When you were younger, you thought nothing of spending an entire afternoon playing touch football and going for a run the next day. But lately, you’ve been noticing that your body doesn’t snap back the way it used to, and certain things — a sore shoulder, a “trick” knee — are making the couch more attractive than the tennis court.

“People are staying active much later in life, which is great for overall health,” says Craig Faulks, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at The George Washington University Hospital. “But over time, the bones and joints begin to wear down, and they begin to feel the pain of arthritis and overuse injuries.”

The orthopaedic surgeons at GW Hospital can help. “We start with conservative treatment, such as painkilling medications and therapy,” says Kenneth Fine, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at GW Hospital. “If that doesn’t help, we can often repair the problem surgically.”

Surgeons at GW Hospital perform hundreds of procedures every year to fix torn shoulder rotator cuffs and knee ligaments and repair joints damaged by arthritis. They use advanced equipment and minimally invasive techniques that result in less tissue damage and promote a fast recovery. They also work with anesthesiologists who provide the newest advances in pain control, reducing the risk for nausea and grogginess, allowing most patients to go home the day of surgery.

The surgeons are supported by a team of nurses and physical therapists who design individualized rehabilitation programs that promote healing and help patients return to normal activities as quickly as possible.

Dr. Fine points out that it takes special expertise to treat patients who are otherwise healthy and want to stay active. “GW Hospital surgeons have received formal training in sports medicine surgery and rehabilitation methods,” he notes. “I also stay active in professional associations like the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America to keep on top of new findings and bring the latest techniques to patients.”

Whether or not you need surgery, Dr. Faulks recommends seeing a specialist as soon as possible if you have chronic pain. “Ignoring pain or hoping it goes away on its own is not a good idea — you could be doing more damage without realizing it,” he says. “The time to get evaluated is sooner rather than later.”
 
Give Your Knees a Tune-up
 
You’ve played with pain for too long. Popping, swelling, or lock-ups — you can’t shake off your “trick” knee anymore. You may be suffering from a torn cartilage meniscus. Knee cartilage is torn when you twist your knee the wrong way or with wear and tear. Don’t let the fear of pain keep you on the couch. Learn about conservative and minimally invasive treatment options that could get you back out there again.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007, 7–8:30 p.m., Free

Presenter: Kenneth Fine, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Location: Hospital Auditorium. To register, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

To schedule an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

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As seen in The George Washington University Hospital Health News Spring 2007.