Premier Surgery Center patients say it best . . .
I was very impressed with your "Hospital." I felt like I had one on one care. Nothing like ______ Hospital, like you are just a number waiting in line. Everyone went past/above the call of duty for helping me. I appreciate the excellent care. I will recommend your facility to everyone. Thank you! H.D.
Magnificent experience from start to finish! K.W.
I was treated with care & kindness. I have never been treated as well as myself & family were treated. Dr. Prince & his staff are very professional & caring. I would recommend this facility to anyone. L.M.
I have been to hospitals and doctor\'s offices a lot and over all I can truely say, this is an A+. (Great) C.W.
To All the Wonderful People at Premier Orthopedics - Dr. Marsh, Angie, Barbara, Roger, Amber, Rhonda, Leslie and Janine - Thank you for such great care. D&G.T.
Coming Soon! Lee County High School Physicals.
Time and date to be announced for 2010.
Aquatic Therapy
Get In The Water To Get Back In The Game
You have just heard the news you were hoping not to hear from your doctor. You are out of the game for 4-6 weeks because of an injury. "Don\'t put weight on it and don\'t use it" used to be the prescription for healing, but not any more. Now you can get in the water so you can get back in the game sooner.
Local high school athletes right here in Southwest Georgia are beginning to experience the benefits of aquatic therapy that 30 professional and 40 college teams have discovered. Athletes tend to enjoy water therapy because they begin a higher level of rehabilitation earlier, have less pain, develop improved stability and balance, and have a refreshing break from land based activities while maintaining an overall fitness despite injury.
But why work in the water to recover from a sports injury? Water provides many benefits. First, the natural buoyancy of water supports the body and reduces the load and impact on muscles, bones and joints. Water allows motion in all directions to enhance joint stability, and to isolate muscle groups. For example, many rehabilitation protocols do not allow running for extended periods of time to protect healing. In the water, stress is greatly reduced to only a fraction of body weight allowing early activity without risk to the injured site.
Water also provides resistance through an entire range of joint motion. Stress on the muscles can be altered by varying the speed that the body or extremity moves. The faster you move, the more the resistance. By relieving the stress placed on injured areas, but allowing motion, reduced pain and improved muscular performance result.
Is aquatic therapy just for athletes? No. Excellent candidates for aquatic therapy include those with lower extremity injuries such as ankle sprains, knee sprains, ligament injuries, fractures, hip or groin sprains, pulled muscles or after surgical intervention. Upper extremity and back injuries would also benefit. The water is an ideal medium for the most common athlete in America, the recreational athlete, who is not immune to injury. The Average Joe who plays tennis, golf, runs, bikes or exercises is entering the pool to wash away the pain.
Also, at Premier Orthopedics we have utilized the pool to begin accelerated recovery after rotator cuff surgeries. Most guidelines do not allow active movement of a repaired Rotator Cuff for up to 6 weeks after surgery, but with appropriate cases we have been able to begin light motion in the pool in only 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. Not only does this provide the benefit of avoiding stiffness and early muscle function, but it also provides early success without discomfort for patients.
Let us look at some specific cases. The therapists at Premier Orthopedics have seen success across the age and injury spectrum. We have returned a 13 year old to baseball after a hip injury and a 79 year old to tennis after a hip replacement. The early success of movement with reduced stress and pain on recovering body parts provides a definite physical and strong psychological benefit.
The last advice that an athlete wants to hear is that they are sidelined or have to take time off. So, if you find yourself hurting or unable to participate in your sport of choice, think about getting in the water and getting back in the game.
Premier Orthopedics
Offices In Albany/Americus/Cordele
For more information on Aquatic Therapy, go to our website www.premierortho.net and click on Physical Therapy.
11.17.08
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WHY DO HIGH SCHOOLS NEED ATHLETIC TRAINERS?
According to the NATA Injury Surveillance Study published in the Journal of Athletic Training, more than six million student athletes participate in high school sports activities. Because athletic injuries are going to happen, high school officials need to make every effort to reduce the number and severity of sport related injuries. No sport is immune from athletic injuries. Proper treatment at the appropriate time improves the athlete?s chances of returning to the game and classroom sooner, at full potential and safely.
Since there are about six times as many participants and games at the high school level than at the professional level, the high schools deal with more catastrophic injuries, solidifying the need for a full-time athletic trainer. Research shows that 60% of injuries occur at practice with these injuries being no less severe than if it occurred at a game.
This is where an athletic trainer (ATC) comes into play. The athletic trainer works to prevent injuries, reduce re-injuries, and prevent minor injuries from becoming major problems. ATC?s are educated in the development of return-to-play policies, emergency plans, heat policies, and they have the formal education to make vital decisions.
Just as coaches are employed to develop skills and strategies, the ATC?s are required to ensure the safety of the athletes and optimize participation. A full-time athletic trainer allows the coach to stay focused on the game, confident that every athlete is getting proper care.
What does an Athletic Trainer bring to the high school program? He or she is an allied health care professional recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA). In 1998, the AMA adopted a policy recommending that board certified athletic trainers be available in all schools with athletic programs. ATC?s can provide immediate emergency care, evaluation, and most importantly, the rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries. Quite simply, the ATC is the quality health care professional that high school athletes need and deserve.
The advantages of having an athletic trainer on site are immeasurable. Premier Orthopedics is proud to partner with the Lee County School System to provide the services of Brian Davis, Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, to help ensure the safety of their student athletes.
The advantages of immediate emergency care were witnessed first-hand by coaches, players and parents not long ago at a Lee County High School baseball game. The player involved posted a personal thank you to Brian Davis on his high school\'s website.
10.27.08
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Sprains vs. Strains / The Most Common Athletic Injury
Prevention For Athletes
What is a sprain?
· A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament.
· Ligaments are strands of connective tissue that join bones and stabilize joints.
· Graded I to III depending upon severity.
· A strain is an injury of muscle or tendon.
· A tendon is a fibrous cord that connects muscles to bone.
Pain Bruising Swelling Muscle Spasm Muscle Weakness
Feeling of Tear or Pop Loss of Functionality in Affected Area
· Ligament injuries tend to occur in and around joints with swelling in the joint.
Generally require more active management with splints and surgery.
· Muscle and tendon injuries tend to occur outside of the joint and cause localized swelling.
Generally require the RICE form of treatment.
Rest Ice Compression Elevation
Treatment may also include immobilization, physical therapy and medicines. Depending upon severity of the injury, recovery may take 2 weeks to 3 months. It?s tempting to play through the pain, but if you return too soon the chance of re-injury or developing a chronic problem increases.
· Conditioning program to build muscle strength
· Stretching exercises
· Muscle nourishment using well-balanced diet
· Wear proper fitting shoes and replace at sign of wear
· Warm up your muscles before physical activity, including practice
· Wear appropriate protective equipment
· Avoid playing sports when tired or in pain
· Severe pain and cannot put any weight on the injured joint.
· Area over the injured joint or next to it is very tender to the touch.
· Injured area is crooked or lumpy.
· Cannot move injured joint.
· Numbness in the injured area.
Remember, proper management of an injury means a quick return to your chosen sport. I hope you can use these tips to stay healthy and competitive.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bobby Prince
Team Physician
Lee County High School
09.30.08
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Heat Injury Prevention For Athletes
1. The most important thing you can do to prevent heat injury is to ensure you are well-hydrated.
a. Drink to keep from getting thirsty. By the time you are thirsty, you are at least 2% dehydrated and it takes at least 24 hours to reach balance again.
b. Carry around a water bottle and drink periodically whether thirsty or not. Try to keep urine lighter in color as a benchmark.
c. Do not drink coffee, tea, colas. Caffeine causes the body to lose fluids.
2. Increase your fitness
3. Spend time outside and get acclimated prior to the season.
4. Wear optimal clothing.
5. For student athletes involved in activties without direct supervision (e.g. Cross country) consider carrying a cell phone.
I hope these suggestions help you think of ways to stay cool and help school officials ensure the safety of all student athletes.
Sincerely,
Dr. T. Scott McGee
Team Physician
Lee County High School
08.27.08
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