Knee Surgery Pinehurst, NC

How to Avoid A Ski Injury This Winter

Tis the season for all things snow. If you are a big snow enthusiast then you may have more than a few ski trips planned. However if you have had a prior knee injury, then you know just how scary skiing and other snow sports can be. To help you avoid getting an injury while you’re on the slopes, Dr. John Moore has created a list of things for you to do.

Wrap It

One of the easiest ways to get an injury while you’re skiing is to lose stability. To help you keep your knee protected, try wrapping it before you head out on the slopes. This extra added support will help keep your knee in place while you’re downhill skiing.

Ice Afterwards

If you notice that your knee is feeling a little bit sore and tender after you spend the day skiing, try to ice it as soon as you get home. Ice is one of the easiest ways for you to get rid of swelling without having to take any medication. To ice your knees, put some soft ice packs over your knees and then bandage them over the top so that they don’t move.

Wear the Right Size of Ski Boots

Whether you are planning on using old ski boots or if you are renting ski boots, make sure that they fit your feet well. Boots that are either too large or to small may cause you to trip and get either a foot, ankle, or knee injury.

If you have recently had knee surgery and you are getting ready to go skiing, make sure that you use these tips so that you avoid getting an injury. To learn more about other ways for you to protect yourself and your joints, contact our Pinehurst office today at 910.295.0224.

Arthritis Pinehurst, NC

4 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Good for Your Arthritis

Living with arthritis can put a real damper on everyday things like trying to open a jar of pasta sauce or even turn your doorknob. This Thanksgiving, rather than just loading your plate full of things to eat that aren’t exactly doing your body any favors, this article will list four Thanksgiving foods that are good for your arthritis. Read on to learn more.

Swap The Sugar Pies For Fruit Pies

Even though that chocolate cream pie or that pecan pie may sound a little tantalizing to your taste buds, try eating fruit pies instead. Fruit pies are the healthier option and will hopefully help you cut calories which will prevent you from gaining some additional weight that will be harmful to your joints.

Skip The Gravy

When it comes to fat drippings like gravy, they are high in saturated fats which are associated with joint inflammation and obesity; both of which you don’t want any part of if you have arthritis. Rather than dousing everything on your plate in gravy, reach for a healthier alternative like cranberry sauce instead.

Go For Fresh Veggies Over Casseroles

Sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole are two side dishes that you will see at just about every American’s Thanksgiving feast. And even though the added toppings and cream make these casseroles delicious, the excess saturated fats will only lead to joint inflammation and excess swelling.

Skip the Salt

That salt shaker that’s staring at you on the Thanksgiving table may as well be enemy number one. Excess sodium is only going to lead to inflammation and water retention which are not good for your arthritis or your joints. Make sure that you use low sodium turkey broth and that you skip the additional salt on your plate.

It can be hard to know exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat for your joint health. Use the tips in this article to ease swelling and discomfort this Thanksgiving. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us at our Pinehurst office today and call us at 910.295.0224.

Joint Replacement Surgery Pinehurst NC

How to Make Sure You’re Not Walking Like a Zombie Into Your Halloween Party

When it comes to aging, here at Dr. John Moore’s office, we have seen it all with our patients; especially when it comes to the sore, aching joints. And even though your grandchildren may think that you look cool because you look like a zombie, that’s the last thing we want our patients to resemble. So, how can you get rid of your zombie walk even though Halloween is just around the corner? We have a few tips for you.

Ice Those Joints

If you suffer from chronic, stiff joints, then you must know by now that one of the best ways for you to find almost immediate relief is by icing. Whether you prefer to sit in an ice bath or if you just like to use ice packs, the ice will help ease inflammation and even some joint stiffness. In order to get the best results from icing, however, make sure that you are icing multiple times a day and make it a priority.

Ibuprofen

Another great way that you can help ease stiff, aching joints that are making you look like a zombie is by taking Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that can be used to decrease pain and inflammation in your joints and throughout your body. Just make sure that you consult with Dr. John Moore before you start thinking Ibuprofen on a regular basis because it could result in some liver complications.

Physical Therapy

Depending on your joint condition, Dr. John Moore may encourage you to go to physical therapy on a regular basis. Physical therapy is a great way for you to stretch out your joints and learn proper techniques to help you naturally find relief. If, however, you haven’t found any relief from physical therapy, then Dr. Moore will discuss other surgical and nonsurgical options with you.

Leave the zombie walk to your grandchildren and trick or treaters this Halloween and make sure to use the tips in this article to help you find relief. To learn more, contact our Pinehurst office today and give us a call at 910.295.0224.

Osteoarthritis Pinehurst, NC

Pain in the Knee: What May Be Causing Your Knee Pain

When it comes to joint pain, nothing is quite as common as patients who feel it most in their knees. Even though your knee pain may have felt like it came out of nowhere, there are three common culprits that may be causing it. Let’s take a closer look at them to see if you fit into one of these categories.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

If you are over the age of 50 and are experiencing knee pain, then it may be due to a condition called osteoarthritis of the knee. Because osteoarthritis is slow developing, you may have had it for years without ever knowing about it. This degenerative form of arthritis usually occurs when the knee cartilage wears away at the joint space between the bones of the knee. In extreme instances, it may result in bone on bone joint pain.

Avascular Necrosis

This condition is usually caused after some sort of trauma or accident in which the bone loses blood supply. Because bones are living tissues, if their blood supply is interrupted, the bone will begin to die and collapse if left untreated. As you can imagine, this process will lead to some knee pain.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

We see this form of arthritis in joints all across the body including knees, shoulder, elbows, and hips, but it can also occur in your knees. Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis but rather than it being caused by age, it’s usually caused by injury or another form of trauma.

These are just three of the common culprits of knee pain, but it can be caused by many different factors as well. If you suffer from knee pain, let Dr. John Moore help you find some relief. Schedule your consultation at our Pinehurst office today and call us at 910.295.0224.

orthopedic injuries Pinehurst, NC

Tips to Avoid Common Trail Running Injuries This Summer

Whether you prefer a fast, easy run or you like a long, strenuous run, trail running in North Carolina is nothing short of fun. And although trail running is a great exercise to speed up your heart rate, burn calories, and get an endorphin rush, it can also cause some common orthopedic injuries like a torn ACL, too much stress on the knee, or it can even exacerbate your arthritis. But if you don’t want to kick your trail running to the curb, how can you prevent common injuries? Let’s take a closer look.

Wear the Right Shoes

If you haven’t already invested in some trail running shoes, then you are doing your body a serious disservice. Trail running shoes are designed with more traction than regular running shoes which makes you less likely to slip on fall on your way down. Plus, trail running shoes will help support your foot and ankle so that you are less likely to roll your ankle or put too much pressure on your knee.

Go Slow

Going uphill is one thing, but coming downhill is when we see a lot of orthopedic injuries. When you’re coming down the trail, make sure that you go slowly. The slower you go, the more control you have over your body and the less likely you are to get injured.

Wear a Brace

If you have arthritis, then don’t be a hero; make sure that you are wearing a brace or wrap when you hit the trails. Knee braces and wraps, in particular, are designed to keep your knee in place and prevent it from moving around which is something that can happen when you’re running on the trail.

If you are passionate about trail running, make sure that you do it wisely every time and that you use these tips. To learn more about how you can prevent yourself from injury when trail running or exercising, contact our Pinehurst office and call us at 910-295-0224.

patellofemoral arthritis | Pinehurst, NC

How to Tell If You Have Osteoarthritis

With summer in full swing, it’s not likely that you are going to catch the common cold or flu. And although these airborne viruses are nothing to mess with, here at Dr. John Moore’s office we see patients for a whole other beast: orthopaedic and joint issues. As a fairly common joint condition, osteoarthritis is nothing to mess with but luckily, it’s not something that you’re going to contract from your neighbor. So, how is osteoarthritis caused and how can you tell if you have it?

How Is It Caused?

Because arthritis is primarily prevalent in the knees and hips, there’s no getting around the fact that constant wear and tear of walking and running is one of the culprits of it. However, there are other factors that also play a role including:

  • Genetics: Collagen is a protein that helps make up the cartilage in your joints. Some people inherit a rare genetic defect which lowers their body’s production of collagen; this can lead to some patients developing osteoarthritis as young as 20.
  • Joint Overuse: If you work in an industry where you’re continually standing, kneeling, or placing pressure on your joints, this puts you at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Obesity: Adding extra weight to your joints on top of the usual wear and tear can also increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Joint Injury: Patients who have previous sports injuries are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis later on in their lives.
  • Certain Diseases: Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop osteoarthritis as well. Other diseases can also increase your likelihood of getting it.

What Are the Symptoms?

In some patients, it can be hard to decipher from just having stiff joints to having a condition like osteoarthritis. The best way for us to determine whether or not you have this is with an examination from Dr. John Moore. Typically, patients with osteoarthritis have:

  • Stiffness in the joint after periods of inactivity
  • Pain after activity involving the joint, particularly intensive use
  • Pain that radiates from the hips to the groin, buttocks, or the inside of the thigh
  • Clicking or cracking sounds when a joint bends
  • Joint aching and soreness, especially with certain movements
  • Mild swelling around a joint
  • A scraping sensation in the knees after movement
  • In the fingers, bone spurs may make the fingers swollen, tender, and red.

If have any of these signs or symptoms of osteoarthritis, contact our Pinehurst office today at 910-295-0224.

Knee Replacement Pinehurst, NC

2 Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries and What You Need to Know

Finding out you need a knee replacement is probably the last thing you want to hear, but it’s probably something that’s been a long time coming. In fact, it’s very rare that a knee replacement is spontaneous because it’s usually the result of years of pain, injury, and a variety of treatments. If Dr. John Moore has recently told you that you need a knee replacement, you probably have more than a dozen questions circulating this process including what types of knee replacement you will need. To help you feel a little bit more informed, let’s take a closer look at two types of knee replacements that we offer at Dr. John Moore’s office.

Revision Knee Replacement

In some instances, if a previous knee replacement has failed, then Dr. John Moore may recommend a surgery called a revision knee replacement. During this procedure, Dr. John Moore will replace any failed components from the original surgery with more modern implants.

Total Knee Replacement

This is the most common type of knee replacement. During this surgical procedure, the end cap of the femur is removed and replaced by a metal shell that’s made up of chromium, cobalt, or titanium. Additionally, the upper-end cap of the tibia can also be replaced by a material made from plastic or a high-density polyethylene that is attached to the bone by a metal plate. This process creates a knee that is made up of metal-on-plastic and helps act as your natural knee joint. During this surgery, Dr. John Moore may also replace a portion of the patella that slides on the femur.

Knee replacement surgeries are not of the most common types of orthopedic surgeries that we perform here at Dr. John Moore office. Although finding out that you have to undergo this type of surgery isn’t exactly good news, the outcome will be. Are you ready to take steps to learn more about this type of surgical procedure? Schedule your consultation with Dr. John Moore at 910.295.0224.

Osteoarthritis Pinehurst, NC

5 Sneaky Myths About Osteoarthritis

“You’ll never get arthritis… unless your parents had it. But if you have arthritis, make sure you don’t exercise… it will make it worse.” These are just a few of the myths that surround osteoarthritis. As one of the conditions that Dr. John Moore treats at our office, osteoarthritis is a lot more common than you may be aware of. To help you feel more informed about this condition, we have created a brief list debunking some of the common myths surrounding this condition. Let’s take a closer look!

Myth #1: It’s Uncommon

Osteoarthritis is actually a lot more common than you may think. In fact, it’s the most common form of arthritis in patients and affects about 27 million Americans. So, before you start thinking that it’s rare, think of these numbers.

Myth #2: Weight Isn’t a Factor

Did you know that two-thirds of obese patients will develop osteoarthritis at one point in their lifetime? Did you also know that one pound of excess weight acts as four pounds of weight on your knees? The heavier you are, the more of a strain there is on your joints and ligaments which increases your chances of developing this type of arthritis.

Myth #3: Exercise Will Make It Worse

You may think that the more stress you put on your joints by exercising, the worse it will get. However, low impact exercises like swimming, walking, and cycling can lessen the pain and inflammation and make you feel better overall.

Myth #4: If Your Parents Had It, You Will Too

Although genetics can play an active role in your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis, they aren’t definite. If your parents had osteoarthritis, try to keep a closer eye on your joints and tell your primary physician, but also know that you may not ever develop it.

Myth #5: Changes In Temperature Make It Worse

Many patients mistake their body tensing up to colder temperatures as a joint flare up. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that a change in temperature plays a role in your symptoms.

If you have stiff, aching, swollen joints, you may be suffering from osteoarthritis. During your initial appointment at our office, we should be able to diagnose you and get you started on a treatment plan. Ready to take the steps toward learning more about this condition? Contact our office today at 910.295.0224.

Joint Replacement Pinehurst NC

How Is Outpatient Joint Treatment Different From Traditional Joint Replacement?

Similar to how there are trends in the fashion industry, we see trends in the orthopedic industry all of the time. One of the biggest trends that we have seen his surgeries moving more toward outpatient procedures including outpatient joint treatment. Dr. John Moore specializes in outpatient joint treatment rather than a traditional joint replacement for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a closer look at why.

Faster recovery

Patients who undergo inpatient joint replacement surgery tend to recover faster than those who get an outpatient surgery done. Even though you will still have to do physical therapy, they will come to your home so you won’t have to worry about the inconvenience and hassle of traveling to a clinic.

Increased patient satisfaction scores

Studies show that both patients and their families are more satisfied with outpatient joint treatment than inpatient treatments. By getting patients back to the comfort of their own home faster, it makes everyone happier.

Lower complication and Infection rates

Because outpatient joint replacement surgeries use more precise techniques than traditional inpatient surgeries, they are considered to be less invasive and result in fewer blood transfusions, infections, and other complications.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Joint Replacement?

During your initial consultation, we will try to determine if you are a good candidate for outpatient joint replacement surgery. Candidates for this surgery are restricted to healthy, privately insured patients. Additionally, patients that are socially supported and physically healthy have a higher approval rating.

Dr. John Moore has completed over 100 outpatient joint replacement surgeries— so you know you’re in good hands. If you want to learn more about outpatient joint replacement surgery, schedule a consultation at our Pinehurst office today: 910.295.0224.

Hip Replacement Pinehurst NC

4 Leading Causes of Hip Replacement Surgery

Your grandma may have had one, your neighbor may have had one, and you may be in need of one. If you’re not familiar with hip replacement surgery, then you may assume it involves replacing your entire hip with an artificial one. However, this type of surgery doesn’t involve replacing the entire hip but rather, it involves replacing the hip joint. During this procedure, Dr. John Moore will create an artificial hip joint made out of high-density polyethylene. Here are four leading causes of hip replacement surgery.

  1. Avascular Necrosis

Blood isn’t just for vampires. Blood is required for bone growth because they are living tissues. When your blood supply is interrupted, as with avascular necrosis, your bone begins to collapse or die.

  1. Hip Fractures

One of the most commons causes of a total hip replacement is when a patient fractures their hip. Although some hip fractures can be solved with a pin or screw, there are some instances in which a hip replacement is required.

  1. Post Traumatic Arthritis

Traumatic joint damage can be caused by a variety of things including an automobile accident, a work-related accident, or even some fractures. In advanced stages of post-traumatic arthritis, patients may need to consider a hip replacement.

  1. Osteoarthritis

This form of arthritis is the most common form in patients who are over the age of 50. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the hip starts to wear away so that you have bone on bone rubbing which can lead to a host of problems.

If you are suffering from any of the conditions above and you have noticed that your symptoms are getting worse, then it may be time to schedule a consultation with Dr. John Moore at our Pinehurst office. During your initial consultation, we will perform a physical exam and may take some x-rays to get a closer look at your hips. From there, we will be able to create a recovery plan.

Call us at 910.295.0224 to learn more!