Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery - San Antonio Office

Products And Services

• Knee Replacement

  GET YOUR MOBILITY & COMFORT BACK WITH A KNEE REPLACEMENT Considering a total knee replacement in San Antonio, TX? Dr. Peter Holmes of Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery is Double Board-Certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and has performed over 10,000 successful total knee replacements in San Antonio, TX. You can book your consultation us by calling (210) 696-9000 today! Here are the ramifications of getting a joint replaced in a nutshell. First of all, having a joint replacement is not an emergency. This is a procedure which is undertaken with the knowledge that other avenues have been pursued, but lifestyle is being negatively affected secondary to pain. The procedure is performed to try to alleviate pain and increase activity within your lifestyle. One of the most important orthopedic surgical advances of this century is knee replacement. This surgery was first performed in 1968. Improvements in surgical materials and techniques since then have greatly increased its effectiveness. About 267,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the United States. AM I A CANDIDATE FOR TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY? If your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while you’re sitting or lying down. If medications, changing your activity level, and using walking supports are no longer helpful, you may want to consider total knee replacement surgery. By resurfacing your knee’s damaged and worn surfaces, total knee replacement surgery can relieve your pain, correct your leg deformity, and help you resume your normal activities. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT CONSULTATION? Total knee replacement is not an emergency and for most patients it’s not an absolute need. However, when patients begin to consider knee replacement, the pain is generally starting to really intrude on their lives. Activities they’ve always enjoyed are now out of the question. Just getting up out of a chair can be an exercise in moderate torture. When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Holmes, this needs to be a complete give and take sharing of information between the two of you. Dr. Holmes wants to know where you are with your pain and how it is changing your life for the worse. He’ll want you to express what you hope to achieve with your knee replacement. He’ll want to know any questions you have about any part of the process. Dr. Holmes will share with you what he thinks can be achieved with your replacement. He’ll also go through possible complications and setbacks. He’ll describe the surgery and your recovery. Dr. Holmes will not be an advocate or non-advocate for you choosing to move ahead with total knee replacement. His goal is to give you all the information possible so you can feel confident in your decision. IS TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT RIGHT FOR YOU? The decision whether to have surgery for a total knee replacement in San Antonio, TX should be a cooperative one between you, your family physician, and your orthopedic surgeon. Your physician may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for a thorough evaluation to determine if you could benefit from the surgery. HOW IS TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY PERFORMED? The procedure is a resurfacing of the bones of the joint, utilizing metal on one side and metal/ plastic component on the other, thus returning slickness in the joint and taking away the bone on bone pain. It requires a hospitalization of approximately 2-3 days plus or minus depending on the patient. It requires rehabilitation either at a rehabilitation hospital and/or home for an additional three weeks plus or minus. Total joints are an extremely rewarding procedure in relieving pain with the appropriate diagnosis. Most patients who undergo total knee replacement in San Antonio, TX are age 60 to 80 but, orthopedic surgeons evaluate patients individually. Recommendations for surgery are based on a patient’s pain and disability, not age. Patients as young as age 16 and older than 90 have undergone successful total knee replacements. Contact Dr. Peter Holmes Today Dr. Peter Holmes of Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery along with his staff of professionals will ensure that you receive the right diagnosis for you and will follow you to assure your future good health and performance. We hope to be your practice of choice when undergoing a total knee replacement in San Antonio, TX.

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• Hip Replacement

  EASE PAIN & BOOST HIP ACTIVITY In need of a hip replacement in San Antonio, TX? Call to book your consultation today. Dr. Peter Holmes, Double Board-Certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, will diagnosis your problem and find the right solutions for you. The procedure is performed to try to alleviate pain and increase activity in your lifestyle. Possible candidates for hip replacement surgery include those with persistent pain who are not helped by conservative methods (for example, drugs, injections or physical therapy) Can physical therapy prepare me for hip replacement surgery? There are two purposes to having some physical therapy prior to your hip replacement. First, you will record a baseline of information with your physical therapist. This will include measurements of your current pain levels, functional abilities, and the movement and strength of each hip. Second, you will perform some preoperative therapy to prepare you for your upcoming surgery. You will begin to practice some of the exercises you will use just after your surgery. You’ll be trained on the use of either a walker or crutches, which will be dictated on whether we use a cemented or non-cemented approach. To avoid dislocation after surgery, we provide guidelines as to which hip positions you’ll need to avoid (called hip precautions). Your physical therapist will walk you through all of these prior to your surgery and be sure you practice them frequently for at least six weeks prior to your surgery. This will strengthen the joint to help prevent dislocation. Finally, your physical therapist will assess any needs you will have at your home once you’re released from the hospital. Will I have permanent limitations on physical activity after hip replacement surgery? The reality is that your hip damage has likely severely limited your physical activities in various ways. That’s why you’re having this procedure with Dr. Holmes. Considering that, you’ll have far fewer limitations on activity than you had with your damaged hip after Dr. Holmes gives you a new artificial hip. While they are not “totally prohibited,” it’s a good idea not to run long distances. Also, high impact sports, such as basketball and indoor volleyball, should probably be avoided. You can participate in them, but they will lead to faster deterioration of your prosthesis. It’s better to switch to bicycling and swimming, which have little to no impact on your joints. Walking, playing golf, hiking, rowing, doubles tennis, pickleball, and low-impact aerobics are all fine to participate in. Should I avoid taking baths, hot tubs, and swimming pools during my recovery from hip replacement? These are not permanent restrictions, but you need to avoid any immersion of your incision in water until it is fully healed. This is usually a period of six weeks. After that, there are no restrictions. Can I sleep on my side after hip replacement surgery? You may sleep on your operative hip whenever you feel comfortable. As for your nonoperative hip, you may sleep on that side after four weeks with a pillow between your knees. How long before I can drive after hip replacement? If you’re thinking of the “hip precautions” mentioned above, these are things such as crossing your legs, flexing at the hip more than 90 degrees, and the like. These movements cannot be done until your hip is fully healed, but they are not permanently off limits. SCHEDULE YOUR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY TODAY! Interested in learning more about hip replacement surgery at Sports, Occupational & Knee Surgery? Call us at (210) 696-9000 to schedule your consultation today! Our practice serves San Antonio, Texas & all nearby areas.

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• ACL Repair

  REPAIR YOUR ACL Need an ACL repair in San Antonio, TX? Book your ACL repair or reconstruction consultation at socksrocks.com. Dr. Peter Holmes, Double Board-Certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine will diagnosis your problem and find the right solutions for you. WHAT IS THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (ACL)? When you’re trying to figure out what you may or may not have injured in your knee, it helps to understand the overall anatomy. The knee is made up of three bones: the femur (thighbone), tibia (shin), and patella (kneecap). The kneecap provides protection to the front side of the knee. To connect these bones and form the knee, there are four primary ligaments. The cruciate ligaments are on the inside of the knee joint, with the anterior cruciate (ACL) in the front and the posterior cruciate in the back. These two ligaments form and “X” and they control the back and forth motion of the knee. The collateral ligaments are on the sides of each knee, with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inside and the lateral collateral ligament on the outside. These ligaments control the sideways motion of the knee. The two ligaments most prone to injury are the ACL and MCL. ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (ACL) Two ligaments in your knees are more prone to injury than others. Your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) crosses from the back of your femur to the front of your tibia. Although it acts like a strong brace for your knee, the ACL is injured frequently because it is smaller and more susceptible to twisting. TORN FROM A TWIST Your ACL can be injured when you twist your knee beyond its normal range of motion. When you’re on skis, for instance, and “catch an edge”, this causes you to twist your lower leg outward or inward. In team sports, as well, with the foot planted you can twist and tear your ACL. You might hear or feel a pop, and your knee may give way. Pain and swelling results. A complete tear of the ACL is like rope fibers coming apart. A partial tear can also occur. Other parts of the knee may be injured at the same time that you injure the ACL. MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL) Your MCL also connects your femur to your tibia, but this ligament runs along the inside of your joint. An outside blow to the knee or any severe impact can tear the MCL because much like a strap stretched too far, it snaps. Your knee may buckle sideways. Pain and swelling are common, and either a complex or partial tear is possible. It is not unusual to tear the meniscus or ACL at the same time. How is ACL surgery done? At Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery, Dr. Holmes performs our ACL reconstructions as outpatient surgeries. Contrary to what you may assume, these surgeries are not always immediately done after the injury. Depending on the amount until inflammation, we may wait for surgery until the swelling has decreased. Dr. Holmes removes the torn ACL and grafts the new ligament into the femur and tibia. A more urgent reconstruction is done if a repairable meniscus tear is also suspected. When can I return to sports after an ACL tear? You’ve probably heard of football players coming back after tearing their ACL. When first recovering, the patient will be in a leg brace and will use crutches. This protects the knee when the person needs to get around. But we do get the patient moving the knee right away, as this aids in the eventual return of range of motion. Some patients like to use a continuous passive motion machine. This machine helps the knee keep motion and flexibility, but it doesn’t place any strain on the new ligament. After the initial recovery, physical therapy is key for months afterward to return strength and stability to the knee, and to regain full range of motion. Most athletes can return to the sport they were injured in after about six months when using autograft tissue and about nine months when a revision ACL is performed. The return to sports depends on full return of muscle strength (usually lost due to the injury) and amount of range of motion. A knee brace is usually required for the initial return to sports. A healthy and happy body are only a click or call away. Call Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery today for an ACL repair consultation at (210) 696-9000 at either our San Antonio or Shertz location.

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• Meniscus Repair & Surgery

  MENISCUS REPAIR Experiencing a meniscus tear in San Antonio, TX? Book your meniscus evaluation at www.socksrocks.com today! Dr. Peter Holmes, Doubly Board Certified both in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine has performed over 10,000 arthroscopies treating meniscus tears and other knee injuries. At Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery, 9051 Huebner Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78240, Dr. Peter Holmes along with his professional staff will take extra time and care to make the right decisions for your diagnosis and treatment. Contact us here today! MENISCUS INJURY INDICATIONS An indication that you are in need of a meniscus evaluation in San Antonio, TX is that you might have experienced a “popping” sensation in your knee or pain on the inside or the outside of your knee. Older people can injure the meniscus without any trauma as the cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. Football players and others in contact sports may tear the meniscus by twisting the knee, pivoting, cutting or decelerating. Most people can still walk on the injured knee and many athletes keep playing. The symptoms may include; Stiffness and swelling or locking up Pain and tenderness in the joint line Collection of fluid(“water on the knee”) Without treatment, a fragment of the meniscus may loosen and drift into the joint, causing it to slip, pop or lock. Your knee may get stuck, often at a 45 degree angle, until you manually move or otherwise manipulate it. If you think you have a meniscus tear, see your Board Certified Orthopedic Doctor right away for diagnosis and individualized treatment. Conservative Meniscus Tear Treatment Conservative treatment at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery follows the basic RICE formula: rest, ice and elevation, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. If your knee is stable and does not lock, this may be all you need. Blood vessels feed the outer edges of the meniscus, giving that part the potential to heal on its own. Small tears on the outer edges often heal themselves with rest. Surgical Meniscectomy Surgical Meniscectomy is an option if your knee does not heal on its own and your knee becomes painful, stiff or locked. Depending on the type of tear, your age and other factors, Dr. Peter Holmes may use an arthroscope to trim off damaged pieces of the meniscus cartilage. You are home several hours after surgery. It is not unusual for patients to go back to work or school after arthroscopic surgery within a few days. A specific activity plan and rehabilitation will be suggested to speed your recovery and prevent future joint malfunction. Access Sports, Occupational, and Knee Surgery’s 3D animation library to see how a meniscus repair works. Our staff at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery will follow through with each patient until they reach full recovery. . We hope to be your practice of choice when needing a meniscus treatment in San Antonio, TX. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURGICAL REPAIR AND REMOVAL OF THE MENISCUS? A meniscus tear is irreparable- 99% of the time. A meniscus surgery is to remove the part that is torn, leaving as much as possible intact. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME PERIOD FOR A MENISCUS TEAR? Meniscus recovery depends entirely on the individual patient. Generally, if it is “repaired” they are on crutches 4-6 weeks. If it is a routine removal of the torn meniscus, they are on crutches 4-6 hours and then full weight bearing. ARE MENISCAL TEARS ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER INJURIES? It all depends on the cause of the meniscus tear. But yes usually meniscal tears are associated with some degree of joint damage whether caused by injury or aging. HOW ARE MENISCAL TEARS DIAGNOSED? The diagnosis is based on 99% history of the patient plus an exam in the office. An MRI seldom changes the diagnosis. WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM SUCCESS RATES FOR MENISCAL SURGERY? Success rate depends on the overall condition of the joint. Want to read more on meniscal tears and repair? Visit Sports, Occupational, & Knee Surgery’s blog! A healthy and happy body are only a click or call away. Call Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery today for a meniscus repair consultation at (210) 696-9000 at either our San Antonio or Shertz location.

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• Shoulder Arthroscopy

  Looking for an evaluation of your shoulder pain? Do you need shoulder surgery in San Antonio, TX? Call to make an appointment with our professional staff at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery, 9051 Huebner Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78240 to learn all your options about shoulder repair and shoulder surgery. Dr. Peter Holmes, Double Board-Certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Orthopedics, is an expert with 27 years providing patients with a shoulder arthroscopy in San Antonio, TX. pain The team at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery strives to deliver quality care to informed patients in our comfortable and convenient offices. Our office staff and doctors work as a team here at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery to assist you in your treatment and recovery, whether you are an athlete with sports-related injuries or an active person suffering from joint pain. We are a premier provider of shoulder arthroscopy in San Antonio, TX. INDICATIONS FOR SHOULDER PAIN: Patients with athletic injuries or just wear and tear from a lifetime of activity may be candidates for shoulder arthroscopy in San Antonio. The word Arthroscopy comes from two Greek words which mean “to look inside the joint.” When a shoulder problem makes daily activities difficult or painful, your orthopedic physician can do an examination and determine which direction or procedure is best for you. ARTHROSCOPIC SUBACROMIAL DECOMPRESSION (ASD): This area between the arm bone (Humerus) and the shoulder bone (Acromion) can become pinched and inflamed and is sometimes called “impingement syndrome.” The pain you might experience is caused by this pinching and is typically felt on movements such as reaching or putting your arm into a jacket sleeve. The surgery is done by “key hole surgery”, usually through 2 or 3 5mm puncture wounds. You will usually be an outpatient at the hospital, depending on each individual’s health and situation. You will be encouraged to use your arm, and will be given exercises to do as soon as possible. You should be back at work between one and four weeks depending on your job. Your symptoms should be approximately 80% better after 3 months but may take a year to totally settle. WHAT IS SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY? Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and then correct problems with the shoulder joint. For these procedures, Dr. Holmes uses an arthroscope, a thin surgical tool with a camera and light on the tip, to provide visuals without needing a larger incision. The arthroscope is inserted through a small incision directly into the joint. Surgical tools are then inserted through other small incisions and the repairs are made. Because arthroscopy allows access to the shoulder joint with very small incisions this makes for less pain and shorter recovery time for our patients. HOW IS SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY PERFORMED? Dr. Holmes often starts these surgeries by injecting fluid into the shoulder to inflate the joint. This provides better visuals so that he can clearly see all the structures in your shoulder provided by the arthroscope. Next, he usually makes a small puncture in the shoulder about the size of a button and inserts the arthroscope. Images from the arthroscope are projected on the video screen next to the operating chair, guiding Dr. Holmes. Once he has identified the problem with your shoulder, he makes separate incisions as needed to insert the small specialized instruments necessary to make the repairs. Tasks performed may include cutting, shaving, grasping, suture passing, and knot typing. Special devices are used to anchor stitches into bone. Once your repairs are complete the small incisions are closed with stitches or steri-strips. The area is then covered with a large, soft bandage and the procedure is complete. HOW LONG WILL MY RECOVERY BE AFTER SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY? Your recovery time is dependent upon the extent of your repairs during your arthroscopy. Minor repairs, such as trimming inflamed tissue or cartilage may allow the patient to return to work with a few days, and rehabilitation may only be short duration. For more complicated procedures, such as ligament repair, full recovery may take up to six months. Rehabilitation is involved in most recoveries. We will design and give you an exercise program to help you regain shoulder strength and motion. Dr. Holmes’s extensive experience with various sports teams around San Antonio (including the Spurs) plays a role in his developing excellent rehabilitation plans for you. You may be able to perform all of the exercises on your own, or they may require a physical therapist. Again, this is unique to your procedure and situation. For the quickest, most effective end result, it’s imperative that you follow your recovery instructions to the letter.

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• Rotator Cuff

  ADDRESSING YOUR ROTATOR CUFF! I have been operating on shoulders with the arthroscope since 1987. That makes me one of a handful of local surgeons who have been doing this long enough to better appreciate IF and WHEN to do this surgery. Over the years, the indications for surgery and definitely the outcomes of this procedure have changed, not only in techniques, but in expected outcomes. In my practice, the number of patients that ultimately need arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery has decreased dramatically. It is important to understand the following: 1) Just because you have pain in your shoulder, does not mean it is just from your shoulder. I see a lot of patients after “Rotator Cuff” surgery that still have pain. Is it still their cuff? Or was it the nerves from the neck and or an inflammatory process? In many of my patients, what comes in as “shoulder pain” is something else. 2) MRI’s: An MRI reads findings in the shoulder only. These findings are not necessarily what is causing your pain! A rotator cuff tear may be present, but the symptoms may be from an arthritic shoulder joint, an arthritic AC (Acromial-Clavicular) joint, Nerves, Neck, Shingles, inflammatory process, etc. Keep in mind, in some series most shoulders show changes in their rotator cuff after the age of thirty. If you are over 50 years of age, over 20% of patients have FULL Rotator cuff tears in ASSYMPTOMATIC shoulders. In other words, after 50 you have a 1 in 5 chance of a full rotator cuff tear just being alive, so just because you just started having shoulder pain and just got your first MRI and there is a tear, doesn’t mean it just tore! 3) In many studies- and they are all over the place as far as reported results, ½, yes about HALF of the repairs did not heal, or re-tore soon after the surgery. Why? In my opinion, they tear due to age so they don’t heal due to age. 4) The long-term findings in large “meta-analysis” studies have suggested that rotator cuff repair “does not provide either a clinically or statistically significant benefit over nonoperative treatment”. OK! So, having pointed out this “data”, do I still operate on shoulders with rotator cuff pathology? YES, YES! But only if I think I can benefit the patient, the patient has failed all non-operative means (Conservative care), and I think at least some of the pain is coming from the shoulder. I also insist that patients understand what I just stated as far as natural history and long-term success rates. WHAT IS THE ROTATOR CUFF? The rotator cuff is four muscles underneath your big Deltoid that connect your scapula (Shoulder blade) to the ball. Each muscle has a specific function in stabilizing the ball in the shallow cup in different positions of the arm. Thus, a tear of any particular muscle can lead to a specific weakness noted in the exam. WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EXAM I need X-Rays. These tell me more than most MR’S. Is there spurring? Is there cancer? Is there a lesion in the chest wall? Is there osteopenia, Is there a new or old fracture? Is there narrowing indicative of a torn muscle, etc… In a full exam. I am looking for abnormalities in motion—stiffness for example (Do you have a frozen shoulder, etc.) I am looking at weaknesses in some part of your shoulder ESPECIALLY compared to the opposite shoulder. Many patients require at least ONE cortisone shot with NUMBING medicine and NUMBING spray! Not only can the shot be therapeutic it also HELPS DEFINE what is causing the shoulder pain! For example, if I put a shot into the cuff pathology and one gets NO RELIEF then I am going to assume the pain in the shoulder may be coming from other sources, such as the neck. If half the pain goes away then half is from the area of the shot. Another shot may be required in another area, for example the AC joint. Depending on the response from that also, I can figure out if its just the rotator cuff pathology and or ALSO the AC joint, for example. TREATMENT As a rule, most patients will require non-operative treatment because most patients will succeed with non-operative treatment. This is usually a combination of the correct exercises, Anti-inflammatories, occasional injections, and avoidance of offending activities. Physical Therapy may be ordered, but not indefinitely, not only because the insurance companies usually have limits, but because one needs to learn to do their own exercises for decades of relief.

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• Joint Replacement

  In need of a joint replacement or joint repair in San Antonio, TX? Dr. Peter Holmes, Double Board- Certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine will diagnosis your problem and find the right solutions for you. When you have a joint so swollen and stiff that walking, climbing stairs, taking a bath, getting in and out of chairs, or even sleeping is difficult, you need, not want, to get some arthritis pain relief. If, with Dr. Holmes’ guidance, you’ve tried the laundry list of non-invasive arthritis treatments — changing your diet and exercise regimens, using walking aids like canes or braces, trying physical therapy, and taking pain medications — and you’re still in a desperate state, allowing the Doctor to perform the joint replacement in San Antonio, TX, may be the best pain relief solution for you. RECOVERY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY Schedule your physical therapy in advance. If Dr. Holmes expects physical therapy (PT) to be part of your rehab, make plans ahead of time to learn where it will take place and how you will get there (since you won’t be able to drive, you will have to find transportation). Accept that physical therapy can be painful. Plan on using assistive devices. Since most home health equipment is delivered to your house, work with your medical team in advance to make sure they have all the information to make this happen smoothly. Address other medical issues in advance. Because infection control is a concern with joint replacement, make sure you take care of any dental health issues or bladder and bowel concerns before surgery. What tests will I have before my joint replacement surgery? The tests we will need vary somewhat with the patient’s age, health history, and other variables. This preadmission testing will be within 30 days prior to your surgery. Then you will be evaluated and cleared by your Family Doctor (PCP). The tests we require include; Physical exam Detailed questionnaire Blood work … Urinalysis Coagulation testing Baseline metabolic analysis for kidney, liver, and electrolyte function EKG to determine heart health Chest XRAY How long before you can use stairs after joint replacement? This, of course, depends on which joint you had replaced. Obviously, shoulder replacements don’t need to worry about stairs too much, although firmly holding onto the handrail is a must! Every patient also recovers at different rates, so there is no “normal” timeframe for using stairs. What to expect during physical therapy The average hospital stay for a joint replacement is two days after surgery. While in the hospital, you’ll start physical therapy sessions immediately. The idea is to start moving the joint as soon as possible to keep scar tissue from limiting motion. Once you leave the hospital, you will have outpatient therapy that will last 4 weeks. Outpatient therapy gives the best results, but home therapy is possible. As you would expect, these schedules vary with the joint replaced and the individual patient. Do I need someone to be with me full-time when I go home after surgery? Yes. Every patient should plan on having someone in the house or apartment for at least one full week. We’ll pair you with a case manager, who will make sure your plans for recovery at home are fully thought out and planned. You might need assistance walking, getting to the bathroom, and for various things you’ll need to do such as dressing. This is not the time to be a lone ranger. Injections for Joint Pain Relief There are injectables that can alleviate pain, but these are usually only temporary fixes. Still, they can be used to delay a joint replacement. Hyaluronic acid — Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body and one of its functions is to lubricate the joints. Injections of hyaluronic acid may help with shock absorption and lubrication, but these will not overcome basic damage within the joint and are no longer recommended by the clinical practice guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Corticosteroids — Steroid injections into the area of inflammation can provide relief for a period of weeks. Dr. Holmes has no limit to the number of injections in cases where total joint replacement is the only other option. Read more about: Hip Replacement in San Antonio, TX Knee Replacement in San Antonio, TX Dr. Peter Holmes and his professional staff at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery in San Antonio, TX will help guide you towards the best treatment for you and will follow you through to full recovery. Call (210) 696-9000 today for a joint replacement consultation at either our San Antonio or Schertz location.

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• Podiatrist

  Podiatry is an important aspect of the services we provide at Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery, but it is an area of medicine that is a mystery to many people. Simply put, Podiatry is the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and study of medical disorders of the foot, ankle, and structures of the lower leg. In layman’s terms a foot doctor. At Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery, we manage the effect that the foot has on the entire body, as well as the body’s effect on the feet. We believe that healthy foot function is paramount to good posture, which comes into play throughout the human kinetic chain. We believe in team care with a holistic outlook. At Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery, Dr. Kathren McCarty directs our podiatry care. She is trained in the latest surgical advances in both internal and external fixation, minimally invasive techniques, and arthroscopy. Read Dr. McCarty’s credentials as one of San Antonio’s most qualified foot doctors. See What Our Patients Are Saying: “Dr Kathren McCarty is absolutely wonderful. Turned a chronic foot condition into something wonderful through her expertise and precise surgery. Highly recommend!” -Douglas R. Does Dr. McCarty (and podiatrists in general) perform surgery? Podiatric surgery is a specialty within the field of podiatry. Dr. McCarty is an expert in the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the feet and lower legs. The goal is to return functionality of the foot and ankle areas. These surgeries can be in response to joint and ligament issues, as well as congenital deformities. Before moving onto any operation (except in the case of emergencies, of course), Dr. McCarty first exhausts all more conservative treatment approaches. Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. McCarty, one of the most foremost respected Podiatrists in not only San Antonio, but also the nation. Does Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery specialize in podiatric sports medicine? Sports Podiatry is a specialty of Dr. McCarty. It involves having extensive experience in the diagnosis of foot and lower limb problems as they relate to overuse and sports injuries. Sports podiatry at Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery covers two areas: foot and lower limb chronic overuse injuries, and mechanical performance enhancement to attempt to minimize future injuries. These are some areas of focus: Joint mobilization Advanced biomechanical assessments Soft tissue manipulation Advanced functional orthotic therapy Exercise rehabilitation What can I do to take care of my feet? These are some steps we recommend at Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery to keep your feet healthy: Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, swelling, and red spots. Wash your feet every day. Mind your diabetes so that it doesn’t affect your circulation to your feet. Apply lotion daily on the tops and bottoms, but not between the toes. Smooth corns and calluses with a pumice stone. Keep your toenails in line. Wear shoes when walking outside. Keep the blood flowing to your feet by wiggling your toes and ankles for five minutes twice a day, and put your feet up when sitting. Be more active. Dr. Peter Holmes and his professional staff at Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery in San Antonio, TX will help guide you towards the best treatment for you and will follow you through to full recovery. Call (210) 696-9000 today for a podiatry appointment at either our San Antonio or Schertz location.

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