Barb's Daily Dose

Knee Replacements

Steve could barely get up the 3 stairs that lead from his driveway to his house. The arthritis in his knee was killing him. He knew that weight loss would help, but he couldn't help but wonder if playing high school and college football hadn't done irreparable damage to his knees. They creaked and groaned like the old man he was becoming.  He knew when the weather was about to change and he tried ice and over the counter Advil to help the swelling. He knew that he needed a knee replacement, but couldn't imagine how he'd manage the recovery.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

How Much Calcium do You have Each Day from Milk, Yogurt, Cheese or Supplements?

This is the question I always ask my patients during their annual exam.  No matter if they're 19, 39 or 59, most answer the same way.  Maybe they have a little milk in their coffee or cereal, some yogurt a few times a week, and maybe some cheese now and then.  Broccoli and spinach are thrown in once in awhile.  It all adds up, but it doesn't make the grade.  

Indigestion and Hip Fractures

If you're like millions of American women over 60, you might have a little indigestion after meals, especially at night. Go to any pharmacy and you can find lots of over the counter and/or prescription medications that aim to relieve the excess acid and decrease heartburn.

Back Pain

I have a friend who called the other day after being diagnosed with a bulging disc in the lower lumbar area of the spine.  He was told to take it easy and take some anti-inflammatory medications for a few days until the swelling subsides. The doctor, who looked at the MRI was reassuring and said that he should recover well in a few months.

Osteoporosis

Check out This Informative New Video Featuring

Nurse Barb and El Camino Hospital

State of the Art Hip and Knee Replacements

The Best State of the Art Care

As I dive into learning more about the incredible innovations and the relentless pursuit of excellence at El Camino Hospital, I'll be bringing you more stories. This last month, my focus was on the Orthopedic Institutes.

Every one of the health care team members that I met were all driven to do whatever it takes for people to get back to their lives.  For the Orthopedic teams at both campuses, it means taking the extra time to help a person prepare for their surgery and/or treatments. It means bringing the latest innovations in minimally invasive techniques surgical techniques with new approaches to treatment. It means people can expect less pain and a faster recovery than ever before.  It means always looking for better, safer and more effective ways to help people live the lives they want and deserve.

Incredible Innovations

To learn more about the incredible innovations at El Camino Hospital's Orthopedic Institutes visit their website.

You can talk to Pam or Debbie one of the Nurse Navigators and learn more about the options that might help you or a loved one get back to the life you want and deserve.

You can also read more about the latest advances in knee replacement surgery, innovations in hip replacement surgery and scoliosis treatment.

This is Not Your Grandmother's Hip Replacement

Tonight, if you tune in to CBS-5 in San Francisco at 7:20 pm, you'll meet 2 incredible people whose lives were changed and who aren't suffering from debilitating pain anymore.  You'll meet Pat who can get in and out of her car, walk around the mall and who hasn't had pain since she had her hip replaced at the Orthopedic Institutes of El Camino Hospital.  You'll also meet Felix who had his hip replaced 24 hours previously and was only needed Tylenol for pain.

Scoliosis

The other day as I was looking up from a chart, I noticed a patient walking into an exam room to have her blood pressure checked.  What I noticed is that her hips seemed to be slightly titled and that one seemed slightly higher than the other.  Since she was my patient, I made a quick mental note to examine her back and posture once she was ready to be seen.  

El Camino Hospital Press Release Featuring Nurse Barb

El Camino Hospital Press Release, August 31, 2011

The Hospital of Silicon Valley

Nurse Barb will be featured via a televised health series, (airing on CBS's KPIX-5) beginning on September 14, 2011.  Some of various health-related topics that will be discussed are: 

• Orthopedics
• Breast cancer
• Heart Disease, and
• Urology.

To learn more about these important health factors - please log into Nurse Barb's Daily Dose.  The first blog in this series to run live will be Friday, September 9th.