It’s been a cold, damp and dreary winter in Northern Virginia. If you’re feeling extra achy, you’re not alone. The connection between cold weather and joint pain is something many of us can feel in our bones. The evidence of a scientific relationship between cold weather and joint pain is mixed. Several studies suggest a solid link while others downplay it. But whatever the research says, for many … [Read more...]

Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions to get stronger and fitter. Weight training (also called strength training) can play an important role in getting fit and feeling great. But it’s essential to do it safely and correctly to avoid injury. Here’s the scoop on how weight training can help and how to avoid and address injuries. What Are the Benefits of Weight Training? Strength training … [Read more...]

The heel is the workhorse of the foot--and on a certain level of the whole body. It’s tough and takes a lot of impact from everyday activities like walking and work tasks along with sports and other higher impact activities. But the heel also has a delicate side. Because it sees so much action, when it gets damaged (either by injury or overuse) it can cause a lot of pain. Here are some of the … [Read more...]

When we see a patient in their 30s with an unexplained lump on their wrist, one diagnosis initially comes to mind: ganglion cyst. And while a lump tends to make us think of cancer, the good news is a ganglion cyst is benign. It’s a non-cancerous lump that usually appears around the wrist joint but can also show up on the ankles or feet. Ganglion cysts often go away on their own, but your … [Read more...]

Barefoot running has become one of the biggest sports trends in the last decade. Its fans, including some physicians, promote it as a more natural way to run. It’s been the subject of books, studies and plenty of debate. But is it really better? We’ll take a look at why barefoot running is a thing and explore some of the benefits as well as potential problems and why talking to your orthopaedist … [Read more...]

Sports are a terrific source of joy and stress relief, and they’re just as important for adults as they are for young people. They keep us fit and have tremendous benefits for our mental and physical health. But there are some dangers to navigate, especially as we get older. Stress fractures are one of the things that can sideline us as we look to stay healthy and active. A stress fracture, … [Read more...]