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Pain medications increase fall risk in older patients

Pain and pain medications are risk factors for hip fracture falls One of the goals of surgery is to reduce the need for painkillers because of the long-term effects these medications can have on people. During the pandemic, when access to medical care and orthopedic surgery were compromised, many people found themselves being prescribed and taking more painkillers and anti-inflammatories to manage their chronic pain. As elective surgeries were push back and delayed, more pills were given. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories medications come with many well known and well documented side effects. Among these side effects is the increased risk that

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Information for a torn meniscus. Conservative care, surgery and injections

Marc Darrow, MD Many people today are exploring meniscus surgery alternatives. One reason is that there is significant and controversial research to suggest that not only will meniscus surgery NOT help them, but is some instances, the surgery may leave them worse off. But what if you have been told that surgery is the only option? Research presented in this article may provide you with an understanding that perhaps there are more options than just surgery. When knee pain from meniscus damage is symptomatic, it represents a challenge since arthroscopic surgery provides unpredictable results Many people have very successful surgeries.

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Information on Carpal tunnel syndrome

Marc Darrow, MD, JD. If you suffer from Carpal tunnel syndrome you know that it causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the wrist, hand and arm. You were probably told that you have a compression of the median nerve somewhere among the sea and ligaments of the wrist. For you, like many people, your condition may have worsened overtime. Traditional methods of treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include wearing a splint at night or injections of cortisone to reduce swelling. Over the course of time you have tried: Ergonomic modification of office. Varying over the counter anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Wearing

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Information on a Pes anserine bursitis diagnosis

Marc Darrow, MD, JD. As with any bursitis or conditions that are thought to be caused by run away inflammation, pes anserine bursitis treatment typically follows the rest and anti-inflammatory remedies including ice, NSAIDs use. Avoidance of activities like stair climbing, that can worsen the condition are also generally recommended. Physical therapy is often prescribed to strengthen the muscles around the knee to help resume these activities. While many times these remedies will help people, many times these treatments fail.  As this problems tends to be found in women who are considered overweight and middle-aged, the problems in this group

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Information on Hip Tendonitis

Marc Darrow, MD,JD. People who have tendonitis or bursitis typically are told that they have a problem of inflammation. That is why they have an “itis,” itis meaning inflammation. When they have tendonitis they have inflammation of the tendon. When they have Bursitis, they have inflammation of the bursa. Over the years they have practiced the various remedies of inflammation, that is ice, anti-inflammatories, rest, compression shorts, in the case of a hip problem. In their medical history may be a prescription for physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the problem hip. Even after physical therapy they remain on a

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Information on non-surgical methods advanced shoulder pain

Marc Darrow, MD, JD. The shoulder is a common source of disability resulting from traumatic and degenerate tears of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon, tendinitis, bursitis, subacromial impingement, labral tears, chronic dislocations, and osteoarthritis. Nonoperative management has too often focused on narcotics, other analgesics, anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections such as cortisone. The Leading Causes of Shoulder Pain  Repetitive overhead sports motions such as pitching, swimming, or the tennis serve. Heavy lifting. Excessive force or impact on the shoulder such as a fall. Degeneration due to aging or overuse. Narrowing or laxity of the space (acromioclavicular joint) between the

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