Blog Archive

Shoulder Dislocation and Subluxation: What's the Difference? Apr 1st, 2022

There’s an old saying that goes: It’s close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades. And in some life situations, close is close enough. But when it comes to medical diagnoses, you want absolute precision and accuracy. That’s what you get here at Orthopaedics of Atlanta and Aesthetic Institute. Dr. W....

When to Seek Medical Intervention for Sports-Related Back Pain Mar 1st, 2022

Back pain is a common complaint for plenty of people, and especially for athletes who use their backs a lot for their sport. The good news is, back pain is treatable — and often, it clears up with just a little TLC.  There are times, though, when medical treatment is...

How to Prevent Hip, Knee, or Shoulder Pain from Ruining Your Sleep Feb 1st, 2022

If you’re not getting a good night’s sleep, you have plenty of company. Insufficient sleep is a common problem globally and in the United States, where it’s been identified as a “public health epidemic.”  Many issues can interfere with sleep, including a really common cause: joint and muscle aches and...

How to Protect Your Knees When You Work Out Jan 1st, 2022

If you experience frequent knee pain, even though you work out and take good care of your health, you’re not alone. About one quarter of the American adult population deals with knee pain they would describe as “frequent to regular.” If you’re in this group, your pain likely limits mobility...

Is Hip Replacement Inevitable? Dec 1st, 2021

Preventing hip pain and alleviating the early symptoms of osteoarthritis can be as simple as stretches, exercise, and over-the-counter medication. However, hip pain is often progressive, worsening as you age.  A good treatment regimen can postpone the need for a procedure, but it’s important to know when to begin considering...

When to See a Doctor for a Sprain Nov 1st, 2021

The vast majority of people will experience a sprain at some point in their lives. Some sprains, like a sprained thumb, feel pretty minor. Others, like an ankle sprain, could leave you debilitated for a little while. The good news about sprains is that, with proper care, they fully heal....

When Does a Meniscus Tear Require Surgery? Oct 7th, 2021

Americans are no strangers to knee injuries, which makes sense given that your knees are responsible for your support, mobility, and range of motion. While there are several ways your knees can be damaged, in this article, we’re focusing on meniscus tears and whether the problem should be solved surgically....

Recovering from Trauma Surgery Sep 6th, 2021

In the United States, trauma ranks as the leading cause of death for people ages 45 and under. It’s fourth among the leading causes of death for all ages.  Trauma surgery is the specialized type of surgery that focuses on the treatment and care of the critical and often life-threatening...

Can I Do Anything About My Hammertoes? Aug 1st, 2021

Hammertoes cause disfigurement of your second, third, fourth, or fifth toe at the proximal interphalangeal joint, which is the middle joint of the toe. The condition causes the damaged toe to bend down so that it resembles the shape of a hammer. Hammertoes can cause pain when you stand or...

Why Did My ACL Tear? Jul 27th, 2021

If you’re a sports fan, you've probably heard about an athlete experiencing a season-ending ACL tear during competition. However, the causes of this injury aren’t limited to sports.  This relatively common injury sidelines up to 200,000 athletes and non-athletes annually when the knee joint experiences a sudden change in direction...

Best Treatment Options for Your Arthritis Jun 17th, 2021

Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 forms of this degenerative joint disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, you’re one of more than 50 million adult Americans afflicted with some form of this condition. In addition to joint pain, symptoms of arthritis typically include stiffness, swelling,...

From Tennis Elbow to Runner’s Knee: How to Prevent Repetitive-Use Sports Injuries May 25th, 2021

You don’t get to be the fastest in your running club or track team without putting in the miles — and miles and miles. Similarly, you don’t develop your ace tennis serve without practice. While participating in sports is fantastic for your physical, mental, and emotional health, regular training can...

Injuries Common to Female Athletes Apr 1st, 2021

When you play hard in your athletic career, you’re bound to suffer injury at some point. This is true if you’re a man or a woman. Sports injuries tend to be related to the sport rather than a person’s gender.  Female athletes do seem to be more prone to certain...

Treatment Options for Fractures Mar 11th, 2021

At Orthopaedics of Atlanta and Aesthetic Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Joseph Absi and his team skillfully perform trauma surgery of all types for orthopaedic injuries, including setting fractures. Options to fix a fracture Dr. Absi looks at multiple factors to inform his approach to your case. He will consider...

Shoulder Dislocation: How It Happens and What to Do if it Happens to You Feb 9th, 2021

If Hollywood were to be believed, when you dislocate your shoulder, you grit your teeth and pop it back into place against a wall, suppressing your cries of agony. Well, that’s Hollywood and it most certainly isn’t what you should do when your shoulder joint dislocates. Here at Orthopaedics of...

Understanding How Sprains Are Graded Jan 10th, 2021

You’ve certainly heard of an ankle sprain; after all, an estimated 2 million ankle sprains occur each year. But a sprain can occur anytime a ligament is overstretched or torn. Swelling, bruising, and pain at a joint often indicate a sprain. Ligaments are the tough connective tissue that hold two...

The Link Between Excess Weight and Arthritis Dec 3rd, 2020

Your body weight dramatically affects your chances of developing arthritis. Being overweight directly causes nearly one-fourth of all diagnosed cases of arthritis. And if you’re obese, you’re 60% more likely to end up with arthritis compared to people who maintain a healthy body weight. By the time joint pain drives...

What Is Hip Resurfacing and When Is It Recommended? Nov 16th, 2020

You may be surprised to learn that total hip joint replacement surgery (arthroscopy) shows up in medical literature as early as 1891, when a German physician attempted to replace the damaged joint structure with ivory. We have, of course, made significant strides in successfully replacing problematic hip joints with synthetic...

Getting Back in the Game After an ACL Tear Oct 7th, 2020

Anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 times per year, someone in the United States tears their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Your ACL is a ligament in your knee that connects your shin bone to your thigh bone and helps to keep your knee stable when you run, jump, and walk. W....

The Importance of Exercise When You Have Arthritis Aug 31st, 2020

If the thought of jumping out of bed in the morning and going for a run leaves you cold, you have every reason to feel this way as an arthritis sufferer. In fact, we may have lost you at “jumping out of bed,” never mind running. Treating arthritis is a...

5 Ways to Protect Your Joints as You Age Aug 17th, 2020

Every living thing changes as it ages, and the human body is the perfect example. Hair color fades, skin thins and wrinkles, and joints lose lubrication and become arthritic.  Amazing technological advances have made it possible to combat the effects of aging and even reverse it in some cases, but...

How You Can Prevent Future Ankle Sprains Jul 28th, 2020

Jumping up for rebound and landing wrong can tear the ligaments in your ankle, just as toppling off a curb or slipping down the stairs can. Whether you’re an athlete who's been sidelined due to a sprained ankle or a nonathlete who’s been hobbled by the same injury, once is...

What to Expect When Returning to Sports After an ACL Injury Jun 23rd, 2020

Sustaining an ACL injury can significantly impact your athletic performance. However, many athletes return to their pre-injury activity levels after having ACL reconstruction surgery. At Tadje Orthopaedics in Meridian, Idaho, Dr. Jared Tadje brings the most advanced treatments for treating musculoskeletal problems, including ACL injuries. If you’ve torn your ACL,...

5 Tips for Getting Back in the Game After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery May 29th, 2020

Getting back in the game after an injury or surgery is often a challenge. Do it too soon, and you can re-injure yourself after weeks, or even months, of rehabilitation. At Orthopaedics of Atlanta and Aesthetic Institute, Dr. W. Joseph Absi and his team understand that you want to resume...

Signs You May Need a Hip Replacement May 1st, 2020

Millions of Americans suffer from hip pain, and if you’re one of them, you know the toll those symptoms can take on your life. With chronic hip pain, even everyday activities like climbing stairs, walking or sitting can leave you in significant discomfort. Lots of problems can cause ongoing or...

Returning to Sports After Your Shoulder Surgery Mar 23rd, 2020

Any injury, no matter how small, can be frustrating to an avid sports participant. It’s especially frustrating if you need surgery to correct or heal the injury. This typically means weeks or months of downtime and difficulty returning to your sport, but it doesn’t have to.  Dr. W. Joseph Absi...