Author: Dr. Robert Speirs DC

Hip arthritis is common, affecting up to

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Hip arthritis is common, affecting up to one-third of the population. The likelihood of you developing osteoarthritis increases as you age, and appears to be at least partially inherited from your parents. It is more common if you have been overweight and if you were subjected to repetitive injury, including occupations & sports requiring prolonged standing or heavy physical exertion.

An early symptom of Hip OA is prolonged stiffness upon arising in the morning and following periods of inactivity. You might complain of the inability to put your socks on, shave your legs or climb stairs. Groin, thigh and buttock pain are common. In some cases the pain can radiate into your lower leg. Cracking and popping of your hip when moving is possible.

It is sometimes difficult for doctors to differentiate between hip osteoarthritis and lower back problems that can also cause hip pain. Your doctor will likely X-ray your hip to determine the extent of your arthritis (graded 1-4 based on severity).
Arthritis cannot be cured, but your symptoms can often be relieved. Treatment of hip arthritis may include exercises, especially water-based programs like “water-aerobics.” Your doctor may use physical therapy modalities and will likely stretch and manipulate your hip, as this has been shown to be effective at relieving symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend that you avoid aggravating activities, especially those requiring you to rotate your hip internally (i.e., pigeon toed” movements), and to maintain a healthy weight. You will be taught home stretching and strengthening exercises to help you recover. Taking 1500 mg of Glucosamine and chondroitin has been shown to help some arthritis sufferers.

In more severe cases, you may need to use a cane (in the opposite hand) to take weight off the arthritic hip. If conservative treatment fails to relieve your pain, your doctor might recommend consultation with an orthopedic hip specialist to consider joint replacement. http://ow.ly/i/uUf7C

Auto accidents are the leading cause of

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Auto accidents are the leading cause of whiplash. Up to 83% of people involved in an accident will suffer a whiplash injury. The extent of your injury can be predicted by several factors. Patients who are struck from behind in a rear-end collision generally suffer the most injury. Being struck by a larger or heavier vehicle also increases your risk. Your vehicle does not need to be visibly damaged in order for you to be injured. In fact, the amount of damage to your vehicle has little relationship to your injuries. Rear-end impacts of less than 5 MPH routinely give rise to significant symptoms.

Other factors that increase your chance of injury include: improperly positioned head restraints, wet or icy roads, having your head rotated or extended at the time of impact, and being unaware of the impending collision. As we age, our tissues become less elastic, and our risk of injury increases.

Symptoms may begin immediately or have a delayed onset. Initially, you may notice some soreness in the front of your neck that generally fades quickly. Ongoing complaints often include dull neck pain that becomes sharper when you move your head. The pain is generally centered in the back of your neck but can spread to your shoulders or between your shoulder blades. Symptoms may increase over time. Rest may relieve your symptoms but often leads to stiffness.

Sprain/strain injuries cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic “scar tissue.” This process can lead to ongoing pain and even arthritis. Over half of those who are injured will have neck pain up to a year after their accident. Seeking early and appropriate treatment, like the type provided in our office, is critical. If you are riding with others, it is quite possible that they too were injured. It would be in every passenger’s best interest to be examined as soon as possible. http://ow.ly/i/uSfRZ