Herniated discs are common, particularly if you’re athletic or aging. Or both. Most of the time, a slipped disc heals on its own with physical therapy and medications. If it doesn’t, you may need surgery to fix the herniation and relieve the pain.
Nobody goes to work expecting to be injured or sickened. But almost 3 million times per year, that’s exactly what happens. What should you do if you’ve been hurt on the job? First, get to a doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor tells you that you need surgery. But successful surgery requires more than just showing up to the hospital on the right day. You and your doctor must make preparations to ensure the best outcome. Here’s what you — and they — have to do.
You’ve been injured in a work-related accident, a car wreck, or other incident. When you file your worker’s compensation or other claim, you’re assigned an independent medical evaluator. But should you trust someone else’s IME?
Your joints let you move freely and painlessly throughout your day. But joints, like all body parts, are subject to degradation and disease. To keep your joints healthy both now and in the future, adopt these habits.
Your back hurts so much that it’s basically useless. You can’t twist. You can’t bend. You can’t sit. If more conservative measures fail, don’t jump to spinal fusion. Artificial disc replacement keeps you pain-free and preserves your mobility, too.
When you get hurt at work, you might suffer pain, emotional trauma, and even embarrassment. Accidents happen for many reasons. But whatever the reason, you have to take steps to protect yourself — medically and legally — right after the accident.
Whatever downside Zoom classes have for parents and school-aged kids, at least the kids don’t have to carry their books. If your kids are heading back to school with a knapsack on their back, here’s what you need to know to keep their spine safe.
You may think that aching, swollen joints are just a part of getting older that you have to tolerate. Although there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer. You can control your pain and increase mobility. Here’s how.
Whether you’re setting out for a camping trip or finally reuniting with relatives across the country, traveling comes with caveats when you have back pain. With a little planning and packing, though, you can travel pain-free.
You’re more at risk for a herniated disc the older you get, but herniated discs aren’t an inevitable part of aging. Find out how you can protect your vertebral discs and stop a painful rupture.
I recently had the honor and privilege to take care of one of our finest veterans. Please see this most recent Press Release on Technical Sgt.
Please see this link for the pre-operative Chlorhexidine bath sequence that should be completed the night before and the morning of your surgery.
Yesterday, I was able to “Ride the Wave – WaveWriter, that Is”. I wanted to give Kirk McMullen, Jesse Kalkstein, Kristin Ribelli, and the entire Boston Scientific team a big thank you for allowing me...
Please see this video from 2 months ago about how artificial disc replacement is changing our approach to arm pain.
I’ve been working hard to link my webpage to my social media accounts and wanted to let you know of the various Facebook Pages that I have available for the latest and most up-to-date information in the world of Spine care.
Are you considering having spine surgery in the near future? There are often many questions left unanswered prior to having any surgery and many things that need to be done in preparation before the big day.
“People who regularly run or walk briskly appear to have healthier discs in their spines than people who do not exercise, according to one of the first studies to closely examine links between movement and disc health.”
Osteopenia & Osteoporosis….what can I say about them in a few short sentences? Other than the fact that I drink at least 2 gallons of milk a week, is that really enough? The short answer is “no” that’s not enough. In fact, there are many factors...
Chiropractors have long been recognized as professional entities that are an integral part of any spine care team, including mine. However, I was unaware of the vast differences in chiropractic theories as it relates to the approach to care.
In healthcare, we are all working towards the team work ethic of central and common principles of healing and health promotion. However, during that process of healing patients, we also worry about the safety and well-being of each people we care for.
I know, I know – Emergency Acupuncture? I have never heard of it or considered this an emergency treatment for ailments. What ailments can it really treat?
The New York Times recently published an article about “What I Wish I’d Known About My Knees”
PITTSBURGH…June 27, 2017 – Advanced Orthopedics and Rehabilitation (AOR) announced today that Dr. Jocelyn Idema is now using a new medical device created with an advanced additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, as part...
Last week, I was notified by Aesculap medical device company that I am the first in Pennsylvania to implant the new generation of lumbar disc replacement – the activL®.
Please read this article below about gender differences and the implants we choose. There is a big push in the medical device community to separate differences between the male knee versus the female knee etc.
Please see this link to the Aesculap activL® if you have any questions regarding this incredible technology.
Just received the link for this incredible technology. If you have any questions about cervical disc replacement, check this link out first.
As many of you may know, my surgical practice is at least 90% or more Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS or MISS) compared to the old, traditional way of spine surgery or “Open” spine surgery.
My son wants to play football this coming fall and I keep going back and forth whether we should start him in flag football or just get him started in tackle football like my husband did at age 6.
Welcome, my apologies for not writing recently as I’ve been a little busy with my practice moving from Maryland to Western Pennsylvania.
There’s no doubt that quitting smoking at any point in your life is better for your overall health. A small study recently reported that 40% of patients after their spine surgery were able to remain non-smokers.
The craze continues to grow and so does the digital age! Everywhere I go, I see more and more people using their smartphones and tablets scavenging the countryside looking for different Poke’mon’s.
I just returned from the 14th Annual Becker’s Spine, Orthopaedics, and Pain Medicine conference and is there every some drastic changes expected for medicine. The shift in care to outpatient surgery centers where patients can often receive...
I recently read some updates on lumbar total disc replacement (LTDR) and have to admit that I was skeptical as to the history behind the elusive lumbar disc replacement and all of the problems associated with the FDA and discs in the mid-2000’s.
Becker’s Spine Review,”Is orthopedics a changing field?Drs. Juliet DeCampos, Jocelyn Idema & Barbara Bergin tackle the gender gap in orthopedics”
Becker’s Spine recently highlighted “Spine Surgeon’s to Know – 2016” This is a great National honor and ranks alphabetically, those spine surgeons, that continue to make a difference in the quality of life for our patients.
Happy New Year! I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Around this time of year, every year, most people when asked “What is your new year resolution(s)?” Most people will say that they would like to exercise more...
Heterotopic Ossification (HO) is one of the most common complications following hip arthroscopy. It is estimated that up to 44% of do not receive medication prophylaxis will experience some form of complication following this procedure.
As a mother of two wonderful children, I can personally attest to how being pregnant, childbirth, and the postpartum recovery period can affect a woman’s body. As you are aware, many changes occur during the multiple phases of pregnancy from a mental...
Approximately 1 month ago, our medical coding system changed from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes. Essentially these codes have changed from 13,000 codes (ICD-9) to over 67,000+ codes (ICD-10).
Approximately two weeks ago, I was able to attend and lecture at the AOAO Annual Conference on cervical spine pathology and symptoms – My portion of the lectures had to do with ACDF with stand-alone interbody or whether a plate for cervical fusions was...
September 16th, 2015 – National School Backpack Awareness Day Frederick News Post – 9/8/2015
Please check out my most recent TV interview on Baltimore’s – Fox 45 Morning Show: Back Packs
In the next few months and it is no surprise, the entire healthcare coding sector will be overhauled to ICD-10. Many in healthcare are concerned with the many changes for better or worse that will occur and let’s face it, the current coding system...
The other day, I was using Google to help seek out some of the newer technologies that are becoming available in the world of medicine and most specifically, Orthopaedics and Spine.
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Becker’s Spine and was interviewed about the business/personal balance of my life and was honored that they posted this account.
Thank you Shawna for the interview – this was truly an honor...
I know this may sound like a bazaar subject to talk about but I recently read this in one of my journals. The Orthopaedic Research Society or ORS at their annual meeting recently highlighted how our astronauts have an increased risk for herniated disks.
CrossFit-has exploded in the past few years and unfortunately, so have the numbers of injuries related to CrossFit as well. I admit, I’ve tried some of the exercises and remember doing some of the same exercises while swimming on...
I just finished reading an article posted in the Washington Post last week that discussed whether patient’s should “record” their discussions while being evaluated by their physician.
While recently attending an Orthopaedic conference, I happened to listen to an interesting lecture on the many uses of ultrasound.
With the vast number of changes that have been occurring through healthcare, it is no surprise that hospital systems are trying to limit and cut costs on certain technologies and advancements that have made an impact in healthcare.
Medical schools and Orthopedic Residency programs are constantly trying to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and teaching techniques for our future practitioners. Having completed my Orthopedic surgical residency and further my spine fellowship...
The newest JBJS ( The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery) just arrived and as usual I started to look through the newest literature being published on the various Orthopedic specialities, in particular, Spine surgery as expected.
I’m not a serious video gamer by any means but do occasionally play some games with my family. This article highlights the benefits of playing video games and builds a case for surgeons to improve upon their skills or at the very least...
Thank you everyone for your support and congratulatory remarks about this most recent accomplishment, I truly appreciate it!
I know it’s been over a month since I posted a new blog but I had to write something about an article I just read in one of my Orthopedic journals talking about the trends of bone graft and what we can expect in the future.
I was surfing the web for through some of my material and came across a video – PSA that the North American Spine Society (NASS) has compiled to further educate patients on proper back mechanics.
Today – marks the first day of Kindergarten for my son. He’s been looking forward to going to the “big school” and now that day has finally arrived. I and like most parents, have not been looking forward to this day – as it reminds us of days...
While looking through my email, I came upon an article title “40 questions to ask your surgeon before you have spine surgery” and often get asked many of the same questions.
A few times a week, I’m on the phone during office hours (and sometimes after-hours) working with insurance companies through pre-authorizations or peer-to-peer reviews advocating for the need and necessity for my patients as to why we need this test...
I just read an interesting article about a new coined term called “Digital Immigrants” and “Digital Natives”. The article highlights many differences between the key date of 1985 with anyone born before 1985 being an “immigrant” and anyone after being...
Since we are at the height of travel season during these hot summer months, I thought it would be a good reminder to think about your back during long car trips, especially if you suffer from chronic back pain or have had previous back surgery.
