Football is one of the great American sports. It’s fun to watch, fun to play, and has been a high school tradition for decades. It’s a top sport for teen boys, and there are tackle leagues around the country for children as young as 5. According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are roughly 250,000 youth football players from 5 to 15 years old in one popular nationwide … [Read more...]

Did you know there are only a few bones in our bodies that aren’t attached to other bones? They’re “floaters,” attached to tendons or muscle. These bones are called sesamoids, and the one that usually comes to mind is the kneecap. But we also have smaller sesamoid bones in our feet. They’re tiny bones at the bottom of your foot, right near your big toe. They’ve been compared to jelly beans or … [Read more...]

Did you know you have 14 finger bones in each hand? It takes that many bones to do the fantastic things our fingers do for us every day. Our fingers are also especially susceptible to injuries. Our hands are often our first line of defense, whether we’re catching something or trying to break a fall. But we tend to adopt a more laid-back approach to finger injuries than to other bone breaks. … [Read more...]

As the COVID-19 pandemic creates a new reality for patients and medical providers, non-urgent in-person care is taking a hit. But many appointments, while not urgent, are very much needed, including follow-ups to orthopaedic surgeries and treatment for injuries. Medical practices are switching to telemedicine for both primary and specialized care. Virtual care offers many benefits, with protecting … [Read more...]

Can a natural lubricant found in real-life rooster combs make your joints feel better? For many patients, the answer is yes. A well-established treatment called viscosupplementation can provide long-lasting relief for joint pain and osteoarthritis in your knees, shoulders or hips. What Is A Rooster Comb Injection? When you and your doctor decide to try viscosupplementation, your doctor will plan … [Read more...]

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...]