Health and Nutrition after Orthopedic Surgery

Patients have gone through orthopedic surgery for a myriad of reasons or injuries to their bodies. Such damages are generally for fractured bones, torn ligaments and tendon repairs. Even with non-invasive techniques, Orthopedic surgery can put stresses on the body. During post-op and the repair period, ensuring that you eat the right food after surgery is vital, which can greatly assist in speeding up the recovery process. Follow your doctor's suggestions and rehab closely. Recovering does not only mean that you get enough rest or take it easy with your injured area. You need to adapt a well-balanced diet filled with nutrients which are good in boosting the immune system and speed the recover time. Orthopedic surgeons often recommend some dietary elements which may be included in their suggested post-surgery regimen:

Low residue diet

After you have undergone surgery, it may be recommended to follow a low residue diet, which consists of food with low fiber like vegetables, fruit, eggs, and tender meat. This diet can assist in easy digestion which will aid and slow down bowel movements.

Protein rich diet

A protein rich diet can help assist the body repair and build organs and muscles. If you have a deficiency in proteins, you might suffer from fatigue. Proteins act as fuel for the body repair and it may be advisable that you consume at least three servings of pork, fish, beef, chicken, milk or cheese during the first stages of your healing.

Iron

Iron is recommended as it helps prevent a patient from suffering from anemia. Our bodies need a regular supply of iron so as to help in the creation of hemoglobin, which allow the red blood cells to transport oxygen all over the body. Constant and unobstructed flow of oxygen helps in promoting the healing process. Food high in iron include liver, sesame seeds, and dried apricots.

Vitamin A

This special vitamin assists in repairing the tissues, as well as aiding in the over healing process after surgery. In addition, it encourages new tissue generation and new skin growth. Foods which are rich in vitamin A include, fish oil, liver and cheese. Vitamin A is also important as it raises the body's resistance to infections.

Vitamin C

This vitamin assists in stimulating the manufacture of collagen, and also assists in healing wounds. It promotes the production of elastin, which is substantial in allowing the wound to stretch without causing any further damage. High levels of vitamin C can be found in fruits like oranges and lemons.

These post-surgery foods can be crucial in the healing process. If you have a diet that is rich in nutrients, you will recover faster and your immune system will remain strong even after going through orthopedic surgery. Having a good health and nutrition after surgery is a vital component to a quicker recovery.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

What You Should Know About Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a field that provides athletes and active people so many health benefits and treatment all over the world. The fitness industry is becoming more a growing part of society, as are their related injuries. Even with major advancements in equipment and attire, such as athletic shoes, there are many people getting injured while engaging in sports. Often times, they look to sports medicine to help get them quickly on the mend.

This health care field focuses on assisting individuals enhance their athletic performances, recuperate from injuries and avert future injuries. Medical professionals in this field do not only treat athletes, but also anyone else suffering from sports or activity-related injuries.

Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic surgeons or non-surgical key care experts who specialize in musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes and hypertension in athletes and active but non-athletic individuals. Below are some important factors regarding sports medicine.

Which experts are in in this field?

Sport medicine specialists have specialization in sports science and Exercise. Experts in this field are as follows:

*Physical Therapists

*Medical doctors and surgeons

*Physical Therapists Assistants

*Massage Therapists

*Athletic Trainers

Function of Sports Medicine Experts

These specialists and physicians undergo training for a given period. They are trained to deal with injuries related to sports and exercises. These experts specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of the injuries which can occur when a person is engaging in sports or is exercising. Generally, sports medicine professionals usually deal with different kinds of orthopedic cases.

What is Sports Medicine Services Inclusive of?

The main reason why people seek sports medicine services is to get back to their best health so as to do their everyday activities or favorite sport. Sports Medicine generally deals with conditioning, biomechanics, cortisone, synvisc, injury prevention, platelet rich plasma (PRP), hyaline, viscol supplementation, injury management and rehabilitation.

Who can benefit from sports medicine?

Irrespective of the name, Sports medicine is not restricted to the serious athlete only. This field deals with any kind of physical activity, which might or might not be originating from sports. The injuries might be as a result of sudden collision, overuse, and over-extension, over-exertion of muscles of the joints which might be as a result of exercising or any other active physical activity.  This field can treat all types of musculoskeletal injuries.

With sports medicine, athlete or any other person who has suffered the conditions listed above, can still have the hopes of competing in sports again. However, prevention of injuries is one of the best ways one can use to preserve their sports career or active lifestyle. Sports medicine can help all of us stay in the game, or return to it more quickly should we sustain a sports injury.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Importance of Orthopedic Care

The functionality of the human body can only be maximized when all the systems that control it are working well.  The musculoskeletal system is one of the most wonderful systems found on the human body. The system is liable for each movement a person makes like raising their arm, jumping, running and landing effectively back on one's feet. If the musculoskeletal system does not work properly, then a person’s range of motion could be majorly curtailed. If this happens then one may need to look for orthopedic care.

Orthopedic care is a field of medicine that deals with preventing, identifying and treating injuries, ailments and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal system consists of tendon, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that makes is possible for our bodies to lift an arm, run or even throw a ball. Orthopedic care can be conducted in either a surgical or non-surgical manner to treat a number of ailments that affect the musculoskeletal system. Among the many diseases and injuries that orthopedic care can treat, some include: sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, infection, congenital disorder, and degenerative diseases.

There are many processes that can be used to fix the above ailments. Some of the procedures that can be used to treat musculoskeletal diseases by using orthopedic care include use of splints, non-surgical procedures, traction, rehab and surgical procedures.

Many people tend to believe that orthopedic care is all about fractured bones which is not the case. This field of medicine also focuses on caring and repairing ligaments and tendons, which connect muscles to the bones or give stability to the joints.

Treating and diagnosing injuries is not the sole focus of orthopedic care. If you were born with congenital disorders which affect the musculoskeletal system or you have developed degenerative disease, you need orthopedic care. This is because you have not only suffered from an injury which has damaged your system, but you also have a weakened health system caused by the ailment.

Surgeons who specialize in orthopedic care can carry out a number of processes, which are meant to assist people recover from or combat diseases or injuries. These procedures include:

*Carpal tunnel release

*Hip replacement

*Shoulder decompression and arthroscopy

*Repair of trochanteric fracture

*Repair of the ankle fracture among others

Orthopedic care is dedicated to assisting persons who are facing diseases that are hindering them from enjoying a full range of motion in their daily lives. Athletes who have gone through some physical injuries have something to smile of because of the advancements in the field of orthopedic care. Older people who have had a deterioration of key joints like hip and knee can have their whole hip or knee replaced so as to enjoy life once again. So a big thanks to our orthopedic doctors and surgeons, along with sports medicine and rehab specialists for helping to keep out bodies in motion.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.