Recovering From Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD

There are many things that you should know and remember after having any type of surgery, but after back surgery, it is especially necessary to take extra care in order to get through the pain and the healing process. Your doctors and nurses will be more than happy to explain things thoroughly to you so that you understand them, even if you’re nervous. It’s OK to ask questions, it’s OK to be curious. The surgery itself will take anywhere between two and five hours, and after that… you’ll need to heal.

Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD: Aftercare

After your surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for between 2 and 5 days. Before the medical team will allow you to leave, you will need to demonstrate that you can do things like get into and out of bed, walk around by yourself, and understand your limitations. While healing, you won’t be able to bend at the waist, lift anything heavy or twisting at the waist. These things sound very restrictive, but they are meant to help you heal properly, avoiding setbacks. As time passes, you’ll be able to resume more normal activities, so be patient.

Even though you won’t always need to wear a back brace after having posterior lumbar fusion Baltimore MD, some patients will need to. This can provide additional support while healing. All patients will need to be sure that they can (and do!) keep the wound area clean and dry. It will need to be bandaged, and these need to be changed every few days, especially if they become dirty or come loose. Showering is OK beginning a few days after surgery, but while cleaning your body, be sure that the water does not directly hit the surgical site. Baths are not recommended for the first two weeks, until the wound has healed completely at the surface.

After posterior lumbar fusion, patients may begin to return to “normal” activities as they see fit - and as recommended by a doctor. Driving may resume after roughly two weeks, as long as patients are comfortable and can sit in the vehicle with no pain. Working is a little different, and patients should wait until their pain has decreased - usually between two and three weeks for light duties. More strenuous work may take a few months to work back up to, but this is normal.

Going through your required physical therapy sessions and following all of your doctor’s orders will help the healing process go smoothly, ensuring that your spinal surgery is successful. For more information, you can visit http://www.medstarunionortho.org.

Preparing Mentally for Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD

Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD: How to Get Ready

Spinal surgery is not something that people should take lightly, but there are ways that patients can prepare themselves so that it is not a big, scary procedure that is feared. Surgeries like spinal fusion Baltimore MD are meant to help people feel better and get back to their normal lifestyles as quickly as possible, but they are far from simple. The concept is simple in and of itself, but the procedure will vary depending on the issue that needs to be corrected with the fusion surgery and the needs of specific patients. As with any other surgery, the more prepared you are, the better off you will be from the get go.

Starting to Prepare For Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD

1. Begin by finding a medical professional that you trust to perform the procedure and guide you through the experience in a healthy manner. The more comfortable you are with your doctors, the better the surgery is likely to be.

2. Your prep does not only entail following medical advice, but it also requires getting your home ready so that it is a good place for you to recover. You will need to have some help getting around, running errands, taking care of yourself and ensuring that things are progressing as they should be, so don’t be afraid to ask.

3. Thee more you know about your surgery, the better. While getting your home ready, get your mind ready for spinal fusion surgery. Many people believe that a patient’s state of mind can have a big impact on the outcome of the medical procedure, and this is no different. The more you know about what will happen and what to expect, the better off you’ll be, because you can calm your nerves, have questions ready to be answered and know what to expect through the different steps of your medical journey.

4. There are no stupid questions. Many patients have never undergone a procedure like this one before, so it’s OK to be nervous, it’s OK to have questions… your doctors and nurses will expect it. They are able to answer the questions that you may have, and will be more than happy to do so. It is important to go into a procedure like this with confidence, so ask away, even if your questions seem insignificant or trivial.

Information about the spinal fusion procedure and the facilities that offer these services can be found by visiting this site: www.medstarunionortho.org - why wait any longer?

Getting A Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD: What Comes After

The Aftermath of a Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD

The surgery has been completed, the healing process has begun, and you can begin to truly think about what it means to have a new, totally replaced hip joint. The procedure can be done for a lot of different reasons, but for the majority of patients, the outcome is the same: a greatly decreased amount of pain, the ability to take more of an active role in day to day life and the freedom to do the things that you want to do.

Many total hip replacement Baltimore MD patients are older and have already experienced many different things in their lives. This means that they are looking forward to the years that they can spend out of work, doing what they want to do, whether this means picking up a hobby like hiking or golfing, spending more time doing things around the home, or even traveling and enjoying the world. For patients that may need hip replacement at a younger age, these things are still true, but patients may also need to have the procedure done so that they can do things like continue to work, take care of their families and simply be out of pain… and have less irritation and frustration in their lives.

After the surgery has been done, there will be months of recovery that include allowing the surgical site to heal along with physical therapy that is meant to help the body heal and become stronger. Without this, the likelihood for muscles to weaken, and for the implant to settle in incorrectly exist, so whatever can be done to avoid this should be done. This time is also a good period for reflection, giving you a chance to work toward different and individual goals. Everyone’s body heals at a different pace, so be patient and understand that things will happen as they should.

Even though there will be a lot of recovery and healing, this is also a chance for you to relax and recharge. You won’t be able to work for the first weeks (usually months) after having this surgery, so this is a chance to spend time doing things that may deviate from your normal routine. Read a book, catch up on TV, or simply spend a lot more time with your family with a clear head and a clearer schedule than is usual. It’s all up to you, so make the most of your time!

Making the Most of a Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD

No one wants to have to have an extensive, expensive and painful surgery… but at the same time, living with the pain and limitations of an injury or medical condition like that of the people with severe hip pain is unbearable. If it comes down to it, and you find that you need to have hip replacement surgery, there are some things that you can look forward to - even as you’re stuck in your house and unable to jump in the car and drive wherever you’d like to.

The Bright Side of Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD

First, this means that you get to miss some work. For some people, total recovery and the ability to stand or sit and do their job as necessary will take months to work up to. Some people may be able to work from home, but for a lot of people, the only “work” that will need to be done during the recovery process is ensuring that everything is healing properly.

This gives you time to pick up a new hobby or to plan for the future. Once the total hip replacement Baltimore MD surgical site has totally healed, you’ll be able to do a lot more than you could before. No more pain each time you take a step, no more worrying about finding a comfortable sleeping position - no more aching when the weather changes… you’ll feel like a new person! Maybe you’d like to take up a new sport, or start going to the gym more… whatever you choose, you’ll have lots of time to plan.

Many people that go through the total hip replacement surgery process report that, even though there are still some limitations when it comes to movement, they feel like entirely new people with a new lease on life. Feeling happier and healthier overall can be a huge improvement when it comes to quality of life, which is a change for the better.

Although there are many reasons that people need to have hip replacement surgery, some people need them due to poor life choices. Being overweight is a common factor in patients that need hip surgery, so for some, being able to do something about losing weight and getting healthier is a motivating factor throughout the healing and rehabilitation process.

Yes, you’ll be going through the pain and the recovery alone in the sense that no one else will be able to experience the same things that you are on a moment to moment basis… but you’re not really alone. You’ll need rehabilitation help and physical therapy to help you regain use and range of motion in your hip joint, and the professionals that you’ll work with understand your frustration, pain and determination. They’re more than just medical professionals, they are people that get it.

For more information on this procedure and where you can go to have it done by experienced medical professionals, visit http://www.medstarunionortho.org. 

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD: The Steps of the Healing Process

What Will Happen to Me After Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD?

Like with any other extensively complex surgery, you’ll need plenty of time to recover and let your body do what it needs to do in order to repair itself. With a total knee replacement, not only will your body have to heal on the outside, but it will also have to heal around an implanted new knee structure, which can take time. There are some important milestones and things to remember, and being aware of what you should expect can make the lengthy process much less stressful and surprising.

It is important to remember, though, that everyone’s body will respond to surgery like this differently, so you’ll need to work with your medical team in order to ensure that you’re following the correct process for your own needs.

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD: The Steps

First, you should know that after having a total knee replacement in Baltimore, you won’t be totally out of commission for a long period of time. Within the first 24 hours of the surgery being completed, your medical professionals will want you to be up and moving around with the use of a walker or other assisting device. In some cases, you’ll be able to go home after a few days have passed and you’re no longer considered a fall risk… but if you are unable to care for yourself, or have no one at home to help you, there may be a need to enter a rehabilitation facility until you become stronger and more capable.

Though the replacement site will need time to fully heal, it is important to follow instructions pertaining to physical therapy during the healing process. If you simply let the knee joint sit idle while it is healing, there is likely to be a buildup of scar tissue, which can cause pain in the future. In addition to this, if you’re not attending your physical therapy sessions or following the plan laid out for you after your total knee replacement Baltimore MD, you risk over or under-working the knee joint, which can limit the flexibility and mobility as well as potentially result in a rejection of the replacement implant.

The process of healing from a surgery of this nature is anywhere from 4-6 weeks for typical day to day activities and driving, and up to a year for people to get back to “full strength” with their new knees. This seems like a long time, yes, but it’s important to think carefully about why this is the case before disregarding medical advice. The time you spend rehabbing your knee replacement can be used for a lot of things, like reading that book you’ve been putting off, binge watching your favorite shows, or even learning a new hobby that is not physically demanding. It’s all up to you!

Why a Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD is Necessary

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD: Do you Need One?

Walking is an essential part of everyday life, and there are a lot of different parts of the body that make it possible to move around freely. The spine, the feet, the ankles, hips and knees all work together each time your legs move, so an injury or pain in any of these areas can make things difficult - and even really uncomfortable. Since people walk thousands of miles each year,many people will experience injuries to multiple parts of the body, but the knees are often impacted a great deal. A total knee replacement Baltimore MD may seem like a last ditch effort to return comfort to the act of moving around on your own two feet, but the reality is that this is a common solution to many different issues.Though there are many reasons that people opt to get this procedure done, there are many specific groups of people that will choose this route.

Different Kinds of People that May Benefit from a Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD

Athletes: Even though getting a total knee replacement may seem like a career ending surgical procedure, this isn’t always the case. People often severely injure themselves while playing a sport that they love, making it necessary to undergo this procedure. Even though it means a lengthy recovery period and a lot of time spent making sure that the knee joint is functional, it is entirely possible for athletes that undergo knee replacement to get back out and keep on competing.

Overweight individuals: In the case of those that are either overweight, or were overweight and have lost many pounds, total knee replacement in Baltimore is an option to repair the knee joints that were injured and impaired by the excess weight that was (or is) being carried around. This surgery can make it easier for people to move around and continue to lose weight - even motivating more weight loss in the future, too. The knees are under a lot of stress each day, and this is exacerbated by additional weight being added to the body.

The elderly: Even though people of all ages may need this type of surgery, it is common in people who have lived for many years and have done a lot of walking, running or activities that have strained the knees and the entire body. Knee replacement is an extensive surgery, but it can help people to improve their quality of life, ensuring that many more years of being able to enjoy things like exercise, walking, running or even working are possible.

For more information, check out https://www.medstarunionortho.org.

Recovering from a Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy Baltimore Surgery

These two surgeries - a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore - are different in nature, but they can be done at the same time in order to alleviate multiple patient health concerns and issues. Even though they are able to be done using minimally invasive procedures, patients will still need to spend some time recovering in order to ensue that their bodies heal properly and completely. These two surgeries can be used to fix many different issues from fractured vertebrae and compression of the spine to herniated or bulging discs and even disc degeneration, so chances are, if you have some sort of back issue, one (or both) of these procedures may be options for you. If you need to have the surgery done, there are a few things that you should remember while recovering.

Staying Positive While Recovering from Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy Baltimore Surgery

- Be patient. It may seem like a long time, but you’d be surprised to know that many back surgery patients will get back to normal relatively quickly. This is due to the small incision that is made for the surgeries, and the precision that is required to perform them. Yes, you’ll need to take it easy for a few weeks, but almost as soon as the incision site is healed, patients can get back to driving and even doing simple, non-strenuous work.

- Follow instructions. Your doctors and nurses know better than you do what you need to do in order to heal and ensure proper recovery, so pay attention to the things that they say and what they suggest. Resting, keeping the incision clean and dry, and using the proper bandages and medications are not optional; these things will help you to get better on schedule.

- Be willing to ask for and accept help. You’ll need to have some assistance around the house for a few weeks, and may even need help with your day to day routine, too. There’s no shame in asking for help. After all, you’re not lazy, you’re in recovery. The need for assistance will pass quickly, and you will feel stronger and more capable as each day passes.

- Listen to your body. Even though your medical team will explain the “typical” recovery process to you, there’s no reason to think that every single person’s experience after a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore will be the same. If you feel pain or fatigued, take a rest, if you don’t think you can do something, don’t. You don’t want to do anything that can or will compromise your health.

How to Apply for an Internal Medicine Residency

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

An internal medicine residency is the first step in a variety of medical careers from a general internist to a gastroenterologist.  Unlike family medicine, an internal medicine residency focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of adult diseases.  If you're considering applying for an internal medicine residency Baltimore, make sure that you've connected with your academic adviser by the start of your third year.

Typically, hospitals and residency programs are ready to start accepting applications in October.  Which means students have 2-3 months to prepare for their applications. This process includes:

An academic review from your medical school. This is typically performed by the teachers who oversaw your training and will help residency physicians get an accurate view of your work in medical school thus far.

A personal statement.  Your personal statement is the moment you've been given to individualize yourself outside of general applications.  This statement should be carefully crafted to give interviewers a reason to remember. So make sure you take your time on it!  It's your chance to separate yourself from the crowd.

Your ERAS or MPES application.  Depending on the schools you intend to apply for, ERAS or MPES will be the primary applications hospitals receive. Make sure you pay attention to which of these services your desired internal residency program Baltimore uses.

Interviewing for an Internal Medicine Residency Program Baltimore

As you may have guessed, the interview process is one of the most of the most pivotal parts of the application process.  During an interview for residency, students will be subjected to questions by the admissions committee of the given program.  In most cases, applicants are also given the opportunity to talk to current students in the residency program.

The interview process is arguably the most important part of your application.  After all, this is your opportunity to truly decide whether or not the program you're applying for is a good fit for you and your career goals.  Whatever you do, don't settle for less.  The average residency program is at least 3 years long, so you want to make sure that you can be happy wherever you continue your study.

Who Should Apply for a General Surgery Residency?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

A general surgery residency prepares medical students for challenging (and rewarding) career in surgery.  If you are a student who yearns to be directly involved in the care of patients, a career in surgery may be a fulfilling career.  Surgeons are responsible for saving lives, increasing mobility, and aiding treatment for patients with various diseases.  Much like any medical path, it takes some time and consideration to determine whether or not a general surgery residency is right for you.  Needless to say, if you can't handle the sight of blood, you may want to look into a different medical path.

What to Consider Before Applying for a General Surgery Residency Georgetown

As we mentioned above, it's important to take the time to consider the career paths available to you after residency. Most students acquire their first job from the facility they completed their residency at, so first and foremost: Make sure you want to live in the D.C. area.  If you're a person who despises a bustling, fast-paced life in a city- you're not going to want to apply for a general surgery residency Washington DC. In the same light, you'll want to take your career goals in mind when reviewing the facilities you've been invited to interview at.  If you want to become a bariatric surgeon, it's not the best idea to attend a hospital that focuses on surgical oncology.

More important than the location and facility you are invited to study under, is the confidence in your career path. General surgeons are often looked to as a guiding force in their facilities. Often times, they are looked to as a guiding voice for other physicians who are trying to make care decisions for their patients, as general surgeons are trained in a variety of paths. This is due to the extensive training a student is given during their general surgery residency Washington DC.  In order to operate on the human body, training surgeons must be taught prevention, diagnosis, treatment, as well as surgery.

To learn more about your local general surgery residency Georgetown, visit: http://www.medstarhealth.org/.

Completing a Family Medicine Residency to Treat Adults

Written By: Jessica George

If you are studying to become a family doctor, you should be prepared to treat a variety of age groups. However, doing so requires you to be familiar with many different conditions and diseases, as different age groups are often affected differently. For example, there are many medical problems that affect adults but have less impact on children.

Common Adult Illnesses and Conditions

Make sure you are familiar with the following illnesses (along with many others) as you prepare to treat adults.

• Hypertension: This is also known as high blood pressure, in which the blood pushing against artery walls is so high that it could cause other health issues.
• High Cholesterol: Too much cholesterol can result in buildup in the arteries, which can affect the heart and blood flow.
• Stroke: This occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily cut off, causing brain cells to die. Depending on the severity, it can cause physical and cognitive issues.
• Diabetes: With this condition, the body has trouble processing food and converting it properly to energy.
• Kidney Disease: This occurs when the kidneys become damaged and can no longer filter blood properly.
• Hypothyroidism: With this condition, the thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormone to ensure that the body functions as it should.
• Urinary Tract Infection: This occurs when germs infect the area where urine is carried out of the body, including the bladder and the kidneys.
• Menopause: Only affecting women, this occurs when a woman's menstrual cycles stop, also causing an end to fertility.
• Migraine: This is a severe headache that is often accompanied by symptoms like temporary vision loss, pain behind the eyes or ears, nausea or vomiting.
• Anemia: This means a lack of healthy red blood cells, which leads to symptoms like fatigue because organs cannot function properly.
• Dementia: This leads to deterioration of mental abilities.
• Alzheimer's Disease: This is a form of dementia that limits thinking, behavior and memory.

These are just a handful of the conditions and diseases you will need to be familiar with. The more you work with patients, the more familiar you will become with recognizing and treating them. If you are interested in pursuing a family medicine residency, visit www.medstarhealth.org/.

 

To the Operating Room: General Surgery Residency

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

A general surgery residency prepares students for exciting careers as surgeons. This highly in-demand career choice is not for the faint of heart and demands a lot from the physicians that work in these operating rooms. During the course of this three-year program, students are taken on an intense walk through surgical training.  No surgeon is born to be a star.  The human body takes a lot of careful training to be responsible for and as a surgeon, the health and well-being of the patient is always the top priority.  This means that medical students who wish to continue their career with a surgery residency Georgetown must be willing to put forth the work to complete their training.

Though it should be a given expectation, it's important to note that students should be comfortable with the human body and less than desirable sights that will occur on the operating table.

 Are You a Good Fit for a General Surgery Residency?

Surgical work is tough.  In addition to working directly to impact the health of their patients, surgeons must be well-equipped to think on their own and make secure medical decisions in literally minutes or even seconds.  If you are a person who enjoys a challenge, can think on their own, and has considered about making an impact on the greater good with your career, you may be a good fit for a general surgery residency Washington DC.

You may also want to examine your life and desires for your life.  Surgeons spend a lot of time in the operating room.  During a residency, students can expect to spend up to 80 hours in the hospital during any given week.  If starting a family and having a lot of free-time for friends and interests is important to you, a general surgery residency Washington DC may not be a good fit for you.  Like most medical professionals, it's important to take the lifestyle of the career into accounts with your personal interests and goals.

To learn more about the training in a surgery residency DC or to research programs in your area, visit: http://www.medstarhealth.org/.

 

What is an Internal Medicine Residency?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

This blog post is for the average joe who is trying to figure out how internal medicine residency effects our daily life (or are a little curious after a House marathon). Physicians who begin their internal medicine residency program Baltimore are expected to be a specialist when it comes to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases.

So what exactly is an internal medicine residency, Baltimore?  Well, an internal medicine student (also known as an internist) is the person your doctor goes to when he can't figure out an answer to a diagnosis.  An internist has at least three years of their medical training and schooling dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat adult diseases.  You may spot an internist within your hospital as the physician who is frantically following a primary care doctor.

More About Internal Medicine Residency Program Baltimore

Most physicians who join an internal medicine residency program Baltimore enter into the practice as a follow-up from completing their basic internal medicine training and would like to pursue a career in internal medicine. Internists are equipped to handle an array of adult diseases, are recognized as specialists in diagnosis, and are not limited to one type of medical problem or organ system. During the program, internists practice on caring for patients in the hospital setting.

Are you still trying to understand exactly what students in an internal medicine residency Baltimore do?  Think of them as your primary doctor's second-hand man. They help keep the primary care physician organized while ensuring any patient is having a comfortable visit.  Many internists who want to become a primary care physician generally takes the opportunity of being an internal medicine residency Baltimore to create relationships with patients.

What separates an internist from a family doctor?  Family doctors are trained to not only diagnose adults, but also have practice in pediatrics, obstetrics, and surgery.  An residency program's main curriculum will be focused on general adult symptoms and diagnosis. To learn more about internal medicine and the doctors that dedicate their lives to internal medicine, visit:  http://www.medstarhealth.org/.

Who Should Apply for a Family Medicine Residency?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

A family medicine residency requires a personal passion for longterm care relationships, prevention, and the 'whole' of people.  Instead of focusing intensely on one area of medicine, family physicians approach the care of their patients from a perspective that encompasses the clinical, behavioral, and biological care of a person. Their study knows no bounds and extends across all ages and genders.

As family doctors often treat their patients over the course of a lifetime, the doctors who pursue a career in family medicine are often family-oriented individuals who want to make an impact in their community. In many ways the medical students who apply for a family medicine residency program Baltimore becomes guiding lights for their patients.  Not only do they help with the preventative care for a range of diseases and health issues, family doctors also guide patients through the complex medical world.

For example, if a patient is worried about the potential of the mole on their arm being cancerous, they're going to make an appointment with their family doctor first.  It is that physicians's word that inspires a patient to take further action and make an appointment with a specialist.

A Quick View of Family Medicine Residency Baltimore

Many medical students worry that a career as a family physician will not be as rewarding as a more specialized field.  That simply isn't true.  In fact, the statistics show that family doctors are extremely well rounded doctors.  Take a look at the services family care doctors provide as a whole, as reported by the AAFP.

• 36% perform minor surgical procedures
• 45% treat patients in the ICU
• 40% deliver care in hospital ERs
• 59% care for newborns
• 77% have hospital privileges
• 19% provide routine OB care

Much like every other area of medicine, family doctors are given the opportunity to expand their skill set and specialize their training.  In addition to the skills implied above, many doctors who are studying family medicine expand their skills into sleep, sports, and geriatric medicine.

If you feel driven by your connections with patients, a career as a family doctor may be for you.  To learn more about participating in a family medicine residency program Baltimore, visit http://www.medstarhealth.org/.