Month: March 2023

A tendon rupture is likely an injury you don’t know much about until it affects you. You also might know this as a tendon tear; both are injured tissue that has a partial or total tear. It is typically excruciatingly painful and can result in permanent disability if not treated correctly. What is a tendon? It is the fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone and is found at the joints of the body. At Paragon Orthopedic Center, one of the most common tendon ruptures seen is a rotator cuff tear at the shoulder. How do you know if you have a tendon strain or a rupture/tear? The pain from a tear can range from a dull ache to intense, and involves a loss of function. People will sometimes report hearing a popping or snapping sound at the time of the injury with a tear. For strains, these are mildly painful and usually get better using the acronym RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). If you suspect a rupture, use RICE therapies as you seek immediate medical attention. If it appears serious to you, listen to your body and be seen as soon as possible. A medical professional will be able to assess your injury and determine the severity of it. Symptoms and treatment vary depending on which tendons are involved and how severe the rupture is. Here is more information about the different tendon ruptures, but always contact Paragon for specific advice to get you the best and quickest treatment. (541) 472-0603.

Ruptured Tendon: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments (webmd.com)

We advocate physical fitness often at Paragon Orthopedic Center because of its many benefits. It elevates your mood, regulates sleep, aides in weight loss/maintenance, and reduces the risk of disease. Health authorities recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity every week. While that might not be possible for everyone, getting some is better than none, so start today! Is a gym membership not in the budget? Then you need to know what home fitness equipment will give you the most bang for your buck. Here are five pieces of equipment recommended by the Mayo Clinic that are effective and inexpensive:

1. Jump rope. This can be used at almost any age and fitness level.
2. Stability ball. It strengthens your core and helps with balance.
3. Mat. This cushions your movements for stretching, yoga, calisthenics, or core strengthening.
4. Dumbbells. Easy to use while at the computer or while watching TV.
5. Resistance bands. Good for strength and muscle tone.

If you have concerns about doing any of these suggestions, always discuss them with your healthcare provider before starting. Paragon encourages you to get moving and take charge of your health to be the best you can be!

Must-have home fitness equipment – Mayo Clinic Health System

Happy birthday to Kim, Dr. Cowley, Shelby, and Dr. Wieking this month! Give them a birthday fist bump if you run into one of these fantastic people while at our office in March!

Did you know colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.? Paragon Orthopedic Center wants to remind Southern Oregon about keeping your body in tip top shape by doing the maintenance recommended by medical professionals, and that includes screenings for colorectal cancer (CRC). Most of these cancers start as a polyp and they are detected by colonoscopy. A colonoscopy also allows doctors to detect the warning signs of CRC and prevent the disease. It is a fairly simple procedure where most patients wake up feeling like they had a good nap. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has more information. Catch it early for the most effective treatment! If you regularly are screened, kudos to you, but if you don’t, get yourself scheduled today!

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month | Colorectal Cancer Alliance (ccalliance.org)

Since we are in the thick of the skiing and snowboarding season, knee pain is a hot topic. Knee injuries account for 1/3 of all skiing injuries, and while knee injuries are less common in snowboarders, knees can and do get injured by them too. There is a great web article from the Stone Clinic in San Francisco that reviews a few different categories of pain you might feel after tweaking your knee:

• soreness: usually due to deconditioning and responds to ice/heat, massage, and stretching
• grinding or clicking at the knee; causes can vary greatly
• pain inside the knee: popping, catching, pain with squats, or pain when pushing off
• pain outside the knee
• pain all around the knee

The article goes into more detail within each category, but if your knee pain is getting in the way of you going about life, please be seen by a healthcare professional. There are many options to solve knee pain, so please do not think you have to live with it. And if you are afraid of surgery, it isn’t always necessary, but the cause is nearly impossible to diagnose without a hands-on examination. Paragon Orthopedic Center is always here for you, Southern Oregon! 541-472-0603
Skiing Knees: a Guide to Good Hurt vs Bad Hurt (stoneclinic.com)