Category: bonejoint1
What is a bulging disc?
A bulging disc is a condition that occurs when a spinal disc bulges between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine, causing pain and limiting movement.
Most adults have 24 vertebral bones in their spine. Between each of these vertebrae is a spinal disc that acts as a shock absorber. Each disc has a tough, outer elastic surface (annulus fibrosus) that covers a softer middle (nucleus pulposus). These rubbery discs help you bend and arch your back without pain.
When this cushiony cartilage is injured or starts to break down because of age, it can “bulge” outside the […]
How do I know if my physical therapy is working?
That’s a great question. We are glad you asked.
There are three areas to consider when you are assessing the success of your physical therapy program:
- Your movement
- Your working relationship with your therapist
- Your progress.
You know your body better than anyone else. Your physical therapist is a body movement expert. By combining your knowledge with your therapist’s expertise, you can get your body moving at its best.
Know your starting point, your current range of motion and your movement goals.
During your first appointment, your therapist will look at your medical file or your initial patient questionnaire. […]
Does diabetes affect bone health?
Yes. It can.
In some cases, diabetes can make your bones more fragile and put you at a higher risk for fracture.F
First, let’s review a few facts about diabetes.
Diabetes is a metabolism disorder that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to lower and balance the body’s blood sugar (glucose) levels.
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces insulin on its own. This condition requires insulin and cannot be reversed.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when cells in the body become resistant to insulin or […]
Common injuries with home-exercise programs
If 2020 taught us anything, it was how to exercise at home.
But without access to weight machines and personal trainers, the risk of injuries from video-based work-out programs has increased.
People injured during home-exercise routines seek treatment for:
• Shoulder pain, strains, and tears in the rotator cuff
• Low-back pain caused by improper form
• Knee pain from jumping and other high impact exercises
• Ankle sprains and strains
• Hand and wrist tendonitis
• Elbow pain from repetitive movements or hand weights that are too heavy
• Shin splints
• Hip and groin pain from hyperextension or overexertion
• Chest pain […]
Avoid these six common snow shoveling injuries
Shoveling snow isn’t particularly difficult, but it is fraught with injuries.
In 2018, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that medical professionals treated 137,000 people for snowblower or snow shoveling injuries.
Some people will hurt their hands and wrists; others will injure their back and shoulders. A few will experience life-changing injuries through a serious fall or heart attack.
If you’re older than 50 years old and are prone to shortness of breath or chest pain, talk to your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to shovel snow.
To avoid some of the more common […]
Labral tears affect ball and socket joints, like your hips and shoulders.
The labrum is a rubbery ring of cartilage that rims the socket of your hip and shoulder joints. It acts like a shock absorber while it keeps the ball of the joint in place.
Overuse and traumatic injuries, such as falls, or the aging process can cause tears in the labrum. Since it is a type of cartilage, tears will not heal on their own.
What does a labral tear feel like?
Whether the tear occurs in the hip or the shoulder, labral tears cause an achy […]
Avoid winter sports injuries
With basketball, wrestling, and other indoor sports on hold, people will seek outdoor adventures this winter. And with more outside activities, there are bound to be more winter-sports related injuries.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you hit the slopes, glide across the ice, or swoosh through the trails.
No matter how you choose to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, take a few precautions, and stay safer as you enjoy Wisconsin’s wintery weather.
Check the Conditions – Whether you are venturing to wooded cross-country ski trails or you’re snowshoeing across a […]
Try these six moves to improve your balance
Balance in life is essential. And a good sense of physical balance is the key to independence.
As people reach their 40s and 50s, they may notice changes in vision, hearing, and strength. These natural and normal changes occur during the aging process and may contribute to the loss of balance.
But the good news is you can improve muscle strength and balance at any age – and there’s no need for special equipment!
Your body and a sturdy surface are all that’s required to do these exercises. (Please talk to your health care provider before you begin, especially if […]
Are you losing your grip?
Most of us do as we get older. That jar lid that was easy to twist off in your 20s and 30s may cause you to grimace and groan in your 50s and 60s.
Hand strength is crucial to daily life. Whether you’re turning on the faucet or holding a fork, the actions require a firm and steady grip.
A loss of grip strength may lead to the loss of independence and your ability to live on your own.
Why do we lose our grip as we age?
The muscles in your hand determine the effectiveness of your grip. […]
Meet David Stutzriem, PT, DPT, LAT
David Stutzriem, PT, DPT, LAT, is a doctor of physical therapy and a licensed athletic trainer.
David works with Bone & Joint’s orthopedic specialists to provide physical therapy care for people recovering from orthopedic or sports-related injuries and specializes in post-surgical care.
He holds a DSI certification as a Work Injury Provider, and provides both in clinic and on the job functional assessments. David is also able to perform onsite job analysis, job coaching, and functional capacity evaluations.
David is also a licensed athletic trainer, who works with athletes to improve their performance, strength, and endurance.
“In high school, I experienced a few sports injuries where I had to […]
