knee replacement surgery Pinehurst NC

Nurture Your Knees: 2 Culprits of Knee Replacement Surgery

knee replacement surgery Pinehurst NC Replacing your windshield wipers and replacing your knees are two very common, but very different things. As the most common joint replacement surgery, knee replacement involves replacing your knee joints with artificial ones. Most commonly caused by arthritis or other joint problems, a knee replacement surgery can help restore your range of motion and ability move around once again. This article will discuss common causes of knee replacement surgeries. Read on to learn more.

Arthritis

There are three types of arthritis that can result in you having to get knee replacement surgery: post-traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Depending on how severe your arthritis is and how your overall health is, will help Dr. John Moore decide if a knee replacement surgery is a feasible option for you.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

  • This type of arthritis is typically caused by injury that occurred earlier in life. If left untreated, these injuries can cause inflammation and irritation of the ligaments which can later turn into post-traumatic arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

  • This form of arthritis is caused by a loss of cartilage around the bones which causes the joints to rub together and wear down.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • This form of arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the membrane that lines the knee joint and breaks it down.

Knee Deformities

Knee deformities that require a knee replacement are a bit rarer. However, they are still possible. For instance, individuals who have bow legs or knocked knees may need a knee replacement later in life if too much pressure is placed on their knee joints. Traditionally, we like our patients with knee deformities to try physical therapy first and then we can move onto surgery if we decide it is still needed.

Although knee replacements are a common surgery, they are not for everyone. If you would like to learn more about knee replacement surgery or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. John Moore’s office today!

Joint Replacement

Looking for a Joint Supplement? A Few Things to Know

Joint ReplacementThere are many things that you can do for your joint health— especially as you age or put more strain on your body. Whether you have started to realize that your joints are stiffer than they used to be or if you just want to take preventative measures in ensuring that you don’t get arthritis further on down the line, adding a nutritional supplement to your diet can do wonders. But before you start taking a supplement, it’s important to know a few things about it. From dietary supplements to knowing what to put in your body, this article will help you shop for the right supplement for you and your lifestyle. Read on to learn more.

Understanding Dietary Supplements

When you go down the vitamin and supplement aisle at your local grocery store, you may be overwhelmed by the different options you have. One of the most popular things that patients like to consume on a daily basis is a dietary supplement. Containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and botanicals, dietary supplements are designed to be taken in addition to your regular food and not in place of it.

  • S-adenosylmethionine

As a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory supplement, s-adenosylmethionine can help treat osteoarthritis and even fibromyalgia. By stimulating cartilage growth and serotonin levels, s-adenosylmethionine can make your joints feel better and give you that relief your body has been craving.

  • Curcumin (Curcuma longa)

Curcumin is the same ingredient that is found in turmeric and is popular amongst arthritis patients for its ability to give patients long-term pain relief and improvement with arthritis pain. Plus, if you’re not a big fan of consuming turmeric on a daily basis, then finding a supplement with curcumin in it should do the trick.

Shopping for a joint supplement can be beyond overwhelming. However, by understanding what a dietary supplement is and a few ingredients to look for to promote joint health, you should be able to narrow down your options. To learn more about joint supplements or your joint health in general, contact Dr. John Moore’s office today!

Joint Replacement Pinehurst NC

Ice Bath Vs. Ice Pack: How to Get Icy Cold Joint Relief

Joint Replacement Pinehurst NCWhen you have sore joints or muscles, there are a few things that you can do to get rid of inflammation and ease the pain including taking an over the counter medication like ibuprofen, resting, and icing. As an all-natural way to combat pain and inflammation, however, icing is one of the best things that Dr. John Moore encourages all of his patients to do after working out, having surgery, and getting injured. When it comes to icing, you have two options: having an ice bath or using an ice pack. So, what is the best option and which one will give you the fastest joint relief? Read on to learn more.

Ice Bath

If you have a knee injury, shin splints, or even an ankle injury, we encourage our patients to sit in an ice bath. By encompassing your legs, knees, and ankles, an ice bath is a fast way to combat inflammation and pain. To take an ice bath, fill your bathtub with about four inches of really cold water and then add about a bucket full of ice. Then, slowly submerge either the lower part of your body or just your ankles. Try to sit in there for as long as you can stand it— hopefully more than one second. Repeat about two to three times.

Ice Pack

If you just have a small injury or joint issues around an area of your body like your wrist, then you can just use a small ice pack. When using an ice pack, try to use a gel one so that it can conform to your injury. The more the ice pack covers, the better it will be at getting rid of the inflammation on your joints.

Icing your joints and muscles is one of the best things you can do for your body. Whether you choose to take an ice bath or use an ice pack, you will notice a significant decrease in pain and inflammation. To learn more about what you can do for your joint and muscle health, contact Dr. John Moore today and schedule an appointment.

hip surgery | Pinehurst |

37 Years of Dedication

Dr Moore’s nurse Debbie is retiring after 37 years of dedication to Pinehurst Surgical Clinic.  Debbie has given so much to Dr Moore’s clinic, she has been team mom and always has great adventure stories.  We are so happy to have been apart of her journey and wish her much happiness as she spends time with her husband, children, and grandchildren in her retirement.  

Hip Pain? 3 Stretches to Try at Home

Whether you’ve been walking more, lifting more weight, or participating in a high-intensity workout, these simple changes can make your hip hurt in a bad way. And one of the worst parts about hip pain is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re in your twenties or seventies— you can still get it. Luckily, as one of the best ways to get rid of pain, stretching can be done from the comfort of your own home. By breaking up the lactic acid in your hips and stretching out the supporting muscles, you can help to alleviate any pain. If you have just started experiencing hip pain and would like to get some relief, consider trying these three stretches at home. Read on to learn more.

The Frog

No, you aren’t going to jump over any lily pads to do this stretch. To do The Frog stretch, get on your hands and knees and slowly widen your legs as far as they will go, bringing your feet along with them— the wider your legs open out, the more of a stretch you should feel in your hips. Once your hips legs have gotten to the widest point possible, flex your feet and lean your torso forward with your arms extended in front of you— this should stretch out your hips even further.

Seated Fourth Position

If you have ever taken a ballet class, you are familiar with the first, second, third, and fourth position. To really stretch the outer part of your hips muscles, try this stretch. Sitting on the floor with your knees bent, take your right shin so that it is positioned in front of you, and drop your left shin and hip to the floor. Inhaling slowly, push your left hip forward until you start to feel a stretch.

Seated Pigeon

If you have ever taken a yoga class, then you know all about how well the seated pigeon can stretch out your hips and buttocks. To do this position sit on the floor with your knees bent. Then, grab your left legs and fold it across your right leg so that your left ankle is touching your right knee. Repeat on both sides.

If you start to experience a lot of pain at any point while doing these stretches, try switching it up. To learn more about hip stretches and pain, contact Dr. John Moore to discuss your treatment options. With a variety of tests, Dr. John Moore will be able to create a treatment plan for you and your recovery.

 

 

Not Ready to Embrace Your Knee Brace? 3 Clothing Items to Sport This Spring

knee brace‘Tis the season for shorts, skirts, swimsuits, and all things spring. However, if you have just gotten knee surgery and you have to wear a knee brace, the last thing you may want to show off are your new scars. But just because you have an injured knee, it doesn’t mean that you still can’t be fashionable. From maxi skirts to dresses, this article will discuss a few items of clothing every woman should invest in for after knee surgery. Read on to learn more.

Maxi Skirts

Long, flowy maxi-skirts are really in style this spring. With designer stores like JCrew filling their catalogs full of both dressy and casual maxi-skirts, you have plenty of options to choose from. The best thing about wearing a maxi skirt after having knee surgery is that you can cover up your knee braces while still looking fashionable. And, by pairing a dressy maxi skirt with a simple t-shirt, you can head just about anywhere looking as chic as ever.

Maxi Dresses

Another staple that everyone— not just knee brace wearers— are going to be sporting this spring is a maxi dress. Dresses are an easy, fun, and girly way to dress up your everyday wardrobe. And, just like with maxi skirts, maxi dresses will cover up your knee brace, so you won’t have to worry about everyone seeing it. When shopping for a maxi dress to go over your brace/boot, make sure that it’s loose so that it doesn’t get caught on your brace when you are walking.

Baggy Pants

No, you’re not going to be representing your inner 1990’s gangster with these pants, but baggy pants in materials like linen and cotton are so in style this spring. And, if they are baggy enough, they will be able to cover your knee brace without fail. When shopping for baggy pants to cover your braces, make sure that you can pull your pants on and off without them getting stuck on it— this will make your life a lot easier.

Maxi skirts, dresses, and baggy pants are going to be your best friend this spring if you just got knee surgery. To learn more about recovery tips from knee surgery, contact Dr. John Moore’s office today!

 

 

 

How to Massage Your Knee After ACL Surgery

ACL surgery Pinehurst, NCGetting ACL surgery can make you feel like an old man. Whether you injured your knee while playing a sport or if you got into an accident, you know just how painful it is to have a torn ACL. However, by getting surgery to repair your ACL, you can help restore your function in no time. To get your functionality back to normal after surgery, it’s important that you do a combination of things including physical therapy, massage, icing, and taking pain medication. But when it comes to massage, many of our patients don’t know how to perform it. Luckily we have created a brief instruction guide to help you. Read on to learn more.

Why Massage?

We all know that getting a back massage is a great way to help you feel calm and relaxed, but did you know it’s good for you? Massage is a technique that helps to break up things like scar tissue and fluid to increase circulation and joint mobility.

How Can I Massage My Knee?

There are several different types of massage techniques that you can use on your knees including the palpation technique, the cross friction technique, and roll massage. As one of the easiest and safest ways to massage your knees, we will solely focus on the rolling massage.

To start the roll massage technique, sit in your chair with your knees bent. Slowly and carefully lift your injured leg and place your ankle on your good knee. Take the palms of your hands and put them on each side of your knee with your fingers wrapped around the front of your knee, right above your shin. Slowly take your fingers and slide them across your skin, creating a rolling motion. Repeat this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes a few times a day.

Massage is an excellent way to prevent you from forming scar tissue after you have ACL surgery. To learn more proper massage techniques or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. John Moore.

 

3 of the Worst Things You Can Do to Your Already Bad Knees

Knee Pain and Care Pinehurst, NCHaving bad knees can cause everyday activities like walking up the stairs to feel a bit unbearable in the pain department. If you have started to notice that your knees are inflamed and painful after doing small activities like even walking to your mailbox to get mail, come into visit Dr. John Moore. From avoiding the knee pain altogether to being overweight, this article will discuss three of the worst things you can do to your already bad knees. Read on to learn more.

Avoiding the Pain

Are you a naturally stubborn person? Do you avoid going to the doctor at all costs? If so, you are likely more susceptible to avoiding confronting your knee pain altogether. One of the worst things that you can do for your knee pain is to avoid it and pretend like it isn’t there. By ignoring the problem, the more likely it is to get worse on its own. Remember that the sooner you confront the fact that you have a knee problem, the sooner you can seek treatment.

Avoiding Physical Therapy

If you come into see Dr. John Moore and are encouraged to go through some extensive physical therapy to help rehabilitate your knees, you need to do it. Although going to physical therapy can take time away from your day and may be even a little painful at times, it is one of the best ways to strengthen the muscles around your knees and gain your functionality back.

Being Overweight

The more weight your body and joints have to carry around, the harder it is going to be on your knees. The added pressure of having that excess weight on your knees can cause them to give out, buckle, be constantly inflamed, and unable to function.

Suffering from bad knees can be painful and exhausting. By avoiding pain, physical therapy, and being overweight, you aren’t doing your knees any favors. If you suffer from knee and joint pain, contact Dr. John Moore today to schedule a consultation.

 

Total Vs. Revision Knee Replacements

Total Vs. Revision Knee Replacements Pinehurst, NCWhether you have bad knees from excessive wear and tear on them caused by things such as sports or you simply have bad knees due to old age, you may be a suitable candidate for knee replacement surgery. Here at Pinehurst Surgical, Dr. John Moore offers two different types of knee surgery: total knee replacement surgery and revision knee replacement surgery. But what are the differences between these two surgeries and how can you determine the best option for you? Read on to learn more.

Total Knee Replacement

This surgery is done on individuals who have severe arthritis. During this surgical procedure, Dr. John Moore will remove the damaged knee joint and replace it with a prosthesis that is usually made out of either metal or plastic. The prosthesis is either attached to the knee joint by using a cemented option, an uncemented option, or with the combination of the two. Once the prosthesis has been properly placed, the incision will be sealed up, and a drain will be inserted into your knee to help with the fluids. After your surgery, you will be sent to recovery and will be required to start physical therapy to help you gain mobility back in your knee.

Revision Knee Replacement

This type of surgery is done to replace your prosthesis after you have already had a total knee replacement. A revision knee replacement is typically needed after a knee replacement has failed or after the polyethylene liner has eroded. During this surgery, a new prosthesis will replace the old one. Although many patients feel that this surgery isn’t as extensive, you will still have to recover and participate in physical therapy.

Getting knee replacement surgery isn’t something that is likely on your bucket list. However, as a surgery that is designed to help restore your functionality and get rid of pain, it can enhance your quality of life. If you would like to learn more about knee replacement surgery or revision knee replacement surgery, contact Dr. John Moore’s office today!

3 Ingredients to Look for in Your Joint Supplements

Joint Supplements Taking care of your joints involves doing a variety of things including proper stretching, avoiding certain strenuous types of activities, and taking joint supplements. By helping to enrich your joints and bones with vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy body. From glucosamine to hyaluronic acid this article will discuss some of the minerals you should be looking for in your joint supplements. Read on to learn more about what each of these minerals does for your joint health.

1. Glucosamine
When it comes to your joint health, you are going to want to look for a supplement that has glucosamine in it. By helping to build up new cartilage in your joints and by breaking down harmful enzymes that fight cartilage, glucosamine is an ideal component that you need to have in your joint supplements.

2. Chondroitin Sulfate
Another ingredient that you are going to want to make sure is included in your joint supplement is chondroitin sulfate. When combined with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is the building block of proteoglycan which aids in the production of new cartilage.

3. Hyaluronic Acid
By lubricating your joints and muscles, hyaluronic acid is essential in ensuring that your joints move and function properly. As a significant component of both joint fluid and joint cartilage, the hyaluronic acid will give you the flexibility and free movement that you desire.

Taking a daily joint supplement will help to strengthen your joints and ensure that your joints aren’t weakened with regular day-to-day activities. By combining a lifestyle equipped with maintaining a proper weight, stretching, and exercising on a regular basis, joint supplements will help to protect your body. To learn more about how you can enhance your joint health, contact Dr. John Moore at Pinehurst Surgical today!