Provider
Justin Hoover, MD
78136
Dr. Justin Hoover is originally from Pennsylvania and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Gettysburg College where he majored in Biology and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Dr. Hoover earned his medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine (formerly MCP Hahnemann) and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He then completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of South Carolina/Palmetto Health Richland. While in residency, Dr. Hoover received the Orthopaedic Department Resident of the Year Award twice. He completed an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta where he honed his joint replacement skills with intensive training in cutting edge surgical techniques in arthroplasty. Dr. Hoover enjoys hip and knee replacement surgery because of the consistency of success in the properly selected patient. Dr. Hoover's professional goal is the improvement in quality of life for patients with pain secondary to hip and knee problems. Anterior Total Hip Replacement This exciting alternative technique for hip replacement surgery allows the surgeon to expose the hip without disturbing muscular attachments to the bones around the joint. This allows the hip to remain stable after surgery and prevents the need for "dislocation precautions." The approach involves a single, short incision over the front of the hip joint as opposed to the side or back of the hip. The procedure is performed on a special orthopaedic table, which features independent leg spars. These spars allow the leg to be positioned so that access to the joint occurs without the need to remove muscle or tendons from the thigh bone. Dr. Hoover has performed the surgery on a wide variety of patients, ranging in age from the early forties to the mid eighties. In addition to Anterior Total Hip Replacement surgery, he specializes in Total Knee Replacement, Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty, Computer Navigated Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, Revision Hip Arthroplasty, Revision Knee Arthroplasty, Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Infections, Lower Extremity Trauma, and Multimodal/Pre-emptive analgesia for hip and knee arthroplasty. Dr. Hoover is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS). Dr. Hoover and his wife live in Annapolis with their two boys. As a new Annapolitan, he is excited to learn more about boating and endeavors to become an avid boater. He also enjoys enjoys golf, baseball, soccer, and spending time with his family & friends.
Top Docs
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery | Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship - Emory University Hospital, Residency - Palmetto Health Richland Orthopedic Surgery GME, Medical School - Drexel University College of Medicine
English
Orthopedics
Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Senior Care, Women's Health, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
How to garden with hand arthritis
Blog
If you love to garden, you’re not alone. Almost 75 percent of all U.S. households work on their lawn and garden, according to a 2016 National Gardening Survey.
While it may seem like a chore to some, working in your garden can actually be good for both your mind and body. Benefits include exposure to Vitamin D and stress relief, to name just a few.
But what if you’re one of the 50 million Americans who have arthritis? According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions that cause joint pain. Two of the most common are degenerative and inflammatory arthritis.
Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) involves degeneration of joint cartilage, causing joint pain, stiffness and loss of mobility in hands and wrists. Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when uncontrolled inflammation leads to joint erosion.
The type of arthritis you have determines how you manage it. But arthritis doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying a day in your garden. Getting your hands dirty without extra pain can be as simple as working smarter, not harder.
Here are some tips for a more enjoyable gardening season:
Listen to your doctor or therapist’s advice to manage pain.
Make your garden easier to access. For example, raise your garden beds so they’re easier to reach. Choose low-maintenance plants, such as perennials instead of annuals.
Choose tools and equipment that encourage good body mechanics and minimize strain. Examples include lightweight tools, tools with ergonomic handles and gloves to protect and cushion joints.
Modify your activity in the garden as necessary. Switch tasks every half hour, take breaks and ask for help if you need it.
When possible, use larger, stronger joints and muscles. For instance, use your forearms and shoulders to carry objects instead of your fingers or hands.
Listen to your body, and stop if you feel pain. Minimize repetitive pinching and gripping, as well as sustained gripping.
Weed when the soil is moist.
If you have arthritis that is causing wrist or hand pain, talk to a medical professional. A doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist can give you a personalized treatment and pain management plan.
Having arthritis doesn’t mean you have to give up growing flowers, fruits and vegetables. Protect your joints, and avoid overuse and fatigue to help keep you in the gardening game.
Originally published Sept. 17, 2017. Last updated March 9, 2020.
Author
Raina Lyght, MPT, is a physical and certified hand therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy. To contact her office, call 443-481-1140.
Women's Health
General Page Tier 3
Bladder control problems: 5 ways women can manage
Blog
Women are more likely to experience bladder control problems, also known as urinary incontinence. Many women think that accidental leakage is a normal part of aging. While incontinence is common, it is not normal.
The good news is there are many options for help, and most women who get treatment see their symptoms improve. Here are a few treatment and self-help options to help you manage incontinence.
Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Carrying extra weight adds stress to your pelvic floor and impacts function of the nerves and muscles in your genital tract. Also, find a healthy balance of fluid intake to stay hydrated without overdoing it. This can reduce your trips to the bathroom. You also want to drink the right kinds of fluids. Beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks with artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder and create a sudden urge to ‘go.’
Live an active lifestyle. Fitness plays an important role in managing your incontinence. While high-intensity exercises can increase your risk of incontinence by placing pressure on your pelvic floor, regular physical activity keeps you normal. Kegel exercises, with or without the help of a physical therapist or professional trainer, can also help you better control your pelvic floor muscles and help with leakage.
Try physical therapy for the pelvic floor. Pelvic physical therapy can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and aid in function of the organs that support your pelvic floor. Physical therapy might include pelvic floor contractions for urge control as well as stretching and strengthening exercises to help decrease pain. Therapists can also help you with proper Kegel technique to make sure you are getting the full benefit of the exercise.
Talk to your doctor about medication to help control symptoms. There are several medications available to help manage the muscle spasms in your bladder that cause incontinence. Your doctor can help you learn both the risks and benefits of using medication.
Talk to your doctor about minimally invasive surgery treatment. If other treatments fail to improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery to treat incontinence has advanced to include minimally invasive options. Minimally invasive surgery allows for a faster recovery and quick return to daily activities. Most surgical patients leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery.
Urogynecology is a field of medicine dedicated to the treatment of pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence, in women. Places like Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Women’s Center for Pelvic Health have urogynecology doctors to help patients of all ages optimize and maintain pelvic wellness. Don’t let incontinence take away from your quality of life. Talk to a urogynecologist about a treatment plan specific to your symptoms.
Author
Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Her office can be reached at 443-481-1199.
Originally published Aug. 28, 2017. Last updated Sept. 20, 2019.
Behavioral Health, Heart Care
General Page Tier 3
Heart attacks and depression: The mental health side of heart problems
Blog
While heart attacks are physical health problems, many people don’t realize they can create mental health issues as well.
Feeling depressed after a heart attack isn’t uncommon. According to the American Heart Association, up to 33 percent of heart attack patients experience depression.
When someone has a heart attack they’re typically doing something, such as running or walking up stairs. After the heart attack they may be afraid their heart is delicate and hesitate to complete common activities.
Most heart attack patients experience feelings of shock or sadness after a heart attack, but some people can slip into a deeper depression. If these emotions continue for several weeks, it’s time to seek help. Because depression can affect physical health, addressing symptoms quickly can help avoid other problems down the road.
I tell patients, “You’re going to go back to your usual life, as long as you take the right steps.” These steps include faithfully taking prescribed medications, eating a healthy diet and exercising. And cardiac rehabilitation can help.
Cardiac rehab provides a safe environment to start increasing physical fitness. AAMC’s Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes counseling to help patients improve their health and reduce the risk of future heart problems. Oftentimes, patients who choose to participate in cardiac rehab have better outcomes than those who don’t.
Family members and loved ones also play an important role in helping heart attack patients recover. If you think you know someone experiencing post-heart-attack depression, look for these warning signs:
-Extreme changes in appetite
-Extreme changes in sleeping patterns
-Avoiding previously enjoyable activities
-Insomnia
-Restlessness
-Fatigue
-Feelings of worthlessness
-Feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt
-Trouble concentrating
Encourage people who show these signs to seek help. For some, support groups are a healthy environment to cope with depression after a heart attack. AAMC’s healthy hearts cardiac support group is available for those who have experienced heart issues. Call 410-507-3766 for more information.
Heart attack patients can experience the same quality of life as they did before their heart attack, but sometimes they need to take extra steps to get there.
Author
Baran Kilical, MD, is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Originally published Feb. 23, 2016. Last updated March 27, 2019.
Cancer Care, Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's Health
General Page Tier 3
Beauty Marks and Moles: How to Spot a Problem
Blog
They go by many names: beauty marks, birthmarks and moles. Whether you love them or hate them, there are many reasons you may consider having one or more of your moles removed.
According to Plastic Surgeon Devinder Singh, MD, of AAMG Plastic Surgery, reasons for mole removal vary, including:
To lessen irritation when wearing makeup, jewelry or clothing.
To reduce problems when shaving.
To smooth skin and improve appearance.
To determine a diagnosis.
But, these seemingly harmless spots on the skin may be hiding a deadly disease: skin cancer. These marks are made up of pigment-producing cells that can develop into a tumor. In other cases, cancer cells from different tumors can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and can affect anyone at any age. More than three-and-a-half million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year—that’s more than the incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.
“These spots can appear simply because they’re part of your genetic make-up, or they can appear due to sun exposure,” explains Dr. Singh, chief and medical director of plastic surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
And while most beauty spots aren’t harmful, Dr. Singh recommends seeing a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to have them examined. “Your age and the condition of your skin determine how often you should go for an examination,” he says. “The chance of your moles turning into cancer increases with more exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.”
How can you tell if a beauty mark is just a harmless spot or a mark masking cancer cells? “Only your doctor can identify if a spot is cancerous,” says Dr. Singh. “But there are several warning signs that may indicate skin cancer.”
To do a self-check of your moles, Dr. Singh recommends using the ABCDE method:
A for Asymmetry: One half of the mark is different from the other half.
B for Border Irregularity: The edges are notched, uneven or blurred.
C for Color: The color is uneven. Shades of brown, tan and black are present.
D for Diameter: The diameter is greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
E for Evolving: There is change in size, color or shape, or symptoms such as itching or bleeding begin.
“If you notice any of these, you should see your doctor immediately. Even if the mole doesn’t need to be removed right away, you can have it removed for preventative purposes,” says Dr. Singh.
Contributor
Devinder Singh, MD, is chief and medical director of plastic surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center.