Tag Archives: alabama orthopedic clinic

How to Choose the Right Orthopedic Surgeon

Choosing the right orthopedic surgeon is the first step toward a successful surgery and a fast recovery. You may be wondering, but how do I know which surgeon is right for me? Here are a few tips and questions to keep in mind through your decision process:

Ask around

Just as you consult your friends, family or neighbors about products and services, so should you about doctor recommendations. AOC’s Dr. Barber says that asking around is the safest bet. He added, “There are a lot of people in the community that have these surgeries. So if you know 10 people that have had a great result from one surgeon that’s usually a pretty good endorsement.”

Don’t just take your friends and family’s word for it, also seek professional recommendations from your doctor or healthcare provider. Asking around can help you find a starting point in your search for an orthopedic surgeon.

Quick search

Go to your search engine of choice and type in your potential surgeon’s name. Review what others have said and any other available information. Remember: not everything on the Internet is concrete – some reviews can be exaggerated. Take the information and use it with discretion.

Research further

Narrow down your search by looking at your potential surgeon’s credentials. Visit their practices website, and learn more about their work experience and area of specialty. If you want more information about a particular surgeon, a great source is the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Before you make your final decision, consider these questions:

Questions to Ask Before Having an Operation

1. Why do I need this operation?
2. How will the operation be performed?
3. Are there other treatment options, and is this operation the best option for me?
4. What are the risks, benefits, and possible complications for this operation?
5. How will I be monitored during the operation?
6. What can I expect before the operation?
Will I need any special preparation – tests, blood donation, blood thinners and change in my routine medications?
Will I need any special diet?
When do I have to stop eating and drinking?
Should I take my home medication on the day of my operation?
7. What can I expect for my recovery in terms of treatment, medication, diet, and home care?
What type of care will I have to provide for myself at home?
When will I be able to return to my regular activities (work, lifting, driving, and exercise)?
Will I need any medication—antibiotics, pain medication?
What can I do to help with my recovery?
8. Could you tell me about your experience with this operation?
Do you perform this operation regularly?
What is your success rate, and how often do your patients experience any problems?
Are you board certified?
Are you a member of the American College of Surgeons?
How can I contact you if I have more questions?
9. Is the surgical facility accredited and properly staffed?
10. How much will the operation cost me, and what type of insurance do you take?

What to Consider when Looking at Online Doctor Websites:

1. The Data
Where did they get the data?
How accurate is the data?
Is the data immune from bias?
Does the data consider practice specializations or areas of focus?
2. Healthcare Expertise
Other Resources for Joint Replacement Surgeon Data American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons

 

AOC understands selecting the right orthopedic surgeon can be overwhelming. Please visit our website, www.alortho.com, to learn more about our team of doctors and the services they provide. To schedule an appointment or consultation, please call: 251.410.3600

Resources:
Resource 1
Resource 2
Resource 3

Texting Can Be a Real Pain in the Neck

We wake up, text. Go to work, text. Eat lunch, text. Walk, text. Go to bed, text.

What we don’t realize is our texting posture is becoming a real pain in the neck. Every day we all take part in this same epidemic called “texting posture.” We walk around in our hunchback position trying to stay connected through communicating, updating, and browsing. By constantly looking down at our phones, we are applying unnecessary stress on our cervical spine, which in turn can be the cause of our nagging neck pain.

On average, a human head, in a neutral position, weighs between ten and twelve pounds. Now tilt the head forward and you are exerting a pressure of up to sixty pounds. According to Dr. Ken Hansraj, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon in Poughkeepsie, New York, our texting posture can lead to early wear and tear of the neck muscles and cervical spine, which can ultimately end in surgery.

This is not to say that technology is bad, but lets try and use our smartphones smarter. Here are some helpful tips to avoid texting posture and that nagging neck pain.

1. Our eyes have a range of motion:


You don’t have to bring your device up to eye level to avoid texting posture. Our eyes have a range of motion, which means you can look down at your phone without tilting your head.

2. Stretch and stay limber:

Keep the joints in your neck limber. If you feel your neck getting stiff, try these easy exercises: turn your head left to right several times, then try lifting your shoulder to your ears.

3. Posture matters:


Maintain a proper posture. Try standing in a doorway and extend your arms while pushing your chest forward. This will help strengthen your spine.

4. Stay hydrated:


The discs in your neck are primarily made up of water. So sip on water throughout the day to keep the discs in your spine pliable and healthy.

5. Sleep on your back:


This sleep position is the best because it lets your entire spine rest comfortably.

6. Get plenty of rest:


Your neck works hard to support your heavy head, so give it a break. Napping during the day or taking a break can truly help your neck health.

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

TEAM USA COMEBACK ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Katie Bell

During the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics AOC is going to spotlight some USA Team members who were able to recover from an injury and fulfill their dreams of making the team. At AOC we applaud and love it when an athlete has a real COMEBACK RECOVERY and PERFORMANCE and is able to return to their passion.

The Olympics have been Katie Bell’s goal since she was younger, but injuries almost derailed that dream. At the Big Ten championships in Minnesota her freshman year, she mistimed a dive. She punctured a lung, separated chest cartilage and popped ribs out of place, though the full extent of the injury took two years to diagnose. Bell continued to battle injuries. She suffered a torn labrum in her shoulder two years ago, possibly because she was overcompensating from the previous injury.

“At that point, I didn’t even know if I was going to keep diving or not,” Bell said. “When I decided to keep diving, I set my mind on going to the Olympics. I worked so hard every year.”

To overcome her sports injury she saw many doctors, athletic trainers and a psychologist to heal her body and mind to get back to competitive diving. Last month after years of surgery, rehabilitation and hard work, Katie had a stellar COMEBACK PERFORMANCE and reached her dream of making the US Olympic Diving Team.

Keep up with Katie in this year’s London Olympics.

You can follow her on twitter at @HippieBell and we will keep you updated on our blog and Facebook page.

(info via www.dispatch.com)

Click here for more information on Katie Bell.

Click here to see more about Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic

LIKE AOC on Facebook

Follow AOC on twitter