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About Orthopedic Specialists

Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle provides new and advanced procedures including endoscopic carpel tunnel release surgery for carpal tunnel syrome, complex joint restoration procedures, anterior approach hip replacement surgery, and more.

UFC Fighter Discusses Shoulder Surgery and Upcoming Seattle Fight

Johnson - Photo Via FUEL TV/UFC

The Bleacher Report shares that UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will be defending his title against John Moraga this July 27th in Seattle. Johnson is recovering from a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. In the video interview below with Bleacher Report, Johnson discusses “his shoulder surgery, the status of his return and his bout with Moraga in his hometown of Seattle.”

The UFC fight of Johnson versus Moraga will take place in Seattle on July 27th and be aired on Fox 8. We will provide more information about where and when to watch the fight later this summer.

The providers at OSS are highly trained in acute and sports related injuries involving the shoulder. If you are experiencing shoulder pain; please make an appointment at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle to be evaluated by an orthopedic and sports medicine physician.

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OSS Sponsoring Memorial Day 5K River Run

This Memorial Day, Monday May 27th, Camp Gilead is holding a 5K River Run/Walk and Pancake Breakfast. Our very own Dr. Ruhlman will be attending this event. OSS is proud to sponsor this upcoming local event at the Gold level. The proceeds for this 5K are to benefit camper scholarships for Camp Gilead.

As a sponsor, OSS will also be providing pedometers as part of the promotional goody bags for all race participants. Registration for this run also includes a long sleeve race t-shirt and a ticket to the following pancake breakfast.

We would like to encourage all those interested to participate in this wonderful 5k to benefit local camp scholarships. OSS reminds you to run or walk at your own pace to avoid any unwanted orthopedic injuries.

Memorial Day 5K Event Details:

Date: Monday, May 27, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM – Pancake Breakfast to follow!
Cost: $25 before May 27 | $30 day of race

Location:
Camp Gilead | 30919 NE Carnation
Farm Road, Carnation, WA 98014

For more information about the run, be a sponsor, or register online, visit their website.

About Camp Gilead:

“Camp Gilead is located near Carnation, Washington. Situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, on the banks of the beautiful Snoqualmie River, the camp offers a wide variety of recreational facilities, theme oriented activities, and has a friendly, trained staff to provide quality leadership and instruction.”

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Alex Rodriguez Returning to Field After Hip Surgery

KOMO News recently reported on May 6th, that New York Yankees’ third baseman, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) is returning to the field “for the first time since surgery on his left hip almost 4 months ago.”

They also report that, “He joined a group of injured New York Yankees starters Monday at the team’s minor league complex. The 37-year-old third baseman ran, played catch and hit off a tee.”

Rodriguez was off the field and had hip surgery back in mid-January for a hip injury including a torn labrum and hip impingement. Since surgery he has been in recovery, physical therapy rehab, and is currently on a doctor ordered 30-day rehab schedule.

OSS encourages all those who participate in sports to play safe. However in the event of an injury we have 8 orthopedic surgeons with varying specialties, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, foot, ankle, and hand to help you recover. We also offer sports medicine and physical therapy rehabilitation after your treatment.

Our own hip surgeon, Dr. Philip Downer, reviewed Rodriguez’s case for hip impingement and stated that,” My recommended treatment is the same as he received.” Dr. Downer specializes in hip surgery and often treats tears and impingements, including those caused by various sports.

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How to Prevent Achilles Tendon Injuries

Achilles Tendon

The tendon connecting your calf muscle to your heel bone is called your Achilles tendon. It is the largest tendon in your body. You use it every day when you jump, run, and walk. The Achilles tendon is prone to overuse (called tendinitis) because of the stresses it sees every day.

The Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly injured tendons, especially among athletes. Tendinitis is the most common form of injury, resulting in pain and swelling either within the tendon or where the tendon inserts into the heel bone (calcaneus). In worse cases, too much pressure on the Achilles tendon can cause it to partially tear or even rupture completely.

What can cause an Achilles tendon injury?

A rupture of your Achilles tendon often occurs when you abruptly start moving, such as while sprinting. Men age 30 years and up have more Achilles tendon injuries than other groups. We see these injuries a lot in so-called “weekend warriors.” There are a number of things that can cause or contribute to an Achilles tendon injury. Some of these might be:

  • Overuse
  • Inadequate stretching before a strenuous activity
  • Performing high-impact activities, such as jumping or plyometrics
  • Foot deformities, such as flat feet or high arches
  • Tight muscles and tendons in your legs

Athletes who participate in the following activities may experience Achilles tendon injuries:

  • Gymnastics & Dance
  • Running
  • Football
  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis

How can I prevent an Achilles tendon injury?

There are many ways to prevent an Achilles tendon injury.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Make sure you maintain a healthy weight range that is ideal for you. Avoid being underweight or overweight.

Eat Well: Make sure that you are getting the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals. A diet lacking in calcium could cause Achilles tendon injuries. The U.S. Institute of Medicine’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) suggest that adults should get 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium daily and at least 700 mg of phosphorous.

Calcium is essential for your bones to grow and also helps with muscle contraction. Too little calcium or phosphorous intake will result in your body taking what is needed from other places, and this can lead to weaker bones.

Exercise Regularly: Injury prevention involves exercising often to keep your tendons, muscles, and bones strong. Make sure you only do exercises approved by your doctor. If you go to a gym, ask a trainer to help you use the equipment properly.

Pick the Right Shoes: Make sure that you are wearing the correct shoes for your feet. Shoes vary in the amount of cushioning and arch support they provide. Have your athletic shoes fitted by a specialist.

Avoid Hard Surfaces: Soft surfaces, such as cushioned floors, are better on your feet than hardwood. Too much time spent on hard surfaces can cause injuries to the Achilles tendon. Simple choices such as picking a grass court over a hard court, or running on a dirt trail instead of a sidewalk will help to reduce impact and may reduce your risk of injury.

Warm Up and Cool Down: To avoid injury to your Achilles tendon, you should always warm up and cool down before and after exercising or any physical activity.

Start Low and Go Slow: As is the case with other structures in the body, the Achilles tendon responds better to gradual increases in intensity. To avoid injury you should not suddenly increase your distance, speed, or steepness. Gradually increase your exercises rather than jumping right in and making big changes to your work out.

Get Strong: Calf muscles tend to be weak in many people, so it is important to strengthen them through exercise. You can do leg exercises with machines, elastic pull bands, and weights. Some good techniques to strengthen your leg muscles include lunges, leg presses, calf raises, squats, and leg curls.

Do Aerobics First: If you are planning on doing aerobics and strengthening on the same day, make sure that you do the aerobic exercise first. This includes running, stair climbing, and playing sports. These activities put strain on the Achilles tendon. If you perform your strengthening activities first, you put your Achilles tendon at risk for injury because it temporarily weakens the tendon.

Test Your Achilles Tendon: You should test your Achilles tendon for injuries after you finish working out. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch different areas along your Achilles tendon looking for tenderness. If you experience any pain, this could indicate tendinitis.

What do I do if I have pain?

If you develop pain in your Achilles tendon, see an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon as soon as possible. If the diagnosis of Achilles tendinitis is made early enough, several options such as immobilization, physical therapy, and stretching are available.

If you continue to exercise and do strenuous activity after you develop pain in the tendon, you risk rupturing the tendon. If this occurs, your surgeon may recommend surgical repair of the tendon.

Causes and Treatment of Hammertoes

A hammertoe is a deformity of either the second, third, or fourth toe. The toe becomes curled at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. Hammertoes can be classified as flexible (able to be easily straightened) or fixed (unable to be straightened). You may notice skin irritation or calluses where shoes rub the top of the toe.

What causes hammertoe?

The most common cause of hammertoe is wearing improper footwear, particularly shoes that are too tight in the toe box. Tight shoes force the toe to stay in a bent position. This causes the muscles to tighten and the tendons to shorten. When left in this position for extended periods of time, the toe muscles can no longer straighten appropriately. High heels can also cause hammertoe because they push your toes forward and crowd them in the toe box. Other causes of hammertoe include trauma, abnormal foot mechanics due to nerve and/or muscle damage from diabetes, arthritis, and stroke.

What is the treatment for hammertoe?

The first line of treatment includes lifestyle changes and conservative remedies when possible. Wearing proper footwear and low-heeled shoes with a deep toe box help. Also, you should choose a shoe made of flexible material with a half-inch space between your longest toe and the inside of the tip of the shoe. Additionally, there are exercises you can do to strengthen your toe muscles, like picking up marbles with your toes.

There are many cushions, straps, and non-medicated pads to relieve your toe symptoms, and your orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon can advise you on which of these suit your individual problem. Talk with your doctor before you attempt self-treatment to be sure that you are choosing the right measure.

Can surgery help my hammertoe?

Surgery is indicated for fixed hammertoe deformities that are painful. Surgery typically involves removing the middle joint of the toe (where the deformity exists) and fusing the toe into a straight position. Sometimes the tendon that pulls the toe up must be lengthened if it prevents complete correction of the deformity. Your orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the appropriate procedure for your hammertoe condition. Surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis and can be done with local anesthetic if desired.