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.

           

# # #

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. 

Tips for Healthy Work

While you may think that office work is "safe," typing and using a mouse can be damaging to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.  The physical demands of computer work can lead to pain and work-related musculoskeletal problems (MSDs) like tendonitis, nerve compression and back pain.  Not enough recovery and workplace stress can heighten these effects.  Computer work causes harm when you make repeated and/or forceful motions of the fingers, when you hold your arms, hands or neck in uncomfortable positions, and when you don't get enough rest throughout the workday.

Why Computer Work Causes MSDs

• Your body needs to move and relax at work

Although your body is not moving while you are working at a computer, your muscles and tendons are vigorously at work.  You will not have sufficient blood flow if your muscles cannot frequently relax.  Toxins will build up in your muscles and tendons and limiting your large muscles (back, legs, and arms) to movement will limit blood flow.  This causes discomfort, soreness, and pain.  It can lead to tissue damage and inflammation.

• Your body is strongest and healthiest when your joints are in relaxed, neutral postures

Working with the joints in non-neutral or bent positions puts pressure on nerves and tendons and limits blood flow.  Neutral postures place the least amount of stress and strain on your musculoskeletal system.  Using a mouse, typing on a keyboard, and other "simple" desk tasks, make you reach out, bend your wrist, and tilt your head in unnatural positions.

• Repetitive forceful movements of small muscles are a strain

You may think that your fingers and forearms are strong, but really, they weren't made to be tapping at a keyboard repetitively.  Those repetitive motions can lead to discomfort and pain in your shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists, and fingers.

• Pressure can cause tendon, nerve, and blood vessel damage

Leaning on desks, wrist rests, or unpadded armrests can compress tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.  Chair pressure on the legs does the same.  This also leads to musculoskeletal damage.

How to Reduce Fatigue, Discomfort, & Pain While at the Computer

• Work in neutral postures

Neutral means, neck is straight, not bent back, forward, or to the side

1. place monitor and keyboard right in front of you
2. make sure the screen is at the right level for you

Shoulders are relaxed, not hiked up, and not winged out when using armrests

1. don't use armrests that are too high or too low
2. don't work with the keyboard on the desk as this is usually too high...try using a keyboard in which the height is adjustable 

Lower and middle back are firmly supported by the chair

***Make sure you are taking plenty of breaks throughout the workday.  After 25 minutes of sitting, leave your workspace and do something else for 5 minutes.  

Discomfort, stiffness, soreness, numbness, and tingling are signs of musculoskeletal stress and strain.  You should see your physician if the symptoms last for more than a few days or feel free to contact us with questions you may have regarding your pain.

Dr. Raul Marquez Orthopedic Surgery Center
Phone: 956-668-0060

Address: 2402 Cornerstone Blvd. Edinburg, Texas 78539 

5 Foods That Can Trigger a Stroke

5 Foods That Can Trigger a Stroke

Myth: Once you have osteoporosis, there's nothing you can do about it

Many people think that once you have osteoporosis there is nothing you can do about it.  That is a HUGE misconception.  Osteoporosis can be treated by physicians from several areas of specialization, including: general practitioners, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, and of course, orthopedic surgeons.

There are a variety of drugs that can help to slow the progressive thinning of the bone as well as bone forming drugs which help to rebuild the skeleton.

Weight-bearing exercises have been proven to help maintain and build up bone mass.  These weight-bearing exercises help, also, to build up stronger muscles, better balance, and agility, which can help to prevent a fall.

Rehabilitation following a fracture can also be helpful to assist in the strengthening of the muscles surrounding the fractured bone(s).

Depending on how advanced the osteoporosis is, surgery is another option.  Total hip and knee replacements are very common in the United States- over 581,000 knee replacements are done each year.  If you are interested in learning more about these types of surgeries, visit our website for an interactive lesson at http://www.drraulmarquez.com/patientInfo.php

As you can see, there are many options to consider if you suffer from osteoporosis.  There are many ways to prevent, ease, or correct your condition.  For more information, visit our website at drraulmarquez.com  or feel free to schedule an appointment with us today.

Dr. Raul Marquez Orthopedic Surgery Center
Phone: 956-668-0060
Address: 2402 Cornerstone Blvd. Edinburg, Texas 78539