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Ankle & Foot / Jason Tartaglione

Wait, what? My ankle joint can be replaced?

However, few patients are aware of ankle arthritis, as it is far less common than hip and knee arthritis, and the ways in which it can be treated. Biomechanically, the ankle joint demonstrates a significantly decreased surface area as compared to other load-bearing joints such as the hip and knee. Therefore, ankle cartilage (the soft tissue lining of joints) and its properties are inherently different from hip and knee cartilage. The most common cause of

Knee / Dr. Keith Monchik

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Knee pain in children and adolescents has many origins. One of these conditions is Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) which develops in joints. It occurs when a small segment of bone begins to separate from its surrounding region due to a lack of blood supply. As a result, the small piece of bone and the cartilage covering it begin to crack and loosen. It is not known exactly what causes the disruption to the blood supply and the resulting OCD. Doctors think it probably involves repetitive trauma or stresses to the bone over time. Think of this lesion kind of like a pothole in the street, where the overlying cartilage is the cement road, and the underlying bone is similar to the ground beneath the road. For those who play golf, an OCD is not unlike a “divot” you may take with your golf swing.
The condition typically….

October 30, 2020 / ORI Blog / Orthopedics Rhode Island

INFOGRAPHIC: Bone Up on Your Skeleton Knowledge this Halloween

It’s normal to be afraid of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins during this spooky season, but skeletons don’t have to be frightening – they can be fascinating, too! Check out these fun facts from Ortho Rhode Island about your bones and joints.

Knee / Dr. Matthew Plante

IT band Friction Syndrome

The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick, wide band of fascia that begins at the pelvis and runs down the lateral side of the thigh and attaches to the outside of the tibia (lower leg). The IT band helps provide some stability to the knee. IT band friction syndrome is a condition where…..

Bone Health / Dr. Eric Walsh

The Female Athlete Triad

High school and college athletics can feel like the center of the universe, with every win or personal record emphasizing the importance of those sports in your life. Many people will do whatever it takes to be a better competitor or teammate, including altering their diet if they believe it necessary. Unfortunately, nutrition is rarely taught to high schoolers and social media can have a negative influence on diet, exercise and body image. Women especially are vulnerable to social stigmas about weight.

Hand/Wrist / Ashley Weber

Pumpkin Carving

Leaves falling, and temperature cooling are both sure signs of fall. With fall comes many fun activities, including carving pumpkins! As fun as it is to get creative and carve the faces of monsters, mummies, witches and more into these pumpkins, it is so important to be safe while doing this to avoid cutting yourself and causing a possible tendon laceration.

Flexor and extensor lacerations of the hand result from….

Health / Dr. Charlotte Moriarty

Guidelines for Sports Participation and Return to Play in the time of COVID-19

At this time, we are nearly 7 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and we are all tired with the ideas of social distancing, mask wearing, and changes to youth sports participation. However, as we move into fall and transition back into [some] fall sports, it is important for us to remain vigilant so that we may continue to move forwards. I am a sports medicine physician, but I am also a mother. I want nothing more than to see my children and young patients get back to the activities they love, but we must continue to prioritize athlete safety.

Most of us are familiar with the recommended….

Health / Ken Furcolo

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia may effect up to 4 percent of the population of all ages. It is predominately seen in the middle age group and more often females than males. It may be precipitated by trauma, emotional distress, illness or have a family predisposition. There is a higher incidence in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus although the condition itself is not felt to be auto immune.

September 29, 2020 / ORI Blog / Orthopedics Rhode Island

INFOGRAPHIC: How Women Can Fight Osteoporosis as They Age

For women, bone loss leading to osteoporosis is a serious health risk. 80% of all Americans with osteoporosis are women, and a woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. In honor of National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, we’re helping women tackle the risk of osteoporosis as they age with a few simple tips.

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