Bones and Joints / Orthopedics
A Green Thumb Doesn’t Have to Mean a Sore Back: 6 Tips for Pain-Free Gardening
Posted June 09, 2025 by Ann Wargo, PT, MsMHA, CAPS, CMCP
Gardening isn’t typically considered a high-risk activity. However, back injuries from common tasks like weeding, digging and planting can occur if proper precautions aren't taken. Whether you're mowing, raking, weeding or planting, it's no secret that yard work can sometimes lead to back pain. This is especially true as we age, since the likelihood of experiencing back pain increases over time.
So, how can you protect your spine while tending your garden?
1. Use Proper…
ACL Injuries and Treatment [Podcast]
Posted October 02, 2024
Rotator Cuff Injuries and Treatment [Podcast]
Posted August 27, 2024 by Ryan Urchek, MD
Think You Have a Rotator Cuff Tear?
Posted April 01, 2024
If so, you’re not alone. A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common shoulder injuries – making many daily activities extremely painful and difficult to perform. Common signs to watch for include:
- A deep, dull shoulder pain along the outside of the arm or shoulder that extends down towards the elbow.
- Weakness or pain when lifting or rotating the arm above the head.
- Worsening pain with overhead activities, behind the back and at night while trying to sleep.
If these…
Torn Rotator Cuff? Try These 4 Non-Surgical Treatments That Really Work
Posted July 17, 2023 by Jose Armendariz, M.D.
Do you feel a dull ache deep in your shoulder that worsens at night or with particular arm movements? Do you have weakness when lifting or rotating your arm above your head? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might be dealing with a torn rotator cuff.
The rotator cuff is a series of muscles and tendons that keeps the shoulder joint stable, while allowing the arm to rotate. Rotator cuff injuries are very common and increase with age. Injury, degeneration or…
Putting Your Best Foot Forward This Summer
Posted June 07, 2023 by Jeffrey Junko, M.D.
As the weather gets warmer, more and more people will be outside participating in a range of summer activities, from sports to hikes and even gardening. While this is certainly good for your health, summer can also lead to a number of foot and ankle injuries.
Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle rolls towards the outside of the foot, most often during physical activity, and it is one of the most common foot injuries. While a mild sprain is often nothing to…
Sports Injury? Check Out 5 Non-Surgical Treatments That Offer Quicker Recoveries
Posted March 13, 2023 by Zachary Vallandingham, D.O.
A sports injury can be scary, especially if you're facing surgery that could keep you sidelined for weeks, if not months.
Fortunately, surgery isn't always the best option when you suffer an injury from playing a sport, exercising, or participating in recreational activities. A wide range of non-surgical treatments are available today that effectively treat muscle pain, joint pain, and lack of mobility.
A sports injury encompasses the musculoskeletal system, including…
Treatment Options for a Lumbar Herniated Disc [Podcast]
Posted March 02, 2023 by Paul Hartzfeld, M.D.
5 Ways to Reduce Joint Pain and Stiffness This Winter Season
Posted January 30, 2023 by Joseph Rabe, M.D.
Do frigid temperatures cause slow, achy joints that make it difficult for you to get moving? It’s not just your imagination. People living with joint pain related to conditions, such as: arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or fibromyalgia, often report when temperatures drop, their joint pain acts up.
It’s true, cold weather causes muscles to tense, which can lead to less mobility and flexibility in the joints. Some studies also associate joint pain with…
How Strong Are Your Bones? Get the Facts on Osteoporosis
Posted January 09, 2023 by Natalie Hiltbrand, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Reviewed October 2024
How strong are your bones? You may have no idea until you break one doing some mundane activity, such as bumping into furniture, coughing or sneezing.
Osteoporosisis a bone disease that occurs when your body breaks down more bone than it creates. Bone is living tissue that is constantly broken down and replaced. The disease causes your bones to become weak and brittle, and breaking a bone doing seemingly ordinary activities is typically the first sign of…
Total Joint Replacement Trends: Technology Advances Are Increasing Surgical Rates and Patient Satisfaction
Posted October 31, 2022 by Kiel Pfefferle, MD
Do you have a bad hip? Achy knees? If you’re suffering from chronic joint pain, a total joint replacement can provide you with a better quality of life that includes less pain, improved motion and strength that you require for an active lifestyle.
Cartilage in joints naturally protects the bones from rubbing together. But when cartilage deteriorates due to injury, aging or disease, such as arthritis or obesity, bones begin rubbing together while in motion. This results…
Shoulder Pain: Causes, Injuries, and Treatment [Podcast]
Posted June 22, 2022 by Ryan Urchek, M.D.
An Overview of Osteoporosis: Prevention to Treatment [Podcast]
Posted February 11, 2022
Natalie Hiltbrand, an Osteoporosis Specialist at Summa Health, leads a discussion on osteoporosis treatment, as well as prevention.
Pelvic health 101: 6 common vulvar disorders
Posted November 08, 2021 by Sevasti Yeropoli, MD
When women experience pain or discomfort in their pelvic region, many times their first thought is the dreaded yeast infection. That’s not a surprise because most women — as many as 75 percent — will be diagnosed at least once with a vaginal yeast infection during their lifetimes.
However, there are vulvar disorders other than yeast — that can cause similar symptoms, including redness and swelling, intense itching, discolored discharge, blisters…
Addressing Common Pelvic Health Issues [Podcast]
Posted November 05, 2021 by Megan Cesta, MD
Dr. Megan Cesta and senior physical therapist Amy Senn discuss common pelvic health issues women may experience.
Pain Relief After Total Joint Replacement Surgery: Reducing the Need for Narcotics and Opioids [Podcast]
Posted July 19, 2021 by Kiel Pfefferle, MD
Dr. Kiel Pfefferle discusses how Summa Health is moving away from opioids and narcotics as the primary pain relief after joint replacement surgery.
FAQ: Partial knee replacement surgery
Posted November 15, 2020 by Ryan A Combs, MD
If you’re like one in five Americans, you’ll eventually develop arthritis of the knee. This means the cartilage that cushions the bones of your knee begins to degrade, causing those bones to painfully rub together. When that pain becomes too much or restricts activities you once enjoyed, it’s time to talk to your doctor about treatment, including knee replacement surgery.
What’s the difference between a partial and a total knee replacement?
Sometimes…
Does Weather Affect Joint Pain?
Posted November 02, 2020 by Zach Vallandingham, DO, MS
Have you ever heard from someone that they can predict when a storm is coming because their joints hurt? It’s pretty common for people to blame joint pain flare-ups on changes on the weather, but scientists and doctors have yet to pinpoint exactly what it is about cold, rainy, or humid weather that makes joints stiff and achy.
Leading Theories
While joint pain isn’t directly correlated with dropping temperatures, the thought is that the change in barometric pressure…
Plantar Fasciitis – It’s Not Just For Runners
Posted April 22, 2019 by Jeffrey Junko, MD
If you are a runner, chances are you’ve heard of plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the most common causes of heel pain. However, any job or activity where you are on your feet for long periods of time can put you at risk as well.
An introduction to plantar fasciitis
A thick band of tissue - plantar fascia - connects your heel bone to your toes. This tissue acts as a shock-absorber on the feet. If tension and stress start to cause small tears, this ribbon-like tissue…
6 Proactive Simple Steps You Can Take Against Osteoporosis
Posted April 14, 2019 by Rachel P Espiritu, MD
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