Vitality - Fall 2012 - (Page 15)

FAST Tendons allow your joints to move. Get Back to Life— Juris P. Simanis, M.D., helps many patients with tendon pain return to their normal activities. CMH physician lets you know about a procedure that can address your pain What Is FAST? B y J u r i s P. s i m a n i s , m . D . , m P H , m s P H , Fa a F P Walking, sitting down, reaching—even driving—are activities controlled by your joints, and thus your tendons. Because tendons are so flexible, we often don’t consider the importance they have in our daily activities, until we feel pain. As a physician, I have the opportunity to see patients who are active and have developed chronic overuse injuries. With chronic overuse injuries, patients typically experience tendon pain in upper and/or lower limbs, which may prevent them from engaging in activities previously performed with ease. are candidates for platelet rich plasma injections or possibly a new procedure called FAST. FAST, or focused aspiration of scar tissue, is a minimally invasive procedure performed in 15 minutes. I am currently one of only 10 physicians in the United States offering the FAST procedure. The diseased, damaged portion of the tendon causing pain may be accurately identified through ultrasound, similar to viewing a baby in the womb. Once the damaged portion of the tendon is identified through ultrasound, a small, ultrasonic needle about the size of a toothpick is guided into the What Are the Options for Treating tendon by the ultrasound. Then, the diseased tendon is removed and the Tendon Pain? undamaged portion of the tendon is allowed to heal on its own. Often, the first suggestions to alleviate a patient’s tendon pain include rest Patients require only a local anesthetic and are fully awake during and limited use of the affected limb until the pain subsides. However, not all patients are created equal. Some require prescription medication to alleviate the procedure. There is minimal pain; most patients feel slight pressure at the site during the procedure and the pain, as well as temporary bracing the opening is closed using only a and physical therapy, until their tendon Band-Aid. Patients who have injury heals on its own. undergone the FAST procedure For patients who have exhausted the If you’re ready to get back to a healthy, active lifehave been found to recover much typical treatments of rest, relaxation, style, contact the CMH Sports and Occupational more quickly (generally a few days prescription medication, bracing and Medicine Clinic, 2230 S. Springfield, Suite H – J, in Bolivar. to a few weeks) than those who opt physical therapy, improvement in pain Call 417-777-6161 to schedule an evaluation. for the typical invasive surgical and hope for a normal, active lifestyle procedure. may seem futile. Those types of patients Call for an Evaluation today FA L L 2 0 1 2 | 15

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vitality - Fall 2012

Vitality - Fall 2012
Contents
CMH News
Health Beat
The Right Tools
Who Has the Time?
Heart Smart
Q+A
Get Back to Life—Fast
Calendar of Events

Vitality - Fall 2012