13 Western Maryland Parkway

Suite 104

Hagerstown, MD  21740

Directions:

From I-81 take exit 6A onto Rt. 40 east toward Hagerstown.  Take 1^st right turn at Western Maryland Parkway.  Medical complex is approximately ½ mile on the right.

From US-40W/National Pike/Dual Highway, go through Hagerstown until you reach Western Maryland Parkway.  Make left at light onto Western Maryland Parkway.  Medical complex is approximately ½ mile on right.

Note: Due to moving, our office will be closed on Friday, June 1, 2012.

As the seasons change there are new chores that face us in our homes and yards, and many different ways we can injure ourselves.   Taking the right precautions to care for our joints will let us be active for longer periods of time.

The fall brings the chore of raking leaves, along with sweeping and cleaning outside.

• Make sure to protect your back by avoiding a lot of repetitious tasks.
• Avoid prolonged bending, trying to lift the leaves by using your legs and not your back.
• Don’t reach the rake too far in front of your body, take shorter strokes so there is less strain on your back and shoulders.
• When bagging up fall brush, avoid filling the bags too full.

Shoveling snow is another really good way to hurt yourself if you are not careful.

• Keep the shovel close to your body and don’t reach too far in front.  This way, you can use the power in your legs to push the weight of the snow, and not strain your back.
• Try not to throw the snow over your shoulder, instead, push it off to the front of you.

Inside, we start projects like housecleaning and cleaning out closets.

• Try to avoid prolonged periods of keeping your arms overhead.  This will take stress off of your shoulders.
• Do different tasks through the day so your muscles can get a break.

If you do feel a muscle or joint pain, rest the area and apply ice for 10-15 minutes.   Also, try to keep up your normal exercise routine even when other chores seem to take precedence.

The hall at the Elks was beautifully decorated in the Center for Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine colors, blue, silver, and white. Potted flower arrangements centered the tables, and mints in colored cellophane peppered the tables. Patients began arriving an hour early, and were lined up around the building. We had a full house, with approximately 550 patients and staff! Volunteers were recognized for their hard work with the joint patients, and first-time joint replacement patients were recognized with a pin.

Special thanks must go to the volunteers at the hospital, for their hard work in helping orientate the patients with the Joint Program. Their time spent is invaluable to the program, and is greatly appreciated. If you have had a joint replacement, and would like to become part of the volunteer team, please contact us!

Special thanks must also go to the staff and volunteers of the Elks Lodge, who worked tirelessly to provide us with a delicious meal, and a wonderful evening. Their staff works hard to make sure that our event goes off without a hitch. Thanks must also go to the staff of the Center for Joint Surgery for setting up the beautiful decorations each year, and greeting patients.

Last, but not least, we must thank Dr. Ralph Salvagno for hosting this wonderful reunion, and making it possible.

We hope to see everyone next year!   

We will be leaving from New York and traveling to:

• Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
• Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Portland, Maine
• Boston, Massachusetts

If you are interested, please contact: Alex Bohn (Antietam Travel Service, Inc.)

Email: alex@antietamtravel.com —  Phone: (301)662-8080  —  Toll Free: (800) 722-3489

Begin by exercising three times a week for 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular and light strength training.  Allow time for both warm-up and cool-down with exercise, approximately 5-10 minutes.  Light impact activities (i.e. walking, biking) are a good way to exercise without placing additional stress on your joints.  Strengthening of your legs is also important for function and protection from injury.  By increasing muscle strength, you can give support to the joints and allow energy conservation with daily activity. 

It is not uncommon to have muscle soreness after starting an exercise program.   A day of rest between exercise will help to decrease the onset of muscle soreness.  If soreness does occur, ice can be used for 10-15 minutes.  If you suffer a minor injury to a muscle or joint, make sure to rest.  To avoid further injury or inflammation, you should elevate and ice the area 10-15 minutes, several times per day.

-Center for Joint Surgery Physical Therapy Department

Women and Arthritis

Video

Naming Meritus Medical Center

Health Matters Radio Show

Dr. Salvagno has appeared on the following Health Matters radio shows. Below are the air dates and title of discussion. Please click here to be re-directed to the Meritus Medical Center website, where you can listen to these podcasts.

12/21/10 – Knee Replacement Surgery 

7/21/09 – Advancements in Joint Replacement

5/16/06 – Joint Replacement Center

7/13/04 – Joint Replacement