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.
