- Orthopedics, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBernadette Hagerman suffered through pain in her right hand for years. “I let it go far too long,” she says. “I tried everything to relieve the pain, but there’s a limit to what you can do.” Despite wearing a wrist brace, Bernadette often woke up several times each night due to pain. As time went on, the pain spread to her arm and shoulder blade. As a cashier at Home Goods, Bernadette had no time for hand pain. “My hands are constantly moving,” she says. “At work I would just power through and it was very uncomfortable.” But powering through could only last so long. “I realized that I’m just too busy to let [pain] stop me,” she says. That’s when Bernadette went to Alex Shushan, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center, for carpal tunnel release surgery. As an outpatient procedure, the surgery was quick and only required a few hours of Bernadette’s Friday afternoon. She was back to work just two days later. “Before the surgery, just raising my hand up could cause numbness,” she says. “After five minutes of driving, my hand would go numb. I couldn’t sew, and handwriting was getting really difficult.” Now, Bernadette enjoys better sleep and more ease when using her hands. With so much success in her right hand, Bernadette recently returned to Dr. Shushan for a carpal tunnel release on her left hand. “My left hand wasn’t as painful as the right, but I had the surgery to prevent more pain,” she explains. Again, she returned to work just two days after the surgery. Contributor Alex Shushan, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery at AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAt first, Roger Gaultney thought the pain he was experiencing was acid reflux. It was a warm day last September, and Roger, 62, had just come back from a dermatologist’s appointment. He was working in the yard of his Eastern Shore home, and began to feel sick and sweaty. He drank a Coke — his usual remedy for acid reflux — but the pain began shooting up and down his arm. He began to sweat so badly, it was as if someone had dumped water over his head. He struggled to breathe. He was sick to his stomach. “I knew I was having a heart attack,” he says. Roger’s wife called 911, and when the ambulance arrived, he asked to be taken across the Bay Bridge to Anne Arundel Medical Center. He says he knew he would be in good hands there. Paramedics took him to AAMC’s Emergency Department where he was quickly taken to the cardiac catheterization lab. That’s where Cardiologist Scott Katzen, MD, the lab’s medical director, inserted a stent in the main artery behind Roger’s heart. It was 100 percent blocked. Dr. Katzen emphasizes the importance of “door to balloon” time – the amount of time it takes to unblock a cardiac patient’s artery after the patient arrives at the hospital. “The goal is to have the blockage relieved and blood flow restored to the heart muscle in 90 minutes or less,” Dr. Katzen says. “Around 70 to 80 percent of the time, door to balloon time is an hour or less.” Dr. Katzen performed Roger’s catheterization through the radial artery in his wrist, rather than the femoral artery in the groin. AAMC has been doing these types of catheterizations, which are less risky and more comfortable for the patient, since 2012. Six months after the radial procedure, the scar on Roger’s wrist is barely noticeable. A designated Chest Pain Center AAMC is a designated Chest Pain Center, meaning a team of cardiologists is on call 24/7. AAMC cardiologists perform 1,200 cardiac catheterizations each year. “We are seeing more and more cases of heart disease at the hospital,” says Cardiologist Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of AAMC’s Heart and Vascular services. Dr. Katzen urges patients to learn the potential signs of a heart attack, which can go beyond just chest pain. For instance, patients should pay attention to any type of abnormal sensation in the chest. Shortness of breath is also a possible warning sign. “If you feel something is just not right, seek medical attention,” Dr. Katzen says. He reminds people that living a heart-healthy lifestyle — including eating right, exercising and not smoking — will greatly reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Roger says the care he received from Dr. Katzen was unbelievable. “It was like we’d known each other for years,” Roger says. “I really don’t have words to explain what that means to me.” A new life By all accounts, Roger was a healthy man prior to his heart attack. He’s always been slender, and he keeps physically active in his job as a drywall finisher and by playing with his grandchildren. His main health challenge prior to the heart attack was high cholesterol, though he points out that heart disease runs on his mother’s side of the family. His maternal grandmother died of a heart attack, and his mother had high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. A month earlier, he’d gotten a physical that showed no signs of heart problems. After his heart attack, Roger knew he was going to have to change his lifestyle. He now avoids red meat and dairy completely. He’s also become more spiritual and says he is attending church more. “My life is beautiful,” he says. Roger urges others to make an appointment with the Heart Health Foundation’s Dare to C.A.R.E. About Vascular Disease heart health screening program. To get your screening at AAMC, call 410-573-9483, Ext. 200.0
- ResearchImpact of tranexamic acid on clinical and hematologic outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty2021-07-26Shoulder & Elbow0
- Orthopedics, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter numerous setbacks, Hope Lomvardias thought she was out of options. In the spring of 2015, Hope was a 17-year-old Archbishop Spalding junior who was excitedly touring colleges around the Northeast in preparation for applying in the fall. However, during the long car trips, she started experiencing intense low back pain, as well as leg pain and numbness. Her mother, Karyn, an infusion nurse at Anne Arundel Medical Center, became increasingly concerned. “When we would stop the car, Hope could hardly stand up because she was in terrible pain,” explains Karyn. “And, it just worsened. I knew something was wrong, because I’ve had my own cervical spine issues, and I recognized nerve pain.” Because of Hope’s young age, her healthcare providers were reluctant to diagnose a spinal disc problem. Eventually, Hope had an MRI that confirmed a large herniation in the disc in the lowest part of her spine, between L5 and S1 — an unusual diagnosis at her age. She began conservative treatment options that included medication and physical therapy. “During all of this, Hope started her senior year of high school,” recalls Karyn. “It really created problems because she was in excruciating pain.” Hope was able to make arrangements with the school to use the elevator and a rolling backpack, although she hated having to do things differently than her classmates. When Hope was younger, she wore a brace to treat her scoliosis, and she didn’t like feeling different again. However, she had little choice. Next Steps The medication and physical therapy did not offer Hope the relief she needed, and school was getting more difficult. Her parents gave her the option of taking placement tests and going straight into college. But Hope did not want to give up her high school experience, including graduating with her class and going to prom. She continued on with physical therapy, while searching for other treatment options. Hope then met with Roy Bands, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at The Spine Center at AAMC. Dr. Bands had treated both Karyn and Karyn’s father for spine issues, and now Hope would be the third generation to see him. “Hope had a degenerative herniated lumbar disc, which in someone her age, we believe is primarily genetic,” says Dr. Bands. “She has a strong family history of this, including her mother and grandfather.” At first, Dr. Bands recommended Hope continue physical therapy so he could monitor for any improvement. “Unfortunately physical therapy did not improve her condition, so we then discussed her surgical options.” According to Chad Patton, MD, medical director of The Spine Center at AAMC, “Our philosophy of care is patient-centric from beginning to end. It’s important to exhaust conservative treatment options before surgery is considered.” Better Images, Better Outcomes The Spine Center at AAMC recently added the O-arm 3-D imaging system, which can improve patient safety and outcomes during complex spinal procedures. Chad Patton, MD, medical director of The Spine Center at AAMC, is shown in front of the new O-arm 3-D imaging system. “The O-arm captures full 360-degree 3-D images of a patient’s spine, giving us precise anatomical views,” explains Chad Patton, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of The Spine Center at AAMC. “In real time, navigational software can show us where our instruments and implants are in relation to the patient’s anatomy without having to take additional x-rays during the surgery. Not only does this dramatically decrease the radiation exposure to the surgical team, but it also improves patient safety and ultimately allows us to tackle more complex surgery here at AAMC.” According to Dr. Patton, AAMC’s investment in O-arm technology is one additional way the hospital provides the highest quality care possible. A Surgical Solution Although Hope was hesitant to have back surgery, she also recalls how badly she was hurting. “One time it got so bad right before surgery that I even thought ‘if only I can have my leg amputated’ because I couldn’t stand the pain,” she remembers. “The pain was that bad.” By that point, Hope was ready for surgery. “The surgery to repair a herniated disc involves opening the spinal canal and shaving off the herniated portions of the disc. It’s called a laminectomy and discectomy,” explains Dr. Bands. Hope had surgery over the Christmas break to minimize her time away from school, and she emerged in a much better place both physically and mentally. “Immediately after the surgery, I felt so much better,” says Hope. “It was amazing. I felt like I had my old leg back. I was basically pain free. I’m so glad I decided to have surgery.” Now, Hope has returned to her life as an active teenager. Dr. Bands cleared her to play sports again if she’d like. Plus, Hope was accepted to Johns Hopkins, where she plans to study history in the fall. “Hope is a perfect example of how back surgery can make significant improvement in your life,” says Dr. Bands. Author Roy Bands, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at The Spine Center at AAMC.0
- Orthopedics, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRaking leaves is a chore many homeowners dread every fall. Not only is it hard work, it can also be a literal pain. The repetitive motions involved in raking can stress your body, leading to a musculoskeletal injury, or injuries that affect your ability to move. It can be especially risky for anyone who has a history of problems related to the heart, lungs, bones, joints or spine. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), doctors treated more than 42,000 raking-related injuries in 2014. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says herniated discs in the neck or low back are common, as are muscle strains in the back, arms and legs. Most of these injuries are from poor technique or overdoing it – especially if you aren’t used to strenuous exercise. Follow these tips to help prevent injuries while raking leaves this fall: Use a comfortable rake. Wear sturdy, slip-resistant shoes. Stand up straight as you rake. Bend from your knees. Switch your arm and leg positions, trading sides every few minutes. Be careful on slippery, wet leaves. Lift only as much as you can comfortably carry. Don’t wrench or twist too severely. Go slowly. Take several breaks as you work. Stretch for 10 minutes after you’re done. If you’re using a leaf blower instead of a rake, check the equipment before you use it for the first time, and get any necessary repairs. You should also be careful if you’re planning to clean out your gutters this fall. There were more than 500,000 ladder-related injuries in 2014, the CPSC says. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has these safety tips for gutter cleaning: Inspect the ladder for loose screws, hinges or rungs and clean off any mud or liquids. Place the ladder on a firm and level surface. Look out for spots that are soft or muddy. Follow the 1-to-4 rule. Keep the bottom of the ladder one foot away from the wall for every four feet that the ladder rises. Wear the right clothes and shoes. Avoid shoes with leather soles, because they can be slippery. Don’t wear pants with legs that are too wide or too long. Avoid using a ladder outside if it’s rainy, windy or there are other weather conditions that could increase the risk of slipping and falling. Stay in the center of the ladder as you climb up, and be careful not to lean too far to one side when you are working. By following these tips, you can help avoid injuries and accidents and make sure your fall season remains full of happy memories instead of painful ones.0
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