And the Emergency Chain that Saved Him. - St. Joseph Medical ...

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Orthopaedics Handled with Care Orthopaedic expertise in hand, wrist, and upper extremities As much as we use our hands and arms, it’s no surprise they are prone to overuse or injury. Summer sports, such as tennis and golf, can stress and injure wrists and elbows, while gardening and outdoor work may strain hands and fingers. Orthopaedic hand and wrist specialists affiliated with The Orthopaedic Institute at St. Joseph are experienced in treating not only severe and complex cases, but are also up to date on the latest research and treatments for conditions that range from carpal tunnel syndrome to birth defects and degenerative joints and tendons. Among these conditions are: Tendonitis This common condition can cause significant pain and discomfort. It occurs when the tendons—the fibrous tissue that connects your muscles to the bones—become inflamed. Here are a number of types of tendonitis: De Quervain Syndrome affects movement of the thumb. If a splint and medication do not ease the discomfort, “a cortisone injection may often cure the problem,” For a referral to an orthopaedic ■ hand specialist, call our Doctors Directory at 410-337-1337 or go to www.StJosephTowson.com Dr. Michael Marion Hand and Wrist Specialist “Trigger finger can result from repetitive use…It’s specifically connected with gripping…it may affect electricians who use hand tools.” Dr. Bruce Wolock Hand, Elbow and Shoulder Specialist “Thumb arthritis is especially common in women over age 40, and can cause severe hand pain, swelling and decreased strength, making even routine tasks difficult.” says orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Michael Marion, a hand and wrist specialist. Trigger Finger, (or trigger thumb), occurs when a swollen tendon develops into a nodule, causing clicking and locking of the finger so it becomes stuck in place. “This can result from repetitive use or anything that can cause tendonitis in the hands. Trigger finger is specifically connected with gripping, for example, it may affect electricians who use hand tools,” says Dr. Marion. Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and surgery—known as “trigger finger release”—are possible treatment options, adds Dr. Wolock. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition in which the median nerve of the wrist is compressed, can cause numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand. “It is three times more likely to occur in women and is often connected to repetitive movements done in a working environment—such as an assembly line or cash register,” explains Dr. Marion. Treatments may include anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and, occasionally, surgery. “Thumb arthritis is especially common in women over age 40,” says Dr. Wolock, “and can cause severe hand pain, swelling and decreased strength and range of motion—making even routine tasks difficult.” It occurs at the joint at the wrist and the base of the thumb. Treatments may include splints, medication, cortisone injections or, in severe cases, surgery. Fractures Older women who have lost bone density are vulnerable to a common fracture in the radius of the forearm that frequently occurs with a fall, cautions Dr. Marion. Known as a distal radius fracture, this may be treated with a cast or a splint; but if the break is severe enough, surgery may be needed. Both orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Marion and Dr. Wolock, caution that patients shouldn’t assume that finger fractures are always simple. They need a doctor’s evaluation to determine if a splint will be sufficient to advance healing or whether a serious break has occurred that requires surgery. Summer 2010 / St. Joseph Medical Center
Nutrition Meet Our Outpatient Dietitian Nutrition counseling for diabetes, heart disease, weight loss and more As St. Joseph Medical Center’s new Outpatient Clinical Dietitian, Alison Massey, MS, RD, LDN, is on a mission to help the community get nutritionally fit. Whether you have diabetes, heart, kidney or Crohn’s disease, or colitis or food allergies—Massey specializes in guiding patients through the right eating choices for healthy living. She has a rich education in nutrition and health promotion at both Penn State and the University of Delaware, combined with clinical dietetic experience at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Bayhealth Medical Center in Delaware. Given her enthusiastic personality, she’s always been interested in communications. Her background includes working with the Almond Council and extolling the virtues of almonds, which can be heart healthy. “But I missed providing patient care,” says Massey. With her office located in St. Joseph’s Diabetes Management Center, Massey offers nutritional counseling to individuals with types I and II diabetes, as well as pregnant women with gestational diabetes. “For people with diabetes, it’s more about the total amount of carbohydrates taken in every day, rather than simply the grams of sugar,” says Massey. If you have hypertension, she might advise you on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet which, by lowering your sodium intake, can lower your blood pressure. “Begin by putting away the salt shaker,” says Massey, adding many processed foods are high in sodium, and even some naturally low sodium foods—like peas—once canned, can be loaded with salt. Massey can provide heart disease patients with low-cholesterol diets. To learn more about the ■ outpatient nutrition services at St. Joseph Medical Center, please call 410-427-2543. Put away the mayonnaise, she advises, and switch to mustard or to mayonnaise made with canola or olive oil. Need to lose some serious weight Massey can create a weight loss plan and menu, while educating patients on food content. “Food labels and claims are confusing, but we can help make sense of that,” she says. Whole wheat bread, for example, is not necessarily made of whole grain—it could just be white flour colored with molasses. She also helps with shopping lists and counsels on vitamins and supplements—which ones are beneficial and which are bogus. And she believes eating should still be enjoyable. “A healthy eating plan takes into account cultural differences, your lifestyle, your food preferences and your personality,” she says. “We customize a plan for every patient…it’s about taking small steps and getting you started in the right direction.” You’ll be happy to hear that goes for Massey herself, who isn’t shy to admit her sweet tooth. “Chocolate and ice cream are important parts of my diet,” she laughs. “But, it’s all about portion control.” Which means that if you think you can’t make do with just a handful of M&Ms and not the whole bag, Massey will commiserate with you—and then show you just how you can. Heart Health Seminars Call 410-337-1337 or register at www.StJosephTowson.com Fixing or Preventing a Broken Heart —Treatments & Diet Presented by Dr. Mahmood Alikhan, cardiologist, and Alison Massey, MS, RD, LDN, outpatient dietician Wednesday, June 30, 7 p.m. Does heart disease run in your family Do you have high blood pressure or other heart problems Learn to be proactive in your care through diet, exercise and education about the latest in prevention and treatment. Diet, Disease and You… Good Foods for Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer Presented by Alison Massey, MS, RD, LDN Wednesday, June 16, 7 p.m. Nutrition can help manage or prevent disease. Explore what summer’s fresh bounty of fruits and vegetables can do for you! A healthy eating plan takes into account… your lifestyle…and your personality,” says Alison Massey, who does one-on-one nutrition counseling. St. Joseph Medical Center / StJosephTowson.com
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