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Call Today: (877) 966-7846 | (512) 439-1000 Home Locations Northwest Austin South Austin Central Austin Cedar Park Round Rock Marble Falls Southwood Physical Therapy Doctors Bradley R. Adams, DO Barbara Bergin, MD Peter M. Garcia Jr., MD Richard A. Lutz, DO Scott A. Smith, MD Robert A. Foster, MD J. Brannan Smoot, MD Tyler D. Goldberg, MD Joel H. Hurt, MD Kenneth Bunch, MD Christopher M. Danney, MD Donald R. Davis, MD Robert W. Schoen Jr., MD W. Randall Schultz, MD Michael D. Loeb, MD Ai Mukai, MD Brian T. Hardy, MD William P. Taylor, MD John E. McDonald Jr., MD Robert J. Koval Jr., MD Robert E. Blais, MD J. Clark Race, MD Greg L. Westmoreland, MD David Savage, MD Services General Orthopedics Sports Medicine Spine Care Physical Therapy Surgery Center Imaging Services Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG) Specialties Hand & Wrist Elbow Shoulder Hip Knee Foot & Ankle Neck Back Rheumatology Testimonials Contact is the largest provider of comprehensive musculoskeletal services in Central Texas. We provide specialized expertise and broad experience in the areas of general orthopedics, sports medicine, joint replacement, spine, foot, ankle, hand, shoulder, elbow surgery and non-operative spine and neck care. Six locations in Northwest Austin, Central Austin, South Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Marble Falls to better serve you. Monday, December 18, 2017 Winterize Yourself for Outdoor Sports This week marks the official start of winter on December 21. And while our weather is typically mild in Central Texas, we do experience the occasional bout of freezing temps, snow, and icejust like we saw recently. If you’re planning on continuing your running or outdoor workouts over the next few months, here are some good reminders on bracing for the cold: Warm up inside first. Before heading out on your running route, do a quick warm-up inside to get blood flowing and your heart rate up in advance of the shock of the cold. Not warming up properly can lead to shortness of breath, stressed joints and muscle strains . Dress in layers. Several light, breathable layers of moisture-wicking fabric work best in cold weather. You can shed layers as needed, and remember to wear a waterproof shell over it all if you expect rain. Don’t forget to protect your extremities. Fingers, toes, ears, and noses are the most susceptible to frostbite if temps dip down to freezing or below (unlikely for Central Texas!). Knit hats bulled down can cover ears, and a scarf around the neck pulled up can keep your nose warm. Hydrate as if it were hot out. Even in the cold, your body loses a great deal of moisture when sweating. Drink water before, after, and during a rigorous run or workouta good rule is to drink half your weight in ounces throughout the day. Watch out for ice. It’s rare, but when it’s there, a nasty slip or fall can lead to very serious injuries like broken bones, fractures , and even concussions. Wear sturdy shoes with good traction and stick to more well-traveled roads and/or fields. Also, with shorter daylight hours, early morning or after-work exercise can be dangerous. Stay visible by wearing reflective gear, or invite a friend to join you so you’re not alone. Better yet, switch it up and opt for a midday/lunchtime workout when temperatures are at their peak. (Adapted from Runner’s World ) Keep up with news by following us on Facebook and Twitter ( @TexasOrthopedic ). Posted by at 8:18 AM 0 comments Bad Air, Bad Bones? We all know that air pollution is harmful to your lungs, but new research is now saying that it can be damaging to your bones as well. A recent study in The Lancet Planetary Health found that air pollution increased the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis in people over 65 years. Osteoporosis is a serious condition caused by decreased bone mineral density leaving bones brittle, weak and susceptible to breaks. Data was collected from two independent studiesone tracking hospital admissions among 9.2 million Medicare patients in the Northeast over an eight-year period, and another analyzed a specific parathyroid hormone (which supports bone health) in nearly 700 low-income men living in Boston. Here are the highlights: The potential for bone fractures among those over age 65 years increased steadily as levels of air pollution increased. Those living in locations with higher levels of air pollution (such as industrial areas) had lower concentrations of the parathyroid hormone and lower bone density. Air pollution was likened to a form of diluted smoking which can cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diminished bone density. In addition to avoiding areas with heavy smog and poor air quality, other ways to protect yourself against osteoporosis include following a diet rich in calcium, taking calcium supplements as needed, and exercising regularly to keep bones and joints strong. If you are interested in scheduling a bone density exam , or speaking with one of our specialists about your bone health, please contact us here for an appointment. (Adapted from The New York Times-Well ) Keep up with news by following us on Facebook and Twitter ( @TexasOrthopedic ). Posted by at 8:08 AM 0 comments Monday, December 11, 2017 Is your housework hurting you? You’re about to have a house full of guests for the holidays, so everything has to be spotless, right? But experts warn house cleaning could pose some potential dangers, including falls from step ladders while dusting hard-to-reach spots, slipping on wet floors after mopping, and back strains from strenuous vacuuming or incorrectly lifting heavy equipment. These things can result in some serious injuries such as: Sprains and strained muscles Back , neck or shoulder pain Broken bones and fractures Overuse injuries Tendonitis Here are a few simple tips to keep safe while tidying up: Warm up just as you would before any workout. Do a few back stretches and neck rolls before setting out to sweep or vacuum your entire home. Keep a set of cleaning supplies both upstairs and down to avoid lugging them back and forth. Invest in products that offer reachability, like extender wands, to help you tackle high-up spots. Always practice correct ladder safety when climbing up (on a ladder or step stool) to clean something. Try alternating sides when vacuuming, and switch it up between right and left arms for each room. The noxious fumes from some cleaning productsespecially those that are ammonia or bleach-basedcan be dangerous too. Make sure to open a window or turn on the AC when cleaning for good ventilation, and never mix two products together. Consider some green alternatives like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda mixed with warm water, or one of the many certified "green" or "eco-friendly" solutions on the market these days. And if you do feel you’ve pulled something, or suffered an injury while cleaning, please contact us for an appointment. (Adapted from Healthline.com ) Keep up with news by following us on Facebook and Twitter ( @TexasOrthopedic ). Posted by at 8:09 AM 0 comments Watch out for these toys this year... As holiday gift-giving reaches a frenzied pace this month, take a minute to ensure you’ve made safe choices. While that new motorized scooter with super-fast, jet-like propulsion seems cool, it could be a disaster just waiting to happen. ERs report huge spikes in activity in December and early January due to injuries from unsafe toys. Common injuries include sprains and strains , broken bones or fractures , deep cuts and skin lacerations, and even concussions. Ride-on toys are typically the worst offenders. Each year, the consumer group WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) releases a list of toys deemed unsafe after hours of rigorous testing and evaluation. Here are the worst offenders: Do it yourself slack line kits (strung between two trees) Motorized skates Motorized scooters Hoverboards Drones Faulty fidget spinners (can lead to cuts on fingers and even choking) The motorized toys have the...