More Questions and Answers from Dr. Kim Foreman
Question: My feet point outwards especially my right one, when I try to point it straight it hurts my knee. Is this normal?
Answer: The outward turning of your feet is how you were made – there is nothing you can do about it. Trying to walk with your feet straight will only make your legs tired and your knees sore. Learn to live with your feet as they are and enjoy life.
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Question: How can you treat an aging knee problem, for a hobby and sports dad?
Answer: I am assuming your problem is arthritis. Treatment depends on your age, activity level, and severity of the arthritis. Treatment options include medication, joint supplements, bracing, and knee replacement. The right choice can only be chosen after evaluating your knee, x-rays, how much the problem is affecting your lifestyle, and your knee expectations and demands. Make an appointment with your local orthopedist to discuss all these issues.
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Question: Sometimes when I try to stand from a sitting position my hip will lock causing excruciating pain. This started a couple years ago but when I went to the doctor he didn’t seem too concerned. Just said it was old age arthritis. Even standing it would sometimes lock up at the hip joint.
Answer: There are three things that this could be. First is arthritis which is the most common. Second is a tear in the cartilage rim that goes around the socket (labrum). Third is a loose piece of bone/cartilage floating around in the hip joint. Treatment is quite different depending on the problem. I would recommend an evaluation by an orthopedist with an interest in hips to determine the problem and solution for you.
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Question: My father had surgery to fuse his left wrist together. He has little to no cartilage left in his wrist and was looking for any kind of pain relief. Since then, he is still in the same amount of pain, and has limited mobility now. The Doctor doesn’t seem interested in trying to figure out the problem. Is there someone you can recommend or anyone you think he should see?
Answer: I would recommend that he see one of our hand and wrist subspecialists to see why he is still hurting and what can be done to decrease his pain.
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Question: My daughter injured her knee last year running hurdles. We have seen a local orthopedist, and he said she had a partially torn meniscus and it should heal on its own. Her knee was fine during summer, but with cheerleading and softball her knee hurts and swells. Should we get an MRI of the knee?
Answer: It does sound suspicious for a meniscus tear in your daughter’s knee and it also sounds like an MRI is going to be needed to help in the diagnosis. Hopefully this can be done soon so treatment can get started soon as well.
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Question:
About 3 weeks ago, I sprained my thumb. Currently, it’s still painful to do a few activities. 90% of what I do causes no pain. However, my hand was accidently slapped and I saw stars for a few minutes. It causes pain when I bend my thumb up. What is the cause of the problem, and will it go away on its own?
Answer: I think you probably have a sprain of some of your thumb ligaments. Complete healing takes approximately 6 weeks, and the thumb can continue to intermittently bother you for another 4-6 weeks after that. Since you are getting better I wouldn’t worry too much at this point; only if it seems to worsen or doesn’t completely get well after 6-8 weeks would further evaluation be warranted.
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Question: One and a half years ago I broke my forearm, both ulna and radius. I will soon remove the plate and screws. When the screws are removed, will their holes fill up with new bone?
Answer: Yes they will. It takes about 6 weeks for that to happen so you’ll need to be a little careful until the bone has regained its full strength.
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Question: Hi, my son has a torn labrum, “SLAP TEAR” and is a baseball player for Letourneau University. Does this normally require surgery and how long of a recovery before back to playing baseball?
Answer: Athletes involved in overhead sport – baseball, tennis, swimming, volleyball, among others – typically don’t do well with labral tears and usually require surgery to resolve their issues and get back to their sport. Recovery is generally in the 4-6 month range.
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Question: I am having a sharp pain under my left shoulder blade any sudden movement, cough, or when I press on the back of my neck sends a sharp pain. When I lay down about the only relief I get is to lay on that shoulder. Is is possible just a tight muscle or is it going to be pinched nerve?
Answer: You didn’t say how long it’s been bothering you; if it has been less than 2-3 weeks I would recommend conservative care consisting of rest, heat, and anti-inflammatory meds (Advil, Aleve, etc.). If it doesn’t improve in 4-6 weeks you probably need an evaluation to see if there is a neck problem.
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Question: In April I was thrown from my horse. The doctor said I bruised my hips and lower back. I still have severe pain in my lower back when I move or sit. Would bruised hips and lower back still cause this much pain and discomfort several months later?
Answer: A bruise/strain/sprain should be 90-95% healed by 6-8 weeks. Continued symptoms past this time suggest something more than that. I recommend an evaluation at least by your primary care physician or by a physical medicine doctor to see what is going on that’s not getting better.
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Question:Had surgery 1/25/11 and still in pain. Had another MRI, it showed 2 tears in rotor cuff and labrum tear. The company will not let me come back; I climb poles for a phone company. I’ve worked 35 years with this company, not sure I want to go through another surgery do I have options?
Answer: If you have cuff and labral tears the only way to fix them is with surgery. Another option is doing less strenuous work which doesn’t stress your shoulder so much but that may be hard to find. A final option is living with your shoulder as it is which will also not be easy. I’m sorry for your condition, but those are your options.