LIST with a Leader ������� �������� ����������������
��������������� ����������
This week’s edition of Our Health takes a look at some seasonal health issues that readers might face in the coming months as holiday shopping kicks into gear.
������������
Flu season info 1B · Ways to jump start Fall fitness 2B • Keeping off extra Holiday weight 3B
�������������������������
Saturday, Novembr 8, 2014 • Page 1B
Holiday, influenza season go hand-in-hand By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com
Antoine
1 2 � �
43rd
8 �
ps
ad
Yale
9 7 � �
20th 18th
12 �
te
20 �
10
610
11 �
11th
45 26 �
22 �
28 �
2. Kroger Pharmacy 1352 W 43rd St 713-681-0821
7. Walgreens 200 W 20th St. 713-861-2161
3. CVS/pharmacy 4150 N. Shepherd Drive, 713-884-4040
8. Walgreens 3403 Mangum Rd. 713-683-8125
12. U.S. HealthWorks 9200 Hempstead Highway, Suite 137 713-880-9800 13. Randalls Pharmacy 5346 W 34th 713-684-0527 14. CVS/pharmacy 4314 North Highway 713-695-4845
4. CVS/pharmacy 1525 North Loop West 713-868-7456
9. CVS/pharmacy 110 West 20th St. 832-673-7131
16. Walmart Supercenter 4412 North Fwy.
5. Walmart Supercenter 111 Yale St 713-860-0707
11. Kroger Pharmacy 1035 N Shepherd 713-880-4661
17. CVS/pharmacy 5212 Antoine Drive 713-682-2533
20. Concentra Urgent Care 1000 N Post Oak Rd. Bldg. G #100 713-686-4868
When Rick Nixon, M.D., started practicing orthopedic surgery 23 years ago, his total knee replacement patients underwent the traditional procedure – an 8- to 12-inch incision made along the front of the leg and a cut into the quadriceps tendon to turn the kneecap over and expose the damaged joint. Today, Dr. Nixon, who is affiliated with the Memorial Hermann Joint Center at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, uses a newer quadriceps-sparing knee replacement procedure that allows for faster rehabilitation and recovery. Rebecca Wallett, one of many beneficiaries of his expertise, was 51 when Dr. Nixon replaced the joint in her left knee. “I had bad arthritis and my knees kept getting worse over a couple of years,” Wallett said. “Eventually I was bone to bone in both knees and in constant pain. We tried conservative treatment – I’d been getting steroid shots for several years. Finally, I’d had enough.” Dr. Nixon replaced her left knee using a minimally invasive technique that involves a small incision on the side of the knee. “The quad-sparing approach involves less trauma to tissue, which means less pain and a faster recovery for the patient,” he said. “Rehabilitation is quicker than the traditional surgery, and cosmetically the incision is more appealing. The procedure itself is more time-con-
����������������� ������������������ ��������������������� ����������������� ����������������������������
�����������������
22. CVS/pharmacy 5401 Washington Avenue 713-861-3883 26. Kroger Pharmacy 1440 Studemont St, 832-708-2287
������������������������������ ��������������������� ��������� ����������������� �������������������������
28. Target - Houston 2580 Shearn St 713-331-0377
Fixing joint pain for good at Memorial Hermann For The Leader Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital
��������������������������� ����������������� ������������ �����������������������������
�����������������������������
The following locations all provide flu vaccines: 6. Walgreens 1770 W T C Jester Blvd, 713-864-5196
����������������������������
������ Washington
1. Walgreens 1215 W 43rd St. 713-956-1827
���������������������������� ������������ ������������������������������ ����������������� ������������ ������������������������
n
Ella Blvd
m
6 �
2.85
Heights
Antoine
4 �
34th
He
�����������
Crosstimbers Shepherd
290
14 16 � �
5 �
Mai
13 �
3 �
r ste Je
See Flu, P. 2B
���������
Pinemont
TC
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, consumers will not only be trading cash, gifts and treats in the coming months but also their germs and, potentially, the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and data collected from a 32-year period, the peak month of flu activity is usually February, followed by December, January and March. However, seasonal flu activity can begin in October and can extend as late as May. While people can take proper steps with hygiene, like washing their hands and coughing into their elbows, the most effective thing people can do is to get vaccinated, Dr. Rodrigo Najera of Memorial Hermann Northwest said. “Every year we have a lot of influenza cases and some can get really complicated,” Najera said. “We expect a lot of cases this time of the year and we recommend patients get immunized as soon as possible to prepare for the upcoming season.” According to the CDC, seven influenza vaccine manufacturers project as many as 151 million to 156 million doses of influenza vaccines will be available nationwide during the 2014-15 flu season. The CDC recommends the use of the nasal spray vaccine for children 2 through 8 years of age who have “no underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.” If the nasal spray vaccine is unavailable, children should still get the flu shot.
Tidwell
17 �
���������� ������
����������������
�������������� ���������������� ��������������������
that’s beneficial to recov������������������ ery. ������������ “When I first started ������������������������������������ practicing, we were hesitant to do total knee replacements on people in their 40s and 50s,” he �������� adds. “Now that we have implants that will last 25 to 30 years, younger patients are more apt to go forward with the surgery knowing that the chance of needing a new replacement later is less.” �������������� Modern joint replace�������������������� ments are made of very ��������������������� high-density polyethylene ����������������� plastic; an alloy of five dif������������� ferent metals makes up the metal components. They provide superior hardness ��������������� and wear resistance. While metal on polyethylene will show wear over time, it has the longest-term data available for joint replacement. Today, Wallett is pain �������������������������� �������������������� free. “Dr. Nixon is an excel��������������������� lent surgeon and my expeContributed Photo ����������������� rience at the hospital was Dr. Rick Nixon has spent over 23 years practicing orthopedic surgery and currently works with the ������������������� Memorial Hermann Joint Center at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital. The hospital has twice been great,” she said. “I couldn’t ������������������ ask for better care. His ofrecognized with The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for knee replacement and hip replace������������ ment surgery, and doctors like Nixon are utilizing advanced tools to help foster faster rehabilitation fice staff makes you feel and recovery. at ease before the surgery and even after if you have suming and challenging in Dr. Nixon for replacement of care from a staff dedicated problems or questions. The solely to caring for joint rethe OR, but I’ve stayed with it her right knee. �������� key to recovery is to move As with the first replace- placement patients. for the past 11 years because and do your therapy.” “A dedicated joint replaceit makes such a big difference ment, she attended a preopMemorial Hermann Northerative educational class with ment staff benefits patients in patients’ recovery.” After her first knee re- other Joint Center patients because the staff members west has twice been recogplacement in 2012, Wallett who learned what to expect, follow established protocols nized with The Joint Commis����������������� underwent two days of inpa- toured the physical therapy and know what to expect,” sion Gold Seal of Approval® ������������������� tient rehabilitation at Memo- area, had their pre-surgical said Dr. Nixon, who is fel- for knee replacement and ��������������������� rial Hermann Northwest and lab work done and met their lowship trained in sports hip replacement surgery. To ������������������ three weeks of outpatient nurses and therapists. After medicine and performs knee, learn more about joint pain treatment options, visit joint��������������������������� rehabilitation at a Memorial surgery, patients are placed shoulder and hip replaceHermann Sports Medicine on a dedicated floor of the ments. “When patients join pain.memorialhermann.org & Rehabilitation location. In hospital where they receive together in physical therapy, or call 713.272.1888. April 2014, she went back to
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
IN ELIMINATING
JOINT
PAIN
recovery and rehabilitative
they share a camaraderie
Contact a Memorial Hermann Joint Center. And start living pain free. Staying active is key to staying healthy. That’s why Joint Center specialists use the most advanced treatments to get you moving again. From new prescription options, to minimally invasive surgical interventions, our affiliated body of experts is ready to help you find the best path to the life you want to live.
Call 713.272.1888 or visit jointpain.memorialhermann.org for more information or to make an appointment.