Blog

What’s New in Orthopedics – A Small Amount of Exercise Has Big Effects

July 15, 2020

In a study out of Stanford published in the May issue of Cell, scientists looked at the molecular changes that occur after a short session of exercise. Read more

Dr. Bill Nordt Performs Total Knee Replacement Surgery with Stryker Mako-Robotic Arm

March 26, 2019

Dr. Nordt performs total knee replacement surgery at Parham Doctors’ Hospital using the latest orthopedic technology, the Mako Robotic Arm. Read more

How do you approach diagnosing the patient with a knee or shoulder problem?

September 4, 2018

Often, the most useful aspect of making the correct diagnosis of a knee or shoulder problem is by taking an accurate history as to the nature of the problem, that is to say, ask the right questions.  Most of the time a physician can narrow the problem down to a few possibilities, simply by understanding how the problem came about and have there been any clues in your past medical history. Read more

My Knee Hurts. What Should I Do Next? – Acute or Chronic Knee Pain

August 1, 2018

Use your judgement if you have knee pain, but if in doubt, consult a medical professional or knee specialist. There are 2 general categories of knee pain and problems: acute injury or damage from chronic overuse. Read more

What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

July 2, 2018

Orthopedic surgery is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system—-that is to say, problems with your bones, joints, muscles and the tissues that hold it all together. Read more

What is the Right Knee Brace for You?

March 16, 2018

With thousands of braces on the market—which one is right for you and your knee problem? This answer firstly depends on the diagnosis; the damaged knee structure causing pain or dysfunction for which you are getting the brace.  A diagnosis from your physician is always the best place to start. Read more

Rotator Cuff Disease and Shoulder Pain

September 13, 2017

Shoulder pain is a common complaint we see on a daily basis. Pathology (or disease) is often found in the rotator cuff.   Remember, that the main shoulder joint is a ball (the humoral head) and a socket (the glenoid). The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that attach to the ball and function to help us lift our arms above our head. Therefore, like many of our other tendons, the rotator cuff is prone to getting varying degrees of disease, which in turn causes patients pain. Read more

Exercise and Cartilage: Richmond Vector Training Program

August 2, 2017

The staff at the Virginia Cartilage Center have created a novel exercise program, the object of which is to optimize joint mechanics and reduce stress concentrations by understanding and controlling stress vectors. The program is designed for patients with cartilage damage and osteoarthritis of the knee and incorporates weight-bearing exercises focused on tri-planar control of the foot and hip to promote proper alignment of the knee. Read more

Cartilage and Exercise: An Introduction

July 25, 2017

While traditional exercises can be joint-specific to muscles supporting a knee weakened by osteoarthritis and are the starting point for patients with significant pain in weight-bearing postures, these exercises are marginal in their carryover to resuming functional activities. Read more

Meniscus Tears

July 2, 2017

The meniscus is a shock absorbing structure found on the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) part of the knee. Because they are important for stability and load sharing, they are prone to injury. Meniscus tears can happen in sports or in everyday activities. The medial meniscus is more likely to be torn than the lateral meniscus. Read more

ACL Reconstruction or ACL Repair

May 2, 2017

Today’s preferred surgical method for treating ACL knee injuries is still the reconstruction method using substitute graft tissue. However, an old procedure known as an ACL repair is trying to make a comeback! Read more

Runner’s Knee

April 2, 2017

Runner’s knee, or sometimes called jumper’s knee, is a catch-all phrase that describes pain located around the knee cap. People who participate in activities that place a high demand on the front of the knee are prone to this sort of pain. Read more

Innovations in Minimally Invasive Surgery

February 2, 2017

One of the more important innovations in modern surgical principles is that of minimally invasive approaches. The fact is that surgery, itself, causes trauma. By this we mean some degree of tissue damage is created whenever an incision is made. A skilled surgeon endeavors to minimize any tissue damage during the act of surgery. Read more

How Not to Have Knee Surgery

December 12, 2016

The objective of treating any orthopedic condition is to return the patient to a normal status in the most prudent manner possible. Many factors go into making such a decision, including the nature of the injury, the age and activity level of the patient, the time to recovery, risk of recurrent injury and the expected outcome of treatment. Read more

New Concepts in Recovery Science: Richmond Vector Training Program

December 12, 2016

Dr. Nordt and his research team have created a novel exercise program, the object of which is to optimize joint mechanics and reduce stress concentrations by understanding and controlling stress vectors. The program is designed for patients with cartilage damage and osteoarthritis of the knee and incorporates weight-bearing exercises focused on tri-planar control of the foot and hip to promote proper alignment of the knee. Read more

One of the Most Common Knee Injuries: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

September 15, 2016

Typical knee problems fall into two categories: The first category is traumatic injuries to the knee, or those strains and twists that happen on the athletic field. The second category are those knee problems that result from overuse of the knee —the wear and tear that comes with age and mileage. Read more