Dr. William Rix Is Retiring
Posted on January 14, 2019 by under
A practicing orthopaedist since … Read More
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Causes of Lower Leg Pain: A Long List
Posted on March 17, 2015 by under
By: William P. Rix, MD Lower leg pain on the outside of the leg (lateral leg pain) is a common presenting complaint in the orthopedist’s office. Typically the pain is felt anywhere from the outside aspect of the knee to the lateral ankle. The patient usually gives a history of gradual onset of pain without … Read More
Hike Your Way to Health – By: William P. Rix, MD
Posted on October 14, 2014 by under
Orthopaedic surgeons strongly recommend a regular exercise program to promote musculoskeletal health. An ideal exercise is one that is aerobic, strengthens the core as well as all four extremities, improves balance, is low impact, reasonably safe, and is able to be performed throughout life. The sport of hiking fulfills all the above criteria. It is … Read More
MRI: Not the Whole Story – By: William P. Rix, MD
Posted on May 30, 2014 by under
MRI: Not the Whole Story William P. Rix, MD MRI is an imaging tool commonly used by orthopedists in making a diagnosis in patients with musculoskeletal complaints. It is frequently mentioned in the media when professional athletes are injured: “Major League Baseball pitcher John Smith’s production has fallen over the past few games. MRI of … Read More
Heel Pain – By: William P. Rix, MD
Posted on February 18, 2014 by under
There are two types of heel pain that send patients to the orthopedist: back of the heel pain (Achilles Tendinitis or AT) and bottom of the heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis or PF). The symptoms in both conditions are similar: first step, or start up, pain after getting out of bed in the morning and pain … Read More
Knee Cap Pain – By: William P. Rix, MD
Posted on November 5, 2013 by under
Knee Cap Pain Knee pain is a common complaint in patients presenting to the orthopedist. The kneecap is often the culprit. To understand why this bone plays such a prominent role in knee pain, a review of anatomy is in order. The knee cap, known as the patella, is a fig newton size bone, triangular … Read More
Recommended: A Healthy Orthopaedic Lifestyle – By: William P. Rix, MD
Posted on August 30, 2013 by under
Recommended: A Healthy Orthopaedic Lifestyle Strains, sprains, overuse injuries, fractures, and arthritis: it`s a rare person who has not experienced one of these orthopaedic problems. Practicing good orthopaedic health habits can minimize the risk of incurring one or more of these common musculoskeletal conditions. Exercise Strong muscles protect our joints from injury by absorbing the … Read More
Pain in the Butt! – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on June 6, 2013 by under
Hip girdle pain is defined as pain in the buttock that radiates into the thigh. It is a common problem, particularly in the older person. Although there are many possible causes of this condition, most are found to be degenerative disease of the hip joint (osteoarthritis), the lumbar spine (facet arthritis, lumbar stenosis) or the … Read More
Shoulder Pain: The Big Three – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on April 9, 2013 by under
SHOULDER PAIN – The Big Three “My shoulder hurts, Doc”. This is a common complaint heard by the orthopedist. The history is remarkably consistent: gradual onset of increasing shoulder and upper arm pain, with or without a preceding, usually minor, injury. The diagnosis is most often one of three conditions we`ll call “the Big Three”: … Read More
Osteoporosis: Update – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on January 7, 2013 by under
This is an update on Osteoporosis (OP) and Fragility Fractures (FFs), conditions initially introduced in our October and December 2010 columns. I recommend a review of those earlier columns. A brief summary is as follows: OP is defined as “thin bones “and is due to inadequate calcification of the skeleton FFs are fractures through … Read More
Listen to Dr. Rix on ‘Ask the Expert’
Posted on December 18, 2012 by under
Please click here to listen to Dr. William Rix’s guest appearance from WGIR’s Paul Westcott … Read More
Get in Shape for Elective Surgery – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on December 7, 2012 by under
We all know that to be successful in a sport we must get in shape. Did you know the same principle applies to surgery? Just as running a marathon takes its toll on the body, so does surgery. Recovering optimally from both requires planning and preparation. Stop Smoking Even a few weeks of not smoking … Read More
Do I Need Surgery, Doc? – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on November 6, 2012 by under
This is a common question in an orthopedic practice. The answer lies at the end of an algorithm of treatment options based on science and physician experience. Orthopaedic problems can be divided into those that are “surgical” and those that are not. The surgical group can be further subdivided into those with absolute (definite) indications … Read More
Smoking: Bad for the Bones, Too – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on September 17, 2012 by under
It is well known that smoking is bad for the heart and lungs, but did you know it’s very harmful to the bones and their soft tissues? The ingredients in cigarette smoke impair the body’s ability to deliver oxygen, immune cells, and bone and soft tissue repair cells to fractures and surgical wounds. Smokers have … Read More
Walk This Way, Master – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on July 26, 2012 by under
The title of this month`s column is a line spoken by Marty Feldman in the classic movie Young Frankenstein. I borrowed it to introduce a way of exercise walking that I highly recommend. It`s called a two point reciprocal gait and it involves using 2 canes, (or hiking poles, walking sticks, etc) while ambulating. Each … Read More
Meet the Tendinopathies, a Very Dysfunctional Family – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on May 17, 2012 by under
“Doc, I have a tendinitis that keeps coming back.” This is a common complaint heard in the orthopedic office, but the term “tendinitis” is misused in this context. Tendinitis is an acute condition that typically resolves with proper treatment and does not recur. What this patient has is a tendinopathy. The patient`s use of this … Read More
The Vicious Cycle: Injury, Rest, Atrophy, Re-injury – or – How to Avoid Resetting the Clock – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on February 29, 2012 by under
Muscle and ligament strains are common orthopedic complaints. The pain from these injuries can be disabling, and proper rehabilitation is essential to ensure a full recovery. Resting a sprain is natural and appropriate, but it comes at a cost. When muscles are not used they become weak and lose bulk (atrophy) in response to their … Read More
The Orthopaedic Evaluation: It’s All In The Mechanics – By William P. Rix, M.D.
Posted on January 12, 2012 by under
“Scratch an orthopedist and you`ll find a carpenter”. There is truth in this old saying, as both occupations use mechanical principles in their daily work. Pain, stiffness, weakness, and instability are common symptoms that prompt people to seek orthopedic advice. We search for the diagnosis, medical or surgical, but our focus is on an orthopedic … Read More
Why it is Common for Female Athletes to Tear their Knee Ligaments – By William P Rix, M.D.
Posted on November 30, 2011 by under
Why it is Common for Female Athletes to Tear their Knee Ligaments,or “Move your Feet, Not your Hands” Female athletes tear their anterior cruciate ligaments as much as eight times more than male athletes. This is due in part to anatomic and physiologic factors, but much is due to what we call “neuromuscular deficits or … Read More
BURSITIS: More than Meets the Eye – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on November 29, 2011 by under
A bursa is a thin sack positioned between two anatomic structures that rub together. Bursae are filled with a slippery fluid which facilitates motion by reducing friction. Typically, bursae are located between a prominent boney eminence (often with a tendon attached to it) and skin, bone or another tendon. When bursae become inflamed or irritated, … Read More
Get in Shape for Elective Surgery – By William P. Rix, MD
Posted on November 14, 2011 by under
We all know that to be successful in a sport we must get in shape. Did you know the same principle applies to surgery? Just as running a marathon takes its toll on the body, so does surgery. Recovering optimally from both requires planning and preparation. Stop Smoking Even a few weeks of not smoking … Read More
BURSITIS: More than Meets the Eye – By William P. Rix, M.D.
Posted on August 1, 2011 by under
A bursa is a thin sack positioned between two anatomic structures that rub together. Bursae are filled with a slippery fluid which facilitates motion by reducing friction. Typically, bursae are located between a prominent boney eminence (often with a tendon attached to it) and skin, bone or another tendon. When bursae become inflamed or irritated, … Read More
In Praise of Bones – By William P. Rix, M.D.
Posted on January 1, 2010 by under
Did you know that bone is the only tissue in the body that heals with itself? If you cut your skin, it heals with scar tissue. If you lacerate your liver, brain, kidney, lung, it heals with scar tissue. If you fracture a bone, it heals with bone. It makes sense, doesn`t it? If the … Read More
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