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Degenerative Disc Disease refers to the weakening of one or more vertebral discs. As we mentioned in our latest spine-education blog (on herniated discs,) the spine is comprised of 23 vertebral discs which act as shock absorbers or cushions in-between the bones (or vertebrae) in the spine.

Welcome to the new year! January means it’s time to set resolutions for the year ahead. What do you hope to accomplish this year? For many, leading a healthier life is at the top of their list. Whether that’s through better diet, habits, or exercise, improving your health this year will not only make the year better but will improve your quality of life in later years.

Winter is here and while the snowiest of seasons sets the scene for magical wonderlands and holidays of joy, it also brings with it hazardous ice and injuries. Not only can cold weather cause arthritis flares, dangerous slips and falls can result in numerous orthopaedic injuries.

Ice is the number one culprit for these falls, greatly raising the risk of injury in the wintertime. A slip on slick ice can cause injuries that include:

Hip pain can put a damper on your day to day life. What may start as an annoying ache, can lead to chronic pain and disability. A hip injury can lead to acute pain and a lack of mobility that makes everyday tasks, something as simple as walking or sitting, incredibly difficult. Chronic hip pain can lead to a debilitating decrease in mobility. If you’re hip has been causing you grief, whether a slight annoyance or severe, it’s always best to consult a hip specialist.

A hip specialist is a physician who focuses their practice on the bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments that make up the hip joint. A visit with a hip specialist will help you swiftly diagnose your hip issue and find the best course of treatment to reduce pain and improve mobility in the hip. Treatment for a hip injury ranges from non-invasive treatments such as physical therapy to surgical options such as hip arthroplasty, also known as hip replacement. Your hip specialist will help you determine the least invasive course of action to address your injury. MidAmerica Orthopaedics’ Total Joint Clinic is home to award-winning hip specialists, including surgeon Dr. Sarkis Bedikian. Dr. Bedikian specializes in hip replacement surgery, with a goal of dramatically improving his patient’s quality of life.

An unfortunate reality of many physically demanding jobs is that accidents and injuries happen. Whether it’s a fall from a ladder, a run in with some faulty equipment, or a bad knee that develops after years of heavy lifting, injuries can be hard to avoid. Because of this, it’s important, as an employer, to have a solid workers’ compensation program in place so you can take care of employees, protect yourself and your business.

With winter right around the corner, is pain on your mind? Many who are dealing with arthritis note a spike in pain around the onset of winter. Some even say that the flare in their arthritic pain allows them to predict the weather. While the weather’s effects on arthritis have often been considered an old wives tale, orthopaedic research and first-hand experience from arthritis suffers lends credibility to the phenomenon.

If you’re an employee, who has been hurt on the job, it’s time to see a doctor and get on the road to recovery.

Navigating your employer’s workers’ compensation plan can be difficult, which is why you should work with your employer’s insurance provider to find a doctor covered by their plan. However, it’s also important to find a physician you feel safe with and confident in.

Finding the right doctor can be tough, but a good place to start your search is with a clinic that has experience handling workers’ compensation injuries and cases. MidAmerica Orthopaedics workers' compensation program has a strong reputation amongst risk managers, ER physicians, and insurance providers as a reliable clinic for workers’ compensation cases.

Hockey has increasingly become a popular sport in the U.S. over the past few years. The speed and energy of the game raises the stakes and keeps the crowd on the edge of their seats. While hockey is exhilarating to watch or play, it is one of the more dangerous contact sports. For players of all skill levels, whether a student athlete, professional, or backyard hobbyist, hockey carries a higher risk of injury than many other sports. This is partly due to the looser rules involving contact, and the fact that the sport is played on slick ice. Before donning your skates this winter make sure you are prepared for any potential sports injuries. From prevention to treatment, read below to learn what to do if you experience an injury this hockey season.