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Lexington Medical Center - Ask Your Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Questions
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Dr. Randy Beard, Orthopaedics
6:20
Billy, thanks for your question.  At this time, stem cells are an unproven treatment.  It's an exciting prospect, but there's no clear evidence at that time.  Because of this limited evidence, it is not offered at LMC.  Most doctors who offer it around the country require private payments because insurance does not cover it.  Thanks!
Pam
6:21
I know that I need full knee replacement. I have no insurance. Do you have any ideas on how to offset the cost?
Jim
6:21
Thank you for being there.  I have a place on my right leg on the outside that feels like I have a share in sticking in it at all times, in varying degrees.  If it is touched the pain is unbearable, even when I put on my socks it hurts.  Also I have numbness on the tops of my legs.  Any thougths?  I'm in my late 50's.
Dr. Randy Westerkam, Physiatrist
6:25
Hi Jim.  Sorry to hear about hear about your problem.  This sounds like you may have a nerve problem. A work up for this including nerve conduction studies would be helpful.
Dr Lazzarini, Hip and Knee Surg
6:25
Pam, feel free to contact Lexington Medical Center. There are programs available for those without insurance.
Cornelia
6:25
57 and I've been having pain very little in my back but radiating down into my L and R calf but mainly in my Achilles with numbness in my heels.  I've seen an Podiatrist received 3 cortisone shots in R ankle 2 in L ankle without resolve.  Of note I do have spurs in both Achilles .  I've been having this pain since December of '16 sometimes the pain is intense.  Morning stiffness and I can no longer walk barefoot.  I'm not a diabetic HELP
Jackie
6:26
I had my left knee scoped approx 4 months ago and I am still walking bent over with a crutch. My back is now hurting and I feel I am walking bent over because my knees are painful. I am in the middle of a 3 shot protocol of 'synvisc', how long does that take to alleviate my very painful knees?
Judy
6:26
I have twisted my left ankle several time over the years.  Now my left foot rolls outward when I walk.  What can be done to prevent this from happening?
Dr. Dedmond, Orthopaedic Trauma
6:28
Hi, Judy.  One thing that can contribute to chronic ankle instability is weakness of the muscles around your ankle.  If you haven't tried physical therapy, it might be worthwhile.
Dr. Knight, Ortho Sports Surgeon
6:36
Hi Jackie. I'm so sorry to hear that you have having so much trouble with your knee. If you are getting Synvisc injections, I suspect that there is a concern that you may have some underlying cartilage wear, or early arthritis. Fortunately, there are many different modalities to try to provide some relief. Steroid injections can provide some benefit, and certainly physical therapy to try and improve your balance and gait.
Mandy
6:36
I have had migraines since I was 6 and when I was a teenager they stopped...I'm 30 now and I get them at least twice a month. Is this due to hormones or stress? What kind of treatment is there for Migraines?
Dr. Randy Westerkam, Physiatrist
6:37
Hey Cornelia, People can have nerve problems from their back even if their back does not hurt.  However, there are other causes of pain like you have including sciatic nerve involvement.  Sounds like you need to be evaluated.  We would be happy to see you and see how we can help.
Regail
6:37
I fell and broke my knee cap,  last year, had surgery, could not get ROM and it would buck without a knee brace. Had another surgery to remove the strews and brake up the scar tissue. Now it's doing a lot of cracking and grinding when I bent it. What could be causing this?
Mary ann
6:40
I had elbow replacement surgery 18 years ago in Charleston.  It needs to be redone. Can I see someone here in Columbia or doI have to go back to Charleston?
Cornelia
6:41
Thanks Dr. Westerkam I will follow through.
Jim
6:41
thanks Dr Westerkam
Mary Alice
6:41
Hi, my father is 81. recently I have seen a lot more dementia, forgetfulness, repeating questions, and he even got lost the other day. His regular doctor is aware of this and I am going to speak with him again on our next visit. What kind of doctor is best suited to evaluate him? Thanks for your time?
Dr. Randy Beard, Orthopaedics
6:42
Regail, the cartilage is often damaged during a fracture and it's healing is unpredictable.  You may be developing early arthritis, especially under your knee cap.  It's probably reasonable to be evaluated for this problem and discuss treatment options.
Dr. Dedmond, Orthopaedic Trauma
6:43
Mary Ann, sorry to hear that.  18 years is a good length of time to have an elbow replacement.  It sounds as if you got some good use out of it.  Dr. McIntosh, one of my partners at Lexington Orthopaedics, specializes in the upper extremity and does elbow replacements.  He is a great surgeon.  I even had my wife see him.  So I would highly recommend seeing Dr. McIntosh for evaluation of your elbow.
Catherine
6:43
Every morning when I wake up my left shoulder blade hurts - and I feel some numbness/weakness in my arm. I think it's from sleeping on it. Does this mean I have a problem with my rotator cuff?
Jackie
6:45
Thank you Dr.Knight I have heard arthritis is also present and since I am 53, overweight and somewhat sedentary all these elements are NOT working in my favor. Have a good night.
Regail
6:45
Thanks, Dr. Beard
Dr. Randy Westerkam, Physiatrist
6:45
Hey Mary Alice. Sorry to hear about your father's dementia.  That can be very challenging. Dr. Schmechel a neurologist at Lexington Medical Center is an appropriate doctor to evaluate and treat this type of problem.
Dr. Knight, Ortho Sports Surgeon
6:48
Hi Catherine, thanks for the question. Usually a rotator cuff tear will present with weakness with elevation of the arm, and often pain that localizes along the lateral aspect of the shoulder. It is possible to have other issues about the shoulder blade that could cause these symptoms. I would happy to evaluate you further should this continue to bother you.
Mary Alice
6:52
Hi Dr. Westerkam. My father goes to a doctor that is affiliated with LMC. I am going to ask his opinion and maybe he can refer him to Dr. Schechel. Many thanks!
Tommy
6:52
Hey!  I had my right knee replaced back in 2010 in a different state.  A friend of mine had a knee replacement at LMC last year.  I noticed y'all used CPM after his surgery.  Since CPM wasn’t used after my surgery, I started looking into it some.
The 2 most recent studies I could find (both from 2014) say that it is not beneficial for preventing clots or improving ROM, function or quality of life.  My question for you is, is there any new research that says CPM is helpful after a knee replacement?  Not sure if LMC is still using CPM, but have been curious about this for a while!  Thanks!
Dr Lazzarini, Hip and Knee Surg
6:56
CPM has not been shown to make a difference in outcomes after 6 weeks.  LMC is phasing out CPM as a routine. I believe CPM use in the hospital is beneficial from a psychological stand point. The patient can see the knee bend while we manage pain in a hospital setting.  Otherwise, you are correct that it is not necessary.
Tommy
6:58
Thank you Dr. Lazzarini for the quick response and clarification!
D. I. Blackwell
6:58
I have problem with right leg and have  knee which has been   injected with material liked  what was in it.I gets so bad I can   barley walk. is there any treatment and or a doctor that I can contact,
Dr. Randy Beard, Orthopaedics
7:03
D.I. Thanks for your question.  It sounds like someone may be treating you for arthritis.  If these treatments are working, then they can be continued.  If not, you may need to be evaluated for arthritis surgery like a knee replacement.
D. I. Blackwell
7:08
cAN YOU RECOMMEND a DOCTOR FOR ARTHRITIS.
Dr. Randy Beard, Orthopaedics
7:11
Feel free to contact my office with Lexington Orthopaedics and we can evaluate your pain.
walter
7:14
i have been takeing 40 mg prednisone for 30 days i just had a epidural steroid injection friday i stoped takeing the predisone all at once is that good and how long does it take for the shot in my neck to work thanks
Tanya
7:15
I got diagnosed last week with a pinched nerve by a chiropractor. (my s/s are numbness/tingling to left arm, sharp pain below shoulder) should I seek physical therapy instead of chiropractor for pinced nerve?
Dr. Randy Westerkam, Physiatrist
7:18
Hi Walter.  You need to taper you prednisone.  Once you are on prednisone for a while you should not stop it cold turkey.  I would recommend that you speak with your doctor who prescribed this to discuss further.  The shot should take 3 to 7 days to work.
7:20
Tanya your symptoms can be caused by a pinched nerve in your neck but could also have an injured nerve in your shoulder or further down in your arm.  There are additional causes of your symptoms as well.
Beth
7:21
Hi, I just got diagnosed with bone spurs on my cervical spine. Waiting on a call to set up an appointment with a reffered neurosurgeon, and hoping to get as much information as possible.  What causes bone spurs in the neck and what can be done about it?  Symptoms are a pinched nerve sending pain and weakness down my left arm and into the fingertips.  Physical therapy was helping but insurance stopped coverage.
Ally
7:21
I have a herniated bulging disc from my C3 to my C7 I am scheduled to have an epidural injection next week I've heard that some epidural injections are not FDA-approved I am only 31 and I was planning on having children later on with the medication is it advised for me to have these injections or is it better for me just to have the surgery to fix this problem this is been going on for 4 months and the pain is considerable on a scale of 1 to 10 on any given day it is always at 8 some days it's 12 is there any other non-surgical way that I can fix this problem
Tanya
7:23
Thank you. Do you recommend physical therapy or chiropractor for pinched nerve? (I'm assuming PT)
Dr. Randy Westerkam, Physiatrist
7:24
Beth, bone spurs typically are caused by arthritis.  Treatment options include PT, injections and possible surgery if the spur is deemed the source of the problem.
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