To help the community achieve better bone health, Baylor Scott & White Health has launched seminars throughout the health system on how to relieve joint pain impacting common areas such as the ankles, feet, hips and knees.
The free seminar series comes at a time when more than 15 million Americans suffer from joint pain – a figure that has increased by almost 50 percent in the last decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Providing the community with information on when to see an orthopedic specialist is crucial, as earlier interventions are linked to better outcomes.
"When you experience pain or swelling in the knees or ankles for more than a few days and it impacts your normal, daily activities and routines, we recommend seeing a bone and joint specialist," said Duncan McKellar, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon on the medical staff of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton and Medical Director of Joint Wellness.
Dr. McKellar, who will present at one of the seminars, shares a few ways people can optimize their musculoskeletal health. Among his tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight as obesity can aggravate problems in the lower extremities and can turn minor joint problems into major ones over time.
- Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. This includes a combination of aerobic conditioning, such as walking, swimming and jogging or running, if able, with resistance weight training.
- Improve flexibility through activities such as yoga and tai chi to reduce stiff joints, which are more prone to injury.
- Start these routines at an early age to establish healthy muscle mass and flexibility. This is especially important for women who may lose bone mass during menopause.
These are a few of the insights that will be shared throughout April at several seminars, which will feature expert advice from orthopedic surgeons on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White hospitals.
Key topics and locations include:
Solutions for Foot and Ankle Pain
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Irving
Wednesday, April 12, 12-1 p.m.
Medical Office Building II, Conference Rooms 1 and 2
Presented by: Adam Crawford, MD, orthopedic surgeon
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney
Wednesday, April 12, 12-1 p.m.
Independent Bank Auditorium, Lower Level
Presented by: Justin Kane, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle specialist
Relief from Hip and Knee Pain
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano
Wednesday, April 19, 6-7 p.m.
Education Center, Room 1
Presented by: Charles Toulson, MD, orthopedic surgeon
Put a Halt to Hip Pain
Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital
Tuesday, April 25, 6-7:30 p.m.
Cree Auditorium
Presented by: Luke Spencer-Gardner, MD, orthopedic surgeon
To register for a seminar near you, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit BSWHealth.com/Ortho.
For more information about musculoskeletal disease, joint pain, traumatic and sports-related injuries and other orthopedic conditions, visit: BSWHealth.com/Ortho.
Disclaimer: Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health.
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com