The month of October makes most people think of pumpkin spice lattes, vibrant leaves, and Halloween costumes. But here at Northern Arizona Orthopaedics, we have something else we keep an eye out for, too, because it’s also the time of year known as National Spine Health Awareness Month. That’s right, a full month dedicated to those 33 amazing bones that …
Understanding Glenoid Fractures: A Complete Overview
Glenoid fractures, while relatively less common than other orthopedic injuries, pose significant challenges to both patients and healthcare professionals. The glenoid, being a vital part of the shoulder joint, plays an essential role in the wide range of motion that shoulders are known for. Detecting and correctly managing these fractures are crucial for a full recovery and return to pre-injury …
How to Deal with Muscle Knots: Tips for Pain Relief
When you feel a stubborn ache in your neck or shoulder, the culprit might be a muscle knot. These pesky, tight spots of muscle fibers can cause significant discomfort and even headaches if left unmanaged. But relief is within your reach; with the right approach, you can alleviate the pain and prevent future occurrences. Armed with the knowledge of effective …
Knee Pain When Bending Down? Here’s What You Can Do About It
Experiencing knee pain can significantly restrict your daily activities, making even simple motions like bending your leg an ordeal. Whether it’s a sharp pain in your knee when kneeling or a dull ache when straightening your leg after sitting, understanding the root causes is the first step towards finding relief. The knee, a complex joint that supports much of our …
Understanding Dead Arm Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Dead Arm Syndrome presents as a perplexing condition, striking those engaged in repetitive shoulder movements with sudden, acute pain, rendering their arm temporarily unusable or weak. It often creeps up on athletes, especially baseball pitchers, who demand the utmost from their shoulders, only to find themselves grappling with sharp discomfort and a concerning loss of function. The journey to reclaiming …
How to Spot Knee Sprain Symptoms: A Quick Guide
Your knees are complex marvels of human engineering, but they are also vulnerable to rough play, sudden twists, or the mere misfortune of taking a step the wrong way. Understanding the structure of the knee is crucial in recognizing when something has gone amiss, such as the onset of a knee sprain – an injury that can bring even the …
What is a Kyphoplasty & How Can it Help Me?
A minimally invasive spine procedure that is being performed with increased frequency across the orthopedic community is kyphoplasty. This procedure is meant solely for those who have a compression fracture in one or more vertebrae in the spine. With the help of a balloon, the act of relieving chronic back pain due to a vertebral compression fracture has revolutionized. What …
Types of Achilles Tendon Injuries & How to Fix Them
The Achilles tendon runs from the bones of your heel to your calf muscles and is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It’s quite common for this tendon to become injured and there are a few different types of injuries that the tendon can sustain. Tendonitis This is caused by overuse or damage to the area and …
Non-Surgical Options for Knee Pain
Those who suffer from knee pain may be reluctant to see an orthopedic specialist because they feel as though surgery may be their only solution. This is not always the case, and there are various ways in which your discomfort can be alleviated without surgical intervention. According to the CDC, bone and joint disorders are the leading cause of disability …