Category: Neck & Back
The Greatest Feeling in the World – Charissa’s Bone & Joint Story
Charissa is passionate about painting. She enjoys it so much; she shares her passion with others. After traveling across the state for work, she enjoys coming home at night and opening the studio to teach her painting classes.
But she almost had to give up her favorite pastime because of a car accident that caused excruciating and chronic neck pain.
While driving, Charissa was rear-ended as she was preparing to turn.
Since Charissa’s neck was turned to the side, the impact of the accident damaged the nerves in the back of […]
Exercises to relieve back pain
Your spine is an integral structure within your body. It acts as a support beam that runs from the base of your skull to your pelvis to carry your weight. The unique “S” shape of your vertebrae is designed to offer maximum support while withstanding enormous amounts of stress.
Sudden awkward movements, constant strain, or pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions can undermine this stability and impair the functionality of your spine. Learn more about the spine here.
Each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), back pain costs individuals and businesses […]
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), also known as radiofrequency neurotomy, is a procedure used by pain management specialists to reduce pain caused by overactive nerves.
The procedure uses targeted radio waves to heat and disable nerve endings. Using specialized X-rays, the pain management specialist places microelectrodes near the misfiring nerves. Once the electrodes are in place, the pain doctor transmits radio waves through them to heat the areas and interrupt the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain. 
Pain management specialists perform radiofrequency ablation in the office or outpatient […]
Hoop it up!
From the jump ball that starts the game until the final buzzer, basketball sends ten players sprinting and dribbling up and down the court to sink a basket.
All the jumping, running and changing direction can take its toll on players’ bodies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Statistics Reports, based on 2011 to 2014 data, basketball injuries topped the list of injuries (343,000) for people between the ages of 15 and 24 and ranked third (264,000) for players who were 25 years old and older.
Basketball’s fast-pace puts players at risk for many types […]
Get up outta that chair, and your joints will feel better
Get up outta that chair, and your joints will feel better.
Get up outta that chair, and your heart will beat stronger.
Get up outta that chair, and your brain will work faster.
You might have heard that truth before. (Well, maybe not exactly in those words. That’s a song for another day.) But it’s true … getting up off your chair is good for your health.
Medical experts say sitting hurts your body as much as smoking.
- It’s bad for your brain.
- It’s bad for your heart.
- And, it’s bad for your muscles and joints.
According to 2016 survey […]
Meet James Messerly, DO
Dr. James Messerly, DO, is a board-certified family and sports medicine specialist who provides primary orthopaedic care to people of all ages. Dr. Messerly joined Bone & Joint in 1995, as the clinic’s first non-surgical orthopaedic provider.
Dr. Messerly provides non-surgical treatment for foot and ankle conditions, hand and wrist injuries, elbow and shoulder conditions, hip pain, neck and back pain, knee injuries and muscle pain and tightness. In addition to general orthopaedic care, Dr. Messerly also treats concussion and other sports medicine related injuries.
Dr. Messerly received his medical degree from the Des Moines University College of […]
Don’t let your child’s backpack become a real pain
It’s hard to believe that school starts in a few weeks, but it’s true.
Thousands of children laden with book-filled backpacks make their way to bus stops and school buildings every day.
According to an American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated more than 24,300 individuals were treated for backpack-related
injuries in 2012. Approximately, 40 percent of those injuries occurred in school-aged children. Remembering a few backpack tips can help you prevent your child from being a backpack-injury-statistic this year.
If your child will be carrying a backpack this year, here are a few tips to keep in mind to […]
Are you at risk for orthopedic injuries this winter?
On the way to work, Jane stepped off her porch. She didn’t notice the clear black ice at the base of her steps. Her right leg went out from under her as her left leg stayed on the step. She heard the pop as she felt the crack. Jane couldn’t move. She yelled for help as searing pain tore through her knee. Fortunately, her neighbor heard her cries for help. He rushed to her side and called 9-1-1. A medical exam confirmed that Jane had broken her knee cap and had torn all the ligaments in her knee.
Wisconsin isn’t called the frozen tundra […]
Meet Shauna L. Christopherson, APNP, FNP
Shauna Christopherson is an advanced practice nurse prescriber who is board certified as a family practice nurse practitioner. Shauna provides general orthopedic care to people of all ages. She has a special interest in sports-related injuries, fracture management and the treatment of acute back pain.
Christopherson provides Walk-In Care Services in Wausau
Shauna, along with other providers, staff Bone & Joint’s Walk-In Care Center. She cares for people who have non-emergency injuries or illnesses such as:
● Broken Bones
● Cuts and Scrapes
● Dislocations of Fingers and Toes
● Foot and Ankle Injuries
● Muscle Strains
● Muscle Sprains
● Painful Joints
● […]
Meet Benjamin Hackett, MD
Benjamin J. Hackett, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Bone & Joint.
He treats adults of all ages who suffer from arthritis, disc disease, bone spurs, and spinal-nerve-related problems. Dr. Hackett has a special interest in pain management and minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Hackett has been treating patients at Bone & Joint since 2007. He believes it is important for patients to understand their conditions and options for treatment. Dr. Hackett works with his patients to exhaust the non-surgical treatment options before suggesting a surgical remedy.
Dr. Hackett earned his medical degree at the […]
