Bones of PA Conference
OIP was well represented at last week’s Bones of PA conference! So many incredible speakers this year. We are infinitely grateful for all the people that worked so hard to put together this invaluable conference.
To learn more about Bones of PA, please visit their website at: www.bonesofpa.com
OIP Celebrates Physician Assistant (PA) Week!
OIP is excited to honor our amazing PA’s this week! National PA week is held every year from October 6th to October 12th. We hope you will join us in celebrating the invaluable service that these healthcare practitioners provide day in and day out here at OIP.
What is a PA?
A physician assistant (or PA) is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. There are currently more than 100,000 clinically practicing PA’s in the United States! PA’s practice medicine on health care teams with physicians and other providers. They also prescribe medication in all 50 states.
What can a PA do for me?
• Take your medical history
• Conduct physical exams
• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Order and interpret tests
• Develop treatment plans
• Assist in surgery
• Write prescriptions
• Much more!
Will my insurance cover an appointment with a physician assistant?
Yes! PA medical and surgical services are covered by:
• Nearly all private payers
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• TRICARE
Where can I find a PA?
Right here at OIP! We have an incredible team of nine PA’s that are the backbone of our clinical care, especially, OIP’s Orthopedic Injury Clinic. Get to know more about our PA’s here.
Schedule an appointment with one of our PA’s online or give us a call at 855-OUCH-OIP.
2014 Jingle Bell Run/Walk
Get in the spirit this holiday season! Be part of the largest holiday 5K race series aimed to fight arthritis!
Register today to join our team and help us fight arthritis pain.
The Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania has joined forces with the Arthritis Foundation this holiday season! We are forming a team, raising funds, and running or walking in the 30th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.
This years 30th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk will be held at the new Pinnacle Health West Shore Hospital on Saturday, December 13, 2014 (12/13/2014). Registration will begin at 7:00 AM and the 5K Run/Walk begins promptly at 10:00 AM.
The Arthritis Foundations Jingle Bell Run/Walk continues to be chosen as one of the Most Incredible Themed Races. The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others!
Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Raise funds to help find a cure for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving.
Register today to join our team and help us reach our Team Goal of $5,000 and fight arthritis pain.
To Join Team OIP or to Donate to the Arthritis Foundation, please visit the following URL: http://shar.es/1adAlC
How to register: Left click on the red “Join Team” button on the right hand column above our goal amount. Review the Waiver/Agreement and click on “I Agree”, Login to your previous account or register for a new one. For the first 8 people who join our team, your $25.00 registration fee will be waived. Use Coupon Code: OIP14. Register Today!
How to donate: Left click on the blue “Donate Now” button on the right hand column above our goal amount. Enter the amount you would like to donate, click on “Donate” and complete the Donor Information form. Register or Donate today to help fight arthritis pain.
Insect Bites…
Insect bites occur at all times of the year, but late summer, early fall is a particularly busy bite-time. From mosquito’s, to ticks and even spiders, it’s sometimes hard to know if the bite requires medical intervention.
Most of the time, all a bite needs is cleaning and superficial care. It can become red, swollen, itchy and painful, but not necessarily a problem. If you receive a bite, clean it with soap and water. Apply ice and if itchy, a topical anti-itch cream like Benadryl, Aspirin or an anti-inflammatory can help with pain and/or swelling if you are able to take them. A bite can remain red and swollen for several days.
The bites that require medical care are mostly those that have a secondary infection. This looks like an increased area of redness and swelling around the original bite area, usually occurs a day or two after the bite, and redness travels upwards from the bite. These bites need evaluated to see if an antibiotic is necessary.
Spider bites can make people uneasy, but most will respond to the above-mentioned conservative care and do not need an antibiotic unless secondarily infected. The two biggest exceptions are the black widow and brown recluse bites. These bites are intensely painful, swollen, can cause systemic symptoms like nausea, cramping, lethargy and chills. Black widow bites require anti venom, brown recluse bites require antibiotics and sometimes surgical removal of necrotic tissue. There are many helpful photos on the internet to help you distinguish a ‘good’ from a ‘bad’ bite.
Tick bites cause the most anxiety for patients as everyone fears Lyme disease and it’s complications. If there is redness and swelling from a tick bite, see your doctor for discussion of what’s best to do. Most of the time, the deer tick and not the dog tick, is the carrier for Lyme disease, but this is disputed. A rash that looks like a bulls-eye, red center surrounded by a cleared area and then a red ring is concerning and should be treated with an antibiotic for several weeks. Many times we see Lyme disease in our office as a swollen joint, no history of rash or bite. A recurrent, non-red but swollen joint that may or may not be painful, should be evaluated.
Insect bites can be a nuisance but are not necessarily a medical emergency. Treat supportively, but if any questions or concerns, check with your OIP caregivers!
A Pain In The… Back
It is one of the most common medical complaints in the USA. It generates as many doctor visits as the common cold. It effects all aspects of life from work to working-out. It is back pain. And almost everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. The causes can vary, the symptoms can be different each time you experience it, but the treatment can initially be simple and easy.
Back pain can be mechanical: you did something to your back and now it hurts. Lifting something too heavy, lifting in the wrong way (back bent and straight-legged), an awkward position for too long: all can stress or strain the back muscles. Often this pain is not immediate, but makes getting out of bed the next day a painful experience. Back spasms, or waves of severe muscle pain, can make it difficult to move around. Your legs can sometimes feel as if they won’t hold you up. Some people get such severe spasms they may feel nauseated.
Back pain can also be due to structural changes in the spinal cord: a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. A disc herniation can result from result from lifting, but can also come from something as simple as a cough or sneeze. Spinal stenosis can be more of a gradual onset of pain, but can also flare for no apparent reason. Some of the time, these conditions can start off with back pain, but usually leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness is the bigger complaint.
The good news is that initially, these conditions can be treated with the same types of modalities: anti-inflammatories, topicals and activity modification. A visit to the doctor is not always necessary. If you can take medication like ibuprofen or naproxen, which are available over the counter, that’s a good place to start. Ice your back for swelling and some numbing effect. Try a medicated creme or gel; they can be effective. Do not lay in bed for hours at a time. Do not try to go through your normal work-out routine either. Walking and gentle stretching is key.
Given a few days of the above mentioned treatments, you should start to feel better. But residual pain may last several weeks. If pain is not improving, if leg symptoms increase, if there is any change in the function of your bowels or bladder, then a doctor visit is needed. Often, some stronger medications and physical therapy are all that may be necessary. An MRI is not always needed before conservative measures are given a try.
For long-term back health, strength and flexibility are the mainstays of treatment. Strength and movement not only in the back, but abdominal and leg muscles needs to become part of a regular exercise routine. Listen to your body when it is tired or injured. Try some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and ice. When in question, call OIP!
Orthopedic Injury Clinic – Labor Day Hours
The West Shore Orthopedic Injury Clinic will be “OPEN” from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on the following days during the Labor Day holiday…
- Labor Day Weekend (9am to 6pm)
- Saturday – 8/30
- Sunday 8/31
- Labor Day (9am to 6pm)
- Monday – 9/1
West Shore – Camp Hill Location: 3399 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Regular office hours for the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania and Powers (East Shore) Orthopedic Injury Clinic will be closed Labor Day. All offices will resume their regular hours of operation on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 8:00 am.
Have an acute orthopedic injury and need advice or care? Call our 24/7 Orthopedic Injury Clinic Hotline at: 855-OUCH-OIP (855-682-4647).
To schedule an appointment or to learn more, please visit: www.OUCHOIP.com.
Hydration
Hydration – Are you consuming enough water?
You have commonly heard the phrase, “Make Sure You Are Drinking Enough Water.”
Hydration is important for the body not only as a daily practice, during physical activity, but also plays an important role in the aid of weight loss. The human body is made up of approximately 50-75% water. The percentage of water varies based on age and gender.
Fluid intake is essential to good health. Water is needed to regulate your temperature, maintain joint health and to deliver essential vitamins and minerals. Dehydration leads to impaired nerve and muscle function due to the imbalance of sodium and potassium within the body. Brain and muscle function become impaired causing decreased muscle coordination and impaired athletic performance.
Early signs and symptoms of dehydration include headaches, dry mouth, chills, dry skin, excessive thirst, and fatigue. The color of ones urine is a good indicator of proper hydration. Improper hydration will cause your urine to become a dark yellow. Signs of worsening dehydration are increased body temperature and even heart rate. If you become confused, have vision disturbances and difficulty breathing seek immediate medical attention.
Your risk of dehydration increases when you sweat excessively, increase your exercise intensity and duration, when the temperature is high and at high altitudes.
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Fun Facts About Water:
- Did you know you burn approximately one calorie for each cold fluid ounce of water you drink?
- Effect on physical performance: Lean muscle in the human body is made up of ~80% water. Lean muscle needs water to properly function.
- Water is responsible for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
- Water assists with transportation and absorption of vitamins within the body.
- Water aids in digestion, transports and removes waste products from the blood.
- Water also helps support the immune system.
- You should be drinking 1/2 oz of water for every pound that you weigh each day. Enjoy the benefits that such a simple natural substance can bring!
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OIP wins INTouch Excellence Awards
OIP congratulates Dr. Frankeny and Joanie Helman in winning this years INTouch Excellence Awards. Winners were announced Friday evening (7/25) at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, PA.
• Dr. Frankeny was named…
“Practice Administrator / CEO of the Year.”
• Joanie Helman was named…
“Leading Industry Expert in Worker’s Comp Coordinator.”
Thank you for your support and helping Dr. Frankeny and Joanie Helman win this years INTouch Excellence Awards!!!
OIP Welcomes Dr. Adam Buerk
OIP is welcoming a new physician to our ranks. Dr. Adam Buerk will be joining us August 1st of 2014. Appointment scheduling for Dr. Adam Buerk began on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Dr. Buerk lives in Hummelstown and is currently completing his residency at Harrisburg’s Pinnacle Health Hospital system as the Chief Orthopedic Resident. He completed his D.O. at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009. For appointment scheduling, please call 717-761-5530 or click here to schedule online.
Orthopedic Injury Clinic – Independence Day Hours
The Orthopedic Injury Clinic will be “OPEN” on Independence Day (7/4) and on the weekend (Saturday – 7/5 and Sunday 7/6) from 9am to 6pm at our Camp Hill location – 3399 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
Have an acute orthopedic injury or need orthopedic advice? Call our 24/7 Orthopedic Injury Clinic Hotline by calling: 855-OUCH-OIP (855-682-4647).
To schedule an appointment or to learn more, please visit: www.OUCHOIP.com.