The Orthopaedic Center-FPO

04/02/2022

Here to meet your Orthopedic needs.

19/06/2019

Industrial Accidents

All On the Job injuries must be reported to your HR department, who will report it to National Insurance immediately by way of forms.

NIB pays 100%, while all other insurance pays 80% and you pay 20% plus your deductible.

We can only see On the Job injuries who have already seen a Doctor at accident and emergency and is approved my NIB.

If you have any other questions on job related injuries, you can call our office between the hours of 9am to 5:30pm.

07/06/2018

Why Physical Therapy Doesn't Work?

There are a number of reasons.
What is Physio Therapy - the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.
Your doctor might suggest this type of treatment if you’ve had an injury or illness that makes it hard to do daily tasks.
Physical therapy (PT) is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better. You may need it to:
• Relieve pain
• Improve movement or ability
• Prevent or recover from a sports injury
• Prevent disability or surgery
• Rehab after a stroke, accident, injury, or surgery
• Work on balance to prevent a slip or fall
• Manage a chronic illness like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis
• Recover after you give birth
• Control your bowels or bladder
• Adapt to an artificial limb
• Learn to use assistive devices like a walker or cane
• Get a splint or brace
People of all ages get physical therapy. It can treat a variety of health problems.

Why does physio therapy fail?

• Non Compliance with Home Exercise Program
For a successful rehabilitation program, the patient must take an active part. That is why a good physical therapist gives the patient home exercises and the patient is expected to do them regularly are prescribed. Equally important is the frequency and duration of the exercises. Just as medications are taken in dosages and frequencies, so are exercises. Some exercises need be done several times a day while some might be done once a day or on alternate days.

• Wrong Exercise Prescription.
Exercises should be individualized based on assessment and patient’s functionality and equally important is timing of when to prescribe the exercises. there are physical therapists who prescribe almost the same exercises during the course of rehabilitation. Same exercises for every back pain. Same exercises for every shoulder problem. Same exercises for every knee pain. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

• More Passive Than Active Treatments
Since a more accurate way of assessing musculoskeletal problems are dynamic movements more than the usual static postural assessment and provocative tests, it should follow that treatment should also be dynamic and movement based. In many cases, manual therapy works to decrease muscle tone/spasm, increase joint mobility, and relieve pain. But their effect can be short term if they are not followed by exercises to activate the muscles and restore joint functions.

• Premature Discharge from Physical Therapy
While patients/clients should be kept for a long period of repeated sessions; they should not be discharged sooner either. Sometimes patients decide to stop having physiotherapy once they feel better and see some improvements. But pain relief is not the only goal for rehabilitation The most important goal of rehabilitation is return to usual, daily activities without the risk of relapse or re-injury.

• Take care of your body so your body can take care of you.
Your weight, your age, and how much rest your body is allowed are all critical elements to how your body heals, so it is important to be realistic about your recovery goals. Malnutrition and Lack of sleep may be the cost Prolong or even relapse of physical therapy.

• Medical Issues and Ages
Many older adults have weak muscles—due to lack of activity, hospitalization, or surgery. This can cause problems with walking, balance, rising from a chair, and other everyday activities. The risk of falls increases. The therapist may be afraid that you’ll be hurt. If you do intense Training but, if strength training isn’t challenging, it is a waste of time and money. You will still have problems from weak muscles. And you will still be at risk of falls.

• Outdated Techniques Including Assessment and Treatment Procedures
Many traditional treatments have been debunked, thanks to continuing research done to better the profession. Many patients are familiar with physical modalities used in Physio Therapy clinics like ultrasound, TENS, traction machines, hot and cold packs among others. Many of these machines have now been declared as outdated, ineffective or simply unnecessary.

15/05/2018

Double Dipping
Subrogation occurs in casualty insurance when a company pays all of its insured's medical expenses, then makes its own claim against a third party, who may have caused the loss, or contributed to it.
For example: "Suppose another driver runs a red light and your car is totaled."

Subrogation Claims: Here Comes Your Health Insurance Company

Did you know that your health insurance company has a contractual right to reimbursement if you recover your medical bills in a personal injury settlement? T...

13/03/2018

Why is an X-ray performed?
Your doctor may order an X-ray to:

examine an area where you’re experiencing pain or discomfort
monitor the progression of a diagnosed disease, such as osteoporosis
check how well a prescribed treatment is working
Conditions that may call for an X-ray include:

bone cancer
breast tumors
enlarged heart
blocked blood vessels
conditions affecting your lungs
digestive problems
fractures
infections
osteoporosis
arthritis
tooth decay
needing to retrieve swallowed items

13/03/2018

Why do I need an MRI?
MRI is used to detect a variety of conditions, including problems of the brain, spinal cord, skeleton, chest, lungs, abdomen, pelvis, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet. In some cases, it can provide clear images of body parts that can't be seen as well with an X-ray, CAT scan, or ultrasound. MRI is particularly valuable for diagnosing problems with the eyes, ears, heart, and circulatory system.

An MRI's ability to highlight contrasts in soft tissue makes it useful in deciphering problems with joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. MRI can also be used to identify infections and inflammatory conditions or to rule out problems such as tumors.

13/03/2018

How is an ankle sprain
treated?
The initial treatment is RICE (rest, ice,
compression, and elevation). Severe
injuries may benefit from a walking
boot to help support the ankle. The goal
of rehabilitation is to reduce pain and
swelling and to restore strength, range
of motion, and balance.
Recovery time for lateral ankle sprains
is typically one to three weeks. Recovery
time for high ankle sprains is typically
three to six weeks.
Rehabilitation can begin a few days
after the injury, when the swelling starts
to go down. There are three goals to
aim for in rehabilitation:
1. Restore motion
and flexibility.
2. Restore
strength.
3. Restore
balance.

07/03/2018

Removing your cast
Your cast will be removed with a special saw that moves back and forth (oscillates). Your skin may tingle or feel warm while the cast is being sawed. Don’t worry! The saw is designed to cut your cast without cutting your skin. To make removal easier, try to hold still while your cast is being sawed.



After your cast comes off
Don’t be surprised if your injured body part looks a little different than it used to. It will return to normal over time. You may have:

Weak muscles: The muscles around your injury will likely have shrunk. This is because they weren’t being used while in a cast. As you start using them again, the muscles will get stronger. Your healthcare provider may suggest exercises to help.

Dry skin: Skin that has been covered by a cast will likely be dry and flaky. Using lotion can help make your skin soft again. Your skin may also be tender. So scratching with your nails can cut the skin. Instead, use your open palm to rub itchy skin. The hair on your skin may look darker as well.

Swelling: Since your injury is still healing, it may swell even after the cast is removed. (This is especially true of leg injuries.) To help reduce swelling, elevate the injury higher than your heart. If swelling continues, call your healthcare provider.

06/03/2018

Did you know, not all injuries are billable to your insurance?
1) Industrial Accidents.
2) Self inflicted injury, su***de or attempted su***de.
3) The evaluation of routine and other treatment of learning disabilities.
4) Treatment for pre-existing ailments occurring within the first 12 months of the policy.
5) Pregnancies whose conception occurs prior to the Effective Date;
6) Treatment by a close relative who or an occupant living in the covered person's home.
7) Expenses incurred after the termination date.
8) Treatment or injury arising from High risk sports (water sking, diving or skydiving)

05/03/2018

Fracture Care Billing Issues
Our practice makes every effort to follow the current insurance coding practices for reporting medical services as outlined by HCFA and the American Medical Association. These regulations can be quite complicated, and they often generate lots of questions from our patients. We therefore are providing this page on fracture billing to clear up any confusion caused by complicated rules regarding the billing of fracture care services.
A fracture is often diagnosed on an x-ray and can vary greatly in severity and appropriate treatment options; however, for billing and insurance coding purposes, fracture care is listed in the surgical section of the AMA coding booklets and is subject to special global or surgical package rules regardless of whether these services were provided at the hospital or at the office.
An insurance claim for fracture care will typically document the following:
• An exam at the documentation level for diagnosis and decision about the best treatment options.
• An x-ray, which is often used to diagnose the fracture. A post-fracture treatment x-ray may also be administered to ensure proper alignment.
• A fracture code is assigned based on the injury site, type of fracture and whether the treatment is closed or open. Open treatment is usually performed in the operating room in the hospital or outpatient surgery facility, and closed treatment is done in the emergency room or in the office. Because fracture treatment is considered major surgery by the Federal and AMA coding system, however, it will often be reported as surgery on your insurance company’s explanation of benefits.
• Cast application for the initial work of applying the cast is included in the above fracture code and there is no charge for a global fracture charge. However, if no global fracture code is used, then the initial evaluation, treatment, and cast application will be separately billed and reported. In global fracture care charges, subsequent applications of casts after the initial treatment are separately reportable and billable based on AMA and CPT guidelines.
• Cast supplies are reported separately.
• Most routine fractures require several postop visits, which are included at no charge in the fracture global fee if related to the same diagnosis. Separate diagnoses or separate conditions that are addressed on follow-up visits will be charged on a separate coding system with a separate diagnosis identified in our medical documentation.
• Postoperative global days vary anywhere from 10-90 days, depending on the insurance company’s definition. Subsequent x-rays, cast application and supplies are separately billable for any fracture global fee schedule. Some of the more serious fractures may need additional surgery and procedures. There are several rules our office is required to use to report those services. Physical Therapy, if required, is not included in the surgical global packages and are separate entities and should be referred to those entities for any questions.
I hope this helps you understand a little bit about the charges that are generated from fracture care. Our office staff will be more than happy to discuss any issues with you.

02/03/2018

WHY DO I NEED TO SEE AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON?



Do you suffer from long-term tendon, muscle, or joint pain?
Do you have chronic back problems?
There are more than 1/4 of Bahamians who develop some type of musculoskeletal problem each year. These problems include, but are not limited to, sprains, strains, and overuse injuries, as well as knee, shoulder, and back pain. Underuse of muscles can also cause Orthopedic Injuries.
Many people believe that the only solution for these issues is medication. They may have never asked themselves the question: Do I need to see an orthopaedic doctor?
An orthopaedic doctor specializes in issues, diseases, and injuries pertaining to the musculoskeletal system. These doctors play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions. Orthopaedic doctors work in both hospitals and specialized practices to treat infections, sports injuries, broken bones, joint problems (e.g., arthritis), congenital conditions, degenerative conditions (e.g., osteoporosis), and bone tumors. They handle everything from minor issues such as a sprained ankle to complex procedures and surgeries such as a hip replacement.

If you are experiencing any type of pain in your ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, or back, you should consider seeing an orthopaedic surgeon.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Difficulty using that particular body part to perform daily functions (e.g., walking up the stairs or carrying grocery bags)
• Pain in muscles, tendons, or joints that persists for more than a few days
• Joint pain that becomes more intense during periods of rest
• Swelling or bruising around the joint or the location of an injury
• Limited range of motion, such as an inability to straighten the back
• Joint deformity
• Signs of infection including heat, inflammation, fever, and/or redness
• Any unusual symptoms in the pain region

Orthopaedic doctors use surgery as a last resort for musculoskeletal issues. They do everything that they can to delay it as long as possible in favor of less invasive treatments such as medication and physical therapy. When these treatments no longer provide relief for pain and other symptoms, they may recommend surgery. Some of the most common surgeries that orthopaedic doctors perform include back surgery, and ankle, knee, shoulder, and hip replacements. They also perform a variety of arthroscopic procedures, which allow them to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside of a joint.
The earlier you are able to get advice about a musculoskeletal issue, the sooner you may be able to start treating the problem. Early treatment prevents an issue from becoming even more severe.
During an initial consultation with an orthopaedic doctor, he or she will isolate the problem, narrow down the cause of the issue, and explain your treatment options. You may also get advice about pain management including medication and/or injections, rehabilitation and physical therapy including a potential time frame, and ongoing

01/03/2018

What is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists specializing in therapy programs for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, sports injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, and massage therapy.