Dr. Tyson Maugle to Give Talk on Low Back and Neck Pain – What are Your Options?

Date: Sunday, October 15th 

Location: Holiday Essex House – 20 n 12th st Lemoyne PA 17043

Time: 2:00 pm EST

RSVP to Wendy Crecelius at wcrecelius@oip.com or 717-980-3593.

OIP Wins Simply the Best 2023 Award in 3 Categories!

OIP is proud to announce that we have won the 2023 Simply the Best awards in the following 3 categories: 

Thank you for your support and to everyone that voted for OIP in Harrisburg Magazine’s Simply the Best in the past!

Dr. Nathan Angerett to Give Talk on Arthritis of the Knee & Hip

Date: Wednesday, August 9th 2023

Location: 125 State Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Time: 6:00 pm EST

RSVP to Wendy Crecelius at wcrecelius@oip.com or 717-980-3593.

Guide to Hip Pain Relief and Treatment Options

Hip pain and discomfort might be caused by a minor strain or could be due to a chronic condition. Whatever the cause, hip pain can impact your quality of life and keep you from doing the activities you love. To effectively treat your hip pain, you’ll want to know its causes. From there, you can work out how to address the pain and decide if it’s necessary to see a doctor.

This guide to causes and hip pain solutions can help you determine how to get the relief you need.

Causes and Symptoms of Hip Pain

Hip pain can result from the following conditions and causes:

Arthritis

Different kinds of arthritis can cause hip pain. For example, osteoarthritis, common in older adults, is the result of wear and tear. Inflammatory arthritis can affect people of any age and cause a wide range of symptoms, including hip pain.

The symptoms of arthritis affecting the hips can vary. Some people experience a dull aching pain that spreads to other areas of the body, such as the groin, buttocks or thighs. Other people may experience severe pain that limits their range of motion and makes it difficult to walk.

Bursitis

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs located in various areas of the body, including the hip. Their job is to reduce friction, but sometimes these sacs become inflamed in the case of a condition called bursitis. Bursitis typically causes pain in the hip, but over time it can cause a dull, aching pain to spread to the thigh.

Tendonitis

Tendons are tough fibers that connect muscles to bones throughout your body. When these tendons become inflamed, the condition is referred to as tendonitis. Tendonitis in the hip can cause swelling, affect movement and create a grating sensation when you walk.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the bones of the hip joint are misaligned, leading to the joints wearing out faster than they would if properly aligned. The condition can affect children, adolescents and adults. As the joint wears out, you can experience stiffness and pain.

Injury

Injuries to the hip can also result in pain. A fracture, dislocation or labral tear are among the potential injuries to the hip point. A fracture might be the result of a fall and is common among older people. Hip dislocation occurs when the femur slips out of the hip socket, which may happen as the result of a fall or a car accident. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps to cushion the hip joint. A labral tear is a common sports injury.

Pain Treatments and Remedies for Hip Pain

Some conditions causing hip pain can be treated and resolved at home, while others require medical intervention. Some of the common remedies for hip joint pain include:

• Over-the-counter medication: Minor hip injuries, such as a strain, can benefit from over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Ice and heat: You may also find relief from hip pain by using ice and heat. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for short intervals. You can also soak in a hot bath or use a heating pad to ease the discomfort.
• Stretching and low-impact exercises: Stretching and low-impact exercise, such as yoga, can help strengthen hip muscles, reduce pain and prevent future pain. Exercise as an approach to pain relief is ideal for minor discomfort and injury. If you are experiencing severe pain or you aren’t sure of the cause of your hip pain, it is best to consult a doctor before trying stretches and exercise at home.
• Physical therapy: A doctor may decide that you could benefit from physical therapy. A trained physical therapist will show you how to engage in stretches and exercises to address and reduce your pain.
• Cortisone injections: Some conditions require more intervention. Your doctor may suggest cortisone injections to reduce pain and swelling in the hip joint. Injections can be a treatment option for conditions like bursitis and osteoarthritis.
• Surgery: Some hip conditions require surgical intervention. For example, a labral tear may need to be repaired via minimally invasive surgery. Osteotomy is another example of hip surgery, usually done to treat hip dysplasia.

When You Should See a Doctor

Hip pain might be a minor inconvenience that resolves over time, or it could be the result of a more serious condition that requires treatment. It might be time to see a doctor if you experience:

• Intense, sudden pain after an injury: Injuries sometimes happen while you are playing a sport or after you have fallen, and it is always a good idea to be checked by a doctor if you experience sudden pain. A hip dislocation, fracture or labral tear requires prompt medical attention. If it turns out to be a less serious injury, a doctor can still recommend appropriate care.
• Chronic pain: Some hip pain may feel like a dull ache that developed over time. If that pain stubbornly consists over weeks or months, it may require medical attention. A doctor will be able to discuss your symptoms and order appropriate diagnostic tests to find the cause of your chronic hip pain.
• Swelling: Some minor hip conditions, such as tendonitis, may cause swelling, but swelling can also be a sign of something more serious. If you notice swelling or discoloration at the site of pain, it is a good idea to have the injury evaluated by a doctor.
• Signs of infection: Pain accompanied by warmth, redness and swelling could indicate an infection in the joint, which can have serious consequences if left untreated.
• Difficulty moving: If your pain impedes your ability to move the joint or walk, it is time to make a doctor’s appointment. Pain that interferes with your day-to-day life requires treatment.

Receive Care for Your Hip Pain at OIP

If it is time to seek treatment for severe hip pain, where do you start? Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania (OIP) has a Hip and Knee Medical Center that specializes in the care of those two vital joints. Our providers offer conservative treatment for hip pain, including medication, physical therapy and injections. If you do need surgery to address the source of your pain, our team is here to offer rehabilitation services to get you back on your feet.

Contact us today so we can determine the best way to get you the hip pain relief you need.

Dr. Steve DeLuca and Dr. John Kelleher Performs the First 2 GoPLF Surgeries at Penn State Health

Causes of Ankle Popping and Clicking

No matter your age, you might have heard a crackle or pop in your joints when sitting down, standing up or simply walking. Luckily most popping cases are not detrimental to your physical health. However, if left untreated, they could cause mobility complications.

Medically, popping in your joints is known as crepitus. If you’re experiencing a bout of crepitus, it could be from overworking your joints through exercise or stiffness in the joints after a long period of inactivity. While these causes may sound contradictory, it’s how our bodies adapt to certain stimuli — or lack thereof.

At the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania, we can treat foot and ankle pain. Learn more about our services below.

Why Does My Ankle Keep Popping?

Ankle popping on its own is very common. If your popping ankle isn’t painful, it is likely caused by a gas release or tendon rubbing. However, if it is accompanied by pain or swelling, there may be an underlying cause. 

The most common causes of ankle clicking or popping include:

• Gas release: Every time your ankle moves, the joint capsule filled with lubrication fluid is stretched. The fluid in the capsule can contain bubbles of nitrogen that can pop when you move, causing a loud popping sound — similar to when you pop your knuckles in your hand. Tight muscles can also contribute to gas buildup in the fluid, especially after inactivity like sleeping or binging a TV show. This is normal and does not signify an underlying cause.
• Tendon slip: The peroneal tendons in the lower outside of your leg work to stabilize the ankle joint. Sometimes, these tendons slip from the muscle surrounding them, resulting in a snapping sound or feeling. A recent ankle injury could increase the ankle popping frequency. This is also common and not a cause of concern unless it is painful.

Less common reasons that may signify an underlying health condition include:

• Tendon dislocation: The peroneal muscles surrounding the tendons can be pushed from their usual location, causing popping and snapping sounds in your ankle every time you move. This can happen during an ankle sprain. The inflammation, swelling and pain that occurs will need medical attention.
• Osteochondritis dissecans: This condition causes a small segment of bone to separate and causes the cartilage in the ankle joint to wear away. This cracking sound could be painful after a lot of movement, like walking or running.
• Osteochondral lesion: Lesions can form on the cartilage on the ends of your joint bones. Clicking and locking the ankle can occur, limiting the range of motion and causing swelling.
• Ankle osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis refers to a joint deterioration similar to osteochondritis with the wearing down of joint cartilage over time. While most common in the knees, it can also occur in the ankle.
• Peroneal tendon injury: The peroneal tendons that may slip to make a cracking noise can also become injured.

Prevention and Remedies of Ankle Popping and Cracking

You can do several exercises at home to strengthen your popping ankles. These stretches both prevent ankle popping and reduce cracking sounds that already exist. 

Ankle Circles

Performing ankle circles can warm up your joints and increase mobility. You can do this exercise from a seated or lying position:

1. Sit or lay with your legs stretched out front. Prop your leg on a stable surface with the ankle hanging off the edge.
2. Rotate your foot in clockwise circles 10 times with your ankle.
3. Switch to counterclockwise circles 10 more times.
4. Swap feet and repeat with the other ankle.

Towel Stretches

Relieve tight ankles with these simple towel stretches you can do at home:

1. Sit on a flat surface with your legs straight out in front of the body.
2. Loop a towel horizontally around the sole.
3. Gently pull the towel ends toward the body, stretching the foot.
4. Hold this position for 20 seconds.
5. Repeat as needed.

Calf Raises

Strengthen your calf muscles to reduce pressure on the ankles in motion.

1. Stand on the edge of a platform or the bottom stair step with the heels hanging off.
2. Slowly rise onto the toes, driving the body fully upward with the calves.
3. Let the heels gently fall, stretching slightly below the ledge.
4. Repeat 10 times.

When to See a Doctor

When your ankle popping begins to cause discomfort or pain, consider getting a proper diagnosis from a doctor. They may order tests like an MRI or CT scan to look inwardly at the bone and cartilage.

If you recently had an ankle injury, rest is a major proponent of healing. A doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to help with the pain and swelling.

A doctor can stabilize the ankle with a brace or orthotic to promote faster healing for more serious conditions. Physical therapy also works alongside any stabilization devices to slowly get your ankle back to regular functioning. If necessary, surgical options are available, including arthroscopy and total joint replacements.

Visit the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania Today

At the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania, our ankle and foot care center is committed to helping you regain full mobility. For more information on how our services can benefit you, contact us today!

Tips on How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when constant pressure is put on the median nerve. This nerve runs from the forearm through the wrist and provides feeling and sensation to the whole hand — palm, fingers and thumbs. 

If you have carpal tunnel, you will notice numbness or tingling in your hand. You may also experience weakness in your affected hand, occasionally dropping items from a loose grip. CTS has no leading cause, as it results from anything that can squeeze or cut off circulation in this nerve.

How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel

Incorporate some of the following methods into your routine to help prevent the development of carpal tunnel. Be sure to talk to your doctor about other options or exercises you can try.

Relax Your Grip

Sometimes, we don’t notice how tightly we are tensing up our hands until it’s too late. While gripping something, become aware of the strength needed to hold it and don’t overexert. For example, if your work involves typing, hit the keys softly rather than punching them. If you prefer to handwrite, consider using a bigger pen with a soft adapter for easy grip.

Stretch Your Fingers

It is important to get up and stretch your legs every so often, and do the same for your hands! If you consistently use a computer mouse, ink pen or other office materials, there is likely pressure on your median nerve. Gently stretch and bend your wrists periodically to give them a bit of a hiatus.

Improve Your Posture

Sitting in a forward hunch harms your back alignment and nerves. Rolling your shoulders forward can shorten your neck and shoulder muscles, compressing the nerves in your forearms. Keep proper posture to maintain healthy nerve function.

Carpal Tunnel Treatments

If you already have carpal tunnel, you can get help from several available treatments. Nonsurgical approaches are usually the first choice, but surgical options are the next resort if the pain worsens.

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

The Orthopedic Institute of PA offers multiple nonsurgical options for our patients. Physical and occupational therapies are the standard choices. You will walk through a series of exercises and use splints to regain your hand and wrist’s full range of motion.

Additionally, we offer Xiaflex nonsurgical solutions, which are an injection to help improve hand and wrist function.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgical approaches are best for severe carpal tunnel symptoms. We offer:

• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release
• Arthroscopic surgery
• Joint replacement

Recovery

Your hands are one of your most used body parts, so they must receive the proper healing time. Full recovery from carpal tunnel treatments can last from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the condition. If surgery is used, physical therapy is a standard follow-up to ensure the procedure went smoothly and the full range of motion is returning.

Schedule an Appointment with the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania 

Contact the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania for more information, and set up an appointment for carpal tunnel treatment.

New OIP Carlisle Walk-In Clinic is Open!

Carlisle Walk-In Clinic

CARLISLE, PA (September 12, 2022) – The Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania (OIP) is pleased to announce the opening of its new Walk-In clinic in our Carlisle location, offering neighbors in and around the area with increased access to orthopedic emergency services such as strains, sprains, fracture or dislocation. 

Our Walk-In Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Skip the ER and come see us at 250 Alexander Spring Rd in Carlisle! 

Reasons Why Physical Therapy Is So Important

Physical therapy benefits people of all ages who experience medical conditions, injuries or illnesses that limit their motion and daily function. Professionals customize a person’s physical therapy program to help them return to their prior level of functioning. They might also encourage lifestyle changes that prevent further injury and strengthen the patient’s overall health and well-being.

Learn why physical therapy is important, its various benefits and how physical therapists identify, diagnose and treat movement problems below.

Who Can Benefit From Physical Therapy?

Anyone can benefit from physical therapy — even those who have specific conditions but are currently pain-free. Physical therapists can identify and address potential problems that could lead to pain or injury in the future. They can provide supplementary treatment for various medical conditions, depending on their specialty.

For example, physical therapy can benefit those experiencing the following injuries or types of pain:

• Arthritis
• Back pain and strains
• Herniated disc
• Knee pain
• Rotator cuff tears
• Sciatica

Patients might go to physical therapists for specific sub-specialties, such as pediatrics, sports, geriatrics, cardiac, neurology or respiratory physical therapy. For instance, a pediatric physical therapist specializes in helping children with particular injuries or conditions like inherited movement disorders or bone and muscle issues. A cardiac physical therapist provides rehabilitative exercise counseling for those recovering from heart failure, a heart attack or heart surgery.

How Physical Therapists Identify, Diagnose and Treat Movement Problems

Your primary care doctor may refer you to physical therapy to help manage an issue. Physical therapists can then identify, diagnose and treat the pain to help you maintain or restore your range of motion:

1. Discussing your symptoms: Physical therapists will first speak with you about your pain or injury. They might discuss your habits or events that may have led to your symptoms. The conversation can help them determine how you may have gotten where you are physically.
2. Physical assessment: Next, you’ll undergo several functional tests to identify the source of your pain or injury. These tests measure your strength and range of motion, either throughout your entire body or the specific muscles and joints causing the problem.
3. Diagnosis: Physical therapists then compare your conversation and physical assessment to determine the cause of your issues.
4. Treatment plan: Finally, physical therapists explain your diagnosis and customize a treatment plan to help you manage the problem. From therapeutic exercises and manual therapy to newer techniques, a physical therapist will employ several noninvasive treatment options to address or prevent movement issues.

After your initial evaluation, treatment might include stretches or exercises to improve your strength and mobility while helping you stay pain-free. You’ll also be encouraged to continue rehabilitation with at-home exercises. Your physical therapists will assess your condition throughout your sessions to ensure your progress.

Physical Therapy Benefits

So why is physical therapy important? People use physical therapy for various reasons. It may be time to consider physical therapy when you have persistent joint achiness or muscle burning that can’t be relieved with at-home remedies.

Physical therapy can help:

• Reduce or eliminate pain: Physical therapists can help relieve pain caused by injuries or illnesses. Several exercises or manual therapy techniques like joint and tissue mobilization or ultrasound and taping methods can reduce pain, restore muscle and joint function and prevent the pain from returning.
• Avoid surgery: If physical therapy can help you eliminate pain or recover from an injury, you might not need surgery. Even when surgery is required, physical therapy can help you improve your strength beforehand so you can recover faster.
• Improve strength and mobility: No matter your age, if you have issues standing, walking or moving, physical therapy can help. Strengthening and stretching exercises can help restore your movement. You might also use assistive devices like canes or crutches in treatment. Since therapists customize your care plan, they can adapt any important activities in treatment to ensure your maximum performance and safety.
• Recover from a stroke: It’s common to lose some degree of movement and function after a stroke. Physical therapy can help you improve your gait and balance while strengthening the weakened parts of your body. Physical therapists can also improve stroke patients’ ability to move around the home so they can be more independent and require less assistance for activities of daily living.
• Recover from or prevent a sports injury: Physical therapists understand sports can increase your risk of specific injuries, like stress fractures for runners. They’ll design recovery or prevention exercise plans to ensure a safe return to your sport or to help prevent injuries while you’re playing.
• Improve your balance and prevent falls: When you begin physical therapy, therapists will evaluate your risk of falling. They’ll help improve coordination with exercises or assistive devices to promote safer walking. If a vestibular issue causes a balance problem, therapists can employ specific methods to restore vestibular functioning and reduce dizziness.
• Manage age-related issues: Individuals may develop specific bone or muscle conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis as they age. Physical therapists can help patients recover from joint replacement and help them manage their conditions.

How to Get Care for Your Physical Therapy Needs

Our priority at the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania is providing high-quality care and service to address your physical therapy needs. Our friendly, highly skilled team works with you to achieve a higher success rate and improve your overall quality of life.

At our physical therapy center, you can expect specialized services and treatment in areas like:

• Orthopedics: Orthopedics address musculoskeletal injuries and impairments.
• Sports medicine: This specialty focuses on treating and preventing sports-related injuries.
• Hand therapy: Despite the name, hand therapy focuses on the hands, arms, wrists, elbows and shoulders.
• Work-related injuries: This treatment aims to help patients safely return to work.

We design our individualized treatment plans to fit your condition and lifestyle. We use expert hands-on manual techniques, such as joint and soft tissue mobilization. With these techniques, we can help you improve function, increase your range of motion and reduce pain, swelling and inflammation so you can get back to the activities you love the most.

Work With OIP as Your Physical Therapy Provider

You might need physical therapy for several reasons, from illness to injury. For your physical therapy needs, turn to OIP. By providing early intervention and 24-hour access to care, our customized treatment plans can help you restore your mobility as quickly as possible.

Our patients are our top priority. We provide high-quality care, work with all insurance providers and offer convenient scheduling to fit therapy around your busy schedule.

Use our online appointment request form to make an appointment today.

2023 Free PIAA Sports Physicals from OIP!