Do you have problems with the cartilage in your knee and are looking for ways to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery? Otis R. Drew, MD, in Lafayette, Louisiana, may have the answer you’re looking for. Dr. Drew is a joint preservation specialist who offers a wide array of procedures...
If you’ve injured your ACL, you may be worried that you need surgery. The good news is that not all ACL injuries require surgery. It helps to know what’s really going on inside your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is a primary ligament in the knee joint. It’s...
If you wave your arms around for just a moment — side-to-side, forward-and-back, up-and-down — you get a clear idea of the incredible range of motion your shoulder joints provide. But this freedom of movement can come at a cost because your shoulders are more susceptible to instability. At our...
The shoulder is a complex joint, which allows it incredible range of motion and function. But that complexity also makes your shoulder vulnerable to injury. Rotator cuff tears are common, with almost 2 million Americans suffering one each year. If you start to have notable pain when combing your hair,...
As the median age of American society climbs, incidence of osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear type condition, also climbs. For those with advanced knee deterioration, joint replacement presents a chance at renewed mobility and pain-free living. However, many cope with osteoarthritis discomfort and physical limitations for years before they feel ready for...
Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. It has the largest range of motion of all your joints, and it’s what helps you reach for, lift, carry, and hold things. Your shoulder is made of three bones that work together in a ball-and-socket joint. Because your shoulder...
Rotator cuff injuries are remarkably common. Around 2 million Americans a year go to their doctor because of this painful shoulder condition. However, a simple rotator cuff injury can develop into a more complicated condition called rotator cuff arthropathy, where severe arthritis sets in at the location of the tear....
Like most people, you probably respond to unexplained joint pain by popping a pill and trying to get on with your day. It is easy to chalk pain up to sleeping awkwardly, overdoing a workout, or just getting older. There is one joint, however, that you should definitely listen to...
Do you feel pain in your shoulder when doing simple activities, such as getting dressed or combing your hair? Chances are you may have a rotator cuff tear. In this post, Otis R. Drew, MD, will walk you through the causes and symptoms of rotator cuff tears and explain what...
Imagine what you’d do if you didn't have full use of your shoulder. You’d struggle to play sports, go to the gym, reach up to change a lightbulb, dry yourself with a towel, and access the pantry shelves. The shoulder is certainly one amazing piece of biological mechanics, but it...
Your knees are not only the largest joints in your body, they’re arguably some of the most active. Every time you jump, stop, start, or pivot, your knees are hard at work, which also means they’re more prone to injury.As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Otis Drew understands better than most...
Each year millions of Americans participating in sports experience an injury that requires repair. Shoulder injuries alone are responsible for more than 7 million people visiting the doctor’s office. Of those, 4 million are for rotator cuff problems. Shoulder injuries are common in sports that require repetitive, overhead motion, such...
Life is better when your shoulders feel good and work well. Shoulders help you lift, reach, carry, push, and pull, allowing you to do countless important tasks and actions throughout your day. Shoulder pain and reduced range of motion can interfere with your work, daily responsibilities, and leisure activities.Shoulder pain...
It’s normal to feel a little stiff or sore after an intense workout or an afternoon of yard work — after all, overused muscles usually feel a little achy for a day or two as they recover. But if being active causes you to experience pain, stiffness, or swelling around...
