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Dr. Dunleavy discusses fitness for seniors in the Fall during Covid-19
OrthoConnecticut's Dr. Dunleavy discusses how seniors can stay active and fit in the Fall, safely during Covid-19.
As seen in "Fitness in the Fall" article (pages 1 and 4) from Golden Years Magazine, September 2020 issue:
John P. Dunleavy, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic surgeon for OrthoConnecticut, Danbury, treats many senior patients who are looking to stay active. “The first thing I say to patients is whatever you can do to stay active you should do, even if it’s only taking a little walk,” he said. “There’s no such thing as doing too little. If all they can do is walk around their neighborhood, that works. A lot of times walking on flat ground is much easier, so
sometimes folks will go to the mall or the local high school track to avoid hills.”
Activities that keep the joints moving without applying too much pressure are ideal, such as walking and swimming, Dunleavy continued. Taking an aquatic fitness class is a good option, he said, as “the water workouts reduce gravity’s effects and are easier on the joints.”
Dunleavy recommended working out with a friend as part of a routine to help you stick with the exercises. “In a gym, elliptical equipment and stationary bikes allow for low-impact aerobic exercise, among other examples,” he added.
“Yoga is also a good workout,” Dunleavy said. “Wear and tear of our joints is a normal part of aging. Not everyone is affected in the same way or as severely. But low-impact exercises tend to benefit patients with all degrees of arthritis.”
OrthoConnecticut's Lessons of the Leash to Avoid Injury
As seen in Ridgefield's HamletHub
Walking Your Dog is a Healthy Way to Exercise, But Use Common Sense
The beautiful New England fall weather brings out lots of leaf peepers and dog walkers. This year, the number of people bringing their dogs along for a walk while enjoying fall activities such as apple picking, hiking, or pumpkin picking has increased. Makes sense since many people have added a “COVID-19 dog” to their families recently. It is important for people to remember basic dog walking etiquette and technique to ensure walks remain healthy, fun and injury-free.
It is easy to trip over something or get tangled in the leash and lose your balance if you are not careful. Emergency rooms have seen a rise in the number of visits related to dog walking, resulting in hip fractures, wrist or forearm breaks, tendon injuries of the hand/finger, skin tears, and bruises. According to a University of Pennsylvania Medicine Study, the number of such incidents jumped from 1,700 in 2004 to 4,400 in 2017, and we expect that 2020’s numbers will be significantly higher. Women over the age of 65 are at greater risk for fractures as their declining bone density makes them more prone to breaks.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy being outside and to protect yourself from an injury while taking care of man’s best friend:
1. Say no to posting: Pay attention to where you are walking and do not text, talk on the phone or post cute images of your canine companion on social media while walking.
2. Use a manageable leash: Leather leashes and leashes with wide mouth handles are the best option; they are lighter and cause less risk for abrasion. Avoid retractable leashes as they pose serious injury to both you and your dog should your bolting dog run out of cord. Short leashes are better than retractables as they allow you more control from the get-go.
3. Use your palms: Avoid wrapping the leash around your wrist or fingers. It can get caught in your hand when you release it and can take you to the ground. Be sure to wrap it around the palm of your hand with room for it to slide off at a moment’s pull.
4. Grab extra leash length in your hand: Layer the extra length of the leash accordion-style in the palm of your hand so if the dog takes off, the extra leash can be released without pulling you to the ground.
5. Wear sensible shoes: The right shoes, sneakers or boots can make a difference. Good traction will help you balance when unexpected tugs occur.
6. Choose your time and place wisely: Walk during daylight hours and on even surfaces. Watch out for steep slopes, rocks and other impediments which may cause you to lose your balance when your pup changes course.
7. Train Fido early: Train your dog to walk on a leash properly. Good training can go a long way toward preventing excessive pulling and future injury.
For sure, the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to walking your cold-nosed friend. Just pay attention to these commonsense safety tips and minimize the risks of injury along the way. Safe strides make for happy pooches AND their family members!
Learn more about OrthoConnecticut HERE.
Two local physicians named Best of Fairfield County 2020
As seen in Ridgefield's HamletHub
When you have pain, whether it be acute or chronic, you want relief. OrthoConnecticut’s Connecticut Pain Care, voted Best of Fairfield County 2020, takes an active approach to pain using interventional treatment coupled with conservative measures to help patients attain relief.
Dr. David Kloth and Dr. Jesse Hochkeppel are proud to have been recognized in their field for Fairfield County. Both physicians are Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management and are known as leaders in interventional pain management. They work to diagnosis and treat pain utilizing the latest technologies available. Whether they are treating simple or complex pain, Dr. Kloth and Dr. Hochkeppel, employ the most effective approach that meets the patient’s current need. Targeted fluroscopic and ultrasound guided injections, are often used to ease a patient’s nagging discomfort. Regenerative medicine procedures, utilizing platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy, are used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, which often can take the place of surgery. The practice is known for excellence in diagnosis, personalized treatments and managing patient pain across the complexity of pain syndromes.
Dr. Kloth and Dr. Hochkeppel, are thrilled with the success they have achieved for many of their patients and are honored to be named, Best of Fairfield County 2020. They are adamant that pain should not just be tolerated, it should be thoroughly assessed and treated, in the most effective manner possible. OrthoConnecticut Pain Care’s approach acknowledges that customized treatment options are essential based on each individual’s symptoms and diagnosis. This personalized planning, combined with the use of modern techniques and interventional therapies, is what makes the practice so successful. For patient with back, neck, or shoulder pain, chronic regional pain, degenerative disc, spinal stenosis, muscle and joint pain or other painful conditions, an active, managed approach with state-of-the-art procedures helps patients get the treatment their bodies need.
For more information on Dr. Kloth and Dr. Hochkeppel, interventional pain management and on OrthoConnecticut’s Connecticut Pain Care, or to make an appointment, visit: https://ctpaincare.com/ and https://myorthoct.com/areas-of-expertise/pain-management-13954 or call 1.833. 678.4628. To learn more about the Best of Fairfield County 2020 recognition, visit: https://www.proactiveresources.com/031920/An orthopedic surgeon worth talking about
As seen in Ridgefield's HamletHub
Theodore S. Wolfson, M.D., OrthoConnecticut (left)Dr. Theodore Wolfson joined OrthoConnecticut only a month ago and he is already a stand-out within the sports medicine team.
“I moved to Connecticut and hit the ground running, so to speak,” said Dr. Wolfson. “I’m seeing patients in Danbury and Southbury and have been able to fill a need in both locations.”
At OrthoConnecticut, the practice recognizes that you do not need to be an elite athlete to receive elite care. Their approach is to provide specialized, nonoperative and operative sports medicine care harnessing the most current and innovative techniques available. Dr. Wolfson is trained and experienced in advanced arthroscopy, complex reconstruction, and cartilage restoration procedures of the knee, hip, and shoulder. “My goal is to help you get back to doing what you love as swiftly and painlessly as possible. Pain shouldn’t set you off track,” says Dr. Wolfson.
The practice’s mission is to provide leading-edge, patient-centered care, individualized to each patient's needs. “What drew me to OrthoConnecticut is the patient-centered approach,” says Wolfson. “We firmly believe that every injury, every condition, and every patient is different. As a result, we tailor our recommendations and treatments to each patient's unique needs and goals” he continues.
As an integrated musculoskeletal center, OrthoConnecticut offers multidisciplinary care under one roof. With a well-coordinated team of specialists, therapists, trainers, and nearby imaging, the practice provides efficient, comprehensive care focused on getting patients moving and back in the game.
Learn more about Dr. Wolfson and OrthoConnecticut online here.
When to Say When: Am I Ready for Joint Replacement Surgery?
The decision to have elective surgery is rarely an easy one and joint replacement surgeries are no exception.
To help individuals make informed decisions about surgery, experts Dr. John Dunleavy, M.D, Total Joint Specialist, Hip & Knee Surgeon, OrthoConnecticut, and Gigi Weiss, MSPT, RVNAhealth Director of Rehabilitative Services, recently led a virtual panel discussion co-hosted by the Ridgefield Library: “When to Say When: Am I Ready for a Joint Replacement?”
In the presentation, Dr. Dunleavy and Gigi Weiss covered such important information as:
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Decision-making surgery checklist including such criteria as pain level; comfort level; health status, and more.
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Non-surgical alternatives for foregoing or postponing surgery.
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A primer on surgery and joint replacements today:
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Advances in anesthesia and surgical technologies that have vastly improved the experience, recovery and outcomes for joint replacement candidates.
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Partnerships between orthopedic practices (like OrthoConnecticut) and PT practices (like RVNAhealth Rehabilitation Services) that create a seamless and safe process before, during and after surgery.
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Pre- and post-surgery strategies for going in your strongest and enhancing your recovery. For example, a recent study shows that pre-surgery physical therapy reduces post-operative care by as much as 29% in patients with total knee or hip replacements.
We invite you to view the presentation here.
