Read words of advice and information from Tormenta FC’s Official Orthopedic Provider below! To learn more about Optim Orthopedics, visit their website here.
September 20, 2024
Optim Orthopedics Launches Free 24/7 Online Orthopedic Service, “OptimNOW”, Powered by HURT!
Optim Orthopedics is excited to announce the launch of OptimNOW, an innovative, effective Sept 23th, 2024, web-based service that provides patients with direct access to an orthopedic physician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This free service is powered by the cutting-edge HURT! platform, OptimNOW offers fast, live communication with orthopedic specialists, giving patients guidance and support whenever they need it. This service is free with no hidden paywalls or obligation.
Whether you’re suffering from a sudden injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or simply need expert guidance, OptimNOW puts orthopedic care at your fingertips. With a few clicks, patients can connect with a licensed orthopedic physician for real-time consultations on their condition and recommendations for next steps. This service is designed to help anyone seeking timely orthopedic advice, including those unsure if they should visit an urgent care, emergency room, or schedule an in-person clinic appointment.
Optim Orthopedics teamed up with HURT! to develop a new patient access point to our communities. HURT! was Co-Founded by Dr. Brett Miller in 2020, HURT! has quickly established itself as the leading solution for connecting individuals in need of orthopedic care with local specialists. Available as both a mobile application and a web/desktop platform, HURT! offers a seamless and free experience for users, facilitating real-time interactions with HURT! care navigators around the clock, 365 days a year.
John McCormick, MD of Optim Orthopedics, said:
“OptimNOW is a game-changer in patient care. We are constantly seeking ways to optimize the patient experience and access to provide the most robust service possible to our patients. Utilizing tele-health technology in the orthopedic space means anyone experiencing acute pain or injury can connect with an orthopedic specialist in minutes for guidance through relief paths. A sudden injury to you or a loved one, late at night usually means an ER visit. Which means long waits and expensive bills. With OptimNOW, they have immediate access to an expert who can assess the situation and provide guidance toward the right care option—whether it’s an urgent care visit, a critical ER trip, or schedule a next-day clinic appointment with advice to manage the situation until your visit.”
OptimNOW is ideal for:
- Injury-related emergencies: Anyone who’s had an accident or is suffering from a sudden injury and needs expert guidance quickly.
- Sports Injuries: Sports is prime for accidents and often during times when access to health services is limited. The app helps guide you through the best course to find treatment quickly.
- Persistent orthopedic pain: Individuals dealing with chronic discomfort who want to know what steps they should take next.
- Busy patients: Those who want to avoid the hassle of an office visit for initial assessments or follow-up guidance.
- Off-Hours Access: Life happens whether it’s convenient, or not. This platform provides an avenue to access for those ill-timed events, or the pain/discomfort has reached its boiling point.
OptimNOW’s user-friendly interface allows patients to access care from the comfort of their home or on the go, reducing unnecessary wait times and bringing professional advice within immediate reach.
“We’re committed to expanding the boundaries of orthopedic care to meet patients where they are,” said Mike Butler, CEO of Optim Orthopedics. “Time sensitive patient care is our priority. OptimNOW makes it easier than ever for people to get expert guidance and make informed decisions about their health in real time, any time.”
For more information about OptimNOW or to try the service, visit //www.optimorthopedics.com/optim-now-hurt or download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store on Android devices.
About Optim Orthopedics
Optim Orthopedics is a leading provider of orthopedic care across Southeast Georgia, offering expert treatments in sports medicine, joint care, and injury recovery. Committed to improving access to care, Optim Orthopedics leverages cutting-edge technology to help patients lead active, pain-free lives with treatment options suited to the patients’ goals.
Start with a Check-Up:
Before hitting the field, schedule a pre-season check-up with your child’s healthcare provider. This is an excellent opportunity to address any underlying health concerns that could be cause for concern this season. Take the time to discuss injury prevention strategies and ensure that your child is physically ready for the rigors of soccer.
Stay In Shape & Stretch:
There’s no worse start to a season that an injury that takes you out of the first game, or the whole season. It’s not uncommon for many injuries to occur during the first few weeks where your muscles lungs aren’t used to the elevated activities. It takes time for your tendons and muscles to be conditioned for strenuous practice. Before the season it’s important for kids to start eating right, being more active, and regularly stretching to make sure those muscles and joints are limber.
Outside of practice, it’s important to keep up efforts to increase cardio. While you’ll get a lot of conditioning during practice, it’s the steps we take outside of practice that take us the distance. Weekends are great to take time for some jogging to clear our heads and keep our bodies up to the task for the upcoming practices and games.
For practice and games, try to put a warmup and cool down routine in place. Jog for 10 minutes before and after practice at your own pace. This will get the blood flowing and remind your body that it’s about to be in heavy use. It’s similar when we’re done with practice. High levels of strain can wear on our bodies, especially when stopping abruptly. It’s best to gradually bring out bodies down from a high level of exertion before rest and recuperation begins. If you think of your practice as a car driving down the highway. A cooldown is like gradually hitting the breaks to a calm stop instead of an abrupt halt.
This helps our heart return gradually to a normal rate and help remove lactic acid build-up in your muscles. While it’s in medical debate on whether build-up of lactic acid inhibits recovery, it’s still good practice to ease your body down from strenuous activity.
Stretch and stretch some more. Getting your tendons and muscles ready for strenuous activity is key for avoiding avoidable injury. Quad, hamstring, hip flexor, calf, groin & inner thigh, hip & lower back, and heel stretches are integral.
The most important thing: don’t cheat yourself out of a good stretch. Take the 20-30 seconds for each position to ensure you’re getting the most flexibility and resilience out of your soft tissues.
Nutrition & Hydration:
It’s no shocker that a healthy diet keeps the kids stronger and growing. It’s never more important than when pushing your body beyond regular limits in sports. Eating a well-balanced diet of protein, fiber, and vitamins allows growing kids to recover faster after those strenuous practices, mitigating the chances to injury.
Hydration is always extremely important. Especially down here in the damp heat of the South. High humidity causes kids to sweat and expel water more than other parts of the US. Lack of hydration causes muscle cramps and fatigue. When you’re tired and your muscles are weak during physical activity, you’re at risk for muscle tears, fractures, ankle injuries resulting from lack of focus and muscle stability.
Listen to Your Body:
Encourage your child to listen to their body and speak up if they experience any pain or discomfort. Ignoring warning signs can lead to more serious injuries down the road. Teach them the importance of communicating with their coach and seeking medical attention if needed. The coaches will monitor environmental concerns , such as excessive heat and humidity, but we have to pay attention to our individual bodily capabilities. In competitive soccer, it is very admirable to push your body to its extremes, within reasonable safe limits. On a hot day, the last thing you want is to suffer heat stroke or an injury from fatigue. Stay hydrated, stretch, and eat well to make sure your body is up to the task to meet your goals on the pitch. Those are some of the measures you and your child can take to be as fit for the season as possible with more time on the field. Here at Optim Orthopedics, we want you and your family to stay healthy and out of the Dr’s office, or worse, the OR. Above all, we hope you all have a great season!
As parents, we want to see our children thrive in their chosen sports, enjoying the camaraderie, discipline, and joy that come with athletic pursuits. However, with the excitement of sports also comes the inevitable risk of injuries. Understanding the difference between acute pain and overuse pain is crucial in ensuring that our young athletes stay healthy and perform at their best. As an orthopedic surgeon, I’m here to help you identify these types of pain and provide guidance on how to address them effectively.
What is Acute Pain?
Acute pain is the body’s immediate response to a specific injury or trauma. It’s sharp, sudden, and typically linked to a specific event, such as a fall, collision, or sudden twist. Common injuries are sprained ankles, fractures or dislocation.
Characteristics of Acute Pain:
Acute pain usually begins right a er the injury occurs. For example, a sprained ankle or a broken bone causes immediate and often intense pain. If the pain is sharp & severe (stabbing or throbbing pain), or there are visible signs, such as swelling, bruising, or deformity, it is likely due to a single event or accident.
Recognizing Acute Pain:
Immediate Response: If your child experiences sudden, severe pain during an activity, stop them immediately. Look for signs of swelling, bruising, or deformity.
Seek Medical Attention: Acute injuries often require prompt medical evaluation. Contact your healthcare provider or visit an urgent care or emergency room.
What is Overuse Pain?
Overuse pain, on the other hand, develops gradually over time due to repetitive stress on a particular part of the body. It’s a result of chronic overloading, often seen in sports that require repetitive motions. These types of injuries are gradual as they start slowly and worsen over continued activity. They tend to start as dull and achy, or persistent soreness and increase over time. If your child has not experience a specific event contributing to their pain, monitor their condition, ensure they rest and if there is no improvement, seek medical attention from your orthopedic provider.
Examples of Overuse Injuries:
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often seen in the shoulders, elbows, and knees.
- Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force, commonly in the lower legs and feet.
- Shin Splints: Pain along the shin bone, often due to excessive running or jumping.
Preventing Injuries:
- Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Ensure your child always warms up before and cools down after sport activities to prepare and relax the muscles.
- Balanced Training: Encourage cross-training to avoid overloading specific muscle groups.
- Listen to Their Bodies: Teach your child to listen to their body’s signals. Pain is warning sign; ignoring it can lead to more severe injuries.
In the world of youth sports, understanding the difference between acute pain and overuse pain is vital for parents and young athletes alike. Acute pain is immediate and intense, often requiring swift medical intervention, while overuse pain develops gradually and necessitates rest and recovery. By recognizing these types of pain and taking appropriate actions, we can help our young athletes stay healthy, enjoy their sports, and avoid long-term injuries. Let’s prioritize their well-being and ensure that their journey in sports is both rewarding and safe.
