The first step is to make sure that winter shoes and boots stored away for almost a year still fit well, noted Dr. Elliot. “Our feet change as we get older, and footwear that fit us last year may now be too tight," he explained. “Squeezing your feet into shows that are too snug can lead to foot pain, blisters, bruises and other problems.”

When shopping for new shoes or boots, Dr. Elliot recommended going to the store in the late afternoon or evening because our feet tend to get bigger as the days goes on. He also suggested bringing the socks you plan to wear in the cold weather because they may be thicker and need more room in the shoe. 

Whether returning to a winter sport such as skiing, or trying a new one, strength training and conditioning in advance are essential to preventing injury, said Dr. Wanich. He noted that cold temperatures cause muscles and tendons to become tight and less flexible. “Tightness in the Achilles tendon and the calf muscles put more pressure on your feet, leaving them more susceptible to an injury during exercise. The best way to prevent this is to warm up and stretch before running and other winter activities.”  

Many of his patients are devoted to outdoor running all year round, and he advises them to make sure they wear a shoe with good traction. “Much like the way we change our tires to deal with winter weather, we advise runners to wear the appropriate shoe for the season," he said.” Sometimes that means going to a specialized shoe store, where employees can can help you choose the right shoe and ensure a good fit. 

Read the full article at digitaleditions.walsworth.com. 

Dr. Rodeo noted that regenerative medicine has the potential to revolutionize patient care, but the field is still in its early stages. He added, more research is needed to identify what types of treatments work best for a particular condition and for a given patient.

Dr. Rodeo explained, “We can potentially use regenerative medicine therapies for conditions that don’t heal well on their own, such as osteoarthritis, chronic tendonitis, degenerative disc disease in the spine and other injuries. I tell patients these types of treatments can work well for pain relief. However, in terms of regenerating damaged tissue such as cartilage, we’re not there yet.”

Some studies have shown platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to be effective in the treatment of chronic tendon injuries and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Baxi explained, “Although the exact mechanism of action is unclear, evidence suggests that the platelets amplify growth factors that promote tissue repair and healing.”

He continued, “Patient selection is key. For someone with severe bone-on-bone arthritis, for example, PRP may not be the most effective treatment option.” He added that a thorough patient history, a discussion of symptoms, and diagnostic imaging tests such as x-rays, MRI and ultrasound are critical to make the diagnosis and determine if PRP would be a good option.

Dr. Rodeo underscored vigilance when considering regenerative medicine treatment options. He explained, “The marketing is ahead of the science. Unscrupulous providers and clinics are marketing largely unproven treatments, targeting patients who hope to find relief for a difficult-to-treat problem. People sometimes pay exorbitant sums of money for these unregulated and potentially harmful treatments, possibly delaying a proven treatment that could be beneficial.”

At HSS, a number of regenerative medicine studies are under way and enrolling patients. Dr. Rodeo is leading one such clinical trial to see if the injection of certain cells contained in adipose (fat) tissue during rotator cuff surgery can enhance healing. He believes regenerative medicine research at legitimate centers around the country will bring significant progress over the next five years.

This article appeared in the Spring 2022 print edition.
 

A gradual return to exercise is key to avoiding injury. “The challenge is that when you have been inactive for a long time, the body gets weaker and cannot handle an activity at the previous intensity,” explained Dr. Wang.

“The foot is particularly vulnerable [to stress fractures],” said Dr. Drakos, “When people think of bones, they think they are hard like metal, but the bones in the foot are more like tree branches. They can bend a little bit and if you bend them enough times, they can crack.”

Dr. Wang recommended seeing a doctor if pain persists after a few hours of continuing an activity, or if people start experiencing pain on days when they not working out. “The ‘no pain, no gain’ mantra should be banished from our vocabulary. Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong,” he noted.

“It is also important to figure out what led to the stress fracture in the first place,” noted Dr. Wang. “The prevention part is just as important as the treatment part.”

A deficiency of vitamin D can affect healing, according to Drs. Wang and Drakos. Dr. Starr explained the daily recommendations for calcium and vitamin D, and noted that at least half of our calcium intake should come from foods such as dairy products, dark, green leafy vegetables and high-calcium fish like salmon and sardines.

Dr. Drakos emphasized the importance of wearing the right shoes for activity and supportive footwear when not exercising. “Most of us take more than a million steps a year. So, if you take 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day in shoes that are not giving you support, it is that much extra stress on your feet with every step you take.”

This article appeared in the June 2021 print edition and online at Omagdigital.com.

Hip pain and hip tightness can be related to anything from over- or underusing the muscles in the hips, to lower back pain, to more serious conditions like fractures, explained Wu. Sitting all day doesn't help with hip tightness or pain either. "In otherwise healthy individuals — without any underlying medical conditions or surgical history — people who are generally sedentary can experience symptoms of hip tightness among other musculoskeletal complaints throughout the body," noted Wu.

But keeping up with a workout routine and doing exercises for hip pain can help. "People who are more physically active tend to have less disability, live longer and have fewer chronic medical conditions," Wu says. "Many of the consequences of physical inactivity can cause symptoms of joint tightness across the body as well as affect the experience of pain."

Read the full article at Livestrong.com.

"Muscle 'knots,' trigger points, and myofascial pain syndrome are terms that are used to describe the experience of sensitive spots in soft tissue that are commonly associated with injury, or in people with persistent neck/back pain," Wu says.

Wu explains that there is no consistent explanation on how muscle knots are formed and while people can feel relief with massage, acupuncture, ice packs, hot packs and physical activity, treatments sometimes only provide short-term benefits.

"This further highlights the importance of identifying and addressing the factors that may be relevant to that individual's pain experience, rather than just their symptoms," Wu says.

Read the full article at PopSugar.com.