EXPERT
Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson
Orthopedist
As an orthopedist, Dr. Carlson stays actively involved in continuing medical education by teaching spine surgery techniques around the world. Dr. Carlson recently served as the Chief of Surgery at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA. He has received many awards, including being named one of America’s Top Orthopaedic Spine Reconstructive Surgeons, earning the Arthritis Foundation’s Medical Excellence Award and being included in Becker’s Specialty Review “Spine Surgeons to Know.”
Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson
- Newport News, VA
- MD at George Washington University
- Accepting new patients
When Should I Think About Disc Surgery?
Lumbar disc herniations can be found in 40% of asymptomatic patients, and in the neck, almost 30% of asymptomatic patients will have a disc herniation on their MRI. These seem...
Source of pain question?
Yes, your knee pain may be related to the arthritis. There is no direct correlation of the changes on X-ray to the pain. Some patients will have more pain with less arthritis than READ MORE
Yes, your knee pain may be related to the arthritis. There is no direct correlation of the changes on X-ray to the pain. Some patients will have more pain with less arthritis than others, who may have a lot of arthritis on the X-ray, but little pain.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
What’s the issue going on with my arm?
This may be more related to your shoulder. When we raise our arm, the humerus bone should rotate under the clavicle bone and allow the full motion of the shoulder. The rotator READ MORE
This may be more related to your shoulder. When we raise our arm, the humerus bone should rotate under the clavicle bone and allow the full motion of the shoulder. The rotator cuff tendon is what makes this motion occur. When we raise our arms over our head while being supported (sleeping) the rotator cuff can become pressured and inflammation may occur. Rotator cuff exercises may improve this problem. Sleeping with your arm at your side also may make this better, but it can be difficult to change sleeping habits.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Bicep tendon?
It doesn't sound as if you have torn the tendon. If you can feel the tendon, it is at least still partially there. Usually this is treated with rest and stretching, then gentle READ MORE
It doesn't sound as if you have torn the tendon. If you can feel the tendon, it is at least still partially there. Usually this is treated with rest and stretching, then gentle return to lifting weights.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Shoulder pain?
There are several reasons this can happen. This sounds like a positional pain problem that may be related to the stability of the shoulder joint. It needs to be evaluated by a READ MORE
There are several reasons this can happen. This sounds like a positional pain problem that may be related to the stability of the shoulder joint. It needs to be evaluated by a specific physical exam to help determine the actual cause.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Left Tibia?
The patellar tendon inserts on the tibia at the tibial tubercle. We will often get bone growing into the tendon at that attachment typically called a traction spur. This is usually READ MORE
The patellar tendon inserts on the tibia at the tibial tubercle. We will often get bone growing into the tendon at that attachment typically called a traction spur. This is usually a sign of previous injury or inflammation many years in the making. Generally not painful, but can be irritated with putting the knee down on hard surfaces.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Should I get surgery for a space narrowing at L5-S1?
Arthritis is very common and does not happen suddenly. You will need an evaluation by a spine surgeon to guide through the treatment options. It sounds like you are compressing READ MORE
Arthritis is very common and does not happen suddenly. You will need an evaluation by a spine surgeon to guide through the treatment options. It sounds like you are compressing the nerve root at that L5-S1. There are 3 basic treatments, 1) Medications: this can be pills by mouth that will help with the pain or shots of cortisone around the nerve root to stop the inflammation and pain around the nerve root, 2) Physical therapy/chiropractics to move the nerve root away from the disc and open the space around the nerve root to stop the pain and irritation, 3) surgery to physically remove the pressure on the nerve and stop the pain. As long as you don't have weakness in the leg, you can try the other methods to help with the pain and promote healing. If you have weakness in the leg, the nerve is likely being damaged and is best resolved with surgery.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory affliction of the tissue on the bottom of the foot that attaches from the toes to the base of the heel. Usually this manifests as pain on the READ MORE
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory affliction of the tissue on the bottom of the foot that attaches from the toes to the base of the heel. Usually this manifests as pain on the bottom of the heel and pain with the first few steps in the morning after being in bed all night. Sometimes this inflammation will cause the body to make a heel spur to support the tissue attachment to the heel. For this to improve, the attachment of the tissue (fascia) to the heel bone must be strengthened. Stretching exercises for the plantar fascia start with the foot flat on the floor and leaning forward to stretch the tendon. This usually feels like an achilles stretch, but with enough angle between the foot and the rest of the leg, you will feel it in the bottom of the foot. This can then be increased by putting the balls of the toes on a stair and allowing the heel to drop and stretch the achilles and plantar fascia. When this is easy to do, the next step is to start pushing up while on the stair to stand only on your toes, which will be the strengthening phase.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Radiating thigh pain?
Certainly sounds like overuse. I would suggest some ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, rest, and ice over the next few days to see if it improves. If not, you should see a physician to READ MORE
Certainly sounds like overuse. I would suggest some ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, rest, and ice over the next few days to see if it improves. If not, you should see a physician to evaluate your musculature.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
How can you tell if your spine is out of alignment?
Alignment of the spine is best determined through X-rays. There are lots of reasons for chronic lower back pain that do not include alignment, but all of the diagnoses from lower READ MORE
Alignment of the spine is best determined through X-rays. There are lots of reasons for chronic lower back pain that do not include alignment, but all of the diagnoses from lower back muscular strain, to arthritis, to fractures and misalignments are best evaluated first with an X-ray. After the X-ray is done, your doctor will be able to guide you in the next steps for solidifying the diagnosis and how to treat it.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Grinding sensation, "buckling" and random pain in the knee?
The condition is called chondromalacia patellae. This rough cartilage on the patella grinds when you bend your knee. Putting power across the patella-femoral joint to ascend stairs READ MORE
The condition is called chondromalacia patellae. This rough cartilage on the patella grinds when you bend your knee. Putting power across the patella-femoral joint to ascend stairs increases the stress across this joint and causes pain. The pain is what makes your knee buckle. Just like moving a rusty hinge takes more power than a smooth hinge, the "rough" cartilage in the joint forces the knee to use more power and may force your knee to give way.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
What exercises should be avoided after ankle surgery?
This is a critical question to ask your surgeon. It really depends on the type of surgery you have had, either on the tendons (and which tendon) or on the bones (and which bone) READ MORE
This is a critical question to ask your surgeon. It really depends on the type of surgery you have had, either on the tendons (and which tendon) or on the bones (and which bone) to determine which type of exercise to avoid or that would be safe.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Knee fluid?
I would suggest an analysis of the fluid to ensure there are no abnormalities related to infection, inflammation, Gout, or Rheumatoid arthritis. I would also suggest an MRI to READ MORE
I would suggest an analysis of the fluid to ensure there are no abnormalities related to infection, inflammation, Gout, or Rheumatoid arthritis. I would also suggest an MRI to evaluate the cartilage and supportive bone and ligaments.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
My knee?
I would suggest an MRI to better evaluate for bone bruising or ligamentous injury.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Swelling in knee areas?
Your swelling may be related to arthritis and should be evaluated by an orthopedist for the next step in treatment.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Severe pain in my left calf?
There are several possibilities including cramps, but you should have this evaluated to ensure it is not more dangerous, like a blood clot.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Post ACL reconstruction accident?
It would unlikely to have damaged the graft or the knee. The knee immobilzer will prevent stress on the graft, which happens with bending the knee.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Ankle fracture?
Go to the doctor and get an X-ray to evaluate the ankle and foot.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
In a general sense, "No." Let pain be your guide. Pain in the knee with weight bearing usually means something if tearing or being injured. Sometimes the meniscus needs some pressure READ MORE
In a general sense, "No." Let pain be your guide. Pain in the knee with weight bearing usually means something if tearing or being injured. Sometimes the meniscus needs some pressure on it to move it into the anatomical location that it was torn from and may heal.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Can I climb stairs after meniscus surgery?
Yes. The type of meniscal surgery determines when you will be able to climb stairs. If your surgery includes removal of a portion of the meniscus (partial menisectomy), your knee READ MORE
Yes. The type of meniscal surgery determines when you will be able to climb stairs. If your surgery includes removal of a portion of the meniscus (partial menisectomy), your knee will be able to bend the same day and you should be able to climb stairs. If your surgery includes repair of a meniscal tear with sutures or anchors, you will not be able to bend the knee for several weeks to allow the meniscus to heal. After the meniscus is healed, you will start to bend the knee and be able to climb the stairs.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Do they put you to sleep for hand surgery?
Usually not. Depends on the amount of surgery to be done. Most upper extremity surgeries can be performed with an anesthetic nerve block of just the arm and not need to have the READ MORE
Usually not. Depends on the amount of surgery to be done. Most upper extremity surgeries can be performed with an anesthetic nerve block of just the arm and not need to have the patient receive a general anesthetic.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
