Blog Archive

Recovering from carpal tunnel surgery during the hustle and bustle of the holidays can be a challenge. However, with a little planning and patience, you can still make the most of the festivities. At Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Miami Beach, Florida, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, specializes in minimally invasive...

Our hands and wrists are essential tools for everyday life, helping us accomplish countless things most people take for granted. However, when pain strikes, it can make even the simplest tasks a challenge. Ready to get back to your normal routine and the activities you love? At Orthopaedic Care Specialists...

Ever felt the sharp, sudden pain of an ankle sprain? Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or just someone who values your mobility, this common injury can throw a wrench into your daily life. Most ankle sprains heal with time, rest, and proper care. However, approximately 20% of people...

It’s easy to think there’s a one-size-fits-all solution to fracture care — until you’ve experienced a broken bone. That’s because numerous factors come into play, including the type and location of your break, as well as the health of the bone involved. Fortunately, orthopedic expert Dr. Thomas F. Saylor has...

A name like “tennis elbow” may leave you thinking you need to be a sports enthusiast to experience this problem. However, experts estimate that over 90% of people affected with this condition don’t play tennis — or other sports for that matter. Instead, it develops from repetitive strain that overuses...

People usually give their rotator cuff little thought until it’s impossible to ignore. Injuries to your shoulder muscles and tendons can occur in an instant or slowly over time. However, they can all affect your ability to lift or even move your arm. When these injuries are severe or don’t...

Shoulder pain can flare up for numerous reasons, and it’s a very common problem. So, it’s no wonder people often try to ignore this issue, especially since they rely on this joint daily. While some causes of shoulder pain are relatively harmless, others can cause permanent damage when ignored, including...

People often think bigger is better. However, that’s definitely not the case when it comes to surgical procedures. In the past, surgeons needed to create large incisions in order to see, access, and correct issues inside the body. But times have changed thanks to advancements in technology. Dr. Thomas F....

A tendon is a powerful cord of rope-like tissue that attaches muscle to bone. It can also take a lot of abuse on a daily basis, whether you love physical activity or engage in repetitive movements on the job. When a tendon gets irritated, it becomes inflamed, swollen, and painful...

People often try to ignore soft tissue injuries like sprains. After all, nothing’s broken, right? Not necessarily. A sprain can vary in severity, and in severe cases, even require surgery. Dr. Thomas F. Saylor has the expertise you need to treat musculoskeletal issues from fractures and osteoarthritis to tears and...

It’s impossible to avoid aches and pains in daily life, whether you stub your toe, get a headache, or overdo your workout.  However, pain can also indicate an underlying problem, like soft tissue damage, arthritis, or even breaks and dislocations, particularly when it involves your elbow. Dr. Thomas F. Saylor...

Did you know that up to 12% of adults have some type of hypermobile joint? More simply put, they have more flexibility and range of motion than most of the population.  This issue can occur for several reasons, like underlying medical conditions and injuries. You’re also more likely to have...

Fractures — or breaks — can happen for a variety of reasons. They can also vary in severity, from hairline cracks to completely shattered tissue. But there’s one thing fractures have in common: Proper alignment must be restored if they’re going to heal correctly. Thomas F. Saylor, MD, at Orthopaedic...

In the past, there was a good reason to put off surgery for as long as possible; their large incisions meant a higher risk for complications and lengthy recovery times. Fortunately, things have changed. Nowadays, surgeons can often use minimally invasive techniques to treat even the most complex issues. These...

No one wants to see a lump or bump pop up out of nowhere. The good news is, if it’s a ganglion cyst, you don’t have to worry about cancer. Still, you should always get an expert diagnosis if you develop new growths on your body.  Ganglion cysts are common...

People often underestimate their need for a doctor. After all, if it’s not broken or bleeding, is there much a doctor can do to help? Actually, yes. Even seemingly minor ligament injuries can become an ongoing problem without medical intervention. And this is especially true when it comes to sprains. Fortunately, Thomas...

There’s a reason you’ve probably heard of the rotator cuff — over 2 million Americans develop problems in this part of their shoulder every year. So how can you tell if you’ve sustained an injury to yours? Thomas F. Saylor, MD, brings the latest techniques to treating rotator cuff tears...

Your tendons connect your muscles to your bones. If these fibrous cords of tissue become irritated and inflamed, the condition is called tendonitis. This issue can occur in any tendon in the body, but it typically develops in the wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and heels. When someone gets tendonitis, the...

It’s easy to make assumptions about broken bones, especially if you love watching medical dramas set in emergency rooms. However, not all fractures occur from trauma. In fact, it’s very common to sustain breaks from medical conditions and even repetitive stress.  Signs of a fracture often include: Pain and tenderness Swelling  Bruising...

Like most injuries, a sprain can happen in an instant. All it takes is to turn a joint awkwardly, and the ligaments — which hold the bones of a joint together — can stretch or tear from the strain. That’s when pain, swelling, and bruising can set in. Sometimes, you can even...

The term “minimally invasive surgery” isn’t a single procedure. Instead, it describes surgical techniques that allow your doctor to perform even complex operations with smaller incisions. This offers numerous advantages over traditional techniques that require one large incision to access the treatment area. As an orthopaedic surgeon with more than...

You may try to shrug off a sprain because it doesn’t involve a fracture. However, a sprain can still cause serious damage and pain. In fact, a sprain can take 4-6 weeks to heal, and some sprains require medical intervention to avoid long-term problems. At Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, helps people...

Tendons are the fibrous cords of tissue that connect your muscles to bones. If they become irritated, inflamed, or torn, this can cause pain and tenderness to develop, which is called tendonitis. While tendonitis can occur anywhere in the body, it’s most common in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders, along with the knees...

Bursitis. It’s a word you may have heard, but do you actually know what it is? Bursitis is a condition that involves the bursae. You can find these small, fluid-filled sacs near joints, which are areas where bones come together. Their job is to cushion joints. A great example of...

Have you ever heard of the RICE protocol? This common treatment strategy involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. But when is it a good way to treat an injury, and how do you know if you should see a doctor instead? Thomas F. Saylor, MD, offers numerous treatment strategies at Orthopaedic Care...

Dealing with bumps and bruises can be bad enough, but broken bones take more than a bandaid or a kiss to make them better. And, while the initial injury may seem like the biggest issue, it’s only the beginning. Children with broken bones need specialized treatment to avoid future problems. ...

If you find yourself with aching pain when you move your shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist, it could be tendonitis. This painful problem develops when a tendon — which connects muscle to bone — becomes irritated or inflamed. This issue causes more than 70,000 people to miss work each year. ...

Most people have experienced joint pain at some point, either from an injury, overuse, or a medical condition. Joint pain can develop anywhere in the body, but it’s especially common in the spine, hands, knees, hips, and feet. It also becomes increasingly common with age. But that doesn’t mean it’s...

Did you know carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common nerve disorders in the country? It impacts anywhere from 4-10 million Americans, especially women and middle- to older-aged individuals. Are you on track to developing this common problem? Thomas F. Saylor, MD, diagnoses and treats hand and wrist problems like carpal...

Do you have a dull ache in your shoulder that worsens at night or when you try to use your arm? You could have a rotator cuff injury. This group of muscles and ligaments forms a tough covering of tissue over the head of your upper arm bone, holding it in the shallow...

Arthritis is such a widespread problem, we often blame it for most of our aches and pains. But getting an accurate diagnosis is actually an important part of slowing the progression of this chronic disease. Osteoarthritis develops when the protective tissue that coats the ends of your bones — called...

It’s hard to confuse a gout flare-up with other problems. After all, this widespread form of arthritis often causes intense joint pain, swelling, inflammation, and redness that can knock you off your feet. That’s because gout usually affects the big toe. However, it can also cause problems in other parts...

Tendons are tough bands of fibrous tissue that attach your muscles to your bones. However, no matter how strong they are, they can only stretch so far, which leaves them vulnerable to injury. There are tendons all over your body, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are...

It’s absolutely normal to feel scared or nervous when you have to undergo surgery. However, advancements in medical techniques and technology have made it possible for surgeons to perform even the most complex procedures in far less invasive ways. But what does that mean, and why is it a good...

Dislocated elbows are a very common problem. In fact, this joint is the most often dislocated joint in children and the second most often dislocated joint in adults, after the shoulder.  Common causes of a dislocated elbow include: Falling Motor vehicle accidents Sports-related injuries  Lifting, swinging, or pulling someone’s arm...

The shoulder is one part of the body that commonly causes aches and pains. That’s because this highly flexible joint gets a workout on a daily basis, even when you least suspect it. Your shoulder contains a complex system of joints, tendons, and muscles. All of these components create the...

We put our feet through a lot every day, whether it’s walking to the office, running to catch the bus, or training for our first marathon. That’s also why it’s a common part of the body for fractures. But, contrary to popular belief, it’s not always obvious when these injuries...

There’s a reason why platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is revolutionizing the field of pain management. This game-changing regenerative treatment focuses on healing damage and disease, not masking your symptoms. But the best part is it doesn’t use risky drugs or surgery. Instead, it uses your own body. At Orthopaedic Care...

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects 4-10 million Americans, causing symptoms that range from numbness and weakness to pain and loss of hand function. Unfortunately, many people suffer in silence, unaware that numerous treatments can provide relief. Thomas F. Saylor, MD, of Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, brings the...

You have tendons all over your body, and these tough tissues — which connect muscle to bone — are all at risk of getting injured. However, tendonitis is usually more common in certain areas and often develops from repetitive stress. In fact, several forms of tendonitis have names derived from...

The terms “strains” and “sprains” often get used interchangeably. However, while they cause similar symptoms, they involve very different tissue in the body. When you strain something, you injure a muscle or the tissues — such as tendons — that attach muscle to bone. A sprain, on the other hand,...

Baseball may be America’s National Pastime, but it can also wreak havoc on a player’s shoulder, especially pitchers. That’s because certain movements, such as overhand throwing or sliding headfirst into a base, can put high levels of stress on the shoulder. And, when these motions become repetitive, they can increase...

When you have a fracture, you have a broken bone. While this may seem straightforward, the fact is, not all breaks are created equal. They can vary in severity from a hairline crack to a break that shatters in multiple pieces.  Thomas F. Saylor, MD, at Orthopaedic Care Specialists in...

Tendonitis may not be life-threatening, but that doesn’t mean it won’t derail your life and training. Fortunately, whether you’re a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, you can protect yourself and your tendons, so you won’t end up sitting on the sidelines. Thomas F. Saylor, MD, specializes in treating tendonitis...

Elbow problems are a common complaint. That’s because this hinge joint is highly vulnerable to injury and damage. The good news is that Thomas F. Saylor, MD, can help.  Dr. Saylor brings his skill in treating hand and upper extremity conditions, such as elbow problems, to Orthopaedic Care Specialists in...

Few of us spend much time thinking about surgical techniques until we learn we need surgery. In the past, that meant going through an “open” procedure with a large incision and a long, painful recovery. However, medical and technological advancements have made it possible for more and more surgeries to...

It can be alarming to find a new lump or bump on your body, especially if it causes additional symptoms, such as pain or tingling. But, masses like these on your wrists, fingers, ankles, or toes are often ganglion cysts.  While ganglion cysts are a type of tumor, these growths...

Thomas F. Saylor, MD, sees a lot of broken bones at Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida. In fact, these injuries are some of the most common problems seen by orthopedic surgeons. However, even though they’re common, that doesn’t mean they always require the same treatment. In this...

Each year, doctors see more than 4.5 million rotator cuff injuries in the United States, and approximately 300,000 of them require surgery. In the past, open surgeries were the main way of repairing these injuries. However, advancements in technology and technique have made a way for minimally invasive — or...

Our elbows take a lot of abuse, so it’s not surprising that elbow disorders are pretty common. However, because they can involve numerous parts of your elbow joint, there could be numerous things to blame. That’s where we come in. After spending more than two decades practicing orthopedic medicine, Thomas...

If you have a fracture, you have a broken bone. But, that doesn’t mean the bone is necessarily split in two. Instead, fractures can vary in size and severity, and they can occur for a variety of reasons. No matter the extent or cause of the fracture, however, it’s important...

When people think of joint replacement surgery, hips and knees usually come to mind first. However, more than 70,000 shoulder replacement surgeries occur each year, making them one of the fastest-growing joint replacement procedures in the country. So how do you know when to consider this treatment option for your...

When you think of carpal tunnel syndrome, you probably don’t think of pregnancy. However, several factors beyond repetitive motion can increase your chances of developing this condition, especially when you’re pregnant. At Orthopaedic Care Specialists, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, brings his expertise as a gifted orthopedic surgeon to men, women,...

Sometimes, surgery is the best option. Fortunately, if you have joint problems, it’s possible to have a surgical procedure with faster recovery times and less pain or risk of infection. At Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, specializes in the most advanced orthopedic procedures...

Do you have a rotator cuff injury? You’re not alone. In fact, approximately 50% of people age 60 and older end up with a rotator cuff tear. This area of your body is highly susceptible to injury, but why? At Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas F....

When you have a young athlete, the last thing you want is to see them sitting on the sidelines with an injury. Unfortunately, sports injuries are becoming more common in recent years, especially elbow injuries in young pitchers. At Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas F. Saylor,...

Rotator cuff injuries are a common source of dysfunction and pain in athletes of all skill levels. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, it can be hard sitting on the sidelines when you have an injury. Unfortunately, pushing yourself too hard or too quickly after rotator cuff...

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about your bicep tendons. That’s because it’s easy to ignore these three crucial tendons until something goes wrong. Fortunately, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, at Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida, can help. Here’s what you need...

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common issue that can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the fingers and thumb. This disorder develops when tendons in your wrist swell and put pressure on the median nerve where it enters your hand through a small area known as the carpal tunnel....