I Don't Want Surgery But What Else Can I Do?

Fortunately, 90% of problems that come into an orthopedic clinic do not require surgery.

Approximately 80% of those conditions treated nonsurgically can be treated with traditional treatment measures: rest, activity modification, physical therapy, medications, supplements, lifestyle changes, brace, splint, a boot walker, steroid injection, etc. This is “bread and butter“ treatment administered by an orthopedic/sports medicine physician.

Now, what about that last 20% of non-surgical treatment? That’s often where we have to think “outside the box.” Let’s say in the case of osteoarthritis and tendon problems, that’s where treatment like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can be very helpful. For example, in the case of knee osteoarthritis, how would you like to have less pain, less stiffness, less swelling and better function? What if we could accomplish that with a treatment that is minimally-invasive, safe, proven and natural? As a bonus, this treatment has preventative benefits, meaning we likely are slowing down the cartilage breakdown in your knee. These are the benefits seen with PRP injections.

In the case of tendon or fascia problem like a rotator cuff partial tear, tennis or golfer’s elbow or plantar fasciitis, PRP is designed to be a healing agent. We are using these growth-factor rich injections to accomplish healing, not just make you feel better like a steroid injection might.

Check out a few of our previous blogs, and let us know if we can help you!

https://www.impactsportsnashville.com/blog/2023/12/8/prp-the-gift-of-health

https://www.impactsportsnashville.com/blog/2023/9/23/5-things-you-have-to-know-if-you-have-knee-pain

https://www.impactsportsnashville.com/blog/2023/8/5/our-top-5-treatments-for-knee-oa

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

Why Me? Why So Many Tendon Problems?

If you are 40 years old or above, it’s probably not “if” but “when” you are going to have a tendon problem. Tendons connect our muscles to bones, but as we age, they become problematic. Common tendon problems include/involve the rotator cuff, tennis and golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendon, posterior tibialis tendon and then the plantar fascia, which behaves like a tendon but technically is a ligament.

Thus, these conditions are usually a disease of the middle-aged and older. What are the causative factors for what we call tendonopathy?

-acute injury to the tendon

-overuse activities

-genetics

-inflammation

-diet

-biomechanics

-weight

So, to treat tendonopathy, we have to address these factors with genetics being an exception, as this can’t be changed.

Thus. we have to modify activities, either temporarily or permanently, especially avoiding overuse situations.

We want to reduce inflammation, and this can be achieved multiple ways: medications, steroid injections, supplements and an improved diet can all play a role. Medications and steroids can be very helpful in the short term but are not always a long-term solution. Platelet-rich plasma injections can be a great option to promote long-term management of inflammation and the actual healing of a tendon.

Biomechanics are often improved through changes in movement patterns, improved flexibility and strengthening. At times, footwear changes and orthotics can play a role as well.

As we often preach, early treatment of a tendon problem usually produces better outcomes than late treatment, but either way, we’ve got you covered. Don’t be discouraged if you have one or more tendon problems, knock on our door and we’ll be more than happy to share our expertise!

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

Bet You Didn't Know: Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow, one of the most common conditions seen by an orthopedist, is one our favorite diagnoses to make. Why?…because we are almost always able to see complete resolution of the symptoms. Plus, we have numerous traditional and innovative tools in the toolbox to help our patients overcome this often stubborn and humbling condition. Here are some fast facts about tennis elbow you probably did not know:

-90% of those with tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, do not play tennis. Weight-lifting, frequent typing, CrossFit, repetitive labor in one’s work or with household chores are frequent causes.

-Teenagers almost never get tennis elbow. Why? They have an amazing ability for their tendons to recover much faster and more efficiently than middle age and older individuals.

-Lateral epicondylitis is the medical term for tennis elbow and may be one of the more misnamed conditions in orthopedics. This implies there is inflammation of the bone on the outside of the elbow, but instead, this is a tendon problem.

Patients who receive cortisone/steroid injections are often better in the short term but worse in the long term. Our own experience and the medical literature validates this.

Neovascularization, essentially new blood for vessel formation, commonly occurs in advanced cases of tennis elbow. Increased blood flow seems like it would be a good thing for the tendon, but in reality, is a sign of more advanced tendon damage.

We believe that adjacent to those new blood vessels in the tendon are new nerves that are very hypersensitive and only make you feel pain. This is why many patients with advanced cases of tennis elbow complain of “burning” over the lateral elbow.

Platelet-rich plasma injections, now a commonly used and innovative treatment option for many orthopedic conditions, were first studied in the medical literature about 15 years ago in treating tennis elbow. PRP remains one of our advanced treatment options for tennis elbow.

One of our best treatment options for very stubborn cases of tennis elbow is the Tenex procedure. Not many people know about Tenex because we are one of the few physicians in middle Tennessee who have expertise in performing this procedure. We’ve done it for 11 years, and it involves a tiny incision, local anesthesia only, and use of a small needle-like device to excise the unhealthy part of the tendon. No stitches are required and only about two minutes of actual treatment time in the operating room. It carries a 95% success rate in our experience.

If you have pain on the outside of your elbow that is interfering with your quality of life, then come see us. We will have some great options for you!

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

5 Reasons to Either Have or Avoid a Steroid/Cortisone Injection

Steroid, often called “cortisone,” injections have been used in orthopedics and other specialties for several decades as potent anti-inflammatories. In recent years, they’ve become more controversial, as medical studies have validated that they likely have negative effects on our bodies and actually worsen certain conditions in the long-term. However, steroid injections still have some positive utility, and careful discussion with each patient must be undertaken to determine whether a steroid injection may be more beneficial or more harmful in each unique situation. Let’s explore those situations:

A Steroid Injection Can Be Particularly Beneficial in These Situations:

1)      Adhesive Capsulitis- most commonly seen in middle-age women, this highly-inflammatory condition causing shoulder pain and stiffness often responds beautifully to an ultrasound-guided injection into the glenohumeral joint.

2)      Early Phase of Tendonitis- if we catch tendonitis very early and when it’s primarily in the inflammatory stage (like tennis elbow or calcific rotator cuff tendonitis), a steroid injection can be very helpful in reducing pain and restoring function.

3)      Diagnostic and Therapeutic- many times, we see a patient that has pain in an area, yet we can’t determine the exact source. Thus, we use a precisely-placed injection with ultrasound to see if the pain is relieved. If so, then we feel that we’ve located the source and can then customize a more effective treatment plan. We use this strategy often for hip pain.

4)      A Patient Needs Rapid Relief- your knee is swollen and that bucket-list vacation that will require a lot of walking is fast-approaching. Your arthritic knee is in a flare, and we need to reduce pain and swelling within days, so that you can better enjoy that trip or upcoming event.

5)      Gout and Pseudogout- these are highly-inflammatory conditions due to excessive urate or calcium deposits in a joint, respectively. A steroid injection can provide rapid relief from these conditions.

A Steroid Injection Should be Avoided in These Situations:

1)      Chronic Tendonitis and Partial Tears- if you’ve had tennis or golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff issues or gluteal tendonitis for 3 months or greater, then your tendon likely has more degeneration and tearing than just inflammation. Steroid injections are far less likely to provide a long-term benefit in these situations.

2)      Repetitively- unfortunately, many patients make it to our office after having had 3-5 steroid injections over the past 1-2 years for their chronic condition such as tennis elbow or plantar fasciitis. We know that steroid injections have a catabolic (causing further deterioration) effect on joints and soft tissues if used excessively.

3)      Around Tendons at Risk for Rupture- the patellar tendon and Achilles tendon are two areas where we always avoid steroid injections. These tendons are prone to major tears, especially if exposed to injectable steroids.

4)      Risk of Infection- if there is any suspicion for an infection in a joint or bursa, then steroid injections are a “no-go.” It’s better to aspirate the fluid and send for analysis first before considering a steroid.

5)      Surgery in the Near Future- if a patient is considering having a joint replacement in the next 3 months, then steroid injections should be avoided due to the risk of infection during and shortly after the surgery.

We hope you find this information helpful when it comes to one of the most commonly proposed non-surgical treatment in orthopedics. As always, let us know if we can be of help to you!

-F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

Impact Sports Medicine and Orthopedics

My Elbow Really Hurts, and I Feel Like a Wimp!

We hear this comment or one very similar to it on a frequent basis. Good ole’ tennis elbow, also know as lateral epicondylitis. Despite these names, this is not a problem limited to tennis players and does not typically involve the bone on the outside of the elbow named the lateral epicondyle. It is actually a tendon problem. The common extensor tendon on the outside of the elbow is highly involved in gripping, grabbing and lifting. When you shake someone’s hand, this tendon is under a lot of stress. When you lift the coffee mug with a handle, the positioning of your wrist transmits stress to this tendon. When you pull your sheets up to you when in bed, the position and action of the wrist and forearm send stress to this tendon. Finally, when this tendon is inflamed and/or partially torn, it HURTS! I mean, it really hurts. You are not a wimp for complaining about tennis elbow. Fortunately, this is one of my favorite conditions to treat. Why? For many reasons: we usually can cure this problem. Patients are so grateful to see this pain go away. Finally, it’s gratifying to see patients return to things they love to do after successful treatment such as tennis, golf, weight lifting, gardening and even typing!

Turning our attention to treatment options, there are traditional and innovative options. At Impact Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we specialize in both types:

Traditional:

1) REST and changing the biomechanics- how and how much you lift, grip and grab

2) A wrist splint- yes, immobilizing the wrist and forearm unload the tendon far more than immobilizing the elbow

3) A cortisone injection- in our hands, 90% of patients experience relief with an ultrasound-guided injection. However, since tendon damage is often the cause of the stubborn pain, cortisone, at times, may only provide temporary benefit.

4) Physical Therapy- helpful in changing the biomechanical problems that led to the tendon damage. However, the benefit can be limited if tendon is partially torn.

Innovative:

1) The Tenex procedure- a true game-changing minimally-invasive procedure. This is our favorite option for those patients that have not improved with the traditional treatments. Local anesthesia only, a tiny incision, 2 minutes of tendon treatment with a small probe, no stitches, typically covered by insurance and a 90% success rate. How does that sound? We've loved this procedure for 7+ years.

2) Orthobiologic Injections- platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are very solid choices, isolating and concentrating the platelets from you own blood. This becomes a solution rich in human growth factors utilized to stimulate healing of the tendon.

3) Nitroglycerin patches- placed on the skin over the tendon, these are good choices for those patients needing something extra, but prefer a treatment that is non-invasive. These work by producing nitric oxide in the tissues, which then can be responsible for tendon healing.

In summary, we hate that you have "tennis elbow," but always appreciate the opportunity to treat you. It's our mission to make this common cause of elbow pain leave your life and never return! Let us know if we can help.

-F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

Will Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections Replace Cortisone?

The answer to this question is simple: Yes, No and Maybe. Platelet-Rich Plasma injections have taken the orthopedic world by storm. Why is this? They are safe. They are natural. They can be done in the office in a short period of time. They may prevent surgery in some cases. They can be disease-altering, not just symptom-reducing. Most importantly, in many cases of tendon, ligament and joint problems, they are EFFECTIVE.

PRP injections involve drawing blood from a patient’s vein, typically in the arm. Then, the blood is centrifuged (spun) to separate out the red and white blood cells, while simultaneously concentrating your own platelets. Our platelets are known to have numerous growth factors that serve many beneficial roles in our musculoskeletal tissues. This concentrated solution is then injected under ultrasound-guidance back into an area of damage, such as a partially torn tendon, the plantar fascia or an arthritic joint. We believe that these platelets help to modulate unhealthy inflammation that resides in damaged tissues. This helps over the long-term to reduce pain and subsequently, improve function. In some cases, damaged soft tissue can heal in the presence of these concentrated platelets. In other cases, the deterioration often seen in cases of osteoarthritis can be slowed or halted. Thus, there are some preventative benefits of PRP.

Cortisone injections, known medically as steroids, have been around for decades. They simply are very strong anti-inflammatories. They can reduce pain and swelling within hours to days of an injection. However, they are known to have catabolic, or “breakdown” effects, meaning, numerous exposures to steroids can worsen the structure and strength of a soft tissue or joint. They also can produce short-term systemic side effects, including fluid retention, headache, insomnia, changes in emotions, skin flushing/redness and increases in blood sugar, particularly in diabetics. Cortisone injections are still used quite frequently to treat tendonitis, arthritis and disc problems in the spine.

Now, back to the question in the title. In our practice, we still use both types of injections. However, the percentage of PRP injections is increasing, while the percentage of cortisone is dropping. Why? We want our patients to have “game-changing” treatments whenever possible. We want conditions to improve over the long-term. We want to stop that deterioration process and to promote healing when possible. Also, we know that in the case of cortisone injections, some patients feel so good, so quickly, that they are prone to re-injure themselves. Thus, short-term improvement, but long-term worsening with some cortisone injections.

Thus, how do we choose what type of injection to recommend to a patient? Here are some examples:

-A 60-year-old woman will be traveling on a bucket-list trip to Italy in one week. Her arthritic knee is painful and swollen, and she needs some quick relief to really enjoy this trip. We choose a CORTISONE injection to provide that relief. She will likely feel better within a few days of the injection and will probably see a benefit for 1-3 months.

-A 35-year-old runner tore his ACL at age 20 and had successful surgery. Now, he has mild osteoarthritis of the knee that is stiff in the morning, aches after long runs and occasionally swells. He is a great candidate for PRP. PRP should help his keep inflammation down, reduce his aches and preserve his cartilage in his knee for years to come.

-A 65-year old woman has had 2 weeks of lateral hip pain after a trip to the beach with frequent walking. She can’t sleep on the side of her painful hip and going up stairs is difficult. We diagnose her with trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendonitis. A CORTISONE injection here may do the trick. She has an acute inflammatory response and needs some relief to simply sleep better at night and handle her activities of daily living with less pain.

-A 24-year-old recreational basketball player has patellar tendonopathy and pain every time he jumps and lands. Symptoms have been present for 6 months and despite physical therapy, a brace and NSAIDS, he is only 50% better. We offer him 1-2 PRP injections. We need to promote healing of that tendon. We want long-term reduction in symptoms and tissue improvement, so that he can continue to play basketball and with reduced risk of tearing the tendon. Plus, we never inject cortisone in or around certain tendons, including the patellar and Achilles tendons, due to the risk of tendon rupture.

-A 70-year-old has mild to moderate hip and knee osteoarthritis. He can play golf a couple days a week, but relies on frequent doses of ibuprofen after his golf games and on days he plays with his grandchildren. His hoping to avoid joint replacement in his lifetime and knows that long-term use of NSAIDs is not good for his blood pressure, stomach or kidneys. We offer him PRP as a great option, with an injection into the knee and hip joints on the same day. He then will return a month later for his 2nd set of injections. After that, we hope and expect that he will have less pain and better function for 6 to 24 months, while also lowering his chances of joint replacement in the intermediate future. These PRP injections can be safely repeated months to years later, if necessary.

These are everyday examples of how we customize our treatments for patients based on their symptoms, diagnosis and goals. Age of the patient can play a role, but one is never “too old” to have a PRP injection. When head-to-head studies compare PRP to steroid injections, PRP is declared the “winner” the large majority of the time. Thus, we know that for long-term benefits of many joint and tendon problems, PRP is the better choice.

In conclusion, cortisone/steroid injections are not going away any time soon. They still play a role in helping patients in select situations. However, the world of orthobiologic injections such as PRP will only continue to expand as we strive to find more natural and less-invasive ways to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions.

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Inexperienced Runners Make Leading to Injury

1)     Training for a ½ or full marathon when you’ve never run a 5K or 10K- because of variability of muscle types, bone density, running mechanics and the efficiency of oxygen consumption, not everybody was made to run long-distance races. Some great athletes are hardly capable of running 5 miles. Then, you have those individuals who can run a ½ marathon and barely train to do it. If a novice runner, see what your body is capable of first by training for and completing shorter races before attempting much longer runs.

2)     Pushing through pain to get through a run- there’s fatigue, soreness, the muscle burn and then, there’s pain. Concerning pain includes sharp discomfort, pain that results in limping, constant pain and pain associated with swelling. Pain around a tendon or right over a bone is a warning sign. Don’t ignore the “check engine light” that comes on in your body. Learn to recognize the difference between the types of discomfort and seek medical attention when the concerning form of pain is present.

3)     The wrong footwear- this can be shoes that are too old or the wrong type for your foot and particular gait pattern. It’s time for new shoes when there’s visible wear of the tread, especially in the forefoot area (the third of the foot closest to the toes). Shoes should be updated every 300-500 miles or every 9-12 months, whichever comes first. Also, seek a true “fitting” for your shoes. The right size, width and style (stability, neutral, zero drop, etc.) are important choices, and you should avoid choosing the latest “fad” shoe or the one that has the coolest design simply for the fashion statement. Find a quality running store that can help you with these choices.

4)     Training with a partner of a different skill set- it’s generally best to train with someone of a similar skill set and set of goals. Many runners are competitive (whether they admit it or not!), and will push each other at times even on training runs. While this is not all bad, someone training for their first ½ marathon will likely struggle to keep up with someone that has run numerous long-distance races. What’s the net result? The inexperienced runner tries to keep up with the experienced runner in terms of speed, distance and mindset. This is a recipe for injury. If wanting to train with a partner, try to find one that is willing to follow a similar schedule and runs a similar pace.

5)     Making up for lost time- sometimes a training schedule gets derailed. An illness, an injury or a life event knocks a runner off his/her training schedule for a couple of weeks. Race day is nearing, and thus, the runner tries to advance the training schedule by increasing the number of running days each week or jumping ahead and doing more miles or longer runs than what he/she should be doing. Example: it’s late in the training schedule for a ½ marathon, and the longest run you’ve done is 7 miles. You missed 2 weeks of training because of a sinus infection. You jump ahead on the schedule and do 10 miles on a Saturday. Now, your shin is throbbing. Shin splint or stress fracture? Either way, you’re done! No race for you. No running for weeks to months. What should you have done instead? Resumed your training schedule where you left off before the illness. Then, if not ready for this race, postpone and run another one. There are ½ marathons within a region almost every weekend, especially from the late winter until the late spring. Or, you could have still run the race, but adjusted your goals. Maybe you change your mindset to just finishing the race, even it meant walking part of race. The bottom line: skipping steps in your training often results in an increased risk of injury.

At Impact Sports Medicine, we would rather help you prevent an injury, but when one does occur, we are ready to help! Enjoy your running!

The Guide to Regenerative Injections

Dr. Holmes’ Guide to Regenerative Injections

Regenerative injections are those specifically utilized to promote healing of damaged tissue, reduce or eliminate unhealthy inflammation and slow or halt the progression of soft tissue and joint deterioration. We now use them regularly for tendon problems including tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, the rotator cuff, the high hamstring, patellar and Achilles tendons. We also have seen great success in treating osteoarthritis of the knees, shoulders, hips, thumb and great toe joints. Plantar fasciitis, ligament and muscle tears are great candidates for regenerative injections as well. 

·      Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

o   Blood obtained from an arm vein is centrifuged for 15-20 minutes, isolating the platelet-rich plasma

o   Platelets are very rich in our natural growth factors (healing agents), and are concentrated 6-10 times their natural concentration

o   Under ultrasound-guidance, the PRP is injected into the damaged tendon, ligament, fascia, joint or muscle

o   Great option for tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, small rotator cuff tears, small patellar tendon tears, high hamstring tendon tears, Achilles tendon tears, plantar fasciitis, etc.

o   Widely-used also for osteoarthritis of numerous joints

o   PROS: very natural and safe (your blood); used in orthopedics for ~10 years, Dr. Holmes has used for 7 years; numerous medical studies confirm significant benefit; 2-3 areas can be injected at one time; long-term benefit for most patients

o   CONS: these work gradually, over weeks to months; increased pain after the procedure for 2 days to 2 weeks; immobilization required with a splint or boot for some injections

o   UNKNOWNS: length of benefit (can be months to years); number and frequency of required injections. 1-2 injections initially for most soft tissue problems; 2-3 initially for arthritis/joint problems

·      Amniotic Membrane Allograft Injections (brand- AmnioFix)

o   Utilize one of the placental membranes (these cover the fetus during pregnancy) to form a product containing numerous types of growth factors

o   Intended to reduce inflammation, reduce scar tissue formation and enhance healing

o   The membrane undergoes a rigorous purification and sterilization process, and is stored as a dehydrated powder; sterile saline is added to become an injectable solution

o   Great option for plantar fasciitis (#1 use), tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, small rotator cuff tears, small patellar tendon tears, high hamstring tendon tears and small Achilles tendon partial tears

o   PROS: very safe, with no significant reportable adverse effects; Dr. Holmes has used for 5 years; no rejection, despite not being one’s own tissue; no blood draw required; typically less post-procedure pain than PRP

o   CONS: probably not as effective for joint pain/arthritis; otherwise, same cons as PRP

·      Amniotic Fluid Injections (brand- Catalyst PDA-HAF)

o   Very similar to amniotic membrane injections, but often stored in a frozen form and thawed immediately before injection

o   Contain over 200 different growth factors

o   Great option for soft tissue as well as joint problems such as osteoarthritis

o   PROS: theoretically, a more powerful amniotic product than a dehydrated membrane

o   CONS: more expensive than the dehydrated membrane product

·      Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Injections

o   A natural substance found in our bloodstream

o   Blood drawn from the patient, centrifuged, manually separated and then placed in a separation pump to further isolate and concentrate the A2M

o   45-minute procedure done in one office visit

o   Functions as a “protease inhibitor,” binding the inflammatory proteins that cause the degradation of cartilage in the joint

o   Utilized to reduce pain, inflammation, halt the progression of osteoarthritis and provide “longevity” to the joint

o   PROS: very safe and natural substance; presumed long-term benefit, less post-procedure discomfort than other injections; two to three injection sites can often be chosen with one procedure

o   CONS: newest type of regenerative injection; very few medical studies proving effectiveness thus far, but studies are underway; frequency of injections not known at this point (likely every 6-24 months)

With any of these injections, all forms of ORAL and TOPICAL anti-inflammatories must be stopped for 1 week before and 2 weeks after, as to not interrupt the initial healing cascade initiated by the injections. This includes:

·      Advil/Motrin/ibuprofen

·      Aleve/naproxen

·      Aspirin- any doses above 81 mg

·      Mobic/meloxicam, Celebrex/celecoxib, Voltaren/diclofenac

·      Fish oils/Omega-3 fatty acids

·      Turmeric

·      Oral green tea

·      Glucosamine/chondroitin

·      Arnica

COST: Regenerative injections are rarely ever covered by insurance. Although we closely monitor their coverage status, in the current climate of healthcare and insurance companies reducing their coverage of even typical treatment measures, we do not expect these injections to be covered in the near future.

With rising deductibles, many patients pay out-of-pocket for traditional treatment measures as well. Thus, a regenerative injection may ultimately be a similar out-of-pocket cost to traditional treatments but more clinically effective and cost-effective over the long-term.

A patient should view these injections as an investment into the long-term health of their tendons, fascia, ligaments and joints.

We are here to serve you! 

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.