Men vs. Women and Musculoskeletal health:

Men vs. Women and Musculoskeletal health: differences between males and femalse extend to their bone and joint conditions.

Women in general have a higher incidence of osteoporosis-related hip fractures yet, they have a lower rate of mortality than men with the same fracture, according to a study in the June 2015 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS). In addition, doctors don’t always recognize or treat osteoporosis in men as often as inwomen.

“Male and Female Differences Matter in Musculoskeletal Disease” details the differences between how common musculoskeletal disorders manifest themselves in males versus females. The paper also underscores how important it is, for healthcare professionals to understand those differences and recognize how multiple factors can contribute to musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

There are differences between how males and females develop several common musculoskeletal disorders:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are 2-8 times more common in females.
Females are 5-8 times more likely than males to suffer an ACL injury in high-intensity sports like soccer and basketball that require sudden changes of motion.
Ankle sprains are twice as common in females.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is more common in females.
Metacarpal and phalangeal (finger) fractures are more common in males.

Recognition of these differences can contribute to better care of individual patients, and to a higher index of suspicion for injury for certain diagnoses such as ACL tears.

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Listen to the Sports Medicine Radio interview - "Dox n Jox" with Dr. Dan and Dr. Haber of TOCA!

Way to Go Dr. Joseph Haber - Orthopedic Surgeon of the Hand and Wrist at TOCA! Listen to the Sports Medicine Radio interview - "Dox n Jox" with Dr. Dan and Dr. Haber of TOCA! Click the button below to listen!

You can also learn more and listen by visiting http://www.doxnjox.com/ orhttp://www.doxnjox.com/individual-guests.html.

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602-277-6211

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Congratulations to Dr. Harmsen!

Congratulations to Dr. Harmsen who has had two papers accepted for podium presentation at the 2016 AAOS annual meeting in Orlando Florida!


RECOVERY.RESULTS.RELIEF.

602-277-6211

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Thursday Midday with Dr. Jon Zoltan: Diagnostic Ultrasound for Musculoskeletal Problems

Diagnostic Ultrasound for Musculoskeletal Problems

Everyone knows ultrasound is an imaging procedure that evaluates a mother’s fetus prior to birth. It is safe and valuable in evaluating the growing baby while still in the mother’s womb. 

Did you know this imaging technique has many other uses in medicine? With regard to bone, tendon, muscle, nerve and ligament problems, these structures can be identified and evaluated in the office at your first visit. Your doctor can accurately diagnose your condition without the need of exposing you to radiation. The procedure is painless and you do not have to make an additional appointment at another facility.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose:

• tendon tears, or tendinitis of the rotator cuff in the shoulder, Achilles tendon in the ankle and other tendons throughout the body.
• muscle tears, masses or fluid collections.
• ligament sprains or tears.
• inflammation or fluid (effusions) within the bursae and joints.
• early changes of rheumatoid arthritis.
• nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
• benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.
• ganglion cysts.
• hernias.
• foreign bodies in the soft tissues (such as splinters or glass)
• dislocations of the hip in infants.
• fluid in a painful hip joint in children.
• neck muscle abnormalities in infants with torticollis (neck twisting).
• soft tissue masses (lumps/bumps) in children.

How does the procedure work?

Ultrasound imaging is based on the same principles involved in the sonar used by bats, ships and fishermen. When a sound wave strikes an object, it bounces back, or echoes. By measuring these echo waves, it is possible to determine how far away the object is as well as the object's size, shape and consistency (whether the object is solid or filled with fluid).

In medicine, ultrasound is used to detect changes in appearance, size or contour of organs, tissues, and vessels or detect abnormal masses, such as tumors.

In an ultrasound examination, a transducer both sends the sound waves and receives the echoing waves. When the transducer is pressed against the skin, it directs small pulses of inaudible, high-frequency sound waves into the body. As the sound waves bounce off internal organs, fluids and tissues, the sensitive microphone in the transducer records tiny changes in the sound's pitch and direction. These signature waves are instantly measured and displayed by a computer, which in turn creates a real-time picture on the monitor. One or more frames of the moving pictures are typically captured as still images. Small loops of the moving real-time images may also be saved.

This diagnostic imaging is available at TOCA. Ask your TOCA physician if this procedure is right for you.

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TOCA Welcomes Dr. Harmsen to TOCA, October 2015!

Photos: Dr. Harmsen in Annecy, France during his visit with Dr. Lafosse

TOCA Welcomes Dr. Harmsen to TOCA, October 2015!

Dr. Samuel Harmsen is thrilled to be joining the outstanding physicians at The Orthopedic Clinic Association. He is fellowship trained in shoulder and elbow surgery with advanced training in complex shoulder and elbow reconstruction. Dr. Harmsen specializes in the treatment of all shoulder and elbow conditions including sports related, reconstructive, and traumatic injury. He performs arthroscopic and open surgical techniques and is uniquely skilled with reverse shoulder replacement and revision shoulder surgery. He also treats general orthopaedic trauma of the upper and lower extremities.

Dr. Harmsen was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended the University of Utah majoring in Japanese and Asian Studies, interrupting his studies to serve a two-year mission for his church in Japan. Prior to medical school he enjoyed several years of ski instructing at one of his favorite ski resorts, Deer Valley, UT.

Dr. Harmsen received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine, where he met his wife, Jill, now a practicing OBGYN in the central Phoenix area. He completed his orthopaedic residency training at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and Mayo Clinic here in Phoenix.

Dr. Harmsen has had the opportunity to train under some of the world’s most renowned leaders in shoulder and elbow surgery. Following orthopaedic residency, he completed a complex shoulder and elbow fellowship at the San Francisco Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Clinic under Drs. Tom Norris and James Kelly. After fellowship, he extended his training by spending time with Dr. Laurent LaFosse in Annecy, France, and Dr. Pascal Boileau in Nice, France. This specialty training has helped him gain unique skills in advanced shoulder and elbow arthroscopy and reconstruction that are not widely available in Arizona.

Dr. Harmsen is very active in orthopedic research, having published and presented at a number of local, national, and international meetings. His primary area of interest is shoulder surgery, particularly in clinical results with shoulder arthroplasty. Dr. Harmsen plans to establish the Arizona Shoulder and Elbow Institute and, together with TOCA, develop a center of excellence within Arizona for shoulder and elbow research, education, and patient care.

Dr. Harmsen likes to create a professional but relaxed clinical atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and able to ask questions freely. He wants you to leave each visit confident and encouraged. His clinical approach is centered around each patient’s individual concerns and goals. He believes that clear communication, patient education, and patient participation are vital to the success of any treatment, whether operative or non-operative.

Dr. Harmsen is an admitted sports enthusiast and a fan of football, basketball, and soccer. He enjoys traveling, movies, trying new foods, and avoiding rattlesnakes. He continues to enjoy skiing and many other outdoor activities that were a part of growing up in the Wasatch Mountains, including fly-fishing, golf, hiking, and camping. Above all he enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife and family. He and his wife have set out to visit every National Park together and are well on their way to accomplishing this goal.

Dr. Harmsen and his wife are happy to return to the valley to establish his practice and their home. They are very excited to be a part of the TOCA community and he is committed to providing the top quality care that has become accustom here at TOCA.

#RECOVERY.RESULTS.RELIEF.

602-277-6211

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