NORTHERN BERKSHIRE ORTHOPEDICS


Les Jorgensen's hip pain made it difficult for him to walk from his living room to his kitchen; never mind enjoy the activities he loves. After a hip replacement with Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, MD, of SVMC Orthopedics, he walks 18-holes of golf three times a week, pain free.

Celia Bahny and her family are very active. Unfortunately, Celia suffered a broken arm (in the same spot twice!) which slowed her down for a spell. Today, she is fully recovered with help from Dr. Matthew Nofziger of SVMC Orthopedics. In this video, Celia and her mother, Holly, discuss her care with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and how we helped get her back to their active lifestyle.

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Avid hiker and guide Keld Alstrup relied on Dr. Matthew Nofziger and the expert team at SVMC Orthopedics to relieve his knee pain and restore his active lifestyle. Now he's back to "peak performance."

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Deborah Slaner Larkin talks about the care she received from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and Dr. Suk Namkoong.

Restoring Active Lifestyles

Don’t let pain or injury keep you on the sidelines of your own life.

If pain or injury is holding you back from living the life you want, SVMC Orthopedics would like to help. The team of board-certified providers is here to provide the individualized treatment and compassionate care you need to get back to leading the life you love.

 

AircastLogo      DH Logo

 

Southwestern Vermont Health Care has been awarded a grant from The Aircast Foundation to allow our orthopedic patients to participate in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock GreenCare model.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) has initiated a new data-gathering program—the GreenCare model—to increase both health care quality and patient satisfaction while decreasing costs.  The GreenCare model uses data collected from patients to predict outcomes for similar patients in the future. The data collected allows patients and surgeons to understand the impact of their orthopedic disease allowing an individualized treatment plan.  SVMC Orthopedics is the first GreenCare participant among Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s affiliated medical institutions.

If you suffer from severe or chronic hip, knee, or ankle pain, total joint replacement may be the best solution. Your orthopedic surgeon will help you understand your options and how joint replacement surgery can help to not just relieve your pain, but get you back to leading a full and active life.

Whether you need a hip replacement or knee replacement, surgeries are performed at SVMC with a rehabilitation program developed in conjunction with our Sports and Therapy department. We offer both in- patient and out-patient therapy options. Some patients are able to return home from a joint replacement surgery on the same day. For patients requiring additional recovery time, the Centers for Living & Rehabilitation (CLR) located on our campus can provide additional extra nursing care and therapy before returning home to fully independent care.

Because getting back to living is the ultimate goal of spinal surgery, the reduced recovery time required by minimally invasive surgery makes it an ideal option for many. 

At SVMC, you’ll be treated by a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon extensively trained in performing minimally invasive spine procedures and creating customized treatment plans. In some cases, you’ll be up and about in a few hours and back to work in a matter of days or weeks, not months.

While the causes of foot pain can range from trauma and arthritis to diabetes-related issues and injuries, the SVMC team has a single focus: literally getting you back on your feet.

Our experienced team offers comprehensive care of foot and ankle disorders through both surgical and non-surgical means for patients of all ages. Using biomechanical analysis, imaging, and other diagnostic procedures, we’ll isolate the cause of your pain and determine the treatment option that delivers the most effective and quickest path to recovery.

Injuries to the rotator cuff are not only painful, they can be life limiting. When possible, the fellowship-trained surgeons at SVMC will attempt to treat your injury through non-surgical means, which may include physical therapy, medication, or injections. If those efforts are unsuccessful, your physician may recommend surgery here at SVMC. Utilizing the latest in arthroscopic technology, your repair can be made with only a slight incision, reducing your recovery time and chance of infection.  For more complicated injuries, a more involved surgery or even joint replacement may be necessary.

Regardless of your procedure, your care will continue post-surgery with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan developed in conjunction with our Physical Therapy department.

In addition to being delicate and complex, your hands and wrists are essential to your daily life. At SVMC, we appreciate that an injury or problem can limit your ability to work, play, and generally enjoy life. From fractures and arthritis to deformities and carpal tunnel syndrome, our providers can care for you. They can create a custom treatment plan using the most advanced surgical techniques, devices, and rehabilitation programs to help you maximize function and minimize pain for the best results possible.

The average person experiences two bone fractures in their lifetime. But as common as they are, every fracture is unique. From complex and stress to oblique and greenstick, at SVMC we diagnose and treat fractures with the specific cause and needs of the patient in mind. On-site imaging technology allows us to quickly assess your need and move quickly to begin the mending process. Depending upon the nature and cause of your injury, we may develop a continuing care plan to reduce or eliminate the chance of future injury.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, our board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine specialists can help relieve your pain and get you back in the game or back to your everyday routine.

Our first approach is always conservative, meaning you won’t endure unnecessary treatments or care for your injury. We use the latest techniques and methods to resolve your issue in a manner that’s appropriate for you and your lifestyle.

If your injury does require surgery, it can be performed here, close to home where you can rest and recover in comfort. As part of your care, we’ll develop a personalized recovery plan utilizing the talents and facilities of our on-site Physical Therapy department. Together, we’ll help you recover faster, improve your strength and performance, and reduce the potential for future re-injury.

SVMC Physical Therapy

SVMC Occupational Therapy

Arthritis Today www.arthritistoday.org

National Osteoporosis Foundation nof.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons orthoinfo.aaos.org

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine www.amssm.org

RELATED ARTICLES

Game On: Tips for Preventing Youth Sport Injuries
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Game On: Tips for Preventing Youth Sport Injuries

According to the National Council of Youth Sports, roughly 60 million children are registered to play youth sports in the U.S. Of them, an estimated  3.5 million, aged 14 and younger, get hurt annually participating sports and more than 775,000 go to the emergency rooms due to those injuries.

But before you reconsider signing your child up for whatever sport season is next, consider this:

50% of youth sports injuries are preventable.

Injury Insight

62% of organized sports-related injuries occur during practice rather than games.

 

 To keep your athlete safe, follow these injury prevention tips:

  1. Get Regular Health Check-ups
    Regular check-ups—especially pre-season—are essential to monitoring overall health and spotting and address any potential concerns that might contribute to an injury.

  2. Use Appropriate Equipment
    Properly fitted, sport-specific protective gear such as helmets, pads, and shoes are must-haves for every athlete. Don’t use equipment it if it has missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding as it likely won’t fit well and  may not offer proper protection.

  3. Warm-up Before Playing
    Stretching before exercise has proven to be even more important for preventing injury. Stretching helps loosen muscles and readies them for play. Athletes should stretch each of the major lower body muscle groups before and after sporting activity. Click here for a series of stretches from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

  4. Practice Proper Training and Technique
    Using proper form and technique can significantly reduce the risk of both acute and overuse injuries for every sport. Make sure your child has qualified and age-appropriate instruction no matter their sport.

  5. Stress the Importance of Hydration and Nutrition
    Keeping a body properly hydrated and well-fueled through diet and nutrition is essential to both performance and recovery. Encourage athletes to drink water throughout the day, not just at games or practice. For intense workouts or games, provide electrolyte-rich drinks.

Discourage eating sugary snacks, fast food, and sugary beverages that can lead to energy crashes.  Strive for a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. For ideas on what to eat on competition days, click here

  1. Emphasize Rest and Recovery
    As passionate as your young athlete might be about their chosen sport, it’s important to encourage adequate rest between practices and games.

  2. Play the Field

Many kids like to play sports year-round, which makes overuse a common cause of injury. Doing the same motions year-round puts wear and tear on developing muscles, tendons, and bones. Playing a variety of sports works to develop different fundamental skills. In fact, studies of college-level and Olympic athletes found that the majority of them played multiple sports growing up and did not specialize early.

 

Youth Sports and Consequences

According to the National Health Statistics Reports, these are the activities responsible for the most emergency room visits for sports injuries among patients aged 5-29.

AGES 5-9

Playground                              23.1%

Cycling                                    13.8%

Gymnastics/Cheerleading        9.3%

Running or Jogging                  8.4%

AGES 10-14

Football            19.9%

Basketball        13.0%

Cycling             10.1%

Soccer              7.4%

AGES 15-19

Basketball        16.6%

Football           16.2%

Soccer              9.3%

Cycling             7.3%

 

Even with best practices and an abundance of caution, injuries can still happen. If your child is experiencing consistent pain during or after sports or swelling around a joint that doesn’t respond to rest or ice, reach out to their doctor for an appointment. Playing through with an injury can lead to more damage and longer recovery time. 


Jennifer LaChance, PA-C, is an orthopedic associate at SVMC Orthopedics in Bennington, VT and Northern Berkshire Orthopedics in Williamstown, MA.

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375 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267
Phone: (413) 458-4452
Fax: (413) 398-1015

Hours:
Monday – Friday:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Directions: 
For directions to SVMC Orthopedics, click here.

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