Mission Orthopedics

June 6, 2022

What are the early signs of osteoporosis?

What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when bone mineral density and mass decrease, making it easier for bones to fracture or break. The word means “porous bone” and is often characterized by bones that look “holey” under a microscope. Since we can’t see our bones, people who are affected by osteoporosis are […]

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May 27, 2022

Is arthritis preventable? Tips for keeping your joints healthy

Is arthritis preventable? It depends. While some wear and tear on your joints is an inevitable part of life, you can take steps to maintain joint health and help reduce the symptoms of arthritis as you age. What is arthritis? Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness and difficulty moving. There […]

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October 7, 2019

In the Red Zone: Swelling and Heat Are the First Signs of Overuse Injuries

“No pain, no gain” is a common mantra among dedicated athletes. Sometimes it’s best to give it a rest. Building muscles or bones starts by stressing these tissues first. “With time to heal, muscles and bones rebuild themselves stronger and better than before. That’s how the body works,” said Elise Hiza, MD, orthopedic surgeon at […]

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August 29, 2019

Pedaling On: Robotic Precision Gets Longtime Biker Back into the Race after Two Knee Surgeries

By Cherry Odom, BSN, RN-BC Seasoned triathlete and retired Mars Hill University sociology professor Tom Plaut knew nine years ago that the pain in his left knee meant his many years of running, biking and swimming had taken a toll on his body. “The wear and tear on my knee resulted in bone landing on […]

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August 8, 2019

Feet First: 4 Things to Consider before Choosing Running Shoes

Whether you’re training for your first 5K or already have several under your belt, the proper shoes and training techniques can mean the difference between pain and gain. Thomas Starnes, MD, a runner himself and a primary care sports medicine physician at Asheville Orthopaedic Associates, explains how to kick-start your running habit with the right […]

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July 12, 2019

4 Ways to Keep Joints Healthy as You Age

Head, shoulders, knees and toes – knees and toes! Why don’t they sing about our joints – the cartilage between the bone that provides a “cushion” and allows the bones to glide over each other? What happens when this cushion wears away? It is not uncommon to have joint issues be the limiting factor for […]

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June 27, 2019

Work Hard, Rest Hard – Common Soccer Injuries and Finding a Balance between Rest and Play

By Elise Hiza, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon Billions of people around the world are tuning in for the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup, which is in full play. You can’t help but be amazed at the level of athleticism, power and strength that’s required of soccer players – especially at the professional level. As you watch […]

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May 23, 2019

Don’t Rush Recovery – Why It’s Important to Take Concussions and Head Injuries Seriously

By Sam LaRose People usually associate concussions or head injuries with sports, like soccer, football or basketball, but concussions can happen during recreational activities for fun too. It’s that time of year here in the mountains for western North Carolinians’ favorite outdoor activities – hiking, canoeing or rafting down the river, biking and more. Whether […]

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March 14, 2019

5 Basketball Injuries and How to Treat Them

By Aaron Vaughan, MD A proud supporter of the SoCon Tournament, Mission Sports Medicine keeps athletes and active people of all ages and skill levels healthy, active and at peak performance. Basketball, with its fast pace, change of direction and explosive nature comes with many opportunities for injury. At Mission Health, we diagnose, treat and […]

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March 12, 2019

True Team Players – Common Misconceptions about Athletic Trainers

By William Mathiowdis, ATC Editor’s Note: I grew up playing five sports and played soccer in college. While I remember most of my friends, teammates and coaches from various teams, I remember almost all of my athletic trainers, too. They ran out to the soccer field and carried me off, rode in an ambulance with […]

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