The adult body has 206 bones so it’s no surprise we are susceptible to mishaps.  It’s likely you’ve already experienced a fracture at some point in your life and know how this can be painful. Are you able to name the five most common fractures? Read on … A COLLARBONE fracture is most common in small children and teens and typically a result of a sports injury. For many, a sling may be utilized to immobilize the arm while the bone is healing. It’s not unusual to take a tumble over a curb or misplaced rug. The first reaction is to put our hands in front to protect us from the fall. Unfortunatel ..read more

Up to 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their life. Why is it so common and is there anything that can be done about it? It has to do with the shape of the spine, specifically the part of the spine in the lower back called the lumbar spine. The spine is made of vertebrae bones stacked on top of each other separated by spongy cartilage-like discs acting like shock absorbers.   The spine supports all the upper body weight which puts a lot of load on the lumbar spine and results in mechanical stress and strain. The lumbar spine is curved at the bottom. This is norma ..read more

Did you know there are 11 types of headaches, each with varying causes and symptoms, and all are painful in fluctuating degrees? Fortunately, most headaches are common and short lived, however one type of headache may prove to be life altering. Migraine headaches typically occur on one side and may be accompanied by throbbing, nausea, and/or sensitivity to light and sound. Some may experience an aura of lights or flashing just prior to the migraine and while there are different triggers to set off a migraine, there is more and more evidence of genetics playing a role. Common migraines may las ..read more

Does gender affect orthopedic injuries and conditions? The simple answer is:  you bet it does.  Consider the differences and where women are at higher risk and experience conditions exclusive or largely related to gender. More important, let’s look at how women can prevent risk. Feet and Ankles With 26 bones and 33 ligaments, so much can go wrong on both men and women. While genetics is a factor, women are two times more likely to experience foot injuries than men. So, what’s the variance? Those shoes! Stiletto heels … flip flops … pointy toes … any of these can cause a number of painful condi ..read more