ACL Repair and Achilles Tendon Repair

Written By: Sara Loch

Sports participation can help keep you healthy, but can also lead to injuries.  Minor sports injuries can be treated at home, but more serious injuries may require surgery.  Two common surgeries for sports injuries are ACL repair and Achilles tendon repair surgery.

ACL surgery Washington DC

Of the four main ligaments in your knee, the ACL is the one most often injured.  Sometimes, a minor ACL injury can be treated with rest, ice, and elevation; but more severe injuries will need ACL surgery Washington DC.  ACL repair Washington DC is usually done one of two ways: by replacing the injured tendon with a tendon grafted from a different part of the body, or by repairing the existing tendon.  When a tendon graft is used for ACL reconstruction Washington DC, the new tendon is threaded through tiny holes in your femur and tibia.  With the type of ACL surgery Washington DC that repairs the tendon, your surgeon will suture the tendon back together and place a braided suture alongside it to give you additional support.  Both types of ACL surgery Washington DC can usually be done using a minimally invasive procedure.  You can learn more about ACL surgery DC at www.medstarwashington.org.

Achilles tendon surgery

Your Achilles tendon is a long, fibrous cord in the lower leg.  It connects the muscles in your calf to your heel.  It is the largest tendon in your body and helps you walk, run, and jump.  The Achilles tendon can tear or rupture if it is hit with a sudden, strong force.  It can also degenerate overtime due to overuse.  Symptoms of damage to your Achilles tendon include pain, stiffness, or swelling along the Achilles tendon and the back of your heel.  During Achilles tendon repair surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the back of your calf.  If the tendon is ruptured, he or she will sew it back together.  If the tendon has degenerated, the damaged part will be removed and the rest sewn back together.  If the damage is extensive, the surgeon may need to replace all or part of the Achilles tendon with a tendon from a different part of your foot.

Vascular Surgery Can Lower Risk of Stroke

Written By: Sara Loch

Stroke is when blood flow to part of the brain is stopped.  It is a very serious condition because brain cells need a constant supply of oxygen and start to die within minutes of losing blood flow.  Once brain cells have died, they cannot come back and the victim can lose the function that those brain cells controlled.  Sometimes, vascular surgery can be done to make stroke less likely.

Carotid arteries

The main blood vessels that carry blood to the brain are called the carotid arteries.  They are located in the neck, and when they become narrowed they may require vascular surgery DC to minimize risk for stroke.  Narrowing of these arteries is usually due to a condition called atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty substances or calcium on the inside lining if the arteries.  Without vascular surgery Washington DC, this build up makes it more likely that a clot will get stuck and block blood flow to the brain, causing a stoke.  Without vein surgery DC, the build up can also cause a stroke if a piece of it breaks off and travels to the brain.

Symptoms that vein surgery DC is needed

Sometimes, there is no indication that vascular surgery DC is needed on the carotid arteries until a stroke or TIA happens.  A TIA is sometimes called a mini-stroke.  It is when blood flow to the brain is interrupted only briefly and the person fully recovers.  Symptoms of a stroke or TIA should not be ignored because they can mean that you need vein surgery DC.  These symptoms can include:

• Sudden weakness, clumsiness, or paralysis of an arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
• Numbness in face or in an arm or leg
• Temporary loss of vision
• Slurred speech

After a person suffers a stroke or TIA, the risk for a second stroke is very high.  At a vascular surgery center Washington DC, they may do a procedure to open the carotid arteries to lessen this risk.  During this vascular surgery DC, the arteries are opened and the plaque is cleaned out.  They may also place a stent to keep the artery open.

Getting Back to Normal After Hip Surgery

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Recovering from any type of surgery is a time consuming and extensive process that requires a lot of patience, concentration and dedication. It will be much easier for people that have smaller, more limited impact surgeries to get back to normal, but for those that have procedures that immobilize specific areas of the body for periods of time, the recovery process can be much more serious. Hip surgery DC is something that many people go through each year, but the recovery process will be slightly different for every patient - the trick to getting through this period without problems is paying attention, doing what you are told, and not getting disheartened if there is a small setback or two.

Hip Surgery: Immediately After Surgery

Even though you will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days after having hip surgery DC, this is a chance for you to begin the recovery process. Surprisingly, you’ll be asked to get up and out of bed while you’re still in the hospital, but you’ll have access to a walker or other stabilizing device; your hip will not be capable of supporting your full weight for long periods of time yet. During the hospital stay, you can use medication to get through the pain, but not all patients find this to be necessary.

Once you can get into and out of the hospital bed on your own, you’ll be discharged to go home and continue your recovery process there. Driving is not allowed, so you’ll need someone to transport you from the hospital to your home, and since you won’t be able to stand or walk long distances on your own, you’ll probably need someone to assist you around the house for a few days, (or weeks, in some cases) too. This driving restriction will stay in place for at least a month, so make plans for assistance before having the surgery so that you have one less thing to worry about.

The Hip Surgery Recovery Process

The first step is to work toward becoming pain free as the surgical site heals. Hip surgery Washington DC patients will be working toward becoming independent again, which means being able to walk throughout their homes without pain, and even to make short outdoor walks, too. In the beginning, a walker or cane can be used, but the goal with hip surgery procedures is to allow people to move around on their own, without aids.

Long term goals for recovery include a total healing of the surgical site and the internal tissues and muscles. The total recovery time sometimes takes longer, but the goal is for patients to feel capable and “normal” after 6 months, with their mobility improved to the point that they feel better than they did before having surgery. During the recovery process, pushing a little further each day is essential, but trying too hard and doing too much too quickly can lead to re-injuring yourself, or even causing severe damage to the healing part of the hip… so listen to instructions and listen to your body throughout.

Vascular Surgery: Different Procedures

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Common Vascular Surgery Procedures

- Inserting a vena cava filter in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis from causing blood clots to travel throughout the body. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a vein has hardened blood inside of it, typically in the legs and thighs. This condition is dangerous because the clot can break off, travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which happens when the blood flow to the lungs is blocked. Vascular surgery Washington DC may be necessary after being diagnosed with a DVT in order to prevent future issues.

- Varicose vein surgery is one of the most common procedures that is done on patients around the world because it is near the top of the list of vein issues that people have. This type of vascular surgery involves the removal of the affected areas of veins - again, often this is in the legs - in order to eliminate the visibility of the veins beneath the skin. Though this procedure is effective at getting rid of existing varicose veins, it cannot prevent them from reoccurring in different areas in the future.

- Inserting a carotid artery stent is another type of vein surgery DC procedure that is done in order to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from plaque blockage within the veins. The surgery involves small tubes being inserted into the artery in order to help expand the area, promoting an increased blood flow for the future. The stent keeps the artery permanently opened, leading to increased blood flow and a reduced likelihood for plaque build up or a hardening of the arteries.

Vascular Surgery: Less Common

- Debridement of venous ulcers is a last resort vein surgery that is used to correct ulcers that are either infected or otherwise unresponsive to treatment. The infected tissue and bone (if necessary) is removed, along with any other debris, dead tissue and foreign objects that may be present. This surgery promotes healing and the production of platelets, which will improve the overall health of the body.

Endovascular aneurysm repair is a less common but still important type of vascular surgery Washington DC. This can be done in a variety of ways, including endovascular grafting (EVAR) procedure, where a small stent is placed into the aneurysm to reinforce it and is then attached via thread in order to keep it from rupturing. Another option for this type of repair is to have a branched arch aneurysm repair, which is where a specialized device is inserted with different branches that help to route blood successfully to different parts of the body.

Vascular Surgery: Intimate and Precise

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

Vascular surgery is needed when a patient is suffering from a cardiac or vascular disease. These surgeries can range from minor operations to extremely fragile situations that emulate the difference between life and death.  As the veins and arteries are a very fragile system throughout the body, it's very important that anyone who is in need of vascular surgery Washington DC look for highly trained and accredited doctors. Especially if you're seeking vein surgery DC for a more serious condition that requires multiple surgeries or treatments to resolve.

In addition to working with your primary doctor and his or her recommendations, you'll want to research your vascular surgery center Washington DC online as well as call guest services to get information on the surgery center.  Not only will this help prepare you for treatment at the center, it will also familiarize you with the hospital's services.

What to Look for in a Vascular Surgery Center Washington DC

In need of major vascular surgery Washington DC?  To find a qualified vascular surgery center Washington DC, start by turning to the internet.  After a local search, you should be able to source a list of surgery centers you can begin to investigate.  Start by researching the facility online and reading reviews from people who have had their procedures there in the past.  That alone should be able to point you in the direction of a few reputable surgeons that you can trust to take care of you or your family member.

Next, call the centers you're interested in.  The guest services of the treatment center should be able to connect you with more intimate information about the surgery center. This may include but is not limited to the accreditation of the hospital and the doctors, specializations of the hospital, and the technology they have access to.  The staff should also be able to provide you with information about the insurance plans they accept as well as your rate with your current amount of coverage.  To learn more about vein surgery DC or to find an accredited surgery center in your area, visit http://www.medstarwashington.org/.

The Types of A-Fib

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

As we know by now, Atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, is a disease that can lead to heart failure. The abnormality of a heartbeat can lead to heart failure, but did you know that irregular heat beats have 4 classifications?  The first step in any diagnosis is classifying a patient's irregular heartbeat.  Not only does this help doctors work with the patient on medication to manage the issue, but it also helps doctors understand how the diagnosis may lead to different risk factors.

Remember, atrial fibrillation treatment DC is extremely important for patients to stay actively managed.   Those with an irregular heartbeat are at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions that can lead to heart failure.

Let's take a look at the 4 types of atrial fibrillation classes that you should seek a-fib treatment DC for: Paroxysmal, Persistent, Permanent, and Lone.

The 4 Types of A-Fib that Require Treatment

1. Paroxysmal - Irregular heartbeats that last less than 7 days and has recurred at least twice throughout a 24 hour time period.
2. Persistent - Irregular heartbeat lasts longer than 7 days but can be alleviated with proper treatment.
3. Permanent - Irregular heartbeats that last longer than one year and do not seem to respond to treatment (or treatment hasn't been attempted yet).
4. Lone - An irregular heartbeat that appears without sign of other disease and is paroxysmal or persistent in nature.

Once the doctor has determined where the irregular heartbeat rests on this spectrum, he or she will begin working on a treatment plan with the patient.  This includes everything from daily medications to surgery if the patient does not seem to respond to any medications.  If the situation escalates to surgery, patients are often looking to have open heart surgery.

If you or a loved one is worried that you may need a-fib treatment Washington DC, try to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Like most medical disorders, the quicker these issues are addressed- the easier they are to treat.  More importantly,  you can rest easy knowing your heart is in good condition and your life is not in any danger.

Who Can Benefit from Bariatric Surgery?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

For many people in the United States, weight loss is not such a simple task.  In fact, it's an incredibly difficult one.  Every year, thousands of people struggle to lose a healthy amount of weight even with diet and exercise.  When a person simply can't lose weight fast enough to prevent permanent damage to their health, doctors turn to bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery Washington DC represents a wide range of procedures that assist a patient with losing weight by reducing their appetite, aiding digestion, and guiding them along the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Together with multiple specialists and the patient, a treatment option will be chosen and pursued.  The majority of people are matched to a bariatric sleeve which helps the stomach to feel full with a reasonable of food, rather that continuing to feel hungry due to the actual size of the stomach.

When to Seek Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery DC should never be looked at as a quick and easy way to lose weight.  After all, weight loss surgery DC is still a major treatment.  Only those who are in serious risk of developing heart disease or diabetes should turn to bariatric surgery Washington DC to help them lose weight.

In order to ensure that people do not abuse these surgeries, doctors often put patients through an intense screening process to make sure that their body is ready for surgery. If the procedure raises cause to alarm for the physician, he or she will ask that the patient work to improve that area of their health before taking the risk of surgery.  It's important to note that this also includes mindset.  Those who seek solutions for weight management Washington DC need to be prepared to make a commitment to their health and follow the directions of the doctors that are working to keep them alive and healthy.

In many cases, patients can actually endanger their health by ignoring the warning of doctors or failing to meet the requirements of post-surgery care.  Make sure that you're ready to embrace the commitment before you ask a doctor to guide you down this path.