Comfortably Treating Scoliosis with 3D-Printed Braces

Ankle injuries

Achilles injuries are some of the most common injuries I treat. Often, they result from improper stretching and warm-up prior to physical activity. When the Achilles is torn, surgical repair is often, but not always, necessary. Ankle sprains are also very common and usually much less severe than Achilles tears. These injuries typically result from rolling your ankle awkwardly when jumping or running. Rest, ice, elevation and compression with a bandage or brace is an effective treatment.

To help prevent these injuries, focus on a good stretching routine for at least 10 to 15 minutes before engaging in physical activity. Proper shoes can also help, and be mindful of where you step.  

Knee injuries

Meniscal tears are one of the more common knee injuries. The meniscus is a circular disc-like cartilage located in the knee. When a twisting or torsional injury occurs, the meniscus can get torn. This can produce catching or locking type symptoms and may require surgical treatment. Injuries to the patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon are also somewhat common and usually result from a failure to stretch and warm up appropriately. Whenever the patellar or quadriceps tendon is torn, surgery is almost always required.  

Focus again on stretching prior to activity. When the activity is relatively strenuous, such as pickleball, tennis or basketball, then you should build up a quadriceps strengthening program and core strengthening prior to engaging in activity.

Shoulder injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are very common and can range from strains to complete tears. Injuries occur when people fall on an outstretched hand, like diving for a ball, or through other twisting motions. When the rotator cuff is strained but not torn, physical therapy will usually suffice. However, when torn, surgical treatment may be necessary.  

The best way to prevent shoulder injuries is to focus on stretching prior to activity and to engage in a strengthening program.  

I encourage you to engage in physical activity, but attention to stretching, strengthening and focusing on your environment can help you avoid a variety of orthopedic injuries.  

Learn more about orthopedic care at Wellstar at wellstar.org/ortho.

Dr. D. Hodari Brooks, Wellstar orthopedic surgeon

Georgia’s oldest comprehensive stroke center at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center was approved by The Joint Commission to renew its best-in-class certification.

The healthcare accrediting body has four advanced stroke certifications. Wellstar MCG Health has once again earned its most demanding certification—the Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification—which was designed for hospitals that can treat complex stroke cases.

Wellstar MCG Health’s stroke center, which provides care to a thousand patients annually, was the first hospital in Georgia to get the CSC certification when it was first offered in 2013.

Every two years, the program must get recertified, a process that requires surveyors from The Joint Commission to visit the center to observe practices and collect data, such as complication rates.

This year, two surveyors spent two days in April doing a comprehensive review of the stroke center.

Dr. Scott Rahimi, neurosurgical director of the stroke center, said this year’s review was the best they’ve had since becoming a CSC in 2013.

“This year we took care of more stroke patients than any other facility in the CSRA,” he said.

Eight hospitals in Georgia have the CSC certification, including Wellstar Kennestone, Wellstar MCG Health and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Centers, but Wellstar MCG Health is the only in the region with the advanced certification, said Stroke Program Manager Amanda Howard.

“This particular survey was very rewarding and made it worth all the hard work we do taking care of patients,” she said.