Running in a Winter Wonderland: Tips for Outdoor Cardio

While many head indoors for the holiday hustle, joining gyms or buying treadmills of their own, there is still a great opportunity to challenge yourself with some outdoor cardio.

Yes, weather conditions may rule out certain days and yes, some added precautions must be taken; however, running at your local park or neighborhood trail can help you build strength in ways never before imagined. The beginning of the wintry mix does not have to mean a decline in your level of fitness. If you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular system and burn off a few holiday calories, this may be just the ticket. Here are some steps to see if it’s appropriate:

• An Honest Assessment. Before heading out, its important to have an accurate idea of just what type of physical activity your body can endure. Always speak with a physician before undertaking serious physical exercise or activity of any kind. Discuss the opportunities available for improving your strength and endurance during the winter months, and remember there’s often more than one way to garner the same result. Above all stay positive, but remain realistic. 
• Dress for Success. If your physician approves, recognize that a change of wardrobe will be essential for taking on the colder conditions. Wearing multiple layers will come down to preference and comfort, but a hat and gloves should become standard. Many professional athletes utilize moisture wicking under layers to keep from overheating, but staying covered and warm should be a priority before going out in the elements. Likewise, don’t forget about purchasing proper footwear that suits your particular foot type. Your standard running or walking show might not be the best choice for trekking through snow or debris, so think about purchasing trail shoes or special winter footwear depending on your frequency of training. 
• Proper Hydration is Key. Just because the summer heat is long gone doesn’t mean you need to dial down your water intake. Attempts at preserving internal temperature will undoubtedly result in perspiration and dehydration, so staying properly hydrated will still be important for optimum performance and minimized discomfort afterwards. Take breaks, shift to a focus on intervals or shorter runs instead of long endurance challenges, and remember to replenish fluids lost after your exercise. 
• If The Weather Outside Looks Frightful… Listening to mother nature may be the most important decision you make. Don’t head out in the middle of a snowstorm or soon after one comes to an end. Be mindful of the earlier end to the day and don’t run after dark. Always inform someone of where you are going and how long you plan on being out. Steer clear of road running if at all possible, and watch out for black ice on pathways. Stay attuned to your surroundings and do not run outdoors with a music device. When conditions seem questionable, the treadmill or even swimming in an indoor pool are both great ways to get your cardio work in.

Above all, staying safe during an often chaotic holiday season is the goal. Exercise, train, and compete with others as much as you can. You’ll motivate each other, stay safe, and reap better enjoyment from it.

Safeguarding Your Body from Winter Sports Injuries

Winter is no time to become sedentary, but it’s no surprise that snow, cold and inclement conditions contribute to an increase in injuries and orthopedic pain. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 2010 reports, nearly 450,000 people were treated for winter sports injuries related to skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating.

To avoid becoming an injury statistic, consider the following tips while pursuing winter sports and recreation:

1. Stop when you’re tired. A significant percentage of winter injuries occur when participants experience muscle fatigue or decreased alertness—and choose to push through these conditions. Whether you’re in an alpine environment or playing closer to home, cold weather elevates the demand on your body. To keep up with the demand, rest at regular intervals and know when it’s time to call it a day.
2. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink! Hypothermia and frostbite are not the only health hazards associated with winter activity. Since thirst is less noticeable during winter than other seasons, hydration is even more critical. Your body is made up of nearly 2/3 water—and dehydration sets in after a small percentage of fluid loss. In addition to carrying a water bottle or tube-fed hydration system during winter outings, avoid diuretics like caffeine and alcohol.
3. Maintain your fitness level. Many winter sports require a level of conditioning your body may not be used to, so the best way to prevent seasonal injury is to stay fit—year round. Then, a few weeks before it’s time to hit the slopes, the rink or the trail, focus on muscle conditioning that is specific to your sport.
4. Wear appropriate safety gear. A recent Johns Hopkins study reported that nearly 20 percent of skiing and snowboarding injuries lead to head injuries when participants hit trees, the ground, and other inanimate objects. Often, injured were not wearing helmets. While it sounds intuitive, it shouldn’t be forgotten: helmets save lives every day. In addition to a helmet and goggles, remember to protect your skin from cold by wearing a base layer, high-quality gloves, and boots.
5. Warm up before any type of winter activity. To preserve your body’s core temperature, muscles and connective tissues (ligaments and tendons) contract. In this tight position, they are more vulnerable to tears and sprains. A lengthy warm-up is the best way to avoid this. It’s also wise to acclimate your body to the cold a few minutes at a time as winter sets in. Soon, your body will more quickly adapt to chillier temperatures.

In addition to skiing, boarding, sledding and ice skating, a number of other winter activities leave participants prone to traumatic winter injury. The most common include:

• Slip-and-falls
• Shoveling injuries
• Snow blower accidents
• Snowmobiling

Unfortunately, no amount of agility, performance and core training will render you injury-free 100 percent of the time. When slips, falls or sports accidents occur, don’t wait to see an orthopedic specialist. After thoroughly assessing your condition, the doctor may recommend additional scans or tests to determine the best course of action—and may provide you with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce discomfort during healing. Waiting to treat your injury could result in increased joint inflammation or chronic pain that compromises your work and family life.

To learn more about common winter sports injuries and their treatment options, visit our Patient Education portal. Serving patients of all ages in Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Morris counties, our team of board-certified surgeons and orthopedic specialists helps patients conquer pain, accelerate rehabilitation and get back to an active, healthy lifestyle—year round.

Dr. Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS
Kayal Orthopaedic Center
Ridgewood & Franklin Lakes, NJ

Preserving Your Orthopaedic Health with Breakthrough Treatment

Each year, the rigors of law enforcement cause a significant health and safety issue for officers across the country. In addition to finding themselves in the line of fire, local, county and state police often suffer from orthopaedic injuries and disabling musculoskeletal conditions. A number of work-related factors impact these conditions, including:

• Duty belts: Depending upon required equipment, duty belts can add between 15 and 20 pounds of unbalanced weight to an officer’s body. The stress of this belt can impact gait patterns, as well as placing stress on the low back when officers are seated for long shifts.
• Patrolling: It’s an unfortunate reality that many crime fighters spend long days on patrol, whether on foot, by car or motorcycle. Slouching in patrol cars or standing for long periods can cause and exacerbate back and hip pain, resulting in spinal imbalances, disc degeneration, stiff muscles and sciatic nerve problems.
• Poor eating habits: Late nights, long shifts and constant interruptions often result in undesirable dietary habits. Unfortunately, research has shown a significant connection between poor diet and inflammatory conditions. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and antioxidants and low in refined carbohydrates have been shown to decrease swelling and alleviate pain in some cases.
• Occupational stress: Daily stress may cause law enforcement personnel to use their muscles in ways that lead to future orthopaedic concerns, including back and neck pain.
•  Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep impacts more than the ability to think. Some studies indicate that insomnia increases muscle knots and trigger point irritation. Low back pain or orthopaedic conditions may further disrupt sleep, worsening the problem.

While it is not possible for police and state patrol officers to avoid physical and mental stress, it is important to be cognizant of aches and pains—and take steps to manage them before they become pervasive orthopaedic problems.

 

Innovative Orthopaedic Treatment Options

Law enforcement personnel suffering from acute or chronic pain, immobility or swelling may benefit from many of the services offered by Robert A. Kayal, MD and his team. Kayal Orthopaedic Center is a regional leader and pioneer in minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery, and each physician takes a progressive, customized approach to patient health. After assessing symptoms, discussing work stress and establishing a diagnosis, Kayal Orthopaedic Center physicians recommend the treatment or procedure that will provide optimal pain relief and expedite return to activity.

Common treatment options include, but are not limited to:

MLS® LASER THERAPY: A painless technique that works at the cellular level, MLS Laser Therapy boosts healing and speeds recovery. The minimally invasive treatment uses laser energy photons to penetrate tissue and spur cellular regeneration. Best of all, over 90 percent of patients experience positive results after just three to four treatments!

MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES: The Kayal Orthopaedic Center team can treat many bone and joint problems using minimally invasive surgery rather than open surgical techniques. Performed using small incisions and a tiny camera, minimally invasive techniques reduce surgical pain, speed rehabilitation and prevent excess scar tissue. This approach is used for many procedures, including ligament & tendon reconstruction, partial & total joint replacement, rotator cuff repairs, spinal disc surgery, and foot & ankle repairs.

PARTIAL AND TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT: When conservative treatments don’t solve a joint problem, joint replacement may be recommended. Most orthopaedic surgeons perform about 20 joint replacements each year, but Dr. Kayal routinely performs more than 200 each year. Kayal Orthopaedic Center is proud to have introduced outpatient joint replacement surgery to the local community, and expertise includes partial & total knee replacement and partial & total hip replacement. When conducted with a minimally invasive approach, these procedures require a much smaller incision than traditional joint replacement.

PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) THERAPY: PRP is a relatively new procedure that uses a patient’s blood to stimulate tissue repair. The blood is spun in a centrifuge, and blood cells are separated from platelets. The platelets, which contain growth hormones and other nutrients, are injected into damaged joints and used to trigger the body’s healing response. PRP may be used to repair cartilage, nerves, bone, ligaments, muscles or tendon injuries, and Kayal Orthopaedic Center has performed thousands of successful PRP procedures.

PODIATRIC TREATMENTS: Foot & ankle pain is a frustrating burden for law enforcement personnel. Using industry-leading podiatric techniques, Kayal Orthopaedic Center surgeons help officers stay out of pain and on their feet. Expertise includes radiofrequency coblation for chronic tendon & ligament problems, ankle arthroscopy, viscosupplementation for arthritis, prolotherapy for chronic Achilles tendinosis, and PRP for soft tissue and joint pain.

 

Maintaining Your Orthopaedic Health

Orthopaedic health is critical to job performance and quality of life. While it is nearly impossible to avoid orthopaedic injury or musculoskeletal strain, Kayal Orthopaedic Center encourages officers to consider the following in an effort to protect bone and joint health:

1. When managing a new injury at home, remember to rest, ice, compress and elevate (RICE) for at least 48 hours.
2. Avoid “working through the pain” when you are injured. Seemingly small injuries may lead to ongoing, debilitating pain if unaddressed. Kayal Orthopaedic Center is proud to treat all types of acute and chronic orthopaedic pain.
3. When possible, consider a lighter-weight alternative to the traditional duty belt. If permitted, consider tactical suspenders to take the load off your back and hips.
4. Take care of your back. Perform workouts safely and carefully, and add regular core workouts to your routine. When your core muscles are strong, back injury is less likely.

To learn more about Dr. Kayal and his elite team of orthopaedic surgeons, or to request a consultation to discuss your back pain, musculoskeletal injury or orthopaedic disease, call our Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood offices at 201.560.0711 today. Providing orthopaedic services, minimally invasive procedures and innovative treatments for emergency and first responders, Kayal Orthopaedic is proud to treat New Jersey’s finest—and return them to duty and quality of life.

Protecting Those Precious Joints: Summer Health for Runners

When performed correctly, running improves both cardiovascular fitness and joint condition. However, diehard runners should embrace the following tips to prevent injury, especially as summer and fall marathons approach. 

• Proper footwear is no joke. Everyone loves a bargain, but it’s a good idea to avoid cheap footwear. Recreational and competitive runners benefit from shoes that include high-quality arch support and sole cushioning. Most athletes wear a half to full size larger in running shoes, so it’s smart to be properly fitted for running shoes at a store staffing qualified footwear consultants. If you run often, consider purchasing two pairs of shoes so they can properly dry between runs.    
• Choose your running surface wisely. When you have the opportunity, select a semi-soft surface like grass or dirt. Running daily on concrete or asphalt is harder on knee joints. Avoid uneven surfaces, where you’ll have more chance of rolling an ankle or injuring your foot. 
• Cross train on the off days. To build up your “non-running” muscles, try swimming, biking and strength training. Cross training makes you a well-rounded athlete that’s less prone to injury. 
• Warm-up and stretch. Avoid taking off at full speed with out a warm-up or pre-run stretch. Though it takes extra time, structured warm-ups prepare your body for the task to come—and reduce the chance of ligament, tendon and muscle damage.
• Listen to your body. Pain is a signal that something is awry, so don’t “push through the pain.” Instead: ice, elevate and rest minor injuries, and give your body the time it needs to heal when it’s hurt. For more nagging or chronic pain, consult with your orthopedic surgeon. The Kayal Orthopaedic Center team specializes in conservative and surgical treatment plans, and is committed to getting runners back to exercise quickly and safely.   

At Kayal Orthopaedic Center, PC, we encourage patients to embrace wellness through regular exercise. To schedule your sports medicine appointment at either of our state-of-the-art facilities, call 201-447-3880 today, or fill out our brief contact form. A staff member will return your call promptly. We look forward to caring for you! 

Avoiding the Pain of Summer Foot & Ankle Ailments

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS

Protect Your Foot & Ankle 

With the summer season upon us, athletes of all levels—from triathlon participants to rec league softball players—are vulnerable to foot and ankle pain. Sports that involve jumping, uneven surfaces or lateral motion present an increased injury risk, especially if the participant has sustained previous injuries. High-risk activities may include: 

• Hiking: From acute injury to repetitive stress conditions, uneven terrain over long distances leaves hikers susceptible to a variety of lower limb problems. 
• Baseball and softball: There’s no doubt that the lower body takes a beating during baseball and softball. Injuries are especially common when players are sliding between bases or fielding balls on uneven surfaces. In addition, improperly fitted cleats can cause forefoot pain and other foot problems. 
• Running: If you’re used to working out on a treadmill during cold weather, returning to the asphalt can lead to heel pain, tendonitis—or even a stress fracture.
• Tennis and soccer: The side-to-side movement required during tennis and soccer is physically demanding for ankle joints, and commonly leads to sprains, strains and twists of varying severities.  

While foot and ankle injuries cannot be entirely avoided, Kayal Orthopaedic Center’s foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Chad. W. Rappaport, DPM, FACFAS, encourages summer athletes to keep safety in mind as they’re training, playing, and enjoying the sunshine. To reduce your chances of NJ foot injury, remember the following tips:  

• Condition your body year round. Foot and ankle injuries occur more often in athletes who lay low all winter and attack the pavement as the weather warms. Unfortunately, deconditioned bodies are often ill-prepared to return to activity after a seasonal hiatus, and are more vulnerable to injury. If you are returning to exercise after a lengthy break, remember to start slow and work your way back to intensity over time.  
• Select high-quality shoes. Your footwear greatly influences the health of your feet, and properly fitted shoes are especially important during physical activity. High-quality footwear should include adequate arch support, insole cushioning and toebox space. If you’re experiencing pain related to your footwear, a visit to your NJ podiatrist can help. Some New Jersey foot pain patients may also require orthotics to improve balance and ensure correct foot positioning.  
• Support your feet and ankles. Serious and recreational athletes who have experienced an ankle sprain or other foot injury should support feet and ankles during activity. A lace-up, neoprene or plastic brace can help to stabilize the lower extremities and prevent a repeat strain. Your NJ podiatrist may also recommend physio athletic tape to help to stabilize weak ankles and provide gentle compression after mild injury. 
• Get a medical opinion. While many people embrace the “no pain, no gain” theory when it comes to their favorite sport or fitness activity, it does not serve them well. If you encounter swelling that hasn’t resolved in a couple of days, or ongoing foot & ankle pain that lasts for a couple of weeks, it’s time to visit your New Jersey foot and ankle doctor. Other signs that you need to see the podiatrist include: throbbing, stiffness, tingling, numbness, burning, or red, infected areas. Remember: If you experience an acute injury that renders you unable to put weight on your foot, or unable to get relief from severe pain and swelling, an ER visit is in order.

Kayal Orthopaedic Center podiatrist, Dr. Chad W. Rappaport, specializes in foot and ankle pain and immobility due to sports injuries, medical conditions, overuse and inappropriate footwear. To schedule a consultation or inquire about insurance coverage for your foot pain or ankle condition, contact Kayal Orthopaedic team via email or telephone today! Dr. Rappaport serves Bergen County, Passaic County and the surrounding area at Kayal Orthopaedic’s Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood locations, and performs surgical procedures at Valley Hospital, Hackensack Medical Center, Chilton Hospital and Patient Care Associates.

Dr. Kayal Answers Your Questions

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS

NJ Orthopedic FAQs

From week to week, my team and I field many questions from patients dealing with the pain, immobility and strength deficits caused by orthopaedic injuries and conditions. In this blog, I’d like to address a few of your most recent questions. 

What Do You Think About "Resolving" to Become Fit?

Ah, New Year’s resolutions. You may have already forgotten yours, but fitness is a common focus when people decide to improve their overall health—any time of year. And, while I believe that fitness should be part of everyone’s life, a lack of stretching and conditioning can lead to the sports-related injuries that bring patients to our office. 

Stretching out, eating wisely, and easing into a new exercise routine rather than becoming a “weekend warrior” (someone who works out at high intensity over a short period of time) is the correct way to approach physical fitness. This way, your body adjusts to the new levels of activity slowly and you will be less likely to hurt yourself. Think of fitness as a marathon instead of a sprint.

What Are the Most Common Winter Injuries?

Some of the most common winter injuries that we treat are related to overuse or snow-related accidents. They include: 

• Muscle sprains and strains
• Ligament strains
• Tendonitis
• Tendon rupture
• Low back pain
• Muscle fatigue

Other frequently encountered winter injuries include ACL tears in the knee, ankle and wrist fractures, and skier’s thumb. Remember to keep safety first in your mind when approaching exercise or winter activities. Injury can occur when you least expect it: from neglecting to stretch before a jog to shoveling incorrectly after a snowfall.

How Can I Prevent Injury?

The short answer? You can’t. Injuries happen to everyone at one time or another, but you can reduce the chance of injury through a series of easy and efficient steps:

• Warm up before physical activity. Perform range-of-motion stretches, or walk for several minutes to warm up.
• Train appropriately for sporting events through a combination of weight training, strengthening and stretching exercises.
• Maintain good bone health through healthy levels of calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk of bone breaks. Ask your Kayal Orthopaedic bone specialist about vitamin recommendations. 
• Strengthen your core muscles to support your spine. Practicing yoga and pilates are excellent ways in which to support your core and improve your overall balance and functionality.

If you’ve been injured during athletics or daily activity, don’t wait to address your pain. Call our NJ orthopedic offices today to schedule a one-on-one appointment with me or with a member of my qualified surgical staff!

Seeking Help

At Kayal Orthopaedic Center, we specialize in orthopaedic health for all ages: children, teens, adults and senior citizens. Don’t let pain management limit your activity or become a daily task on your to-do list! Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our Ridgewood or Franklin Lakes offices, or visit our website to educate yourself about common injuries and conditions! We look forward to serving you, and wish you health and safety during the rest of the winter!

Healthy Diet and Exercise for the New Year

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS

2012 brings feelings of hope and optimism, as well as a deluge of resolutions. Many people resolve to lose a few pounds, particularly after paying the price for holiday indulgence. While diet and exercise can indeed help you achieve your weight loss goals, Kayal Orthopaedic Center, your premier New Jersey orthopaedic surgical team, reminds you that healthy diet and exercise is the key to keeping yourself pain-free and in better condition.

Healthy Exercise Habits

According to the American Obesity Association, carrying more weight than is appropriate for your frame size can lead to musculoskeletal pain. Aerobic exercise can help you shed the pounds needed to take excess pressure off of your joints, but it’s important to employ healthy exercise habits. If you have never exercised before or if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, consult your primary care provider before you begin a series of workouts.

Once you have the green light to work up a sweat, start slowly. Walking, jogging and simple stretching gets your body used to the increase in activity without the threat of muscle strains and sprains. Chronic pain in your hips, knees, back, feet or ankles may simply be your body’s way of telling you to slow down, but if your pain persists, be sure to contact your local NJ orthopaedic doctor for advice. “Working through the pain” can lead to more serious injury. As you become more physically fit, incrementally increase both your mileage and workout time to amp up your weight loss routine.

Begin a Healthy Diet

Exercise can increase your flexibility, contribute to joint health and help you work off holiday pounds, but following a healthy, year-round diet is another smart lifestyle change that protects you from obesity and chronic disease. As with exercising, be sure your intended dietary changes are appropriate for your individual state of health.

Vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients help you focus, improve your immunity and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time so you aren’t as tempted to snack. Remember to make healthy lifestyle changes, though—instead of adhering to unhealthy fad diets and unproven supplements. Slow and steady is just as crucial for healthy dieting as it is for exercising. Simple ways to ease into a healthy diet include:

Some of the most frequently of the most frequently occurring shoulder conditions treated by the Kayal Orthopaedic Center include:

• Drinking water instead of sugary juices and sodas
• Choosing brown rice and whole wheat pastas and bread products over white
• Crunching on nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables instead of fat-laden, salty snacks
• Including low-fat dairy products in your diet

A healthy lifestyle can help to keep your aching back or sore hips in check, but if you still experience pain, don’t let it become a habit. Contact Kayal Orthopedic Center today to discuss your symptoms. Happy New Year! May you experience health, fitness and happiness in 2012.

Managing Lower Back Pain

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS 

Low back pain stemming from sciatica, spinal stenosis or other causes is a common debilitating condition. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), it is also the most prevalent cause of work-related disability. Lower back pain is not just uncomfortable, though. If left untreated, it can lead to potentially serious medical problems. Don’t put off having a qualified NJ orthopedic surgeon address your low back pain to determine its cause—and the best course of treatment for your symptoms.


SCIATICA: Sciatica is a type of low back pain found most commonly in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. Sciatic pain can be chronic and tends to affect one or both legs as well as your back. Sciatica is the result of sciatic nerve compression. The affected nerve runs from the lower back, past the buttocks and down through each leg. Symptoms of sciatica can include:

• Long-lasting pain intensified by sitting
• Tingling, burning or numbness
• Weakness in the affected leg 

A herniated disc in the low back is a common cause for nerve compression. Bulging or herniated discs are often just a sign of aging, but can result from trauma such as a car accident. Sciatica that is related to disc problems can be treated non-surgically through rest, physical therapy and medication. In some cases, surgery is required to manipulate the disc into its proper position and provide pain relief. Expert NJ back surgeons can repair herniated discs and guide you in post-surgical rehabilitation exercises to strengthen core muscles. Stretching and exercises can alleviate and prevent low back pain in many people.

SPINAL STENOSIS: Another possible cause of low back pain is spinal stenosis. Your spinal cord is surrounded by a number of protective structures, including vertebrae, muscles and ligaments. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of these structures; picture a tunnel that has suddenly grown smaller inside. The primary cause of this spinal stenosis is arthritis. During arthritis, the discs in your back lose fluid and harden. This reduces the diameter of the space surrounding your spinal cord while causing symptoms similar to sciatica. These include:

• Burning or tingling in the buttocks, thighs or lower back
• Weakness in the legs and feet
• Low back pain that increases upon standing or walking

The experts at Kayal Orthopaedic Center may suggest a variety of treatment options for spinal stenosis. All are designed to relieve your low back pain and to increase your daily level of function. Lumbar traction and other forms of physical therapy can manage your symptoms and decrease associated nerve compression. Anti-inflammatory medications reduce swelling around the spinal nerve, and may be taken orally or through a series of steroid injections. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture may also be beneficial to spinal stenosis patients, and your Kayal Orthopaedic specialist can provide information about these options.

Kayal Orthopaedic Center surgeons often perform laminectomy and fusion procedures to correct severe cases of spinal stenosis. During a laminectomy, your NJ back surgeon removes fragments of bone and soft tissues that are causing nerve pain. Back fusion permanently attaches two or more vertebrae together to create a stronger spinal structure. This may offer pain relief when alternative therapies have not been successful.

Don’t let low back pain interfere with work, family and activities! Call Kayal Orthopaedic Center today at 201-447-3880 to schedule an appointment with our NJ orthopedic specialists. Online appointment scheduling is also available through Sage Intergy Practice Portal: a convenient way to manage all of your orthopaedic healthcare needs.

Ask the Kayal Orthopaedic Center Expert:

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS

UPPER EXTREMITY PAIN: FAQs ABOUT COMMON ELBOW INJURIES 

It’s no secret that, while exercise and recreation keep us healthy, they occasionally lead to nagging aches, injuries and musculoskeletal pain. When left unaddressed, these conditions may become chronic, requiring a long-term hiatus from offending activities. To prevent this, it’s important to discuss pain and immobility with a qualified NJ orthopedic expert.

Whether caused by (1) overuse, (2) wear and tear, (3) repetitive motion, or (4) sports and conditioning, a slow-healing elbow injury is frustrating and restrictive. Our orthopedic surgeons see a variety of elbow conditions, and two of the most prevalent are golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. It is not unusual to see increasing elbow injuries during the NJ autumn, since the mild weather spurs enthusiasts to spend their time outdoors.

GOLFER’S ELBOW: Also known as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow impacts patients who are overusing forearm muscles and tendons. The condition begins when microscopic tendon tears lead to ongoing inflammation and pain—which can come on gradually or quickly. Golfer’s elbow is typically caused by repetitive, improper technique in your golf swing, baseball pitch, racquet sport or weight training regimen. Pain may become worse as you grip a club or racquet, throw a ball, twist a doorknob or flex wrist to forearm.

Golfer’s elbow symptoms may include pain and soreness inside the elbow; stiffness when making a fist or straightening the arm; and numbness or tingling that radiates into the lower arm or hand. To diagnose this elbow condition, your orthopedic specialist will perform a thorough examination and discuss your activities/medical history.

After ruling out other damage using x-ray or MRI, our team may recommend rest, ice, physical therapy and brace immobilization. If symptoms persist, you may need one or more cortisone shots, in combination with rehab. In rare cases, surgery is recommended. Surgery for golfer’s elbow typically entails removing damaged tissue, shaving the bone and repairing or reattaching the tendon to take pressure off of the elbow joint.  

TENNIS ELBOW: Similar to golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow occurs when microtendon tears develop into pain and inflammation. This pain occurs on the exterior of the upper arm near the elbow, and is often caused by racquet sports. However, tennis elbow may also be caused by repetitive wrist twisting—as when using a screwdriver, painting a wall or moving a computer mouse.

Tennis elbow symptoms include worsening joint pain, weakening grasp, and discomfort that radiates from the outer elbow into the forearm and hand. Pain typically worsens when the wrist is bent backward, or while grasping something and straightening the elbow. Extreme stiffness may also prevent full arm extension.
  
To diagnose this elbow condition, your Kayal Orthopaedic surgeon will examine your arm, discuss your activity and medical history—and may recommend an x-ray to rule out other joint conditions. Like golfer’s elbow, the best treatments for tennis elbow include rest, ice, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and immobilization. However, persistent or recurring tennis elbow may need surgical debriding, or “cleaning up” of damaged tissue. Your surgeon can also clean out scar tissue and repair/reattach the extensor tendon to take stress off of the elbow joint.

Are You Limited by Elbow Aches, Pains and Immobility? 

CALL THE KAYAL ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER TODAY!

If elbow pain, stiffness and numbness are preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities, it’s time to call our team of leading NJ orthopaedic surgeons. Our helpful staff can arrange an initial consultation, schedule elbow imaging and return you to the links, court or baseball diamond quickly and safely. Call 201-447-3880 today—or login online to request an appointment through our Sage Intergy Portal.

Shoulder Problems? Ask the Kayal Orthopaedic Center Expert!

By Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS

FAQs about Shoulder Injuries

Your shoulder joint is composed of a variety of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Because of its extreme range of motion, it is an inherently unstable joint that is prone to injury. Shoulder pain occurs for a variety of reasons, including degeneration, arthritis, falls, impacts or traumatic accidents. 

Kayal Orthopaedic Center, PC is a leader in NJ shoulder repairs. Successfully treating hundreds of cases of shoulder pain, restricted mobility and structural damage each year, we’ve developed a unique treatment approach that’s customized to the individual needs of each patient. Educating patients in a detailed, easy-to-understand manner, we then perform thorough assessments and outline possible treatment options—so you can decide which course of action you’d prefer to follow. Most importantly, we prioritize aftercare to ensure complete rehabilitation and freedom from shoulder pain. 

Common Questions about Shoulder Injuries

1. HOW DO SHOULDER INJURIES OCCUR?

In cases where acute trauma did not cause your shoulder injury, we look for underlying causes. These may include wear and tear on your shoulder muscles and joints, the presence of arthritic conditions, and lifestyle or occupational factors that have led to repetitive stress. You can also injure your shoulder without realizing it by incorrectly lifting something heavy or carrying heavy objects over long distances.

2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON SHOULDER INJURIES?

Some of the most frequently of the most frequently occurring shoulder conditions treated by the Kayal Orthopaedic Center include:

• Tendonitis and bursitis: Tendonitis occurs when the shoulder tendons become inflamed, causing pain and mobility restrictions. Bursitis is a similar affliction that affects the bursa, a fluidic sac which shields and protects your shoulder.
• Shoulder dislocation: A dislocated shoulder, which occurs when the humerus bone is physically separated from the socket of the shoulder, causes severe pain and impedes movement and range of motion.
• Frozen shoulder: Generalized inflammation can restrict shoulder movement, typically leaving patients unable to raise the affected arm beyond a certain threshold.
• Rotator cuff tears: Usually caused by repetitive stress, a rotator cuff tear occurs when tendons and muscles in the shoulder’s rotator cuff weaken and tear.
• Sprains: A shoulder sprain occurs when shoulder ligaments tear, and is typically caused by acute stress.  
  
• Labral tears: The shoulder’s labrum is a stabilizing tissue which compensates for the overall lack of support in the relatively shallow joint of the shoulder. A labral tear increases your likelihood of suffering a dislocated shoulder, and while this condition most commonly affects older patients, it can also occur suddenly as the result of an acute injury. Symptoms of a labral tear include aching pain in the shoulder joint, sudden restrictions of movement often described as a “catching” sensation, and activity-specific pain that occurs during shoulder movement.
• Shoulder fractures and bone breaks: Both collar bone and shoulder bone fractures can cause shoulder pain, and usually occur as the result of heavy force being applied against the bone during an accident.
• SLAP lesions: “SLAP” is an acronym for “Superior Labral tear, Anterior to Posterior.” It refers to an injury affecting the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder, in which the superior labral ligament develops a lesion from overuse, typically as the result of strenuous or repetitive overhead movement. Symptoms include a constant but dull (rather than sharp) pain in the shoulder, and those affected by SLAP lesions typically report being awakened during the night by shoulder pain.
• Shoulder problems for the “overhead athlete”: Athletes who engage in sports that require a lot of overhead movement, such as softball, baseball and tennis, often develop rotator cuff problems and are at increased risk of both SLAP lesions and labrum tears. Stretching both before and after activity—and taking care to use proper form—can help you avoid these conditions.

3. WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO DIAGNOSE THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF A SHOULDER INJURY?

In our clinic, we use cutting-edge imaging and diagnostic technologies which include arthrograms and arthroscopic examinations, CT scans, X-rays and MRI scans. These are used to supplement physical examinations, during which we will make an initial assessment of your injury.

4. HOW ARE SHOULDER INJURIES TREATED?

It depends on the nature of the injury, but we favor minimally invasive and rehabilitative treatments before resorting to surgery. During your aftercare, we prioritize physiotherapy and range-of-motion recovery techniques to speed healing and minimize the possibility of further injury.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

CALL THE KAYAL ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER TODAY!

On behalf of my team of leading NJ orthopedic surgeons, I invite you to contact us if you have questions about shoulder pain, or wish to arrange a consultation appointment for shoulder pain or a shoulder injury. My staff has elite credentials and the breadth of experience to successfully treat any shoulder injury, no matter how minor or serious, with compassionate and attentive care. To schedule an appointment today, call 201-447-3880.