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Tips for Shoveling Snow Safely

doctormmdev • December 22, 2020

Each winter, thousands of people go to the emergency room or an orthopedic specialist because of injuries related to snow removal. It’s particularly common to sprain or strain the back or shoulder muscles while shoveling snow due to the bending and twisting motions. Orthopedic surgeons strongly recommend taking a few precautionary measures before picking up a shovel this winter.

Talk to Your Doctor  If you have a medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease, talk to your doctor before shoveling snow. Your doctor can let you know if it’s safe for you to do this type of manual labor. If not, hire someone else to shovel snow for you.

Stretch Your Muscles  Shoveling is an intense workout. Before heading out the door, take a few minutes to stretch and warm up your muscles. Doing so can reduce your risk of developing an orthopedic injury. Remember to stretch after shoveling as well.

Allow Plenty of Time  If the meteorologists are predicting more than a few inches, plan to start shoveling snow early in the storm. You’re less likely to suffer an orthopedic injury if you shovel a few inches at a time, rather than waiting for all of the snow to fall. Pace yourself, taking frequent breaks to catch your breath and stretch. Go indoors periodically to warm up and let your muscles rest.

Use the Right Gear  Make sure you have the right equipment for the job. Orthopedic surgeons recommend investing in an ergonomic shovel. Avoid purchasing a shovel that is too heavy or too long for you to use comfortably. Additionally, wear boots with a deep tread and other winter weather clothing.

Use the Right Techniques  Use proper lifting techniques to  lower your risk of an orthopedic injury . Whenever possible, push the snow along the ground, rather than carrying it across a driveway. Lift with your legs by squatting instead of bending your back, and only lift small loads of snow at a time. When throwing the snow, keep your back straight; never twist your torso.

If you do suffer an orthopedic injury, let the caring team at  Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine  help. Schedule an appointment with our practice in Forest Hills by calling (347) 537-2404, or visit our website for some helpful health information.

4 Common Football Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Football is one of America’s favorite sports, but playing the game comes with substantial injury risk. Football players frequently find themselves under the care of orthopedic doctors as they get back into game shape. Whether you or your child plays football or you simply want to know what to look out for in your fantasy team players, you’ll find what you need to know about the most common football injuries below. ACL Injury The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the four ligaments that make up your knee. Unlike some other kinds of football injuries,  ACL injuries are not usually caused by contact. The post 4 Common Football Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Sprain vs. Strain

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Sprains and strains are common sports injuries. A sprain is an injury to a ligament in your body. Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands of tissue that connect adjacent bones, particularly in your joints. Partial or even complete tears can occur, destabilizing your joint and causing pain, swelling, and bruising. In cases of severe sprain, the joint may loosen and become unusable without proper orthopedic care. A strain affects either a muscle or a tendon. Like ligaments, tendons are fibrous tissues, but they connect muscle to bone. If the fibers of either a muscle or a tendon become damaged or torn, The post Sprain vs. Strain appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Avoiding the Most Common Winter Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Winter is a beautiful time of the year, especially when there is a new layer of light snow decorating the trees. However, winter weather also presents significant hazards. Orthopedic doctors often treat patients who slip and fall on icy sidewalks and patients who suffer orthopedic injuries due to excessive shoveling. Orthopedic specialists recommend taking a few safety precautions to ensure your family’s safety this winter. Preventing Slip-and-Fall Injuries Slip-and-fall injuries are among the most common orthopedic problems that occur because of winter weather. The best way to prevent yourself from falling on your driveway or sidewalk area is to keep the area clear of snow The post Avoiding the Most Common Winter Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Treating a Wrist Fracture after a Slip and Fall

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
A wrist fracture can seriously interfere with your daily life. This injury frequently happens when people try to break a fall using their hands. For proper healing, it is important to consult an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible after the fracture. Try to keep the fractured wrist still until you can see your doctor. If it is not too painful, you can apply ice to the injury. Your orthopedic doctor may perform X-rays to determine how severe your injury is and which bones in your wrist are fractured. The right treatment for a wrist fracture depends on the nature The post Treating a Wrist Fracture after a Slip and Fall appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

An Up-Close Look at a Torn Meniscus

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
A torn meniscus usually occurs after the knee is twisted into an abnormal position. The severity of this kind of injury depends on exactly where the tear is located. This video explains what you need to know about symptoms, treatment, and recovery after a torn meniscus. If you suffer a torn meniscus, you are likely to experience pain in the area of the tear. You may also notice that your knee feels like it could buckle. If you tear the outer side of your meniscus, then the injury may heal on its own. If the tear is on the inside, The post An Up-Close Look at a Torn Meniscus appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Preventing Winter Shoveling Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Winter can be a magical time in New York City when the snow falls and covers everything in a clean white blanket. Of course, all the snow that falls around your home, sidewalk, and driveway must be cleared to keep the area safe. Shoveling snow is more than just a chore—it’s also a form of strenuous exercise. Approximately 11,500 snow-shoveling injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year, and some end up needing the attention of an orthopedic surgeon. Strained muscles, herniated discs, and tendinitis are just a few of the snow-shoveling injuries that may need to be treated by The post Preventing Winter Shoveling Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries This Winter

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Slip and fall injuries aren’t always minor nuisances. Sometimes, they involve serious orthopedic problems that can cause chronic pain and that may require orthopedic surgery. You can reduce your risk of suffering a slip and fall injury by keeping your walkways and driveway clear of snow and by regularly scattering rock salt. When walking around town, orthopedic surgeons recommend taking the following precautions. Modify Your Footwear If you’re a New Yorker, you probably dig out the snow boots from your closet shortly after Thanksgiving. If the tread has worn down; however, consider purchasing new snow boots with a deep tread. Additionally, you can The post Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries This Winter appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Examining Rotator Cuff Tears

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
The rotator cuff involves four muscles that are responsible for raising and rotating your arm. A rotator cuff tear most commonly involves the supraspinatus, which is one of the muscles; however, it could involve all of the muscles. Orthopedic doctors often diagnose this injury in patients who have suffered a fall or have overused the muscles. A rotator cuff tear can also occur due to the aging process. For more information about rotator cuff tears, watch this video. This helpful animation explains the anatomy of the rotator cuff and encourages patients to treat a rotator cuff tear promptly to prevent The post Examining Rotator Cuff Tears appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Orthopedic doctors often treat patients with rotator cuff tears and similar injuries. These conditions often cause pain and weakness, and they interfere with your ability to perform daily activities. If your orthopedic doctor diagnoses you with a rotator cuff condition, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the area. The rotator cuff is located in the shoulder. It consists of several muscles and tendons, which allow for range of motion and stability. The following muscles make up the rotator cuff. Supraspinatus The scapula is the clinical term for the shoulder blade. The supraspinatus muscle begins just The post The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Understanding How Sitting Can Be Harmful to Your Spine

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
There’s a good chance that you associate pain in your spine with lifting heavy items or landing badly while playing sports. For many people, however spine problems start when they’re sitting down. Your office chair and computer could send you to the  orthopedic doctor  with back, neck, shoulder, and elbow pain that originates in the spine. Here is how sitting hurts your spine and what you can do about it: Poor Posture  The main reason that sitting leads to spine problems is because of poor posture. There are a number of different ways people sit that put undue pressure on their spine. Some The post Understanding How Sitting Can Be Harmful to Your Spine appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.
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