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Our bodies are delicate and complex. In fact, the human body is made up of hundreds of bones and billions of nerves. Every system in our body has its own purpose and function. Your spine is one of the most important parts of the body though. The spinal cord makes up the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Since the spine is so valuable, there are several conditions and pains that result from your vertebrae. Pain may start because of tissues, nerves or bones in the spine. Our backbone is responsible for supporting the body in more ways than one so, always care for your spine with these 4 steps…

1. Diagnose your spine pain
2. Treat the spine then the symptoms
3. Let your spine recover
4. Prevent future spine pain

 

Diagnosis

On your own, it’s difficult to diagnose a problem with the spine. The spine causes more types of pain than you think. Of course, back pain often relates to the spinal cord. However, neck, shoulder, hip and even foot pain can all start because of a problem with the spine. So, a diagnosis is your first step for reaching pain relief.

We recommend seeing a doctor that specializes in spine care. Physicians who treat spine pain include neurosurgeons, orthopedists, and pain specialists. If you visit your doctor because of a constant pain in the shoulder, do not be surprised if your diagnosis is a spine condition.

 

Treatment

To fully heal from your diagnosis, follow your doctor’s instructions. Your physician will treat the condition itself so the symptoms eventually go away as you heal. Therefore, if you begin to self-diagnose, you’ll most likely start to ease your symptoms, not the spinal cord. Addressing your pain symptoms is only temporary pain relief. You need to treat the spine so you can fully heal and move to recovery.

 

Recovery

Remember, the main goal of your treatment is to let the spine recover. You need time to heal, but if you get enough rest and follow your doctor’s orders, your body should fully recover. In addition to resting, you may also take medication and attend physical therapy sessions. Your treatment and recovery plan depends on your level of pain and the condition of your spine.

 

Prevention

Once your spine heals and recovers from previous symptoms, it’s up to you to prevent further pain. If your spine treatment includes surgery, you may have certain limitations afterward. You may also be advised to limit activity that caused your initial spine problem. Work with your doctor so you know the best way to prevent future spine pain.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital offers a variety of hospital services in Webster, Texas. HPH has multiple physicians and departments that are dedicated to treating spine conditions. Our facility is even recognized by Healthgrades.com because of our spinal fusion surgery. Call Houston Physicians’ Hospital today and see what our hospital has to offer for spine disorders, back pain, and similar conditions.

Chronic knee pain is a common condition with painful symptoms. Your specific symptoms depend on your diagnosis and the condition itself. However, intense knee pain haunts hundreds of thousands of Americans every day. If you feel knee problems like burning, swelling, and numbness in your knees, you are not alone. The most important thing you can do for your knee problems is finding the right treatment. Instead of living with pain and letting your knees get worse over time, consider a chronic knee pain treatment that will improve your health. At last, there is a hospital that is changing the way we see chronic knee pain in Houston, Texas.

 

Chronic Knee Pain and Knee Replacement Surgery

If you live with knee problems for several years, it may be too late to reverse the damage to your knees. In some cases, rest allows the knees to recover on their own. Years of chronic knee pain often requires some form of knee surgery though. Visit an orthopedic specialist who can properly diagnose your type of knee pain and the condition affecting your knees. Your doctor will then recommend a treatment to reduce the pain, like knee replacement surgery. There is a total knee replacement and a partial knee replacement. Both are common procedures for treating knee pain symptoms.

If you choose a knee replacement surgery for your chronic knee pain, do your research. Knee replacement surgeries are an outpatient procedure so you will have a hospital stay and need rehabilitation afterward. Hospitals in Houston, Texas are all different and each hospital has its own specialty. For example, Houston Physicians’ Hospital specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine. HPH is in Southeast Houston, near Webster, Texas, and we use a comprehensive approach for our knee replacement patients.

 

Orthopedic Center of Excellence for Chronic Knee Pain

Houston Physicians’ Hospital uses the Orthopedic Center of Excellence for knee replacement physical therapy. Even though knee replacement surgery reduces chronic knee pain, patients need a safe place to recover. Our physical therapy team monitors patients as they regain strength and begin walking faster than the national average. Patients track their performance and develop new skills at the Orthopedic Center of Excellence of Houston Physicians’ Hospital. The Orthopedic Center of Excellence stands out among other physical therapy programs because HPH is changing the way we see chronic knee pain.

The Orthopedic Center of Excellence of Houston Physicians’ Hospital offers:

• Surgery preparation
• Private patient suites
• Group activities and exercises
• Physical therapy instructors and coaches
• 93% patient satisfaction

 

With robotic surgery and an emphasis on physical therapy, chronic knee pain is no longer a daily struggle for Houstonians. There are treatment options available for knee arthritis, knee osteoporosis, knee injuries and other causes of chronic knee pain. Enjoy a healthy lifestyle full of activity after visiting Houston Physicians’ Hospital. We create an atmosphere for joint success. If you are living with chronic knee pain, call HPH and see if the Orthopedic Center of Excellence is right for you. We are accepting new patients and ready to treat any type of chronic knee pain. For more information about the Orthopedic Center of Excellence at Houston Physicians’ Hospital, call 281-557-4614.

During the summer months, baseball and softball are popular sports for all ages. From little league to college sports and MLB, athletes play baseball all summer long. However, your baseball plans end early when you suffer from an injury. Of course, there are occasional sprains and strains, but there are specifics injuries that you commonly see in baseball. In fact, these baseball injuries are seen in athletes at every age. Grown athletes and professionals are more susceptible to injury because of their age the frequency that they play. Young athletes and their parents should be aware and take caution before heading out to your next baseball practice or softball game. Softball and baseball players are vulnerable to these injuries at every age.

 

The Most Common Baseball and Softball Injuries

1. Meniscus Tear

The main elements of softball and baseball are catching, throwing, running and hitting. Each of these activities put stress on different parts of our bodies. For example, any time you are running, the knees are bending back and forth while supporting your body weight. Also, when hitting the ball, your knees are twisting from one direction to another. If you forget to stretch before your baseball game, your risk of a meniscus tear increases. The meniscus provides the knee bones with cushioning and support, but any kind of tear is painful to athletes. Small meniscus tears heal naturally while more serious injuries need sports medicine treatment.

2. Rotator Cuff Tear

A rotator cuff tear is common for softball and baseball pitchers. Even though pitchers have special rest days and more time between their games, the speed and power they use to throw the ball cause shoulder injuries. Overuse of the shoulder muscles and tendons is the main cause, to be exact. Shoulder pain for baseball or softball players may start as tendonitis. Eventually, if this joint pain and inflammation goes on without treatment, the tendons will tear. In most cases, tendonitis heals with rest, but a rotator cuff tear will need shoulder surgery.

3. Elbow Tendonitis (Tennis Elbow)

Another part of the body that suffers from tendonitis is the elbow. You may recognize this diagnosis as tennis elbow, even though it applies to other sports like baseball and softball. So, don’t think elbow problems are only for tennis players. Elbow tendonitis is a common injury in baseball too. Again, overuse is the cause of this joint pain. Extra stress on the elbow when hitting or pitching leads to elbow tendonitis, especially when the player is not getting enough rest after their games or practices.

4. Hand Injuries

Lastly, your hands are vulnerable to injury during softball and baseball games. When players are on defense and guarding the field, they are diving and doing anything they can to make their play. If a catch or landing goes wrong, players injure their hands, fingers and wrists. Hand injuries also occur when sliding into base. Harsh contact with the base can dislocate a finger or the wrist. It’s difficult for baseball players to avoid these injuries when sliding because they are sudden.

 

Treatment and Recovery for Baseball Players

Baseball players are vulnerable to meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, elbow tendonitis and hand injuries at every age. Softball players are vulnerable to these sports-injuries as well. Prevent overuse by resting and giving your body time to relax. If you are a player, coach or family member, remind athletes to take caution before and after their games. Houston Physicians’ Hospital has a sports medicine department that treats athletes and sports injuries at every age. We also have an excellent physical therapy program for your rehabilitation and recovery. Contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital in Webster, Texas for more information about sports medicine or physical therapy.

Sports activities are one of the easiest ways to get exercise. Often, your doctor or physical therapist may even suggest picking up a new sport. One activity that is popular for men and women of all ages is tennis. Tennis players may start as children or pick up the sport even during their retirement years. Tennis helps with cardio and conditioning, but it may also cause joint pain later. Many have heard of the painful disorder known as tennis elbow. However, “tennis hip” exists as well. Since this hip injury is like tennis elbow, the hip joint will suffer from familiar chronic pain symptoms.

 

Range of Motion

Tennis is not a contact sport, but tennis players are always moving. Back and forth, left to right or jumping up and down are some of the normal movements for serious tennis players. The constant motion and patterns do have benefits like weight loss and heart health. Tennis keeps people moving. Eventually, these same movements may be the cause of chronic pain though. Tennis hip is a common hip injury that results when there is major stress to the joint from turning and pivoting moves seen in this sport. If players do not pivot or move their hips as much, the injury will quickly affect the shoulder and elbow instead.

 

Tennis Hip Symptoms

Tennis elbow is a common injury for this sport. If a player’s elbow begins to hurt, it is easy to assume that the disorder may be tennis elbow. Tennis hip has its own symptoms too. Not only will tennis players begin feeling chronic hip pain, the joint will feel stiff. The stiffness may even keep players from moving in certain directions. For example, tennis hip is a common hip injury that makes side to side motions more difficult for patients. Similar conditions that affect the hip are tendonitis and snapping hip. These injuries are mainly due to the overuse of the hip muscles.

 

Remember to Stretch!

Stretching before a tennis game is extremely important. Stretching allows for the body to loosen and relax before intense activity. It is just as important to stretch afterward too. Tennis players may be tired, but stretching the hips will help with the player’s cool down. Hip stretches will calm the body, muscles, and heart. Remember to always stretch before and after to avoid a common hip injury. Simple hip stretches can make a big difference when it comes to chronic hip pain and tennis hip symptoms.

 

If you believe you have tennis hip symptoms, tennis elbow or other conditions that relate to your sport, contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital. We have a sports medicine program as well as physical therapy that can help you get back in the game.

Have you ever been in so much pain that it is difficult to describe? Some patients can describe their symptoms perfectly, but other times, the overall pain can be overwhelming. This is a common case for the center portion of the body. Hip, groin and lower back pain often seem the same. So, before diagnosing yourself with hip failure, a groin injury or lower back pain, recognize which part of your body is causing the pain. The waist area contains the hips, groin and lower back close together so this is a common problem for many people. The pain may grow into each of these parts although it usually starts in a single point of the body. Learn more about your hip, groin and lower back pain.

 

Is It Hip Pain?

First, understand that the hips are ball-and-socket joints made up of two main bones. The femur and pelvic bone hold the hips together with surrounding muscles and cartilage. With hip pain, people recognize that one of their hips are more sensitive than the other. There are conditions where both hips hurt at the same time though. Anyways, if your pain is mostly toward the left or mostly toward the right, this is a true sign of hip problems. Another big symptom of hip pain is limping. Since one hip will be stronger than the other, people develop a limp so there is less pressure on one side. Limping is a temporary fix for the hip since continuous limping can cause the opposite side to ache. Other clues that reveal hip pain are:

• Stiffness around the waist, left side or right side of the body
• Walking is difficult even for short distances
• There is occasional pain in the knee or knees as well

 

Is It Groin Pain?

The groin is a minor region, but it can feel major pain. The groin area is exactly where the upper and lower portions of the body come together. People may complain of pelvic pain when referring to their groin. There are muscles covering this area and these same muscles extend into the legs. So, when patients believe the groin is their main cause of pain, this type of injury commonly relates to the muscles. A groin injury can be extremely painful. Athletes might even miss games or practices due to intense groin injuries. Since the groin in right in the center of the body, patients mistake groin pain as hips problems and vice versa. If you are suffering from a groin injury, your symptoms will look something like these:

• Pain toward the inner thighs near the pubic region
•  Sharp pain extends into the legs as well
• Symptoms occur after a game or sporting event

 

Is It Lower Back Pain?

Finally, when the pain is not from the hips or groin, it is most of the time due to the lower back. The lower back is made up of the lumbar spine. This is the lowest part of the spine that rests directly between the two hips. So, lower back pain can be from muscle pulls, but it can also be from spine injuries. The spine itself contains vertebrae and cartilage that form the upper, middle and lower back. Injuries to the discs cause severe lower back pain and chronic conditions. If the lower back pain grows, the pain may feel like a groin or hip condition. However, true lumbar spine and lower back pain resemble these symptoms:

• Pain extending to the middle back or buttocks
•  Deep pressure when sitting down
• Unable to stand up straight or standing straight is painful

 

All three of these pains should not be taken lightly. Whether the pain traces to the lower back, groin or hip, look for options that will address the symptoms and causes. If you have questions or need clarification about lower back, groin and hip pain, contact an orthopedic physician in your area.

Bruises happen to everyone. Bruising usually shows on the skin with dark purple markings. Small bruises are common for athletes or anytime a person accidentally trips, falls or runs into something. Some people tend to bruise more easily than others. Normal bruises are not too much of a concern. Whenever bruising is severe or reaches the bone, that is when patients may need to rest or seek treatment. The hip has surrounding muscles and bones that make up this joint. Particularly, the pelvic bone is a large part of the body that connects to the femur and the rest of the leg. Bruises to the hip may be more severe than a bruise on other bones. Hipbone bruises can lead to chronic pain symptoms that seem to last over time.

 

Hip Bone Contusions

Bone bruises, or bone contusions, are from an injury to the bone surface. Bone contusions do not cause breaks or fractures, but they can lead to chronic pain problems. With the hips, if a strong impact hits the hip bone, blood will begin to cover the pelvis and swell with pain. The swelling comes from the blood buildup around the hips. Severe hip bone bruising can last several months. Someone in a traumatic event may suffer from bone contusions due to a large fall or strong hit to the body. Even if the bone does not break, it is important to find professional help. Even though blood vessels breaking around the joints is common for bone bruises, patients do not want to experience blood clots and more chronic pain.

 

Practice Bone Health

Bone bruises should naturally heal with rest and elevation but always monitor a bone contusion injury. Numerous hip bruises can weaken the bone. Repetitive bone bruises may also be a sign of other problems. With hip osteoarthritis, cartilage begins to deteriorate so the bones rubbing together can cause bruising. Chronic pain conditions that cause intense levels of pain need attention. So, patients should care for all their bones that way they can prevent further injury. Weak hip bones can turn into osteoporosis or a total fracture. Hipbone bruises are painful, so try to prevent this injury while learning how to heal if it does happen.

Doctors usually recommend rest, ice and elevation to the initial injury. An anti-inflammatory medication may help with any swelling. Make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet to strengthen the bones. Strong bones are less likely to bruise. Muscles can protect the bones as well. Build up muscles around the hips to prevent chronic hip bone bruising.