Ultrasound Accreditation

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Spine & Joint Solutions of Colorado Springs would like to take this opportunity to announce a recent accreditation that we have been granted. After several months of effort, SJS has been awarded full accreditation for both Diagnostic and Therapeutic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. The accreditation is through the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). In order to be granted accreditation, demonstration of ultrasound skills and documentation of various diagnostic ultrasound studies and ultrasound-guided injections are required, which are stringently reviewed by AIUM reviewers before accreditation is granted. This accreditation allows Dr. Rebekah Martin to join an elite group of practitioners across the United States who are dedicated to improving the field of musculoskeletal medicine through ultrasound evaluation. Ultrasound evaluation allows for better visualization of internal structures so that a more accurate diagnosis can be made, as well as more accurate placement of a needle during injection therapy.

Joint replacement vs regenerative medicine

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I recently reviewed an interesting article that presented a 54-year-old male with moderate-grade knee osteoarthritis who was healthy and active. The article argued the points for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) versus regenerative medicine therapy. An orthopedic surgeon was making the argument that TKA was a safe and successful surgery and that the patient should be able to return to a high level of functioning, such as golfing and skiing. He also mentions that the joint prosthesis should have a life of about 15 years. The physiatrist made several arguments, instead, for consideration of regenerative medicine therapy, including either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or autologous stem cells. He states that the process of both blood aspiration (for PRP) and bone marrow aspiration (for stem cells) techniques are efficient and safe. The safety profile for regenerative medicine treatments, a single or limited number of injections, is also extremely preferred to the potential risks that are seen with TKA, such as infection, rejection, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus. Also extremely important is the cost of these two opposing options. The total cost of a TKA today is said to be around $52,000, and with many new insurance policies, a patient may be responsible for up to 20% of this value. Stem cell therapy provided in the office by SJS typically ranges from $1,800 to $3,000, depending on the product chosen, amount used and number of areas treated. This 54-year-old will require one to two prosthetic revisions due to his age and the average life of a knee prosthesis, and research does not show that individuals are typically able to return to a high level of activity following TKA. Most research suggests that patients return to activities of daily living after a TKA for the most part. In contrast to this, the goal of providing regenerative medicine therapy would be to not only return an individual to do her activities of daily living, but also to most extracurricular activities that would want to be pursued. Bottom Line: It is imperative that the general public be aware of regenerative medicine as a viable treatment option instead of more invasive measures. Any physician treating musculoskeletal and spine conditions needs to be educated, fair and honest with patients regarding their options.

skeleton body with pressure points in red

Treat Bursitis with Our Joint Pain Treatment and Injections

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Bursitis, in any joint of the body, is never a pleasant experience. This condition occurs when the bursa – the fluid-filled sac between the bone, muscles, tendons, and skin – becomes inflamed or irritated due to repetitive motion or a sudden impact during exercise. At Spine and Joint Solutions in Colorado Springs, our joint pain treatment and injections are designed to effectively treat your bursitis and relieve the pain and swelling in your knee, elbow, or hip.

One injection that we perform to treat bursitis is a steroid injection, which can be placed into nearly any joint or bursa in the body. We use an ultrasound machine to guarantee precise placement and view the affected site while the injection is being performed. The injection is a mix of Lidocaine and a long-acting steroid, providing relief and healing where it’s needed most. There are some things to remember before receiving a bursa injection, such as stopping any blood-thinning medications like Ibuprofen and other NSAID pain relievers between three to seven days before your injection (depending on the medication).

If you’re experiencing discomfort in your knees, hips, or elbows, it could be a sign of bursitis, and our staff will gladly help diagnose it and provide guidance on what your next steps are. If it is bursitis, we will discuss the option of injections with you, as well as other joint pain treatment that could be helpful. Most of all, we want you to be comfortable and confident that your joint pain can be taken care of, and that you’re in capable hands with us.

Joint Pain in Your Knees? Come See Us in Colorado Springs Today

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When you’re struggling with knee pain, high levels of mobility and activity can be very hard to achieve. If you’re experiencing severe pain in your knee each time you take a step or bend your knee while sitting, it’s important that you seek treatment for your joint pain right away. At Spine and Joint Solutions in Colorado Springs, we’ve treated numerous knee ailments, and can provide the advice and treatment that you need to live an active life once more.

Knee problems can be caused by many things, one of which is overexertion while playing sports. As sports medicine experts, we’ve seen our share of meniscal tears and other knee problems. The meniscus is the cartilage that sits above the knee joint, where the femur and tibia meet. It protects the knee joint and is the attachment point for several ligaments within the leg. If you’ve over-rotated or twisted your knee, it’s very possible that you’ve torn your meniscus. Your knee may swell, keeping you from being able to extend it fully, and you may hear a popping sound when you walk. These are good indications of a meniscal tear, and it’s essential that you seek treatment right away.

Depending on the severity of the tear, we will recommend a treatment plan that will help you rehabilitate your knee in the least amount of time possible. We’ll conduct an MRI or CT scan to fully assess the damage to the meniscus, and our ultimate goal is to restore functionality and mobility to the joint as quickly as we can. If you’re dealing with knee joint pain in Colorado Springs, please come see us today.