Monday, June 18, 2018

The Causes and Symptoms of Osteoporosis


A longtime New York orthopedist, Dr. Stuart Remer provides knowledgeable care for a wide range of joint issues. Patient focused, Dr. Stuart Remer takes time to discuss the ways in which joint diseases can emerge and cause serious mobility issues. One basic question many people have is how to detect osteoporosis, which is known as a silent disease for the way it can progress over the long term without any symptoms. 

Osteoporosis involves the bones becoming less dense, which increases the chances of fracture. Risk factors include lack of physical activity and low calcium intake, as well as a small frame or thinness. Those with an elevated chance of developing the disease also include postmenopausal women, particularly those experiencing an early menopause. 

Those who meet risk factor criteria may wish to schedule a quick, painless bone mineral density test. This helps identify low bone density issues before they become major health issues. The impact of the disease can be lessened through a healthy lifestyle that includes abundant vitamin D and calcium intake, as well as weight-bearing exercise.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Spinal Stenosis - Impacting the Lower Back or Neck


Dr. Stuart Remer is a well established New York orthopaedist who maintains American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons membership and offers advanced surgical care for joint conditions. Dr. Stuart Remer’s experience includes a fellowship in spinal surgery completed at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases. 

One serious spine canal condition that progresses with age is stenosis, or a narrowing of the bone channel that houses the spinal cord. Creating symptoms similar to nerve compression, lumbar stenosis often involves a radiating weakness and pain, as well as numbness. 

As with vascular insufficiency, lumbar stenosis can result in leg pain associated with walking and this pain can often be reduced by sitting. In cases where vascular studies indicate a normal blood flow, further diagnosis is undertaken to identify whether spinal stenosis is at issue. 

With lumbar stenosis centered in the lower back, another form of the condition is cervical spinal stenosis, which occurs in the vertebrae of the neck. Associated with extreme weakness and serious issues such as paralysis, cervical stenosis may require invasive treatment, including surgery.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Elevated Cardiomyopathy Risks among Those with Diabetes


Active with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Stuart Remer has experience in treating New York patients for a full range of joint and spine conditions. Extensively trained, Dr. Stuart Remer completed a prestigious fellowship program at the Jackson Laboratory in Maine and undertook published research on topics such as diabetes, cardiology, and the development of cardiomyopathy.

With cardiomyopathy a general term for any heart muscle problem, the diabetic form is associated with the long-term changes to the body and heart exerted by diabetes. With their condition unmanaged, those living with diabetes experience elevated blood sugar levels, which damages both the nerves and blood vessels. In addition, obesity is associated with added strain placed on the heart. 

With diabetes tied to elevated heart failure risks beyond hypertension and coronary artery disease alone, it makes sense for those with diabetes to be on the lookout for subtle functional changes. These include changes in myocardial geometry, such as increased mass in the left ventricular wall. In addition, elevated myocardial lipotoxicity may be present. This involves myocardial fatty acid oxidation and uptake, and causes cell death.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Scoliosis - Symptoms and Treatments


New York-based physician Dr. Stuart Remer possesses more than two decades of experience as an orthopaedic surgeon. Over the course of his career, Dr. Stuart Remer has focused much of his work and research on the surgical management of scoliosis

Characterized by an abnormal curve of the spine, scoliosis is a condition that can lead to uneven shoulders, an uneven waist, and one hip that sits higher than the other. Although scoliosis doesn’t always cause discomfort, the disorder is sometimes associated with pain in the back, neck, ribs, or abdomen. In more severe cases, scoliosis can interfere with heart and lung function. 

Treatment for scoliosis depends on its type and the age of the patient. For younger patients with moderate spinal curvature, a brace may be used to keep the condition from worsening until the spine and other bones stop growing. 

Those with neuromuscular scoliosis, however, will most likely require surgical intervention. Connecting two or more vertebrae through a procedure known as spinal fusion is the most common surgical intervention for scoliosis. A surgeon may use a metal rod or devices such as screws, hooks, and wires to ensure that the spine remains straight while the bones heal and fuse together.