Common Injuries

ACL Tears

ACL Tears are common and increasing in number ...What is the ACL? What do you need to know? What are your options? What is the ACL? The ACL is one of four major ligaments inside the knee that is responsible for maintaining stability of the knee during certain activities.  This video on knee anatomy, including the ACL, may be useful. ... Read More

Labral Tears of The Shoulder

  What is the Labrum? The labrum in the shoulder  is a cartilage disc attached to the socket of the shoulder that aids in maintaining stability of the shoulder --- so that the shoulder stays in its proper place. The labrum is firmly attached to the socket, and the shoulder ligaments which connect the bones of the ... Read More

What is the ACL or Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

Given the rapid increase in ACL injuries suffered by children and active adults,  it is only natural to ask --- What is the ACL?The ACL is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament.  Ligaments in our body connect one bone to another in a very strong manner.  They contribute to the stability of our joints, so our knees ... Read More

Shoulder Dislocations and Labral Tears

  Shoulder Dislocations: Shoulder instability, or shoulder dislocations,  is actually a very complex issue. Not all shoulder dislocations occur for the same reason. We can have loose ligaments or torn ligaments --- we can dislocate our arm forward, backwards or in both directions.  You may have had only one dislocation, or you may have had many.   ... Read More

Rotator Cuff Tears and Related Injuries

The Rotator CuffRotator cuff injuries  are very common and is the most common cause of shoulder pain over the age of thirty.  Many rotator cuff  or shoulder *problems* do not relate to injuries per se.  Some of you here may have suffered a recent injury to your shoulder and some of you simply woke up with shoulder ... Read More

Meniscus Tear or Cartilage Tear

Jeremy Lin has put the spotlight on meniscus tears ....  Let's explore:What a Meniscus is and its function? How does a Meniscus Tear occur Why does a  Meniscus Tear hurt? What types of Meniscus Tears are there? Does a  meniscus tear require surgery?What is a Meniscus? A meniscus is a cartilage disk that’s found in the knee.  There are actually two ... Read More

Elbow Problems

Lateral Epicondylitis...aka Tennis Elbow  Most patients I see with tennis elbow haven't picked up a racket in 20 years.  Most professional tennis players have never suffered from tennis elbow :-).  Tennis elbow is not a very telling or accurate name.   Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis falls into the broad category of  tendinopathies.  A tendinopathy is a ... Read More

Calcific Tendonitis — What is it?

Patients with calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff are usually easily recongnized by me in the office.  They look tired, and they look like they are in severe pain.  Why is this?  How did this happen? What is Calcific Tendonitis?   Calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff is characterized by the deposition of calcium within the rotator cuff tendon ... Read More

Chondromalacia : What is it?

Chondromalacia patella is a very very common diagnosis -- and a very common cause of knee pain in young women and in runners of all ages.Chondromalacia  is also a very common reason why our knees click or grind. What is Chondromalacia:Chondromalacia, very simply put represents a softening and early degenerative process involving the cartilage on the ... Read More

Cartilage Injury and Cartilage Defects

  Have you been told that you are "missing cartilage" in your knee? Please read on....Types of Cartilage: In the human knee there are two forms of cartilage. We have the two cushions, each of which we call a meniscus.   We also have cartilage on the end of the thigh bone or femur,  and cartilage that covers the ... Read More

Recovery from rotator cuff surgery

Rotator cuff tears are a very common source of shoulder pain.  Rotator cuff surgery is an option for those who do not respond to non-surgical treatments.  Whether you had surgery for a full thickness rotator cuff tear or a partial rotator cuff tear, recovery from rotator cuff surgery can be a lengthy process.  More so ... Read More

Microfracture for Cartilage Injuries

A microfracture is but one option available to deal with knee cartilage injuries ... but first, some basics.   The knee is a complex structure.  This video on the anatomy of the knee will assist you in understanding how complex it actually is.  The knee is composed of 3 bones, 4 major ligaments, tendons, cartilage and ... Read More

Knee Replacement

You have tried everything... rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, injections and therapy -- but your knee pain persists.  Your physician has recommended a knee replacement and you are curious about your options. You have a million questions and you are very nervous. Facing major reconstructive surgery can be very daunting.   Download the Total Knee Patient Guide.   Hopefully this section will assist you ... Read More

Manufacturers

The sections below link directly to the orthopedic industry providers' websites. These are the providers who manufacture the products I use on a daily basis.ArthroscopySmith and Nephews Endoscopy One of the finest arthroscopic providers, Smith and Nephews provide me with high-defintion arthroscopy video capabilities and instrumentation to allow me to perform very demanding, specialized procedures in ... Read More