by admin
December 23, 2011
Give the gift of health and safety to you and your family and avoid injury-prone situations in effort to prevent bone, join and muscle injuries this holiday season. Numerous people traveling this time of year can expose themselves to risks that they can easily and unknowingly be unaware of when transporting luggage.
According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 54,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, clinics and other medical settings for injuries related to carrying luggage in 2009. Injuries to the back, neck and shoulder can be caused by struggling with heavy, over-packed luggage.
To prevent lifting injuries this holiday season, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests the following safety tips:
- Pack light and use luggage with wheels when traveling.
- Take care when placing luggage in an overhead compartment. First, lift it onto the top of the seat. Then, with hands situated on the left and right sides of the suitcase, lift it up. If your luggage has wheels, make sure the wheel side is set in the compartment first. Once wheels are inside, put one hand on top of the luggage and push it to the back of the compartment. To remove the luggage, reverse this process.
- Do not rush when lifting or carrying a suitcase or heavy package. If a piece of luggage is too cumbersome when traveling, either check it or ask for help. At the mall, minimize heavy loads by making frequent trips to the car.
- Always use proper lifting techniques. When lifting, bend at your knees and lift with your leg muscles, not your back and waist. Avoid twisting or rotating your spine.
Source: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00367
by admin
November 10, 2011
TOI Recognizes its Radiologic Technologist Staff
November 6-12th is officially designated as National Radiologic Technology Week® by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists to call attention to the important role that medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. The week-long celebration takes place each November to commemorate the anniversary of the X-ray’s discovery by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895. TOI would like to take a moment to recognize our Radiologic Technologist staff for their dedication to Improving Lives – Everyday.
Radiologic technologists are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in areas including anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. A registered radiologic technologist must complete at least two years of formal education in an accredited hospital-based program or a two or four-year educational program at an academic institution and must pass a national certification exam. They must also earn continuing education credits in order to maintain their registered status.
There are two types of Radiologic Technologists at TOI: X-ray and MRI technicians. Both perform imaging assessments and are responsible for accurately positioning patients to ensure the highest quality diagnostic image is produced. In addition, TOI’s MRI techs are Radiologic Technologists who either have special training and additional certification in Magnetic Resonance Imaging or are working toward the board certification registry.
TOI would like to give a special thank you to its Radiologic Technologist staff!
Radiologic Technologists (X-ray):
Tara Bahrey
Melissa Casto
Gina Hosaflook
Christina Huguley
Nichole Morgan
Diana Meszaros
Valerie Myers
Kerry Ochs
Rebekah Rhodenizer
Daisy Robinson
Radiologic Technologists (MRI):
Renee Stilp
Christi Swiers
Jessica Troncale
Krista Stevenson
by admin
November 9, 2011
By Michael K. Riley, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
The aging athlete is the group of individuals over the age of 40 that have continued their athletic endeavors or taken up some sort of athletic activity in mid-adulthood. Exercise throughout life is a great practice because research has shown its positive effects on the aging process. It is a proven fact that maintaining an active lifestyle is healthy, and can increase the quantity as well as quality of life. However, as we continue to age our body becomes more prone to injury due to the fact that our bones, muscles and even tendons begin to breakdown or become less elastic. Fortunately, approximately 30 to 50 percent of the physiological changes are the result of de-conditioning, that is, little or no exercise.
To stay fit, healthy and continue athletic and fitness activities, one must train the body safely and properly. Our goal is to achieve a balance between an age-appropriate lifestyle while minimizing the impact of injuries on an active lifestyle. Treatment is focused on the framework of the body, including the skeleton and muscles, with a sports medicine approach that is safe, effective and in the best interests of our patients. No matter what level of activity our patient’s desire, we respect the importance of maintaining athleticism and we work hard to insure that our patients can continue the activity level that best suits their needs.
Treatment can range from medication, therapy, activity modification up to and including surgical intervention.
To hear more and to have an opportunity to ask questions, join me for a community presentation at 10 a.m. on November 10 at Comfort Suites – The Villages. It is hosted by Ocala Health Systems and is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to 1-800-530-1188.
Dr. Riley is board certified in orthopaedic surgery with an additional certification in orthopaedic sports medicine and practices at TOI’s Ocala office. Dr. Riley attended medical school at the University of Michigan and completed his internship in general surgery, followed by his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Florida. Dr. Riley is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Southern Orthopaedic Association.