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Q&A with Dr. Rodney Brenneman
November 01, 2019
Rodney E. Brenneman, M.D., serves as Chief of the Division of Orthopedics at Lancaster General Hospital. We asked Dr. Brenneman about his division’s current priorities, what he likes most about orthopedics, and his hobbies from singing to cycling.
What is your background? I grew up in Virginia on a cattle farm. Once I finished high school, I embarked on a nontraditional path to medical school, which included three years as a missionary in 12 European countries, followed by a job in construction. I studied religion, music and biology at Eastern Mennonite University. Then I had shoulder surgery and initially decided to go into physical therapy. However, I am a fixer at heart, and I decided eventually to be an orthopedic surgeon. I went to medical school at Penn State Hershey and completed my residency there as well. In 2014, I joined Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster, where I am primarily a joint replacement surgeon.
I have served in a number of leadership positions in the past five years. I am currently Vice President of OAL. In the past I served as director of the LGH Geriatric Fracture Program; Chair of the Quality Committee for the LG Health Community Care Collaborative ACO; and on the Board of Directors for the Clinically Integrated Network. I became Chief of the Division of Orthopedics at LGH in fall 2018. I’m getting to know all of the people and the parts that make up LGH, going to a lot of meetings and still trying to figure things out. I am surrounded by a lot of hardworking and engaged individuals who all make my job an enjoyable challenge.
Why did you want to serve in a leadership role? I have a natural desire to solve problems, and this has placed me into many leadership positions throughout the years. I enjoy refining established processes and developing novel solutions. The challenge I find is in balancing the time required by the extra commitments with my normal responsibilities and my family/recreational life. But it is very rewarding to be a part of something larger than my immediate circle of influence.
What are some current priorities or projects for the division? How about further down the road? We are constantly refining protocols and procedures for the process of performing orthopedic surgery at LGH. We are currently developing pathways to facilitate the "outpatient" total joint surgery experience. I am overseeing some equipment upgrades to the Orthopedic Center ORs. I also try to facilitate and improve the interactions between members of the orthopedic community and those of other departments and divisions, hoping to enhance the quality of care across the LGH experience for our orthopedic patients.
What do you like most about your work? As previously mentioned, I am a fixer and a problem solver. Some of my favorite patients are elderly farmers and laborers who have debilitating arthritis and are overjoyed after I replace their worn-out joints. That is perhaps the most satisfying part of my job: giving patients the function of their bodies back and returning them to the activities that give them purpose.
Dr. Brenneman with his family.
Tell us about singing. When I was growing up, I played piano, guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and trumpet, and sang in numerous choirs. I had to put music on hold once I went to medical school. However, I picked up an instrument and sang for the first time in 10 years during residency graduation, when I performed my own spin on a country classic and created “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to do Ortho.” A couple of years ago, my physician assistant, Hope Weber, encouraged me to audition for singing the National Anthem for the Lancaster Barnstormers. I have done that a few times now. It’s a great experience and always a lot of fun.
What else do you like to do when you’re not at work? I like to spend time with my wife Michele and our three daughters, ages 11, 8 and 6, as well as our mini-labradoodle. I recently turned 40, and I celebrated by running two marathons and three half-marathons in 18 months. I also enjoy riding anything with wheels, including mountain and road bikes. I ride one of my motorcycles to work anytime I can. I also have several unicycles and a penny-farthing, which has a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. And yes, I do get some funny looks when I ride one of those around the neighborhood.
When you break your leg or injure your knee, you can end up coming home with a pair of crutches. If you’ve never used crutches before, you need to know some key tricks to using them correctly. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get the right instruction before we attempt to use them.
Here’s How to Use Crutches
1. Size the Crutches The crutches should be properly sized so they are used appropriately and do not cause problems. You shouldn’t assume the crutches you have at home are the right ones for you, they may need adjusting or getting ones of the right size. Crutches should: • Be about one to two inches below the armpit when you are standing straight;
2. Have handles at hip height, so that your elbows are slightly bent when grasping
3. Check the Padding and Grips Check the crutches to ensure they have ample cushion on the armpit, grips, and especially on the base that contacts the floor. These parts of crutches can be replaced by a medical supply store if they become worn. You will soon feel the pain if they don’t have enough padding.
4.Getting Up from a Chair Place both crutches in the hand on the affected side (i.e., if you injured your right leg, grasp both crutches by the handle with your right hand). Grasp the handrest of your chair with one hand, and the crutch handles in your other hand. Place your weight on your uninjured leg and push up with your arms.
Source: VeryWellHealth https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-use-crutches-2549326
Patients who have orthopedic injuries that involve open fractures (fractures that break the skin) should go to the emergency room. Patients who have other injuries besides orthopedic ones should also go to the emergency room. For all other types of orthopedic and sports injuries, our centers can be your best option. Below are some of the common injuries we treat:
The knee is commonly injured during walking and running activities. Most knee injuries occur because of a sudden change in direction (pivoting, shifting, jumping) or a sudden force (stepping down from a curb or high surface, landing during a jump or fall). Most knee injuries can be seen at an orthopedic urgent care clinic. A physical examination and medical imaging studies are used to diagnose knee injuries and then come up with an appropriate treatment plan. Common knee injuries include sprains, strains, and tears (cartilage and ligament).
Because the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, it undergoes a tremendous amount of force and rotation each day. When the ligaments and muscles of the shoulder are overused or overstressed, painful injuries can occur. Many of the common shoulder injuries we see are rotator cuff tears, shoulder fractures, shoulder dislocations and injuries to the soft tissue and muscles of the shoulder.
Ankle injuries are very common. The most common type of ankle injury is an ankle sprain. When the ankle is over inverted (the soles of the feet point inward) or over everted (the soles of the feet point outward), the ligaments that connect the bones of the ankle joint can be sprained. Ankle sprains are graded on an increasing severity scale of grades one to three (G1-G3). When ankle sprains are seen at an orthopedic urgent care clinic, they are diagnosed and treated appropriately. Additionally, specialists at a clinic can check to make sure the ankle is not fractured. If it is, it can be treated accordingly.
Wrist injuries commonly occur because of landing on an outstretched arm during a fall. A wrist strain can be painful and cause swelling, bruising, and possible numbness. A wrist fracture can also cause these symptoms. The most common type of wrist fracture is a distal radius fracture, a fracture of the large forearm bone on its end closest to the wrist. Both wrist sprains and fractures can be seen and treated at an orthopedic urgent care clinic. However, it should be again noted that patients with open fractures should go to the emergency room rather.
Source: Orthoinfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
When an unexpected accident happens turn to Urgent Care at Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster. With immediate access to orthopedic specialists, quick evaluations and on-site x-rays and MRI's OAL is here for all of your orthopedic needs.
OAL Lancaster 170 North Pointe Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601(717) 299-4871
Monday through Friday No Appointment Necessary 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OAL Lebanon North Cornwall Health Center 1701 Cornwall Road, Suite 200 Lebanon, PA 17042 (717) 277-7005
Monday through Friday No Appointment Necessary 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Injuries in young athletes are on the rise, but elbow and shoulder injuries in children are on the verge of becoming an epidemic. Thousands of children are seen each year complaining of elbow or shoulder pain. Damage or tear to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the most common injury suffered and is often caused by pitchers throwing too much. This ligament is the main stabilizer of the elbow for the motions of pitching. When it becomes damaged, it can be difficult to repair and rehabilitate.
HOW IS AN ELBOW OR SHOULDER INJURY DIAGNOSED? If a young athlete is throwing too hard, too much, too early, and without rest, a serious elbow or shoulder injury may be on the horizon. If the athlete complains of elbow or shoulder pain the day after throwing, or movement of the joint is painful or restricted compared to the opposite side, see a physician familiar with youth sports injuries immediately.
HOW CAN OVERUSE BASEBALL INJURIES BE PREVENTED? Overuse injuries — especially those related to the UCL and shoulder—are preventable. Some tips to keep you in the game throughout your life include:
OAL Lancaster 170 North Pointe Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 299-4871
Let’s get this important misconception out of the way: Done correctly, working out is not going to exacerbate your hip pain or make your arthritis worse. But not exercising can make your arthritis worse, which is why doctors recommend exercises as an important part of your arthritis treatment plan, whether you have osteoarthritis or an autoimmune, inflammatory form such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
Here’s what’s happening in your hip when you have arthritis, and why exercising and moving more helps relieve pain and stiffness.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint — the “ball” is the top of your thigh bone, and it sits in a “socket” that’s formed by part of your pelvic bone. Slippery tissue called cartilage covers the bone surface and helps cushion the joint. “Cartilage creates a low-friction environment so you can move easily and without pain,” explains Wayne Johnson, MD, orthopedic surgeon and assistant clinical professor at the University of Oklahoma.
In osteoarthritis (OA), the cartilage in the hip joint gradually wears down, which over time leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and lack of mobility, says Dr. Johnson, who is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Everyday tasks — like bending over to tie a shoe, getting up from a chair, or going for a walk — become more challenging and painful. The lifetime risk of developing osteoarthritis of the hip is 25 percent.
With rheumatoid and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks a protective lining in your joint called the synovium, and destroys cartilage. Though RA tends to affect smaller joints first (such as those in your hands and feet), symptoms can spread to both your hips as the disease progresses.
Think of your hip joint like a bicycle, says Dr. Johnson. The muscles around the hip are the strong, supporting frame of the bike. The joint — especially one with arthritis — is like the weaker, flimsier chain. A strong frame takes some of the stress off a weaker chain.
The same is true in your hip. “We lose muscle strength as we age,” explains Dr. Johnson. “And any excess weight puts even more stress on a joint that’s becoming weaker due to arthritis.”
Exercise, then, helps strengthen the muscles that support your hip, which takes some of the load off on the worn-out, weaker joint. “That shift can translate to a decrease in pain and stiffness, easier motion and improved flexibility,” he says.
Exercise also help enhance balance, boost energy, improve sleep, and control weight. And in people with mild to moderate hip OA, a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found those who exercised for one hour at least twice a week for 12 weeks were 44 percent less likely to need hip replacement surgery six years later, compared with those who did not exercise.
The types of exercise that can help ease arthritis pain may include:
If you’re new to exercise, it’s always smart to first talk to your doctor. “It’s important to consider the current limits of your joints, and work within those limits,” explains Lauren Shroyer, MS, director of product development at the American Council on Exercise. Your doctor or physical therapist can make sure the exercises are safe for you and help you gain strength, without exacerbating inflammation or aggravating joint pain, she says. Likewise, if you’ve had surgery on your hip, get guidance from your doctor or physical therapist on what hip exercises are safe for you.
More tips to help protect your joints:
Start slowly. Ease your joints into exercise if you haven’t been active for a while, say experts. Push too hard too fast, and you can overwork your muscles and worsen joint pain. Go easy at first, then increase the length and intensity of your work out as you progress.
Move gently. Warm up your muscles with five to 10 minutes of stretching at the start of every exercise activity, says Dr. Johnson; and do it again at the end. Don’t force any stretches; keep your movements slow and easy. With strength training, begin with fewer reps or lower weight, and build up gradually.
Stop if your hip (or anything else) hurts. “Listen to the pain,” says Shroyer. Take a break when your joints start to ache; or you feel any new joint pain, it’s time to stop. Talk to your doctor about what pain is normal and when it’s a sign of something more serious.
Stretch every day. If you have a flare of RA or an increase in OA pain, you should still stay active, says Dr. Johnson. Some simple stretching may diminish some of the pain.
Exercises to Help Relieve Hip Arthritis Pain
The following hip exercises were recommended by Shroyer at ACE and Dr. Johnson from the AAOS:
Improves balance and stability, and strengthens muscles in your hips and legs
Tip: Stay within a comfortable and stable range of motion when tapping “around the clock,” says Shroyer. If your knee starts to shift over as you tap for the 9 spot, you may be past your range. As you get stronger, you may be able to reach further on each side.
Stretches the outside of your hip
Tip: Don’t lean forward or twist at the waist.
Stretches your buttocks
Tip: Keep your lower back pressed into the floor.
Stretches the back of your thigh and behind your knee
Tip: Don’t pull at your knee joint.
Strengthens your buttocks
Tip: Begin with 8 reps, using only your body weight; and progress to 12, recommends Dr. Johnson. When that becomes easier, add ankle weights in one-pound increments. Each time you increase the weight, start again at 8 reps, working back up to 12.
Increases mobility and strengthens leg, core, and back muscles
Tip: Gradually build up to 5 or 10 reps, says Shroyer: “Sitting and standing is essential movement pattern you want to stay strong in.”
Progression from the sit-and stand to help strengthen thighs and buttocks
Tip: Keeping your feet a little wider than shoulder-distance apart is better for balance when you are struggling with hip pain, says Shroyer.
Source: creakyjoints.org; Teresa Dumanin
During winter, it is always important to cover exposed skin when you are working outdoors, participating in winter sports, or running errands. Frostbite can happen in just minutes when you are outside in extreme cold—and can also occur in temperatures that are above freezing if there is strong wind.
When you are out in the cold, your body's first priority is to maintain its core (optimal) temperature. To do that, it shifts blood away from your extremities, such as your hands and feet, and toward the central organs of your body—the heart and lungs. This is your body's way of ensuring that blood flows to the organs that need it most. This redirection of blood, however, increases the risk of localized injury from cold to your fingers, toes, or other extremities.
Body tissues actually freeze when they are frostbitten. Ice crystals form in the cells, causing physical damage and permanent changes in cell chemistry. When the ice thaws, additional changes occur that may result in cell death.
There are two degrees of frostbite:
Frostbite is caused by exposure to very cold temperatures. The elderly and the young are particularly susceptible to frostbite. Other risk factors include:
It is important to recognize the signs of frostbite so that you can seek medical help, if needed. Symptoms include:
Seek medical care promptly if you suspect that you or someone you are with has frostbite. In some cases, frostbite can have very serious outcomes. The lack of blood flow and oxygen to the skin can cause the flesh to die, leading to permanent tissue damage. This may result in the need for amputation of the affected extremities. In some cases, an individual with frostbite will also develop hypothermia, another serious cold-weather condition that requires emergency medical assistance.
If medical care is not immediately available, follow these "do's and don'ts" for treating frostbite:
It is easier to prevent frostbite than it is to treat it. If you must go out in the bitter cold, be prepared.
Observing the five commonsense precautions below will help ensure that your winter outings end safely:
Back pain is common during pregnancy. Usually, the pain diminishes within a few weeks after delivery. But back pain may return as you begin lifting and carrying your infant on a daily basis. As your baby grows, the weight load increases and back pain can result.
Caring for an infant puts stress on your back. Lifting your baby can be especially hard on your spine. Initially, you may be lifting the 7- to 10-pound baby up to 50 times a day. By the time your child is a year old, you are lifting and carrying 17 pounds. Two years later, you will be lifting a 25- to 30-pound child.
In addition, many new parents spend a lot of time bending over their babies and holding that position for long periods of time.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent back problems, such as modifying your activities and exercising to strengthen your spine.
Distracted driving can cause crashes, injuries, and even death; it's a prevalent public issue that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) continues to champion. But what about distracted walking? What are the consequences of pedestrians talking on the phone, texting, listening to music, or engaging deeply in conversation with the person next to them?
"Today, more and more people are falling down stairs, tripping over curbs and other streetscapes and, in many instances, stepping into traffic, causing cuts, bruises, sprains, and fractures," said Alan Hilibrand, MD, chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. "In fact, the number of injuries to pedestrians using their phones has more than doubled since 2004, and surveys have shown that 60% of pedestrians are distracted by other activities while walking."
In 2009, AAOS launched the "Decide to Drive" campaign to educate children, teens and adults about the dangers of distracted driving.
More recently, AAOS expanded its injury-prevention efforts to include distracted walking. The "Digital Deadwalkers" radio and television public service announcements (PSAs) distributed in 2015 and 2016 humorously, but effectively, highlight what can happen when pedestrians focus on anything or anyone other than the task of safely getting where they need to go.
To learn more about the perceptions and behaviors associated with distracted walking, AAOS commissioned a Distracted Walking Study in 2015. The study involved 2,000 respondents nationally, and another 500 respondents in each of the following eight cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta and Seattle.
First, while 78% of U.S. adults believe that distracted walking is a "serious" issue; three-quarters of Americans say it's "other people" who walk distracted. Only 29% of respondents admit that they, personally, have an issue.
And the sense of "it's not me, it's you" cuts across a range of distracted walking behaviors:
Despite the obvious risks associated with distracted walking, as many respondents believe it is "embarrassing (in a silly way)" as feel it is "dangerous" (46%). Furthermore, 31% say distracted walking is "something I'm likely to do" and 22% think distracted walking is "funny," according to the study.
And distracted walking is resulting in injuries. Nearly 4 out of 10 Americans say they have personally witnessed a distracted walking incident, and just over a quarter (26%) say they have been in an incident themselves.
In addition:
One of the challenges in combatting distracted walking may be that many Americans are overly confident in their ability to multitask.
When asked why they walk distracted, 48% of respondents say "they just don't think about it," 28% feel "they can walk and do other things," and 22% "are busy and want to use their time productively."
Among distracted walking behaviors, 75% of respondents say they personally "usually/always" or "sometimes" have "active conversations" with another person they are walking with--making this the most common distracted walking behavior people admit to doing themselves.
Your perception of the issue may depend slightly on where you live. For example:
Other research studies highlight the many dangers of distracted walking:
To be safe and alert when walking, keep in mind these important tips:
Sledding Injury Prevention
The speedy, bumpy, sometimes scary slide downhill is one of the outdoor winter activities that youths and adults have always enjoyed. It can be fun, but every year thousands of youths and adults are injured sledding down hills in city parks, streets and resort areas. Most of these injuries are preventable.
Incidence of Injury According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 52,000 sledding, snow tubing, and tobogganing-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices and clinics in 2014. The total medical, legal and liability, pain and suffering, and work loss-related costs were close to $2 billion.
The majority of injuries happen to youths age 14 and younger, especially in the run outs at the end of the sledding path. Adult supervision is needed to make sure that children sledding down a hill don't collide with children in the run outs and that the end of the sledding path isn't in a street or parking lot, pond or other hazardous area. Some of the injuries can be serious enough to cause lifelong disability or death. When a sled hits a fixed object such as a tree, rock or fence, the rider may suffer head and neck injuries. Helmets help prevent head injuries and should be worn by sledders under 12 years old.
Young children are very vulnerable to injuries. They have proportionally larger heads and higher centers of gravity than older children and teens. Their coordination has not fully developed and they can have difficulty avoiding falls and obstacles.
Do Not Sled on Public Streets The first big snowfall of the winter season often tempts youths to sled down sloping streets where they may be hit by cars and trucks or slam into parked vehicles, curbs, and fences.
Speeding down hills in parks that are not designed for sledding is risky. Individuals may have to dodge trees and rocks.
Sit in a Forward-Facing Position Some youths may run with their sleds and leap forward in a "belly flop" that does not give them control of where they are sliding.
Do not sled on plastic sheets. They cannot be steered and can be pierced by sharp objects.
Essential Precautions
Preferred Precautions
Common Basketball Injuries The fast-paced action of basketball can cause a wide range of injuries, most often to the foot, ankle, and knee. Sprained ankles and knee ligament tears are common. Basketball players are also at risk for jammed fingers and stress fractures in the foot and lower leg.
Several strategies can help to prevent basketball injuries — from careful inspection of the play area to using proper passing techniques.
Proper Preparation for Play
Maintain fitness. Be sure you are in good physical condition at the start of basketball season. During the off-season, stick to a balanced fitness program that incorporates aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility. If you are out of shape at the start of the season, gradually increase your activity level and slowly build back up to a higher fitness level. Warm up and stretch. Always take time to warm up and stretch. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place for 3 to 5 minutes. Then slowly and gently stretch, holding each stretch for 30 seconds. Hydrate. Even mild levels of dehydration can hurt athletic performance. If you have not had enough fluids, your body will not be able to effectively cool itself through sweat and evaporation. A general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of non-caffeinated fluid 2 hours before exercise. Drinking an additional 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise is also helpful. While you are exercising, break for an 8 oz. cup of water every 20 minutes. Focus on Technique
• Play only your position and know where other players are on the court to reduce the chance of collisions. • Do not hold, block, push, charge, or trip opponents. • Use proper techniques for passing and scoring. • Do not forget sportsmanship.
Ensure Appropriate Equipment
• Select basketball shoes that fit snugly, offer support, and are non-skid. • Ankle supports can reduce the incidence of ankle sprains. • Protective knee and elbow pads will protect you from bruises and abrasions. • Use a mouth guard to protect your teeth and mouth. • If you wear glasses, use safety glasses or glass guards to protect your eyes. • Do not wear jewelry or chew gum during practice or games.
Ensure a Safe Environment • Outdoor courts should be free of rocks, holes, and other hazards. Inside courts should be clean, free of debris, and have good traction. • When playing outside, environmental conditions must be considered. Players should avoid playing in extreme weather or on courts that are not properly lighted in the evening. • Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, water fountains, or other structures. Basket goal posts, as well as the walls behind them, should be padded.
Prepare for Injuries • Coaches should be knowledgeable about first aid and be able to administer it for minor injuries, such as facial cuts, bruises, or minor strains and sprains. • Be prepared for emergencies. All coaches should have a plan to reach medical personnel for help with more significant injuries such as concussions, dislocations, contusions, sprains, abrasions, and fractures.
Safe Return to Play • An injured player's symptoms must be completely gone before returning to play. For example: • In case of a joint problem, the player must have no pain, no swelling, full range of motion, and normal strength. • In case of concussion, the player must have no symptoms at rest or with exercise, and should be cleared by the appropriate medical provider.
Because many young athletes are focusing on just one sport and are training year-round, doctors are seeing an increase in overuse injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has partnered with STOP Sports Injuries to help educate parents, coaches, and athletes about how to prevent overuse injuries.
Specific tips to prevent overuse injuries include: • Limit the number of teams in which your child is playing in one season. Kids who play on more than one team are especially at risk for overuse injuries. • Do not allow your child to play one sport year round — taking regular breaks and playing other sports is essential to skill development and injury prevention.
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 2009 https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/staying-healthy/basketball-injury-prevention/