Blog

TMJ and Neck Pain

Over the years we have received our fair share of emails from patients seeking treatment for their TMJ. In many of these emails, the sender will describe to us osteoarthritis of the jaw that came as a result of a traumatic injury such as a jaw dislocation during a hockey game or a dislocation or a fractured jaw from an accident. Some will write that their TMJ problems developed when they had some wisdom teeth removed. Others will suggest that TMJ came upon them slowly as a degenerative joint disease. This article will focus on the later, the connection of

Read More »

Do statins for cholesterol problems accelerate or worsen osteoarthritis?

Marc Darrow, MD, JD. There is a lot of controversy as to whether statin use for high cholesterol and metabolic disorders may cause accelerated or worsening osteoarthritis or protects against worsening osteoarthritis. We do see many patients who have weight challenges and cholesterol problems, among many. They have osteoarthritis and they have cholesterol problems being managed by statin use. They often ask if there is a connection between high cholesterol, weight, and the joint pain they suffer from. Certainly not being in the best shape can worsen joint pain. That is generally understood. For those seeking answers to whether the

Read More »

Jumper’s Knee – Patella tendinopathy

Marc Darrow, MD., JD.  Over the years we have seen a lot of people with knee problems. Many of them with problems of the patellar tendon. They have had many treatments including using painkillers and anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, physical therapy, rest, some of the them wear big braces on their knees some try kineziotaping. They are doing a consult with us because they are still looking for help. Can Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy help them? After an email or a phone call we assesses the person’s situation. If we feel they are a realistic candidate for treatment, they come in

Read More »

Why do some doctors not recommend ACL reconstruction?

Marc Darrow, MD, JD. Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is not the most common of knee injuries but it is certainly the most well known. “ACL tear or ACL rupture” are common, not only in professional sports but also in High School and Amateur sports. Recently, a few professional athletes have made stunning and prompt returns to their sports. These are currently considered exceptions. Those who do return, because of the extensive resources available to them at the pro – level,  usually do so 9 – 12  months down the road. Those, without the enormous resources of pro

Read More »

Does a shoulder labrum tear require surgery?

I get many inquiries from people asking if they should have a SLAP tear surgery or if there are options to avoid the surgery. The decision to proceed with surgery or other treatments should be made after a physical examination. A SLAP tear, or Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior tear occurs when the superior portion (the top) of the labrum of the shoulder is damaged. The labrum is the lining of the shoulder socket. It holds the upper arm bone within the joint as well as attaches the upper bicep to the shoulder joint. When it is injured, the shoulder

Read More »

Research comparing different types of knee injections

Many patients we see have been researching their options in managing their chronic knee pain. These people come to see us because they are exploring non-surgical alternatives and have investigated various types of knee injections. Most want to know “which works the best?” Let’s have researchers answer that question. In the research below various comparisons are made between the different types of knee injections. Seven different knee osteoarthritis treatments A December 2021 study (1) assessed seven different knee osteoarthritis treatments. The authors wrote that their goal was to “find out, based on the available recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs), if

Read More »