Sleep is vital to sustaining life. Without sleep, our bodies don’t function properly. Sleep is necessary to heal damaged cells through illness, physical injury, etc.  Sleep is also boosts our immune system, thus helping us fight off sickness. We perform many tasks throughout the day, so we need sleep to recover from the day’s activities. Sleep recharges our hearts and cardiovascular systems so they function properly the next day.

If we fail to receive adequate sleep, we will face the consequences. We may feel drowsy, irritable, or depressed. A lack of sleep often results in struggling to take in new information we learn throughout the day, not remembering things, and making poor decisions. Sleep helps us eat less calories and more healthy foods. A lack of sleep could cause weight gain because we crave more unhealthy foods when we are tired. An obvious consequence of not receiving adequate sleep is drowsy driving. Not only do we become a threat to our own safety, but to the safety of those around us as well.

For those struggling to fall asleep at night, remember to be active during the day. Take time to exercise. Physical exercise will help you fall asleep, just don’t exercise right before going to bed. If you feel that you need to see a doctor about your condition, don’t hesitate. Dr. Larsen does not specialize in sleeping disorders, but if you contact us we can point you in the right direction.

To learn more about why sleep is important visit: http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/what-happens-during-sleep.html
or
https://authoritynutrition.com/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important/

Sources:

Leech, Joe. “10 Reasons Why Good Sleep Is Important.” RSS 20. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2016.

“Why Is Sleep Important? | ResMed.” Why Is Sleep Important? | ResMed. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct.

Exercise is a key ingredient to a happy and healthy life. Here are six benefits of regular exercise:

1) Exercise Controls Weight. You burn calories whenever you engage in any physical activity. This helps you to prevent weight gain or help maintain weight loss. Hard exercise is not needed to burn calories. You can simply take the stairs at work rather than riding in the elevator. You could ride your bike or walk to work if you are relatively close. Finding ways to exert more energy in your daily routine will help you control your weight.

2) Exercise Combats Health Conditions and Diseases. Being active increases the likelihood that you avoid developing illnesses, diseases and/or health conditions. Regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer and arthritis.

3) Exercise Improves Mood. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, blow off steam, and uplift yourself. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Regular exercise can be a great confidence booster because you feel better about your health and often time about your appearance.

4) Exercise Boosts Energy. Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

5) Exercise Promotes Better Sleep. Regular exercise and physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Be sure not to exercise too close to bedtime, because you may have too much energy to fall asleep.

6) Exercise Can Be Fun. Exercise isn’t just walking on a treadmill or lifting weights every day. Exercise can be fun if you make it fun. Attend classes at your local gym, play sports with friends or in city leagues, plan activities with others who love to exercise, etc. If you’re not having fun while exercising, change your routine or your type of exercise.

To learn more about the benefits of exercise visit:

 http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389?pg=1

Source:

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Fitness.” Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

Many people believe inflammation to be a bad thing. It is actually very good for the body. Inflammation makes our immune system more responsive and attracts nourishing fluids to injuries. There are three main types of inflammation. We will discuss how to identify and treat each type.

Acute Inflammation. Acute inflammation occurs immediately upon injury and is accompanied by swelling, redness and warmth. This is your typical knee or ankle sprain. The best way to treat acute inflammation is to manage it. Don’t try to cure it. Manage your pain killers and never take more than recommended. Gradually increase motion of the injured region, but don’t rush back into normal activity.

Chronic Inflammation. Chronic inflammation is typically defined as inflammation that lasts longer than six months. This inflammation is ongoing and can slowly close down and damage blood vessels, nerves and organs, but you may not feel any pain because many organs do not have pain receptors. This inflammation can be cause by stress and insomnia as well as bone infection and gum disease. Chronic inflammation is best treated by working with your doctor and striving to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

Life-Threatening Inflammation. Life-threatening inflammation is typically caused by the body activating more immune cells than it needs to overcome a new infection. The damaged area can become overwhelmed with inflammation, which is life threatening to the person experiencing inflammation. People who have this type of an inflammation should contact their doctor immediately to see what the doctor can do.

To learn more about inflammation and how to identify and treat it visit: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-06-30/identifying-and-treating-inflammation

Works Cited

Millea, Paul J. “Identifying and Treating Inflammation.” US News. U.S.News & World Report, 30 June 2016. Web. 05 Sept. 2016.>

The last of the six surgeries Dr. Larsen specializes in is Triathlon Knee Replacement. This is a newer form of knee surgery with many benefits.

The main benefits of a Triathlon Knee Replacement is improved and more natural knee motion, better fit, and less wear and tear.

Motion. The goal of a Triathlon Knee is to get the patient back to where they used to be before experiencing knee problems. With the technology used in Triathlon Knee Replacement surgery, patients have wider range of motion without sacrificing stability.

Better Fit. The knee size of patients differs based on their body size. Triathlon Knee comes in many different sizes to accommodate the size of a patient’s knee. This eliminates any discomfort the patient may experience from a knee replacement that is too small or too large.

Less Wear and Tear. The Triathlon Knee is designed to limit contact stresses. This causes less wear and tear on the knee and results in potential long-term durability. Patients don’t have to return as frequently, and possibly never return, to have their knee replacement surgery performed again.

If you are in need of a Knee Replacement, come see Dr. Larsen and find out how he can help you get back to your old self.

Works Cited

“Stryker Triathlon System.” Knee Replacement. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2016.

The bicep muscle, located in the front of the upper arm allows you to bend the elbow and rotate the arm. Bicep tendons attach the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder and in the elbow. As you can see, the bicep tendons are very important.

Bicep tears are not very common, but tears are the most common injury to the bicep. A tear of the bicep muscle usually occurs when the elbow is forced straight against resistance. A common occurrence is attempting to lift a heavy box without knowing how heavy the box actually is.

There are a number of symptoms to be aware of when wondering if the bicep muscle is torn or damaged:
• A pop at the elbow when the tendon ruptures, causing severe pain
• Swelling in the front of the elbow
• Visible bruising in the elbow and forearm
• Weakness in bending of the elbow
• Weakness in twisting the forearm
• A bulge in the upper part of them arm created by recoiled, shortened bicep muscle
• A gap in the front of the elbow created by the absence of the tendon

Nonsurgical treatment for a bicep tendon tear includes rest, medication, and physical therapy.

Surgical treatment for a bicep tendon tear should be performed within 3 weeks of the tear. Surgeons have different preferences in the procedure used to reattach the bicep tendon to the forearm bone. Some doctors prefer to use one incision at the front of the elbow and others prefer small incisions at the front and back of the elbow. Surgeons often attach the tendon with stitches through holes drilled in the radius bone. Another method used is to attach the tendon to the bone using small metal implants.

It is important to follow the Doctor’s instruction on recovery. Almost all patients have full range of motion and strength after follow up visits with their Doctor.

To learn more about Bicep Tendon Repairs visit: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00376

If you are in need of a bicep tendon repair, please contact Dr. Larsen’s office to set up an appointment.

Works Cited

“Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow-OrthoInfo – AAOS.” Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow-OrthoInfo – AAOS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Aug. 2016.

The fourth of the six surgeries Dr. Larsen specializes in is Shoulder Joint Replacement surgery. Shoulder joint replacements are usually done to relieve pain and when all non ­operative treatment (medicine, activity changes, etc.) to relieve pain has failed. There are different options for shoulder joint replacement surgery. We will discuss Total Shoulder Replacement and Stemmed Hemiarthroplasty.

Total Shoulder Replacement surgery involves replacing the arthritic joint surfaces with a highly polished metal ball attached to a stem, and a plastic socket. Total Shoulder Replacement surgery is recommended for patients with bone-on-bone osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff tendons.

In Stemmed Hemiarthroplasty, the head of the humerus is replaced with a metal ball and stem, similar to the component used in a total shoulder replacement. Hemiarthroplasty is recommended when the humeral head is severely fractured but the socket is normal.

Dr. Larsen is experienced in Shoulder Joint Replacement surgery and knows which operation will best relieve pain and help patients return to normal shoulder activity. Please visit Dr. Larsen if you are experiencing shoulder pain and haven’t found the solution to your problem.

To learn more about Shoulder Joint Replacement surgery visit: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00094

Works Cited

“Shoulder Joint Replacement-OrthoInfo – AAOS.” Shoulder Joint Replacement-OrthoInfo – AAOS. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 July 2016.

The third of the six surgeries that Dr. Larsen specializes in is ACL Reconstruction. ACL reconstruction is surgery to reconstruct the ligament in the center of your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) keeps your shin bone (tibia) in place. A tear of this ligament limits the movement and impact the knee can handle during physical activity.

With recent advances in arthroscopic surgery, ACL reconstruction can now be performed with minimal and low complication rates. This advance in arthroscopic surgery enables patients to have more confidence in the operation and enables surgeons to perform the operation more easily.

To perform the surgery, the surgeon first inserts the tiny arthroscopic camera through a small incision. The surgeon next makes other small incision to insert the medical instruments needed for the surgery. The torn ligament is removed and is replaced with either the patient’s own tissue usually from the knee area or hamstring through a larger incision, or with tissue from a donor in one of the small incisions. The surgeon makes tunnels in the patients bone to bring the new tissue through, which will be the same place as the old ACL. The new ligament is attached to the bone with screws or other devices to hold it in place.  The bone tunnels fill in as the area heals, which holds the new ligament in place.

This procedure is performed for a number of reasons including: knee pain, injury to the ACL, and meniscus tear. The patient’s recovery time depends upon the how well the patient is doing with physical therapy after the surgery. Patients can expect 4 to 6 months of recovery time before fully returning to their normal activities.

To learn more about ACL reconstruction visit: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007208.htm

Works Cited

“ACL Reconstruction: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 30 June 2016.

The second of six surgeries that Dr. Larsen specializes in is Arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint. This procedure involves multiple small incisions around the affected joint, instead of a single larger incision. The arthroscope, a special camera designed for surgery with a long, narrow shaft, is then placed through these smaller incisions to allow the surgeon to view the anatomy within the joint. Specially designed tools are then used to perform the surgical procedure within the joint. Arthroscopic surgery is frequently performed on the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, and wrist.

There are many benefits that result from arthroscopy. One of the major benefits is that arthroscopic procedures involve less dissection and less trauma to the soft tissues surrounding the affected joint. This usually results in less pain for the patient after the surgery. In knee surgery, the back of the knee is not easily seen from an incision on the front of the knee. An incision on the back of the knee could potential injury blood vessels and nerves in this area and frequently leads to formation of scar tissue behind the knee, limiting knee motion. Arthroscopy makes it easier for surgeons to examine the knee, with significantly less likelihood of causing damage.

Arthroscopy is not the solution to everything however. Not every area of the body is readily accessible with an arthroscope. Sometimes, it is safer for surgeons to perform open surgery rather than risk not being able to reach a particular area with precision. Arthroscopy has greatly improved surgery, making it easier for both the surgeon and the patient.

To learn more about arthroscopic surgery and its benefits visit: http://www.119orthopedics.com/the-benefits-of-arthroscopic-surgery/

Works Cited:

“The Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery.” Davis Orthopedics. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2016.

Dr. Larsen is a specialist in shoulder replacement surgery. He has recently begun performing a shoulder replacement surgery that is designed for younger patients that wear out their shoulders. Dr. Larsen is excited about this surgery and how it will help more patients recover from injuries they suffer. He has found success with this surgery, but it’s not perfect. Patients can expect a comfortable free range of motion after the surgery that will last about 10 to 15 years. The patient will then need to receive another shoulder surgery.

In an interview about the new shoulder replacement surgery, Dr. Larsen explains what’s different about the surgery and why he has started to use this method. The video can be found on the home page of Dr. Larson’s website. You can click here to go directly to the video: https://doctorlarsen.com/

If you would like to read more about shoulder replacement surgery in general, you can read one of Dr. Larsen’s previous blog posts: https://doctorlarsen.com/shoulder-replacement-surgery/

Dr. Larsen specializes in six surgeries. The first of which is total knee replacement. A total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty is a surgery that resurfaces arthritic knee joint with an artificial metal or plastic replacement parts called the ‘prostheses’.

Total knee replacement is recommended for patients experience any of the following:

·Moderate or severe pain while resting, day or night.
·Severe knee pain or stiffness that limits the patient’s everyday activities, such as walking and getting in and out of chairs. The patient may need to use a walker or cane as a result of the pain.
·Swelling or inflammation in the knee that does not improve with rest or medication.
·Knee deformity—a bowing in or out of the patient’s knee.
·Failure to substantially improve with other treatments.

Dr. Larsen is a trusted surgeon and loves to help patients recover from injury or pain. All are welcome to contact the phone number or email address on the home page of Dr. Larsen’s website to find out if he can help you.

To learn more about Total Knee Replacement, you can visit: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00389

Source:

“Total Knee Replacement-OrthoInfo – AAOS.” Total Knee Replacement-OrthoInfo – AAOS. Web. 17 May 2016.