Orthopedic Medicine

Orthopedics

Orthopedics is a branch of surgical and non-surgical medicine that focuses on conditions that involve the musculoskeletal system.  Because Orthopedics deals with sports and sports injuries, orthopedic physicians are called upon to help resolve one of the biggest problems currently facing young female athletes: ACL injuries.  Indeed ACL injuries have been described as epidemic among young women.  Fortunately research has shown that with specific training the risk of this injury can be dramatically reduced.  We have partnered with professional soccer player Brandi Chastain and Brandi’s World to bring you a comprehensive ACL Fitness training program.

Orthopedic doctors also frequently encounter patients who have shoulder weakness and rotator cuff problems and injury to the cartilage or labrum of the shoulder.  These kinds of problems can be quite painful, restrict movement, and limit athletic activities as well as activities of daily life. 

Cartilage problems can be quite painful because the cartilage performs an important function: it is the smooth layer at the bone ends of joints that allows for frictionless and painfree movement. When cartilage damage is severe, orthopedic surgeons may suggest total joint replacement, a surgical intervention in which a damaged joint is removed and replaced.  Joint replacement surgery is one of the great medical advances of recent years and can dramatically improve quality of life.  The two most commonly replaced joints are the knee and the hip but the surgery can be performed on other joints including the ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, and fingers.  Joint replacement surgeries can be complicated and, depending on the kind of surgery performed, can require relatively long postoperative recoveries. 

Fortunately there are many things that patients can do to both prevent injuries and to optimize recovery from orthopedic surgery when injuries have occurred.  Medicine Yoga has developed a total program for recovery from surgery known as Hospital Yoga, and a Specific Program for recovery from Total Knee Replacement, The Total Knee Replacement Recovery Package.