Aesculap Seminar

Our two-day seminar with Aesculap was a success.  Doctors from all around Latin America and Germany joined us for a training on a navigation system known as the Ortho Pilot, which assists in orthopedic surgeries.  Dr. Marquez, who is an international instructor for Aesculap, not only uses the Ortho Pilot during his surgeries, but teaches others to do the same.  This modern technology being used in the operating room has changed surgeries dramatically.  It is less invasive than other methods which in effect allows for less pain and faster recovery.

Picture of an Ortho Pilot.

                                                         

The training opened up with a live surgery performed by Dr. Marquez that was streamed from the operating room at Cornerstone Regional Hospital and into our auditorium for the doctors to see.  The nine surgeons listened in on presentations given by our very own Dr. Marquez, Dr. Parra (our anesthesiologist), Robert Huerta, P.T., and representatives from Aesculap Germany.  They also participated in some hands-on training using prosthetic legs to re-enact an actual total knee surgery using the Ortho Pilot.

Dr. Parra lecturing on anesthesia.

Surgeons watching Dr. Marquez perform a total knee surgery.

Surgeons practice with the Ortho Pilot using prosthetics.

After a wonderful meal served by Chef Marcel at Bistro M in McAllen on Monday night, the surgeons were ready for Day 2 of the Aesculap training.  Dr. Marquez presented different techniques and tips and surgeons asked final questions.  Vladimir Alcántara Cejudo, an engineer from Aesculap said, "It is wonderful to have teachers like Dr. Marquez who love what they do and want to share that knowledge with others."  At the end of the course, the surgeons were presented with a certificate of completion of the Aesculap seminar.

Group picture at Bistro M on Monday night.

Doctors receive certificate of completion of the Aesculap course.

After two grueling days of training, it was time for the surgeons to head back to their respective countries to spread their new knowledge with their patients and colleagues.  Some returned to Europe, others to Guadalajara, Leon, and other parts of the world, but Dr. Marquez reminded them that they will always have a home in Edinburg, Texas. 

Marquez Orthopedics

www.drraulmarquez.com

(956)668-0060

2402 Cornerstone Blvd.

Edinburg, Texas 78539

Triathalon Blog

Check out this fun triathalon blog written by Jennifer Marquez (Dr. Marquez' daughter) and fiance Jason Lentzke.  The two share their triathalon experiences with vivid details, pictures and videos.  It is very interesting to see how the couple feeds off of each other's energy giving them physical and mental motivation. Check it out!

http://www.lovelifetriathlon.blogspot.com/

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 :)