80 % of running injuries occur at or below the knee, suggesting that there is some common mechanism of injury as the root cause of these injuries, according to a study, Suspected Mechanisms In the Cause of Overuse Running Injuries, published in Sports Health (May/June 2009). According to the authors, most running injury risk factors can be categorized as either 1) atypical foot pronation mechanics or 2) inadequate hip muscle stabilization. However, no link was found between atypical foot mechanics and running injury mechanisms. In contrast, a large and growing body of literature suggests that weakness of hip-stabilizing muscles leads to atypical lower extremity mechanics and increased forces within the lower extremity while running. Runners can help prevent these injuries by including "Core" and Hip strengthening exercises to their fitness program.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Weak Hip Stabilizing Muscles Linked to Knee/Leg Injuries in Runners
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Blog change of address: blog.tarlowknee.com
Some of you may have noticed that the blog has a new address. It is now under the same domain as my medical practice, which is at http://www.tarlowknee.com/. The change is mainly for aesthetic reasons, and won't affect anything about how the blog is run.
The new address is:
http://blog.tarlowknee.com/
The change shouldn't affect you. Any old links at http://tarlowmd.blogspot.com/ will automatically redirect to the new location, so if you like, you don't even need to update your bookmarks.
Please leave a comment if anything stops working as expected due to this change, though.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
What is an Orthopedic Surgeon ?
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital conditions. Complete the fourteen years of formal education and training after high school and you too will a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Orthopedic Surgeons that have completed a Fellowship can choose to focus their practice within a certain sub specialty area.
4 years of College - any degree acceptable
4 year accredited Medical School (Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine include certification by USMLE testing)
1 year of Internship (usually 12 one month rotations in variety of medical fields)
4 years of Orthopedic Surgery Residency (Adult, Pediatric, Orthopedic Trauma,Tumors, Basic Science and Anatomy including American Board of Orthopedic Surgery written and Oral testing)
Optional : 1 year sub speciality Fellowship (Sports Medicine, Adult Reconstruction, Hand, Shoulder and Elbow, Foot and Ankle, Spine, Trauma, Tumors, Pediatric, Research).
Dr. Tarlow did two fellowships, one in knee surgery in Sweden-1987, and the other in Sports Medicine with Dr. James R. Andrews, M.D. in Birmingham, AL-1988. He practice specializes in the treatment of the Knee.
Public Forum Needed to Discuss Health Care Costs/Quality
Two recent articles attempted to discuss the topic of health care costs in America. One article appeared in The Oregonian, Onetime insiders help with health bills, and one article appeared in the The Arizona Republic, Globe-trotting to cut medical costs. My opinion is that neither of these articles were based on accurate facts and neither addressed the intended topic. I sent an e-mail to each of the authors stating "I am hopeful that you will try again to address this issue and use better journalism skills to write something meaningful and timely regarding health care costs".
The time has come for Americans to become knowledgeable about medical charges and medical payments and the role of the health care providers, hospitals, health insurance industry , pharmaceutical companies, and trial lawyers (liability and malpractice costs) have on the cost of health care in the United States. As a physician I understand I need to discuss health care costs with patients and I better be able to compete on quality and price in the future. Empowered with the true facts we can improve the delivery and economy of medical care in our country.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Living with a Knee Replacement: Which Activities Are Okay ?
Innovations in Total Knee Replacement offer the potential for high demand function with lower failure rates over the 20-30 year life of the components. These advanced engineered components are new to the market and the potential benefits have yet to be proven.
Even so, a 2007 survey of joint replacement surgeons show a trend to allow more activities in patients with artificial joints. 95 % of joint replacement surgeons place no limitations on swimming, golf, walking and biking on level surfaces and stair climbing. Patients are still discouraged from jogging and difficult skiing. About half of the Knee Surgeons allow doubles and singles tennis.
Patients who chose to play sports after joint replacement should train for their sport, build up back, hip and knee strength, and be aware of the potential risks (early failure of replaced joint or fracture of leg bones) of athletic activity after joint replacement.
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