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The positive effects of exercise have long been touted by the medical community. Increased respiratory function, better mobility, healthier bones and joints, weight management and lower levels of stress are all among the benefits of physical activity. However, exercise does not just improve physical health. Over the past decades, experts have discovered that mental function is also improved with activity like walking.

In fact, research presented earlier this year at the Gerontological Society of America’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., suggests that the more a community encourages walking, either for transportation or for leisure, the better the cognitive health of its elderly residents.

The Mind as a Muscle

The study, conducted by the University of Kansas, noted that elaborately laid out communities did not confuse elderly residents who walk for transportation, but rather sharpened their focus. Amber Watts, an associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas, pointed out that such communities demand higher mental function in order to navigate them on foot. This aligns with previous studies that indicate that the mind, like any other muscle, requires use to remain healthy and strong.

Preventing Decline 

Even if seniors don’t enjoy the luxury of living in a walkable community, walking for the sake of walking is beneficial in its own right. A study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco compared elder women who walked 2.5 miles per day to those who walked less than a half-mile per week. The research found that the latter group experienced 8 percent more decline in memory than the former.

Another study conducted by the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville revealed that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile every day experienced half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s compared to those who walked less.

Our orthopedic specialists at Southeast Ortho, an orthopedic clinic located in historic Riverside, specialize in joint replacement, physical therapy and more. Contact our team of surgeons and physicians to learn about how we can help you maintain healthy bones and joints at all stages in life.

Image Courtesy of: Flickr/Joy

Pedestrian-Friendly Communities Linked to Better Cognition in Elders

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The positive effects of exercise have long been touted by the medical community. Increased respiratory function, better mobility, healthier bones and joints, weight management and lower levels of stress are all among the benefits of physical activity. However, exercise does not just improve physical health. Over the past decades, experts have discovered that mental function is also improved with activity like walking.

In fact, research presented earlier this year at the Gerontological Society of America’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., suggests that the more a community encourages walking, either for transportation or for leisure, the better the cognitive health of its elderly residents.

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Having Wrist Pain? These Symptoms May Indicate Carpal Tunnel

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Everyday aches and pains can be easy to dismiss or ignore, especially when you live a busy lifestyle. However, when pain is persistent and debilitating, it’s likely time to consult a medical professional. Pain in the wrist or hands is particularly prevalent among those who complete repetitive motions for long periods throughout the day, such as musicians, carpenters, assembly line workers, mechanics and people who use computers. This type of pain may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve extends from the forearm through a tunnel at the front of the wrist and along the tendons of the hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed, or pinched, where it passes over the carpal bones due to surrounding pressure from bones and ligaments. It is widely characterized by feelings of numbness, burning, tingling and pain in the hand, fingers and arm.

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The Difference Between Chronic and Acute Pain

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Pain is often the body’s way of indicating that something is wrong. This form of pain is typically associated with acute conditions. However, sometimes pain is a condition itself rather than a symptom of a condition. This type of discomfort is called chronic pain. Knowing the difference between each form of pain can help you seek the best form of treatment available. Learn the differences between acute and chronic pain below.

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Signs That You Might Have a Pinched Nerve

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Pinched nerves, also known as compressed nerves, are usually the result of a nerve being pressed between two hard surfaces like ligaments, tendons or bones. Numbness, pain and a tingling sensation are often cited as the most common symptoms.

Pinched nerves can occur throughout the body, but certain areas are more susceptible, including the neck, elbows, wrists, lower back and shoulders. Read below to learn more about the signs of a pinched nerve. If you are experiencing nerve pain or numbness, consult with a sports medicine specialist or a physician immediately.

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Common Gymnastics Injuries

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Gymnastics is a highly technical and demanding sport, which is associated with a high rate of injury. In fact, more than 80,000 gymnastics-related sports injuries are treated each year in the U.S. alone. While the majority of these injuries are overuse injuries resulting from hours and hours of repetitive motions, acute injuries due to falls or other accidents are also relatively common. Here, we will discuss some of the most common gymnastics-related injuries as well as how to avoid them.

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Should You Consider Knee Replacements?

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Total knee replacement is a relatively common type of orthopedic surgery with approximately 600,000 patients undergoing the procedure every year in the United States. The most common reason for needing a knee replacement is osteoarthritis in which the cartilage between the joint and bone is gradually worn away. This damage to the cartilage consequently results in swelling, stiffness and pain, and since the cartilage cannot be renewed, surgery may eventually be needed. Other relatively common reasons for needing a knee replacement include rheumatoid arthritis and direct knee trauma.

While the success rate of knee replacements is very high, this surgery is not right for everyone. However, if the answer to the following questions is yes for you, knee replacement may be the right decision.

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Prevent Ulnar Wrist Pain from Tennis

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Wrist pain is highly common in tennis players, including both amateurs and pros. In most cases, wrist injuries are the result of chronic overuse of the wrist, improper technique or inappropriate equipment, such as the wrong size grip or improper string tension. However, acute injuries from falling or not hitting the ball correctly are also common.

Wrist pain can be divided into two main types: radial (thumb-side) and ulnar (pinkie-side) injuries. Many players experience ulnar pain in their non-dominant hand during two-handed backhand strokes. During these strokes,the upper hand is placed in extreme ulnar deviation and extension while moving from supination to pronation.

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Who Should Have a Hip Replacement?

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Each year, approximately 290,000 hip replacement surgeries are conducted in the United States alone. Since the procedure was first performed in 1960, advances in the surgical techniques and materials used have made it one of the most successful and effective orthopedic surgeries. The goal of the procedure is to greatly decrease hip pain and to allow an increased range of motion at the hip, allowing patients to get back to most of their daily activities.

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Common Shoulder Injuries for Athletes

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Shoulder injuries and shoulder pain are relatively common among athletes and can range widely in their severity and symptoms. In many cases, it can be difficult to diagnose the specific type of shoulder injury when it first occurs, so early evaluation and intervention by an orthopedic sports medicine specialist is essential.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain in athletes are shoulder dislocations, acromioclavicular joint injuries, rotator cuff tendonitis and tears, labral and superior labral anteroposterior tears, fractures and arthritis as well as activity-specific injuries such as “thrower’s shoulder,” “swimmer’s shoulder” and “rugby shoulder,” among others. (more…)

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