Your health risks change as you age, but lower back pain is virtually ubiquitous throughout the human lifespan. An estimated 80 percent of the population will experience at least one episode of low back pain at some point in life. Lower back pain is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 540 … Continue reading 5 myths people believe about lower back pain
Kurt Clauser spent the day as he had spent most Saturdays since the late 1980s: honing his mind and body to perfect his martial arts technique. But unbeknownst to Kurt, this particular Saturday would have a much different ending. The next morning, Kurt, 54, awoke in his Rowlett home in debilitating pain. “It felt like … Continue reading Martial arts instructor thriving, pain-free after spinal surgery
After living with aching knees for far too long, you finally pulled the trigger, talked to an orthopedic specialist and explored your options to put a stop to your knee pain. You started with imaging, you tried strengthening your knees through physical therapy and alleviating your pain through injections — yet nothing provided longstanding relief. … Continue reading The do’s and don’ts of recovering from knee replacement surgery
I feel privileged to be an orthopedic surgeon. Every day, I have the chance to make an impact on someone else’s life, to give someone back their independence, to help someone walk again. No two days are the same, but each one is fulfilling. But sometimes, I forget what a gift this job is. I … Continue reading Why being a physician is a blessing and a privilege
If you’re thinking about a hip replacement, chances are you’ve been dealing with pain in your hip for some time. There are many things that cause a hip joint to degenerate — normal wear and tear, injury, bone necrosis or even genetics — but the ultimate treatment for a degenerated hip joint is the same: … Continue reading What to expect from hip replacement surgery
They’re everywhere these days. You see them in parks, on sidewalks, even in the streets, and people of all ages are using them. I’m talking about electric scooters, or e-scooters, and they are causing quite the alarm. As an orthopedic trauma surgeon, I’ve seen very few scooter-related injuries over the years — until this year. Unlike … Continue reading An orthopedic surgeon’s take on the e-scooter craze
As an orthopedic surgeon, I’ve noticed a growing trend: more and more people are undergoing joint replacements at younger and younger ages. Patients in early middle age — and even some in their 20s and 30s — are increasingly opting for hip replacement surgery. For these patients, who are more active than the typical hip … Continue reading How hip replacements are helping young people stay active longer
You may be an avid runner or just trying to get some more exercise, but regardless it is important to take care of your knees. Your knees play a critical role when running by absorbing force and providing central stability. As an orthopedist, I treat a number of patients with arthritis and joint issues and … Continue reading Is running bad for my knees?
Joint pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. Many people experience aching joints, especially in the knees or hips, and assume it’s a natural part of aging. But there may be an underlying cause — your weight. Think of your body like a car. Over time, the tires on your car … Continue reading Why your weight matters when it comes to hip and knee pain
When you’ve got hip pain, diagnosis can be complex. Interactions of the various muscles, tendons, ligaments, vessels and bones need to be thoroughly examined to determine the source. But a new, high-tech wearable device developed by researchers at Baylor Scott & White Health and led by Hal D. Martin, DO, an orthopedic surgeon on the … Continue reading How a high-tech device could diagnose joint disorders
