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.