• R.I.C.E. for acute injuries.

    I was asked to make a statement regarding my opinion on R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation) versus the updated and more technical acronym, P.O.L.I.C.E. (protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation). My opinion is that R.I.C.E is essentially a first aid tool for any of us to use during the initial period after an injury, before you have a chance to go to the ER or to see your doctor. P.O.L.I.C.E. is what your doctor will consider after evaluating your condition. When I sprain my ankle, I’m heading straight home to rest it, put an ice pack on it, wrap it with an ace bandage and hike it up on…

  • The Things You Carry

    As any of you who have been following my blog know, I’m all about prevention and early recognition of overuse issues. Obviously if we prevent the problem, we might not have to suffer. If we catch it early, we might not have to suffer…much. And even though through suffering…we grow stronger, I think it doesn’t apply as much to the physical being as to the emotional being . And it certainly doesn’t apply if the suffering is due to your purse. Now you might think you would suffer if you couldn’t own any bag your heart desired. But I’m here to tell you that these giant bags which resemble something…

  • Kids and Pills

    Before I say anything about kids and pills, I have to preface it by saying that for adults and pills, whatever I say goes double. But first a few definitions. Ninety-five percent of the pills I prescribe fall into two categories; anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Anti-inflammatories fall into two categories; steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Pain relievers also fall into two categories; narcotics and non-narcotics. Steroids are…well…steroids. They’re also commonly known as cortisone, corticosteroids and prednisone. The most common one used by orthopedic surgeons is methylprednisolone, often prescribed in the form of a Medrol Dosepak, which is a tapering dose of the medication. It’s used for a short burst of…

  • Dr. NO

    I often refer to myself as Dr. No or the Doctor of No, because I find myself telling patients more of what they can’t do than what they can do. It doesn’t feel good to do it, and other than dictating charts and dealing with electronic medical records, it’s one of the most unrewarding things I have to do on a daily basis.  Occasionally I start out the day promising myself to tell more patients about the things they can do rather than focusing on what they can’t do. But it doesn’t last for long. At the end of a long day in the office…I’m Dr. No. And I’ll stand…

  • Feather Your Nest

      Get creative in the bedroom… Invest in some feather pillows and a good mattress. There are a lot of ways pillows can make your life better, and it’s not just in the bedroom. But since that’s where we use them the most, let’s start there. But we won’t stop there. I like to look at the situation in your bed much like I look at a pair of shoes. Does it look like your foot goes there? Take off your shoe and stand up next to it. Look down at your foot and shoe. Does it look like your foot fits in there? Unless you are routinely wearing hippie…