Cheers to Chambers Business Expo a Success

Chamber Business Expo

Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle (OSS) was proud to be a part of this year’s Cheers to Chamber Business Expo!

Hosted by the Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake, Phinney/Greenwood and Queen Anne Neighborhood Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations; the focus was on connecting residents and business leaders to form a stronger local community. OSS was pleased to meet new business owners as well as current businesses and find out the latest goods and services in each respected community.

The Master of Ceremonies of the event was Mark Aucutt and Mayor Murray was on hand to say a few words to everyone at the Expo.

Congratulations to John Marshall for winning the OSS gift basket! OSS hopes to be a part of this event again next year!

Dr. Ruhlman Featured in Swedish Ballard

This is Swedish Ballard’s third post in a four-part series to encourage and inspire Ballard residents and the surrounding communities to be healthy while leading active lifestyles in 2014.  Below, posted in its entirety, is the article from Swedish Ballard’s web site; posted 1/29/14.

By Scott Ruhlman, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon

Looking to be more active in 2014? Have you been waiting all year to enjoy winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding?

There are a few common injuries that often get my patients down when they are on the go. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you prevent these common injuries and determine the best treatment options should you need it.

Sprains/Fractures
The most common injuries in the wrist and ankle are sprains and fractures. Throwing, twisting, weight-bearing, and impact can put you at risk for a wrist injury. Ankle sprains and fractures are typically caused by making a fast, shifting movement with your foot planted on the ground.

In most cases, I recommend the RICE approach: rest for around 48 hours; ice the injured area to reduce swelling (use a pack wrapped in a towel); compress with an elastic ACE wrap; and elevate the injury above heart level.

However, if you experience these symptoms, contact your provider for further evaluation.

  • Pain at the time of injury
  • Swelling
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Difficulty moving the wrist or ankle
  • A “popping” or tearing sensation during the trauma
  • Warmth and tenderness of the skin

More serious injuries will likely be treated with a splint, boot or cast. The healing process can take up to six weeks. Surgery may also be required.

ACL Tears
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the major ligaments in your knee that helps with stabilization when turning or planting. ACL injuries take place during cutting or pivoting movements. The hallmark of a torn ACL is a distinct popping noise and your knee may give out. The affected knee will begin to swell and become stiff between 2-12 hours after the injury. People often experience pain or tenderness, and discomfort while standing or walking.

Treatment for ACL injuries depend on the severity of the tear, as well as your age and activity level. Non-surgical treatment such as physical therapy or using a brace may be sufficient. Other individuals will need reconstructive surgery. In all cases, it is important to consult with your provider as soon as possible if you suspect a problem.

Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and tendons in the shoulder that provide stability to the shoulder and mobility to the arm. A torn rotator cuff can happen in two ways. An acute tear happens suddenly, such as when you fall on an outstretched hand or lift a heavy object. Tears can also happen slowly over time. As we age, the tendons of the rotator cuff become weaker and gradually fray.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include pain with movement of the shoulder and tenderness to touch. Inability to lift even household objects out to the side or overhead is also typical. Another indicator is a prior history of shoulder tendonitis or bursitis as this would point to excessive stress on the rotator cuff over time.

Treatment can be conservative for some tears, including physical therapy to improve shoulder mobility and progressively strengthen the cuff muscles. However, the majority of tears will likely require surgery to restore shoulder function.

Meniscus Tears
The meniscus helps to absorb shock, as well as stabilize the knee joint. A lot of your body weight is distributed through the meniscus when you move, especially when performing athletic activity. Meniscus tears are caused by twisting and compression that can occur with such activities as running or jumping.

If you have a meniscus tear, you may hear a popping sound or feel a tear or rip in the knee. Swelling generally occurs within a few minutes to a couple of hours and your knee might feel like it is out of place. In less acute injuries, swelling may not occur. Your knee might feel like it’s catching during movement, or like it’s “out of place”. If you suspect you may have a meniscus tear, make an appointment with your provider right away.

Initial treatment of a meniscal tear is typically nonsurgical, and may include RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). If the tear doesn’t heal, you may need surgery.

Prevention
While the majority of these sports injuries are due to circumstance and pre-existing injuries, there are precautions that you can take to help prevent them from happening to you:

  • Maintaining a lifestyle involving consistent exercise
  • Warming up and stretching prior to rigorous activities
  • Cooling down and slowly relaxing after exercise.

Dr. Scott Ruhlman practices orthopedic surgery at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle, and has extensive experience with sports medicine. If you have any questions regarding your shoulder pain or function, please feel free to contact Dr. Ruhlman’s office at (206) 784-8833.

Save the Date: Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle (OSS) will be part of the 2014 Cheers to Chamber Business Expo

Originally begun as Cheers to Wallingford nearly 4 years ago, the 2014 Cheers to Chambers Business Expo will feature businesses from Wallingford, Fremont, Ballard, Greenlake, Greenwood/Phinney, Queen Anne and other North Seattle neighborhoods.

OSS has been part of the Wallingford community for many years and look forward to meeting you!

Our services include: Treatment of arthritic conditions of the foot, ankle, hand, wrist, hip, knee, elbow and shoulder; total joint replacements of the shoulder, hip, ankle, and knee arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle; teatment of fractures and soft tissue trauma; treatment of sports injuries to cartilage, ligaments and bones; endoscopic carpel tunnel release surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome; joint restoration procedures and anterior approach hip replacement surgery.

Come out and meet OSS and register to win a Seattle Basket Giveaway from OSS!

Date: February 19, 2014
Time: 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Fremont Studios
155 N. 35th Street, Near Phinney Ave N
In Fremont

To find out more about Cheers to Chambers Business Expo, visit: http://visitwallingford.org/conference/cheers-to-chambers-business-expo-2014/

We hope to see you there!

The Importance of Snowboarding Safety

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Snowboarding involves moving at very high speeds down steep hills past other skiers and boarders, as well as natural and man-made obstacles. Falls are going to happen regardless of how good a boarder you may be, and collisions are relatively common. Also, since snowboarding takes place at high altitudes in the winter, the weather can range from sunny and bright to bitterly cold, with conditions changing rapidly from one slope to the next and from one hour to the next; here in the Pacific Northwest, it is very much the case.

Gearing Up

Before you venture out to the slopes, it’s important to have the right gear and know how to use it. In addition to a snowboard and boots, you will also need warm clothing, protective eyewear and helmets intended specifically for snowboarding.

Here’s a list of what you should bring each time you head up the mountain:

  • Snowboard — In general, an all-mountain snowboard is the best bet for beginners, rather than a specialty board, which is harder to turn and balance on. Note that the longer a board is, the more difficult it will be to control. Choose a board that is the right length for your size and snowboarding ability.
  • Boots — The connecting point to the snowboard are boots, a vital piece of equipment. Make sure to get yourself real snowboard boots (not moonboots or hiking boots) that fit correctly to keep your feet comfortable and warm. For most beginner snowboarders, soft snowboard boots are easier to control than hard boots. Make sure you keep your boots laced up tight to give your feet and ankles the support they need.
  • Bindings — Most snowboard bindings are of the strap-on variety, which are compatible with the greatest number of boots. You should always keep your straps securely fastened to give them the most control over your snowboard. Some bindings, though, are step-in types. Make sure to get the right bindings for your boots, and have a trained professional at a snowboard shop adjust the angle of the bindings to put your feet in the right positions.
  • Helmet — A helmet is the most important piece of equipment when it comes to preventing life-threatening injuries. You should wear one any time you go boarding. Get a helmet that fits properly, and make sure you know to keep the chin strap fastened to keep it securely in place. Also, make sure to get a real snowboard helmet (not a football or bike helmet) that allows space for your goggles and ventilation on warm days.
  • Goggles and sunglasses — The sun’s rays are considerably stronger at high altitudes than they are at sea level, and when they bounce off the gleaming white snow, they can be a serious threat to the eyes. Sunglasses are the best way to protect eyes from the sun’s rays, but you should always bring a pair of goggles that are the right size in case it gets cold or begins to snow. Goggles are also better at protecting eyes from tree branches and other hazards.
  • Gloves or mittens — Many snowboard gloves include pockets for hand warmers to keep fingers nice and toasty. If you’re still worried about your hands getting cold, however, it’s a good idea to get mittens, which are generally warmer than gloves.
  • Wrist guards — When you first learn how to snowboard, you’ll spend a lot of time falling forward and breaking your falls with your hands. This can lead to broken wrists and forearms, which are very common snowboarding injuries. Be sure you wear rigid wrist guards designed for snowboarding or in-line skating to protect yourself when you fall.

Dress for Excess

Anyone who has snowboarded on a cold day can tell you, it’s no fun if you don’t have enough warm clothing. Likewise, on hot days having too many clothes can make you sweat, which will lead to you getting cold when the sun dips behind a cloud or the mountains. The best way to tackle this situation is to have dress in layers so that you can shed or put on depending on the temperature.

Here’s a rundown on what sort of clothes they should wear when you snowboard to avoid hypothermia and frostbite:

  • Thermal underwear
  • Thermal socks
  • Intermediate layers
  • Snowboard pants
  • Jacket
  • Neck gaiter

Additional Items

While you should always have the gear and clothing mentioned above, here are a number of other items you might want to consider bringing with you when you are snowboarding:

  • Hand
  • Boot warmers
  • Walkie-talkies
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Water and a snack