Weather: Joint Pain's ugly brother

If you haven't experienced it first hand, I'm almost positive you've at least heard someone foretell tomorrow's weather or complain of joint pain when there is a change in weather. True, or not?

Some think that this a ludicrous theory while others swear that they have a sixth sense known as "meteorology."  However, this theory happens to be scientifically proven.  Joint pain, as well as other chronic health conditions like asthma, can be affected by weather conditions including: barometric pressure, absolute humidity, chance of precipitation, temperature, and wind.

Precipitation includes any form of water reaching the ground: rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc...It is considered a factor in joint pain because rainy weather is accompanied by a change in barometric pressure and humidity.

Humidity is the amount of water vapor found in the air.  An increase in humidity, especially sudden changes in humidity, can bring about aches and pains.  

Temperature change is probably the most common weather condition associated with achey bones and joints.  A rapid change in the weather can bring about pain mostly because there is a direct correlation between temperature and barometric pressure. 

The Weather Channel has a special section under "forecasts" that provides the ACHES & PAINS scale for the day based on all the weather conditions we are discussing: Precipitation, humidity, barometric pressure, temperature and wind.  It uses a scale from one to 10 (one being no pain and 10 being extreme pain) to indicate what the weather conditions have in store for people with arthritis or any kind of joint pain.  So, next time someone tells you their knees can feel the rain coming, you may want to take their word for it.  

Marquez Orthopedics
www.drraulmarquez.com
(956) 668-0060
2402 Cornerstone Blvd.
Edinburg, Texas 78539

Newsletter for November

November Newsletter

Moving when it hurts can help me?

Keep it Movin'
When your knee aches from osteoarthiritis, the last thing you feel like doing, is moving.  You may think that by remaining motionless, you are doing your knee right....right? Wrong!  Inactivity actually leads to more pain.

Even when you are in a lot of pain from osteoarthritis, your joints do better when you keep them moving.  Physical therapy is the best defense against osteoarthritis. You can't cure osteoarthiritis  with exercise and physical therapy, but you can increase your strength and range of motion, which, in effect, will lessen your pain.

Why Does it Hurt Less When I Move More?
As you begin to move around, the amount of synovial fluid in your joints begins to increase.  This fluid transports nutrients to the joint while providing lubrication.  Think of synovial fluid as WD-40.  It helps the joints to move easier and more fluidly. Have you ever noticed, standing up, after sitting down for a long period of time, hurts your joints?  That's because there is less synovial fluid running through your joints.

Losing excess weight will help your joint to feel even better.  Every pound lost is three to four pounds of pressure taken off of the joints.  If you lost 10 pounds, you would take 30-40 pounds of pressure off of your knees.  That's a HUGE difference!

Exercises You Can Start On Your Own
A physical therapist can customize a workout specifically for you, but there are also some exercises you can do on your own.  Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercises are excellent for people with joint pain.

See below for a list of exercises that can help reduce osteoarthiritis pain:

• Go for regular walks. Walking is one of the best activities for someone with knee pain, Ciccone says. Walking gets synovial fluid flowing, and increases strength and endurance.
• Try swimming or water aerobics. Working out in the water is an excellent choice because you can exercise joints without putting stress on them, explains Ciccone.
• Get on a bike. Cycling is also a great low-impact activity that helps improve strength and endurance without putting too much pressure on your knees.
• Practice yoga or tai chi. Both of these gentle activities build strength and promote flexible joints. Just be careful not to force yourself into positions that put undue strain on your joints.
• Gain strength with simple squats. Squats are a gold-standard exercise, Ciccone notes. Start by standing in front of a hard-back chair with your feet hip-width apart and toes pointing forward. Sink down into the chair by pushing your butt back and keeping your knees over your feet; then stand up. Once you feel comfortable with the movement, do it without the chair. Start with three sets of 10 repetitions and work up to 12 and then 15 repetitions.
• Use the leg press machine at a gym. If you’re a member of a gym, Ciccone recommends using a leg press machine. Start with a weight that’s less than your body weight and use one leg at a time so that you don’t allow one leg to press more weight than the other.
• March in place. Picking up one knee, then lowering it and raising the other knee helps increase strength, balance, and range of motion, Ciccone says. Count 10 steps on each foot per set for three sets.
• Practice a balancing exercise. Hold onto a counter with one hand as you stand on one leg. Once you feel comfortable with the movement, move slightly away from the counter and hold on by your fingertips. Eventually balance without holding onto anything. Balance for 30 seconds on each leg; work up to one to two minutes, Ciccone recommends.

• Stretch. Place your palms against a wall and placing one foot slightly behind you, then lean forward to stretch your calf muscle. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds, then repeat on the other side. To stretch your hamstrings, sit on the edge of a chair. Straighten one leg while keeping your heel on       the floor and move your chest forward until you feel a stretch. Hold it for 20 seconds then repeat with the    other leg.

Everyone is different, so pick the exercise that is best for you...and the one you enjoy more, of course!  Incorporating activity into your daily routine is important for EVERYBODY, not just those with osteoarthiritis.  If you can prevent it, even better!

Marquez Orthopedics
www.drraulmarquez.com
(956) 668-0060
2402 Cornerstone Blvd.
Edinburg, Texas 78539

Obesity's Effect on Bones and Joints

Obesity, as we are all aware, is on the rise in the United States.  Oversized portions at restaurants, cheap junk food, and the lack of inactivity are some of the factors creating the obesity problem.  The effects result in life-shortening conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, and cancer.  Excessive weight can even affect your bones and joints.

Obesity accelerates the wear and tear on the joints and spine.  In particular, osteoarthiritis of the knee is increased.  Osteoarthiritis refers to a type of arthritis caused by wear and tear.  People who are obese have difficulty squatting, running, jumping, even walking.  The reason obese people struggle with these things is because of the amount of force being put on the patella (kneecap) is about three times your body weight.  That means a person weighing 200 pounds is putting up to 600 pounds of pressure on their knees just from walking!  When other more intense activity is taken on, such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, the force can reach 6-10 times the person's weight.  So that same 200 pound person could be exerting 1200-2000 pounds of force during activity!

When it comes to knee and hip replacements, obese people's replacements wear faster, necessitating additional revisions.  While research shows that obese people experience high, short term, satisfaction with their replacements, they do have more complications in the perioperative period, including anesthetic difficulties, blood clots, infections, and medical problems.

Overall, obesity is extremely damaging to the musculoskeletal system.  It is important to try and maintain a healthy weight throughout your entire life so that you can enjoy an active lifestyle.

Marquez Orthopedics
www.drraulmarquez.com
(956) 668-0060
2402 Cornerstone Blvd.
Edinburg, Texas 78539

Success for our first "Live Surgery Apprenticeship!"

    It has been such a pleasure to host the 11th grade students of Mr. Laney's Health Science II-Rehab class at Marquez Orthopedics.  This morning, the students of Med High participated in Marquez Orthopedics first-ever "Live Surgery Apprenticeship." 

    The event allowed the students to view a live surgery, via satellite, from our very own auditorium.  The total knee replacement surgery was performed by Dr. Marquez at Cornerstone Regional hospital, located right next door to our orthopedic facility.  Being that the students were in a class that focuses primarily on rehabilitation, our physical therapist, Robert Huerta, was our presenter.  He opened the event with a presentation that explains how the Ortho Pilot, a computer-assited joint replacement machine, works.  Dr. Marquez is one of few orthopedic surgeons to operate with the Ortho Pilot.  In fact, he utilizes the auditorium in our facility to train other surgeons on how to operate the Ortho Pilot.

    As soon as Robert wrapped up his presentation, we called in to the Operating Room via satellite.  From here, we were able to see the entire operating room and everyone in it.  We had the capability of viewing the surgery from several different angles and could also hear the surgery technicians explaining each step of the process.  The students kept their composure (for the most part) even though the surgery was a bit graphic at times.  

    After the surgery was over, Dr. Marquez walked over to the facility to join the students and talked to them about the importance of loving what you do.  He told the students, "I'm like a little kid on Christmas morning on the days I have surgery!" 

    Overall, it was a great learning opportunity for the students and we are looking forward to hosting another event.  I want to thank South Texas ISD for allowing their students to join us.  We all at Marquez Orthopedics enjoy sharing what we do with others.  After all, it is important that you love what you do :) 

  

Live Surgery Apprenticeship for Med High Students

    All of us at Marquez Orthopedics are extremely excited to host students from Med High at our facility on Wednesday for our first Live Surgery Apprenticeship.  Please see the press release below for more details.

                                                                                                                    FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:                                                                                            

Amanda Odom, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator: STISD                                                                                             

(956) 514-4255 or amanda.odom@stisd.net           

Jena Cuellar, Marketing Director: Marquez Orthopedics                                                                

(956) 607-3363 or jcuellar@drraulmarquez.com

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON HOSTING LIVE SURGERY VIA SATELLITE 

FOR MED HIGH STUDENTS

EDINBURG, Texas — On Oct. 19, Dr. Raul Marquez, orthopedic surgeon in the Rio Grande Valley, will perform a live surgery which students from South Texas Independent School District’s South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) in Mercedes will have the opportunity to view via satellite. 

Dr. Marquez will perform a total knee replacement at 10:00 a.m. at Cornerstone Regional Hospital in Edinburg while students observe from a theater room located inside Dr. Marquez’ Orthopedic Surgery Center.  The facility is a mere 150 feet from the hospital.  Dr. Marquez will have the ability to communicate with the students during the operation via wireless microphone.  Following the surgery, Dr. Marquez will join the students to answer questions. 

Dr. Marquez believes that enriching young minds with opportunities such as this will motivate them to continue their education.  He says, “Exposure to a live surgery will pique students’ interest into a career in the medical field and it is our duty as professionals to provide these opportunities when possible.”

The students observing the surgery are juniors in a Health Science II – Rehab course at Med High. In this class, students will study how to work with patients in a rehab setting, like those who have had knee replacements, with a focus on physical and occupational therapy.

Med High is one of four high schools within the Exemplary, all-magnet South Texas Independent School District. Open to students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties, the campus provides students with the opportunity to jump start their professional careers in the medical industry while in high school. For more information, call 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.

Dr. Marquez has been serving the community of the Rio Grande Valley for more than 18 years.  His chief clinical interests are in sports medicine and orthopedics.  Dr. Marquez also serves as an international instructor for the use of computer aided technology in the USA, Germany, and Latin America.

           

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Thank you Steve Jobs

   This morning, I turned on my t.v. to Good Morning America to find that Apple visionary Steve Jobs had died.  As quotes, speeches, and memories about Jobs were reminisced upon, it got me to thinking, "Have Apple products changed the way things are done in the medical field"? And the answer to that is, ABSOLUTELY.  

   When I first started working for doctors, I only associated iPads with reading, music, and playing games like the ever-popular Words With Friends and Angry Birds.  Little did I know, the iPad was being used for much more serious things rather than just a tool for passing the time.  Many doctors, including Dr. Marquez, have several ipads at their nurse's stations to read x-rays, take notes, communicate with their colleagues, and get in touch with their patients STAT.  The iPad has changed the swiftness in which doctors and their staff care for their patients. 

   In the past, if a doctor was in surgery and had patients getting x-rays at his practice, he could not read those x-rays until out of surgery...and we all know how crucial time is when you have a broken bone.  Now, with the iPad on staff, x-rays can be read clearly and quickly.  The medical staff just sends the image over to the doctor, he reads it, and emails his staff with the prognosis.

   Note-taking is another benefit of the ipad.  It seems (in our practice at least) that paper has become a material of the past.  With electronic charts and e-filing, the necessity for paper products has become minimal. Consider the iPad the new, and improved, version of the sticky note...except we don't crumble up the iPad when we're done with it.

   Schedules are constantly changing at doctor's offices.  Cancel. Re-schedule. Cancel. Cancel. Re-schedule.  The amendments are never-ending.  The iPad has assisted our medical staff in staying on top of the schedule which in turn provides our patients with better service.  And who doesn't like that?

   Apple products, as a whole, have improved the workflow in a variety of environments and industries.  They have made us more efficient and more effective.  Without Jobs' futuristic mindset, technology, as we know it, may be lagging at least 10 years.  He brought his creations to life by trusting that it was possible.  He had it right when he said, "You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.  This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." (Stanford University commencement address- 2005). 

Thank you Steve Jobs for making all of our jobs a little more manageable.