Your spine is comprised of several discs that lie in between each of your vertebrae. These discs possess the innate ability to absorb shock and provide a cushion to help stabilize your spine. The discs also allow you to be flexible, enhancing your movements and giving you the ability to bend or twist. When these discs break down, they tend to become worn and less elastic; this is called disc degeneration. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, our orthopedist in Brooklyn can help determine if you are currently experiencing these Modic changes and conditions.
What Leads to Disc Degeneration?
In most cases, the universal causality that lies within the development of degeneration pertains to aging. Initially, upon birth, you are born with jelly-like fluid in your discs that compose your spine. As you get older, these discs tend to lose water, forcing them to dry out and become deteriorated. Since your vertebrae now possess less shock absorption, the bones in your spine will sit closer together and forcibly rub against one another.
Disc degeneration can also be catalyzed by a buildup of stresses on your spine, such as pain from lifting heavy objects or trauma from a car accident. These incidences can cause the discs in your spine to crack, obligating the jelly-like fluid in the discs to seep through the crack. This may potentially force the disc to begin bulging from the spine.
What Do Modic Changes Entail?
Modic changes are directly related to disc degeneration. This condition refers to the pathological changes in your vertebrae and discs in your spine. These changes can only be detected through an MRI scan, and they are classified into three different types; Type I, Type II, and Type III.
Type I – In this case, there is a small amount of degeneration on the bones and discs that make up the spine and microfractures could be present. You may experience pain if you are experiencing a Type I Modic change.
Type II – You will also experience pain with a Type II Modic change. However, the fluid in your spine and bone marrow will be replaced by visceral fat.
Type III – It is rare that you will develop a Type III Modic change in your spine. The MRI will show signs of sclerosis and fractures within the spine.
Orthopedist in Brooklyn
If you have back pain, you could be experiencing disc degeneration and Modic changes. Reach out to our orthopedist in Brooklyn for help. Your doctor can order an MRI to diagnose your pain and create a treatment plan that is right for you, contact Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation today!
Summary
Article Name
Modic Changes & Disc Degeneration
Description
If you have back pain, you could be experiencing disc degeneration and Modic changes. Reach out to our orthopedist in Brooklyn at Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation for help.
Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, PC is committed to excellence by pledging to provide the highest quality of orthopedic care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, we strive to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all our treatment plans as a way to alleviate possible future difficulties. We are pleased to have you as a patient. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact our orthopedist in Brooklyn.
Osteopathic Medicine: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, NY
Training
Orthopedic Surgery Residency: Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway, NY
Joint Preservation, Resurfacing & Replacement Fellowship: Washington University Orthopedics, St. Louis, MO
Medical Licenses
New York State Medical License
State of New Jersey License
Certification
American Boards of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS) – May 2011
National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners – Complex Step I, II, IIIACLS, BLS, Infection Control
Research
South Nassau Communities Hospital: September 2007–December 2007 Free-Hand Technique Modification on Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Authors: Dr. Avshalumov & Dr. Gerber
University of Kentucky & Shriners Hospital for Children: January 2006–April 2006 Scoliosis in Autistic ChildrenAuthors: Dr. Avshalumov & Dr. Milbrandt
North Shore University Hospital NY Manhassat: 2006–2007 Total Hip Replacement in Patient with History of Poliomyelitis Authors: Dr. Avshalumov & Dr. Siderman
Astrakhan Medical Academy: September 1993–December 1994 Rehabilitation of Muscle after Surgical Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Research Assistant of Dr. Ramiz Ibragimov
Professional Affiliations
American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS)
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO)
Alexander Wicker is a registered orthopedic physician assistant and specializes in the treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions and procedures including:
Emergency Trauma
Orthopedic Surgery
Education
Undergraduate: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
Physician Assistant Program: Hofstra University, Hempstead NY
Pre-requisites for PA Program: Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York
Clinical Experience
Physician Assistant – Orthopedic Surgery: Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, PC, Valley Stream, NY (December 1, 2012 –Present)
Manage all aspects of care for adult and pediatric patients in a private office setting under the supervision of Board Certified and sub-specialty fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeons.
Experience with first and second assisting in the operating room.
Physician Assistant – Department of Orthopedic Surgery: Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY (January 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013)
Manage all aspects of care for adult and pediatric patients on the entire orthopedic service on the inpatient settings, outpatient clinics, perioperative, as well as performing emergent and routine consults under the supervision of Board Certified and Sub-specialty fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeons.
Experience with first and second assisting in the operating room on numerous occasions, including complex fracture repairs, and total joint replacements.
Perform a wide range of skills including physical exams, administering intraarticular injections; prepare written prescriptions, splinting, and casting.
lnstruct and advise patients regarding medications and treatment.
Clinical Coordinator, Joint Replacement Program: Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY (September 15, 2012 – June 30, 2013)
Physician Assistant – Emergency Department: Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY (March 14, 2011 – December 31, 2011)
Manage all aspects of care for adult patients in the Main E.D. (Acute Care) and both adult and pediatric patients in the Fast Track (Urgent Care) settings under the supervision of Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians.
Perform a wide range of skills including physical exams, administering injections and immunizations, suturing, prepare written prescriptions, splinting, and lumbar punctures. Instruct and advise patients regarding medications and treatment and/or refer them to appropriate specialists.
Certifications/Licensure
NCCPA certified, January 2011
NYS Licensed, February 2011
New Jersey Licensed, 2013
ACLS, BCLS, ATLS certified
DEA certified
Infection Control certified
NYS Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certified
Collegiate Affiliations
Hofstra University Physician Assistant Program: Class of 2010 Vice-President
Hofstra University Society of Physician Assistant Students: Co-Founder, Past President, Lifetime Member
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Physician Assistants, Fellow Member
New York State Society of Physician Assistants, Fellow Member
American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, Fellow Member
Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants, Fellow Member
American Society of Orthopedic Physician’s Assistants, Affiliate Member
Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery, Fellow Member
Previous Work Experience
The National Enquirer: District Retail Manager (March 2003 – August 2008)
Managed a staff of six part-time employees whose tasks involved magazine merchandising, advertising signage placement, and product reordering in retail stores.
Personally assisted in the re-launch of Star magazine from a tabloid format in January 2004.
Organizations & Clubs:
Volunteer Firefighter, Garden City Park Fire Department
Ex-Lieutenant, Rescue Company
Skills & Interests
Strong interests in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery, Joint Preservation, and Reconstruction
Self-motivated and eager to learn
Strong work ethic
Team player
Proficient in the use of Electronic Medical Records
Recent Blog Posts
Modic Changes & Disc Degeneration
Your spine is comprised of several discs that lie in between each of your vertebrae. These discs possess the innate ability to absorb shock and provide a cushion to help stabilize your spine. The discs also allow you to be flexible, enhancing your movements and giving you the ability to bend or twist. When these discs break down, they tend to become worn and less elastic; this is called disc degeneration. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, our orthopedist in Brooklyn can help determine if you are currently experiencing these Modic changes and conditions.
What Leads to Disc Degeneration?
In most cases, the universal causality that lies within the development of degeneration pertains to aging. Initially, upon birth, you are born with jelly-like fluid in your discs that compose your spine. As you get older, these discs tend to lose water, forcing them to dry out and become deteriorated. Since your vertebrae now possess less shock absorption, the bones in your spine will sit closer together and forcibly rub against one another.
Disc degeneration can also be catalyzed by a buildup of stresses on your spine, such as pain from lifting heavy objects or trauma from a car accident. These incidences can cause the discs in your spine to crack, obligating the jelly-like fluid in the discs to seep through the crack. This may potentially force the disc to begin bulging from the spine.
What Do Modic Changes Entail?
Modic changes are directly related to disc degeneration. This condition refers to the pathological changes in your vertebrae and discs in your spine. These changes can only be detected through an MRI scan, and they are classified into three different types; Type I, Type II, and Type III.
Type I – In this case, there is a small amount of degeneration on the bones and discs that make up the spine and microfractures could be present. You may experience pain if you are experiencing a Type I Modic change.
Type II – You will also experience pain with a Type II Modic change. However, the fluid in your spine and bone marrow will be replaced by visceral fat.
Type III – It is rare that you will develop a Type III Modic change in your spine. The MRI will show signs of sclerosis and fractures within the spine.
If you have back pain, you could be experiencing disc degeneration and Modic changes. Reach out to our orthopedist in Brooklyn for help. Your doctor can order an MRI to diagnose your pain and create a pain management treatment plan that is right for you, contact Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation today!
Avoiding Injuries As A Runner
Runner’s Knee
This injury is common when you are overworking the muscles in your knee, and your knee becomes unaligned. Be sure to listen to your body, so you don’t overwork past your limit. To help with the pain, you should tape your knee or invest in a knee brace.
Shin Splints
When this injury occurs you feel pain in the front or inside of your leg, alongside your shin bone. To prevent shin splints make sure you are wearing proper fitting sneakers, avoid hills as they put extra force on the shin muscle, and increase your workout or speed at a gradual level. Treatment for shin splints includes icing your shins for 15-20 minutes and keeping them elevated at night to reduce swelling.
Ankle Sprain
This occurs when you roll or twist your foot inwards or outwards, and you stretch or tear the ligaments around the ankle. This injury is excruciating. Doing regular exercises such as single-legged squats to strengthen the muscles around your ankle can help prevent this injury. You also want to make sure you pay attention when running as these injuries are commonly caused by curbs, tree branches, potholes, or other unlevel surfaces. Common at home treatment includes wearing an ankle brace and taping up your ankle and of course rest
Pulled Muscle
This happens when your muscle has been overstretched. The most common causes are overuse, inflexibility, and not warming up before a workout. Make sure you are stretching and warming up before any run to help prevent this injury. If you have pulled a muscle the best thing to do is rest! Take a break for a minimum of five days before running again and be sure to ice and stretch.
Our orthopedist in Brooklyn is here to help if you are experiencing overwhelming pain. We offer a variety of treatment options to help you regain strength and functionality with our quality orthopedist in Brooklyn. If you are experiencing a more severe injury, we can provide a solution with our knee replacement surgery, a safe and effective treatment that can help relieve pain and restore function. We also offer external fixation that helps ankle injuries by attaching a device called a fixator to the affected bone with specialized bone screws, or pins. The pins allow for proper alignment of the fractured bone.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help relieve your pain with our orthopedist in Brooklyn.
Exercises That Will Help Strengthen The Joints
Joint strength is important because it increases flexibility, helps increase the duration of the joints, and helps people complete activities in a more effective way. It is therefore imperative to practice exercises daily that will strengthen your joints. If you are searching for an orthopedist in Brooklyn, Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation offer great quality orthopedic care for joint restoration. Below are several methods capable of increasing the strength in your joints which can all easily be conducted at home.
How to Increase Joint Strength
Always wear supportive, good-fitting shoes.
Increase your exercise regimen intensity. Gradually increasing difficulty over time.
Always warm up before exercising and remember to cool down after.
Remember to incorporate workout regimens that will specifically target muscles that surround the joints.
Joint Injury Can Be Precipitated by a Number of Things, including:
Lifting heavyweights.
Running too fast.
Not wearing proper shoe attire.
Exercising without warming up.
Exercises that help to Strengthen Joints
Bodyweight squat – This exercise protects the knees, hips, and ankles. To do a bodyweight squat, stand in front of a chair or bench with the feet shoulder-length apart and lower yourself to the seat, touching it lightly, and then return to a standing position.
Assisted or Unassisted Pull-up -This exercise helps to strengthen both your shoulders and your elbows. An assisted pull-up consists of standing on the platform of a pull-up machine, while an unassisted pull-up consists of starting at the bottom. Begin with your arms extended and pull your body weight all the way up until you shorten the angle. Your orthopedist in Brooklyn wants you to remember to breathe normally as you perform the maneuver.
The Push-up – Similar to the pull-up, the push-up also focuses on your shoulders and elbows. You can start in the push-up position with your body straight and your hands shoulder-width apart. Lower your chest towards the floor and then extend back to the push-up position. You can modify this maneuver by doing a push-up on your knees, making the process a bit more effortless. The push-up also builds muscle around your shoulder and elbow joints, increasing strength and stability.
Make sure to take some time during the day to practice these exercises. If you suffer from osteoarthritis or have undergone a joint injury, seek the assistance of an orthopedist in Brooklyn by visiting Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation. We offer services from sports medicine to knee replacement, so contact us today to make your appointment!
Tendonitis in the Hip
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is defined as the inflammation in the tissue that connects your bone and muscle. One of the more painful spots that tendonitis can occur is in someone’s hip. If you are searching for an orthopedist in Brooklyn then Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation is the place for you!
How Do You Get Tendonitis?
The main cause of hip tendonitis is by overworking your hip. The hip is constantly working throughout the day; it works when you walk, run, even when you lift your legs up. Furthermore, the hip picks up the slack when weak muscles are unable to work properly. This can result in overworking the muscles in your hip. Your hip can also be easily aggravated by playing sports. Certain side-to-side motions can aggravate the hip because it is doing the other work of weaker muscles.
What are the Risk Factors of Hip Tendonitis?
There are a collection of risk factors that come with tendonitis in the hip. Some of these risk factors include:
Age
The older you get, the weaker your tendons get.
Occupations that consist of:
Repetitive Motions
Awkward Positions
Frequent Overhead Reaching
Vibration
Forceful Exertion
Sports:
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Golf
Running
Swimming
Tennis
Just because you partake in some of these risk factors does not mean that you will get hip tendonitis, however, you are more prone to the injury. It is imperative that you treat yourself properly before the injury gets serious. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn offer great care for people who have tendonitis in their hip!
Treatment: Orthopedist In Brooklyn
There are a few forms of treatment that can help the pain that comes with hip tendonitis. A few tips that you can follow are adjusting your seat higher, so you avoid “hip pinching”, maintaining flexible hips, and perfecting your form when exercising your hip. Some effective exercises that you can do to make your hips stronger and more flexible are hip flexor stretches, hip bridges, hip extensions, and side-lying hip abduction.
Contact Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation is here to help you recover from your hip injuries. If you have been suffering from hip tendonitis, then book an appointment with us today. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn wants to ensure that our patients are as healthy and strong as possible!
Orthopedic Near Me
Back pain, arthritic hips and knees, stiff neck muscles, and sports injuries are just a few of the conditions that our orthopedist in Brooklyn encounter. Our trained specialists are committed to providing the proper diagnosis, treatment, prevention, as well as the restoration of conditions, diseases, and injuries of the body’s musculoskeletal system.
What Do We Treat?
Our orthopedist treats patients of all ages with conditions that vary from bone and joint disorders to fractures, as well as any soft tissue injuries such as tears of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Some conditions our orthopedist in Brooklyn treats include:
Fractures or dislocations
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sports-related injuries
Pulled muscles, tendon injuries, and torn cartilage
Torn ligaments, sprains, and strains
Back pain, scoliosis, and sciatica
Our orthopedist in Brooklyn is able to treat these conditions with or without surgery utilizing the latest breakthroughs in technology. Depending on the severity of the condition, orthopaedic surgery may be recommended if the patient does not respond to other treatments.
Services
Here at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Prevention, our orthopedist strives to provide the highest quality of orthopedic care possible. Some of our services provided include:
Arthroscopy Our orthopedist utilizes unique cameras and equipment to help get a better visualization of the affected joint to properly diagnose and treat the complication.
Joint replacement Our orthopedist removes the damaged or arthritic joint and replaces it with an artificial joint that is called a prosthesis.
Fusion During this process, the bones are “welded” together using bone grafts and internal devices, such as metal rods.
How Long is Recovery from a Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a surgery performed to repair or examine parts in or around the shoulder joint. Although the recovery time is much shorter as compared to open surgeries, shoulder arthroscopy recovery will generally take from 1-6 months. This may also depend on what was performed as well as the age and strength of the patient. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn is highly experienced in performing shoulder arthroscopy procedures. Contact us to receive more information about our services.
In order to properly treat the condition, our orthopedist in Brooklyn performs a detailed orthopedic evaluation. This evaluation consists of a physical examination, a detailed medical history, x-rays, and other additional exams.
The physical examination helps our orthopedist evaluate important aspects of the musculoskeletal system, such as the strength, range of motion, swelling, and reflexes.
The medical history allows our orthopedist to properly evaluate the overall health and possible causes of joint pain.
X-rays are the next stage in making the diagnosis. X-ray images help display the amount of joint damage or deformity that exists.
If you are experiencing any pain in your back, muscles, or joints, our orthopedist in Brooklyn can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment and consult with our orthopedist today!
RECOVERING FROM ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY WITH AN ORTHOPEDIST IN BROOKLYN
Your shoulders make it possible to perform a wide variety of daily activities. Sometimes, however, a sudden injury can damage your shoulder muscles and result in a torn rotator cuff. In many cases, it is possible to cope with this injury through home treatment. When pain continues over a long period of time, it’s time to visit an orthopedist in Brooklyn. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we will help you overcome your torn rotator cuff, and help you recover from the after effects of surgery to the best of our ability.
Recovering From Rotator Cuff Surgery
Your rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that help you lift and rotate your arm. The two leading causes of rotator cuff tears are injury and degeneration. If you fall on an outstretched arm or lift something heavy, there is a chance that you can tear your rotator cuff. This injury can also occur with other shoulder injuries like a dislocated shoulder or a broken collarbone. Typically, most rotator cuff tears are the result of the tendon wearing down over time.
There are many types of surgery that can be used to repair a torn rotator cuff. These include minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and superior capsular reconstruction. Any surgical procedure involves recovery time, but here are some helpful tips to help aid in your recovery:
Sleep carefully – Sleeping after shoulder surgery can be challenging. You might find it most comfortable to sleep in a semi-upright position. To help with this, you can use pillows to prop you up.
Wear a sling – After surgery, you want to make sure that your shoulder is immobilized so the tendon can heal properly. A sling will provide you with support and stability.
Monitor your symptoms – Keep an eye out for any complications after surgery like fever, redness, swelling, or sudden and severe pain.
Active motion – Active motion can begin once the tendons have healed sufficiently. This means that you can move your own arm, but not with any extra resistance applied.
Strengthening Exercises – After surgery, the muscles in the rotator cuff become weak. During the strengthening phase of your recovery, you can start improving your strength to regain your normal activity level. Consult with your orthopedist in Brooklyn to determine if you need therapeutic exercises.
It can take 4 to 6 months to recover from rotator cuff surgery fully. Our team will be able to help you through this process. We understand that every tear and every surgery are different, so you can be confident that you are in good hands.
Contact Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
If you have been suffering from a torn rotator cuff, having a recovery plan following your surgery can ensure a smooth recovery process. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation can help! Contact us to request an appointment today!
THE IMPORTANCE OF DAILY FLEXIBILITY EXERCISES
As we continue to age, it’s very easy to transition into a more sedentary lifestyle. While this may not seem like a problem, losing your flexibility as a result of this lifestyle comes with a wealth of health issues. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we want to help you avoid this common pitfall. To do this, our orthopedist in Brooklyn would like to share the importance and benefits that can come from daily flexibility exercises.
Problems With Immobility
Before diving into the benefits of daily stretches and flexibility issues, our orthopedist in Brooklyn would like to share the issues that can come when you stop moving. A body in motion stays in motion, and failing to do so can come with unfortunate complications. If you skip out on daily flexibility exercises, some issues you may be faced with include:
Development of muscular imbalances.
Pain when trying to move.
Limited mobility.
Swollen joints.
Increased likelihood of sustaining an injury.
The Importance Of Daily Flexibility Exercises
If you’re concerned with the problems we previously mentioned, there are things you can do to avoid these issues. By implementing a series of stretches into your daily routine, you’ll limit the likelihood of developing these problems while also reaping multiple benefits. Some of these benefits include the following:
Improved posture and balance.
Greater strength.
Reduction of pain.
Naturally boosting your mood.
Stretches Recommended By Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
With so many stretches that you can perform each day, setting a routine can be a daunting task. Fortunately, you’re not alone in this process. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn is well versed in this area and wants to share the stretches that will be most beneficial. To stay in the healthiest shape possible, we recommended performing the following stretches each day:
Downward dog.
Side oblique stretch.
Child’s pose.
Forward fold.
Seated back twist.
Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation – Orthopedist in Brooklyn
Starting a new routine from scratch can sometimes be difficult. However, when the pros outweigh the cons, it should be enough to get you to start. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn wants to stress how important daily flexibility exercises are to your daily life. For more information on the benefits of stretching, or how to perform the previously listed stretches, contact us today.
AVOIDING CYCLING INJURIES
Cycling can be a great form of exercise and method of transportation. However, it is vital to keep in mind the dangers that come along with this form of exercise. You don’t want to become sidelined due to a cycling injury. Here at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, our orthopedist in Brooklyn has helped many patients overcome cycling injuries and provide them with the education they need to prevent them from happening in the future.
Common Cycling Injuries
Cycling injuries can occur at any time, even if you are an avid rider. These injuries can range in severity, but our orthopedist in Brooklyn can help you address the majority of them. If you’re an avid cyclist or you are just starting out, you should be aware of the following injuries:
Tendonitis.
Impact Injuries.
Knee Pain.
Lower Back Pain.
Muscle Tightness and Strains.
Wrist, Hand, Arm, and Neck Pain.
Avoiding Injury
While cycling injuries are all too common, they can be easily avoided. If you are not cautious on your bike rides, you may find yourself off the bike for a long time. The next time you head out for a bike ride, we recommend that you utilize the following methods to avoid injury:
Warm-up and stretch before you ride.
Wear a helmet.
Hydrate.
Do not overexert yourself or push beyond your limits.
Adjust the bike seat to allow for optimal back support.
Check your brakes and gear shifts to ensure they are functioning correctly.
If you do find yourself injured after taking these precautions, it is essential to seek treatment right away. Many cycling injuries can be managed at home, but if your injury is accompanied by severe pain, loss of sensation, bleeding, or increased weakness, you should make an appointment with our orthopedist in Brooklyn. Our team will be able to assess your condition and devise the appropriate treatment plan to get you back on the saddle.
Contact Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
Cycling injuries can leave you in pain and keep you from traveling where you need to go. With summer just around the corner, the last thing you want is a cycling injury keeping you off of your bike. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we can help you treat any cycling injuries you sustain and help you prevent them from happening later on. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
WHAT IS THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME?
When an onset of numbness, tingling or pain in the neck starts affecting your daily life, it can be concerning. Several conditions can explain this sensation, including the rare occurrence of thoracic outlet syndrome. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we specialize in treating conditions that affect the shoulder, such as thoracic outlet syndrome. This vascular issue is less known, so our orthopedist in Brooklyn would like to share some more information with you.
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Thoracic outlet syndrome can be defined as a group of disorders that occur when nerves or blood vessels in between your collarbone and the first rib (thoracic outlet) become compressed. This can lead to pain in your neck and shoulders, and numbness in your fingers. There are several types of thoracic outlet syndrome variations:
Vascular – This variation occurs when one or more of the arteries or veins under the collarbone are compressed.
Neurogenic – This is the most common type of thoracic outlet syndrome. This type occurs when the brachial plexus is compressed. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that stems from your spinal cord. The brachial plexus controls sensation and muscle movements in your hands, arms, and shoulders.
Nonspecific-type – This type is disputed among doctors because some say it does not exist. Those with nonspecific-type thoracic outlet syndrome experience chronic pain in the area of the thoracic region that worsens with activity. The cause of pain from this type of thoracic outlet syndrome cannot be determined.
Symptoms for thoracic outlet syndrome vary depending on which nerve structures are being compressed. Some of the symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome can include pain or aches in the neck, shoulder, or hand, numbness in the arms or fingers, and weakened grip. For the vascular type of this condition, symptoms can include discoloration, blood clots in the arteries or veins in the upper body, and numbness in the upper body. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn can help you determine the best course of action to address this condition.
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by the nerves or blood vessels compressing in the thoracic outlet. This compression can be caused by several factors, potentially including the following:
Poor posture.
Trauma.
Repetitive activity.
Joint pressure.
Pregnancy
Anatomical defects.
Treatment for this condition works best if you address it early on. Conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, and clot-dissolving medications can also be effective treatment options. If these methods do not provide results, our orthopedist in Brooklyn may recommend surgery to provide relief.
Contact Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
Living with discomfort from thoracic outlet syndrome can make life difficult. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we provide treatment for various conditions affecting the shoulder. Book an online appointment to speak with one of out orthopedic specialists to receive the comprehensive care you deserve!
FAQ’s From Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn
Where is Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation’s Long Island office located?
133 East Merrick Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580
Where is Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation’s Brooklyn office located?
3048 Brighton 1st Street 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11235
Who is Dr. Stanislav B. Avshalumov?
For his dedication and excellence in patient care, Patient Preferred Physicians and Practitioners proudly named Dr. Stanislav B. Avshalumov, DO, a Patient Preferred Physician representing Orthopedic Surgery in the state of New York. With over a decade of achievements in his specialty, Dr. Avshalumov serves his patients at the Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation in Valley Stream, New York. He is Board Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and specializes in joint replacement surgery, total hip resurfacing, minimally invasive hip and knee replacement and revision, and total joint replacement. In addition he specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the hip and hip disorders. He also represents the state of New York as the Top Patient Preferred Orthopedic Surgeon of 2021. Named “Physician of the Year”, Dr. Stanislav Ashalumov, MD, has been meritoriously chosen.
What is SuperPath hip replacement?
As our bodies continue to age, joints responsible for weight-bearing activities are subject to mass amounts of wear and tear. While some patients will face no issues in these areas, others will require joint replacement operations to restore their quality of life. If you fall into the latter category, consider working with our team here at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation. When your hip is the joint giving your problems, we can provide you with a SuperPath hip replacement to restore joint function so you can get back to pain-free movement.
What is PRP and stem cell therapy?
PRP and stem cell therapy are two types of injections our team can administer to facilitate healing in an affected area. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma and is defined as autologous blood with platelet concentrations above normal baseline levels. In situations where PRP therapy is used, the platelet-rich blood is drawn directly from the patient, then injected back into the problematic area. Stem cell therapy involves injecting a stem cell-rich biocompatible matrix into the body’s damaged or pain-filled part. Much like PRP therapy, the stem cells used for this injection can be taken from your own body, limiting any adverse effects.
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