We are a full-service orthopaedic clinic. From surgery to therapy – our number one priority is your health, and our knowledgeable staff is here to assist in meeting all of your orthopaedic needs.
A comprehensive space provides you with everything you need as a patient. You can request an appointment, find paperwork, or pay your bill in one place.
Our physicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle all of your orthopaedic, pain management, and physical medicine and rehabilitation needs. Correspondence received via the online form is monitored during normal business hours – Monday through Friday, 8am until 5pm. If you have an urgent question after office hours, please call (251) 410-3600.
Have you been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? Do you have difficulty walking any long distances without experiencing leg pain? Patients who have not improved after conservative treatment may benefit from surgery. During surgery, the bone spurs and arthritis are removed that place pressure on nerves that affect the legs and buttock region. Dr. Donahoe specializes in lumbar laminectomy surgery and would be happy to evaluate your MRI. Like most spine surgeons, the best results come from removing the pressure on “pinched nerves” in the neck or back.
Have you been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in your neck? This condition can cause pain that radiates to the shoulder or arm. Patients who have not improved with conservative treatment including medication and physical therapy may be candidates for surgery. Patients typically spend one night in the hospital, and almost immediately after surgery are relieved from the arm pain, numbness, and tingling. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is one of the most successful procedures performed in spine surgery.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re hunched over your mobile phone or tablet. Did you know, bending your neck forward to look down at a mobile device can apply up to 60 lbs of pressure on your cervical spine?
A recent study suggested tilting the neck down, at varying degrees, to use a mobile device, can cause unnecessary strain on the cervical spine. To put this in perspective, take into account the average human head weighs about 10 to 12 pounds. If an individual tilts their head down to a 15-degree angle, the weight of the head increases to about 27 pounds.
Many Americans spend two to four hours per day looking down at a mobile device. Over time, the posture of bending the neck forward can cause a syndrome called “text neck.” Text neck syndrome is a group of symptoms developed specifically from the way people hold a mobile device. Text neck can also lead to early wear and tear or degenerative musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis.
Signs you might be experiencing text neck:
– Neck pain
– Shoulder pain
– Headaches
– Tension
– Difficulty moving the neck
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, AOC’s team of fellowship trained, board-certified, spine specialists, Dr. Kevin Donahoe, and Dr. Tim Revels are dedicated to alleviating pain and providing an improved range of motion for each patient. For more information, call – 251-410-3600 or visit our website – alortho.com
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.
