Hank Read bring their years of experience in orthopedics to make this practice and your experience as a patient top notch. Read more about these fine practitioners on the Paragon Orthopedic Center’s web page “Providers” link: http://www.paragonorthopedic.com/orthopedic-specialists.php
Educational videos available on Paragon Orthopedic Center website
Do you want more information about an orthopedic problem? The Paragon Orthopedic Center website is full of videos to educate yourself. Get some peace of mind by getting answers that help you understand more and might alleviate anxiety. Videos about hip, shoulder, and knee arthroscopy, as well as information on ACL’s and trigger fingers. Many, many orthopedic subjects are covered in this library for the inquiring minds of Southern Oregon. Check them out! www.paragonorthopedic.com
Get out and enjoy some free Vitamin D!
Sunshine isn’t only good for uplifting the soul, it is also good for your bones! You cannot find a better natural source of Vitamin D than sunlight. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb calcium, which makes our bones strong. The best time of the day is between 11am and 3pm. As you well know, the weather in Josephine County can be sunny one hour and raining hard the next. Paragon Orthopedics wants its patients to have the healthiest bones they can. Increase your Vitamin D, enjoy the sunshine today, and keep those bones strong!
PRP: Can it help me avoid surgery?
Paragon Orthopedics here in Grants Pass publishes monthly informational newsletters. Coming up in April will be the newest information about Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, which supplements the body’s repair process and sometimes helps a patient avoid invasive surgery. Sign up to receive the newsletter via email at Paragon Orthopedic Center and stay tuned to our blog!
Dr. James Van Horne of Grants Pass making big headlines about a new post-op protocol minimizing opioid use
With narcotic usage up in Josephine County, Dr. Jim Van Horne is trying to do what he can to change this, and his research is proving highly beneficial to reducing the need for drugs in post-operative total joint arthroplasty. Check out this article.
https://www.healio.com/orthopedics/total-joint-reconstruction/news/online/%7B36623125-7010-433a-9971-2110a1ccfa68%7D/opioid-minimizing-tja-recovery-pathway-led-to-fewer-than-usual-complications-readmissions
Now Trending….Activated Charcoal
Paragon Press
Are the benefits real?
The substance once only known for treating accidental ingestion of poison is now popping up in everything from toothpaste to ice cream. Some label it a “detoxifier.” Getting rid of toxins might sound appealing. Is this black stuff okay to use and eat?
WHAT IT IS: Activated charcoal is made by taking plant materials rich in carbon, such as wood or coconut shells, then heating them at very high temperatures. The “activation” comes from stripping the substance of previously absorbed molecules, making them able to bind again. The resulting charcoal absorbs various substances, depending on the application. As a side note, this is not the same as food that has been burned in the process of cooking. The problem is that activated charcoal doesn’t discriminate. It will bind to any substance it meets, whether it is medicine, or the vitamins and minerals found in your food. When ingested, the charcoal itself is not absorbed by the body.
WHAT IS KNOWN: The only approved use of it is for poisonings. The claims being made by trendy products right now are based on its chemical properties and potential. No major research has been done to back any other applications of activated charcoal.
THE CLAIMS: Some of the claims out there right now are for: skin cleansing, deodorants, water filtration, neutralizing intestinal gas, improving kidney function for those with kidney disease, whitening teeth, and wound care. As far as its detoxifying properties, activated charcoal binds to things in your stomach and small intestine. It cannot remove built up “toxins” found in your body. “Detoxing” is a buzz word these days, but this method of detoxification can be detrimental to your health if you don’t know the risks of it absorbing medications, vitamins, and minerals. No evidence exists to support its abilities to cure hangovers either. When used in foods, some have noted it turned their mouths a shade of gray. This probably is not the best choice if you’re on a first date.
WHAT’S NEXT: Look for continued research on this activated charcoal. Education is the key. New York City has placed a ban on using it in food and drinks, even though the FDA has not specifically banned it…but they also have not approved it. If you are considering ingesting this for any purpose, check with your healthcare provider first, as it might interfere with absorption of your medicines and nutrients in your food.
The following articles were referenced for this newsletter:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322609.php
https://www.phillyvoice.com/activated-charcoal-health-benefits-detoxification-skincare-healthy-eating/
https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/activated-charcoal-in-food
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/foodnews/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eating-activated-charcoal/ar-AAyo2I6?li=AAggsmr
Is Smoking Marijuana Dangerous?
It is impossible miss how marijuana is impacting our lives and towns. It is becoming increasingly legal; 33 states have legalized medical use and 10 states have legalized its recreational use so far. As it becomes more acceptable, research is trying to keep up with the consequences of this drug. Here are some highlights.
The number of heavy cannabis users is up. By 2017, there were about 8 million Americans who reported using it at least 300 times in a year, which is considered to be daily use. It is true that the cannabis grown today is far more potent than that of the ‘70’s, with more THC. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical that produces the “high” or psychoactive results. Today’s marijuana is 20-25% THC, compared to less than 2% in that of the 1970’s. This is due to complex cloning and farming techniques. As far as the CBD content, which is what some desire for the medicinal effects, this concentration is declining. What does this mean? It means that you’re going to get a stronger effect on the brain or high, resulting in a higher chance of THC toxicity. If you’re using it for the CBD effects, you will get less of its medicinal properties. There has also been an increase seen in the contaminants found in the plants. All of this points to inadequate regulation because there isn’t any content labeling. The grower can tell you anything. The United States does not have a system to track mental illnesses like they do other diseases, so there isn’t any hard evidence to say psychotic events are increasing, but studies show marijuana use is a significant risk factor for psychotic episodes and violence. In addition to large studies of people on this, there are also statistics from the first four states to legalize recreational marijuana. These states showed combined significant increases in murders (38%) and aggravated assaults (25%) after legalization, compared to the national average (20% for murder and 11.5% for aggravated assault). Our society has stereotyped pot-users to be oblivious couch potatoes, but the hard data connecting marijuana to violent behavior goes back 150 years to asylums in India.
Knowledge is crucial if you are using marijuana or are considering it. At this point, there is not regulation to give consumers the information to know exactly what is in what you purchase. The risks can be significant and long-lasting. Think about how it took decades before cigarettes and alcohol were studied and education about the dangers began with labeling and regulation. A similar approach is necessary for marijuana, even for medicinal use. Actual medicines have research to list the benefits, risks, and appropriate dosages. Marijuana does not meet any of these standards, hardly making it trustworthy medicine. It impairs judgement, damages the respiratory tract, and increases the risk of psychosis. Just because modern medicine cannot treat everything satisfactorily, it does not mean marijuana is the answer. Don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s safe.
At Paragon we strongly suggest that you eliminate smoking marijuana before and after surgery at a minimum.
The following articles were referenced for this newsletter:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/03/23/pot-evolution-how-the-makeup-of-marijuana-has-changed-over-time/#2405a63259e5
https://www.wsj.com/articles/marijuana-is-more-dangerous-than-you-think-11546527075
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/tables/table-1
https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-weed-is-medicine-so-is-budweiser-11547770981
Happy Valentine’s Day from Paragon Orthopedics!
Paragon Press – December 2015
What is DOMS – The mystery of pain “out of nowhere”?
Your goal to work out four to five times a week starting January 1st is made and you head off to the gym to begin Day 1, for a healthier 2016. The first day begins with a moderate upper body lifting regimen. You decide not to work out the next day, but when you wake up on the third day, you can barely lift your arms to get in a spoonful of cereal. What happened? Why didn’t I hurt yesterday if this is from lifting weights? Is it an injury?
The usual answer is: no. You are experiencing DOMS, or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Delayed soreness can develop 12-24 hours after you exercise, with the greatest pains happening in up to 24-72 hours. This pain stems from microscopic damage done when you placed new stresses on the muscles. This damage is not permanent; it is a side effect to the repairs your body is doing, which can lead to stronger muscles and increased mass. There are certain activities known to cause DOMS:
- Step aerobics
- Strength training exercises
- Hill walking
- Jogging
- Jumping
These activities cause muscles to lengthen when force is applied, leading to the microscopic damage, and the delayed pain you will experience. The amount of DOMS pain you have depends on the type and amount of force placed on the muscles. For example, running down a hill places greater force on a muscle than walking down the same hill, resulting in more pain after the downhill run. Doing more repetitions results in more pain than less. This is the reason doctors and exercise experts recommend you start slowly.
I Think I Need Help
DOMS typically does not require you to seek medical treatment. If the pain becomes debilitating, your arms or legs become swollen, or if your urine becomes dark, then you should seek medical attention.
Prevention
Starting slowly into a new exercise routine is the first step to avoid DOMS. Include a cool down period of 10 minutes after exercising, raising your heart rate mildly, such as slow jogging and stretching. Allow enough time for your muscles to recover before using those aching muscles. Schedule your workout routines to cover a variety of muscle groups on different days, so you don’t stress the same group every time. Stretching before and after the exercise can help. Know that everyone can get DOMS, from the exercising newbie to the track Olympian. Let that soreness encourage you that you are working your muscles and creating a healthier body.
The following articles were referenced for this newsletter:
- https://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/delayed-onset-muscle-soreness-(doms).pdf
- http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/sore-muscles-dont-stop-exercising?page=2
Paragon Press – June 2015
Can My Medications Hurt Me During Surgery?
If you have had surgery, you more than likely were told not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, except for one or two medications taken with a small sip of water in the morning. The surgeon needs to know exactly what you are taking to know what pills are vital to your health and those that cannot be skipped. Wait…there are more reasons to be very thorough when making that list. Read about these commonly used medications to understand more fully how they impact your body during surgery.When you go in for a healthcare-related appointment, you usually fill out paperwork listing all your medications. You might not be very careful to list every single last one, but did you know it is crucial to list every prescribed and unprescribed medicine when you go in for orthopedic surgery? Your surgeon needs to know each drug you take, its dosage, and what it does for you in order for your surgery to have the best outcome possible. Your primary care physician should be able to give you a complete list of prescription medications to take to your surgeon, and don’t forget about anything bought over the counter that you take.
DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 70% of Americans are prescribed at least one medication.
Blood Pressure Medications: These are usually continued the day of surgery to maintain your regulated blood pressure. If your medication and blood pressure have not been stabilized prior to surgery, it could mean a delay for your procedure. A stable blood pressure is a must before undergoing any surgical procedure.
Diabetic Medications: Because the stress of surgery can lead to higher blood glucose levels, your insulin might need to be adjusted for surgery. Some oral diabetic medications may need to be stopped before you are given anesthesia.
Blood Thinners: In most case, these need to be stopped 5-7 days prior to surgery. Your surgeon will let you know how soon to stop taking them and when to resume them. The reason for this is thinners cause extra bleeding that could cause swelling or an infection at your surgical site.
Steroid Medications: To maintain your body’s steroid levels, which are important for blood pressure regulation, these are usually continued the day of surgery. If your steroid level drops, it could lead to low blood pressure problems during surgery. This is dependent on what levels of steroids you take, so be specific about your dosage with your surgeon.
Heart Medications: These are normally continued the morning of surgery, taken as usual. A thorough heart history is necessary before surgery. Sometimes, additional heart medicines, called beta blockers, are added to decrease the risk of any heart problems during surgery.
Dietary Supplements: Some over-the-counter supplements can interfere with medications necessary for your surgery. Other over the counter substances can cause surgical bleeding. Taking them can lead to complications, so be thorough about reporting them all.
Immunosuppressant Medications: If you are a transplant patient, or have an inflammatory condition, such as arthritis, the immunosuppressants you might be taking could significantly slow wound healing after surgery. Have a discussion with your surgeon about temporarily stopping these.
Understanding the impact of medications on your body’s processes gives more insight into your surgeon’s need to know in advance. Always be detailed about anything you are taking for the best surgical outcome.
