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Comprehensive physical examination
Pre-Op
What to Do for your Pre-Op Physical: Be Ready for Surgery
Not sure what to do for a pre-op physical? It’s more than just a check-up—it helps doctors assess risks, review your health, and prepare you for a safe surgery. Prehabilitation can also boost recovery by improving strength and emotional readiness.
By Steve Birnhak
A woman with a hand over her breast
Breast
Breast Implant Removal: What Happens & How to Heal
Breast explant surgery is done for many reasons, from health concerns to personal choice. After breast implant removal, temporary flatness is common as natural tissue adjusts. Factors like skin elasticity and previous implant size affect the final look. Some choose a lift or new implants for shape. Recovery requires proper care to manage swelling and pain, with results taking months to fully settle.
By Heather Campbell
Spinal surgery review
Back and Spine
Understanding Different Spinal Surgeries and What They Entail: Exploring Your Options
Spinal surgeries are crucial interventions for addressing persistent back pain and specific spinal conditions, with a strong emphasis on initially exploring non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy. The advent of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques has revolutionized patient outcomes, offering advantages like quicker recovery and lower infection rates. Conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease often necessitate surgical solutions, including microdiscectomy and laminectomy, to alleviate discomfort and enhance life quality. Proper preparation before surgery and a well-managed post-surgery recovery, including effective pain management, are pivotal for achieving optimal surgical outcomes and facilitating a smoother rehabilitation process.
By Steve Birnhak
Illustration of a foot with collapsed arch
Foot and Ankle
Flat Foot Surgery: What to Expect and Recovery Time
Flat foot surgery becomes a consideration for those experiencing unresolved pain and arch issues, particularly when non-surgical remedies like orthotics or physical therapy fall short. The condition, often rooted in obesity, injury, or genetics, requires a careful evaluation of symptoms and overall health before proceeding with surgery. The recovery process is extensive, spanning six to twelve months, and involves a combination of rest, immobilization, and gradual rehabilitation through physical therapy. While risks exist, such as potential for arthritis or nerve damage, the surgical journey offers a path to significant pain relief and functional improvement for those with flat feet.
By Steve Birnhak
Orthopedic surgeon examining foot x-ray
Foot and Ankle
Essential Facts About Foot Surgeries You Should Know
Foot pain can be life-changing, making even simple tasks feel impossible. When treatments don’t work, surgery might be the next step. But what does it involve? From bunion removal and Achilles tendon repairs to plantar fasciitis procedures, understanding the options—and the recovery process—can help you make a confident, informed decision. Here's what you need to know.
By Steve Birnhak
Ankle surgery consultation
Foot and Ankle
Ankle Surgery: Spotting Red Flags & Speeding Up Recovery
Navigating the recovery process after ankle surgery requires understanding the types of surgeries like arthroscopy, replacement, fusion, and fracture repair, all aimed at improving functionality and reducing pain. Preparation is key, involving discussions with the surgeon and making home arrangements for post-op care. Recovery focuses on the RICE method, effective wound care, a structured physical therapy program, and gradual weight-bearing progression to restore normal ankle function. These steps are crucial for a smoother and more manageable recovery from ankle surgery.
By Steve Birnhak
A patient receiving post-operative care and recovery
Bariatric / Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass Explained: What to Know Before Surgery
Struggling with severe weight gain can feel like an uphill battle. Diets and exercise may not be enough, leaving you frustrated and exhausted. For many, gastric bypass surgery offers a life-changing solution. By altering the way your body processes food, this surgery can help you lose weight and improve your health. But is it the right choice for you? Here’s a closer look at how gastric bypass surgery works and what it can do for you.
By Steve Birnhak
Stretching
Back and Spine
Intracept Procedure: A Breakthrough Treatment for Chronic Back Pain
Chronic low back pain can wear you down—physically and emotionally. When physical therapy, medications, or injections stop working, it’s easy to feel stuck. The Intracept Procedure offers a minimally invasive, outpatient option designed to relieve vertebrogenic pain caused by damaged vertebrae. By using radiofrequency energy to interrupt pain signals at the source, this procedure offers lasting relief with minimal downtime. In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect before, during, and after the procedure—so you can move forward with confidence.
By Steve Birnhak
Tennis
Shoulder
Shoulder Surgeries: Types and Treatment Options
Shoulder pain can turn simple tasks into struggles. When rest and therapy aren’t enough, shoulder surgeries may be the next step. But the unknown can feel scary—Will it hurt? How long is recovery? The good news? With the right care, surgery can ease pain and restore movement. Let’s break it down so you know what to expect.
By Steve Birnhak
Eating healthy
Nutrition
Optimal Healing Fare: Nourish Your Body Naturally
Struggling with slow recovery or constant fatigue? The foods you eat could be the missing link. Many overlook how diet affects healing, but the right nutrients can speed up recovery, boost energy, and improve overall health. Optimal healing fare isn’t just about eating well—it’s about choosing the best foods to help your body heal. Let’s explore how simple changes to your meals can make a real difference.
By Steve Birnhak
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