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The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) The Orthopaedic Center (TOC)
Sleep is paramount for maintaining health and wellness at every stage of your life. Although it may seem like nothing important is happening while you snooze, your body is working hard on important tasks, which are vital to your wellbeing.
We are excited to announce that TOC’s dedicated Spine Team is the first to bring Spine Surgery to Madison Hospital. Furthering our commitment to increase access to expert care, TOC is proud to support our patients’ needs with expert spine care closer to their homes, where they are most comfortable.
The new Spine Surgery service complements a wide variety of TOC’s orthopaedic care at the Madison Hospital location. From preventative care to the latest in surgical techniques, you can trust the experts at TOC for all things spine-related. Whether you need help with an existing problem or you just want to avoid issues in the future, we would be pleased to help you get your “back” on track.
(This article originally appeared in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
Think back to a time when high school coaches were more than just coaches to their athletes, playing the role of father-figure, team counselor, and even medical professional. Fast forward to today, and while coaches still wear many hats, the days of telling kids to “rub some dirt” on an injury have long gone. Thanks to advancements in sports medicine care for premiere athletes, coaches have turned to TOC Sports for treatment of their athletes’ sports-specific injuries.
But, this system wasn’t put together overnight. In fact, you’d have to turn the calendar back to just before the turn of the century, when sports were big, but not sports medicine…yet. In 1999 a group of sports-trained orthopaedic professionals from TOC answered the call for specialized sports care and assembled to form TOC Sports. Teaming up with Certified Athletic Trainers from Huntsville Hospital, TOC Sports began to identify organizations, on all levels, who could benefit from the care of sports medicine specialists.
What began as sports medicine support for a small number of schools in our area has grown to include nearly two dozen high schools and middle schools across North Alabama including: Huntsville, Madison, and Athens City school systems, as well as Oakwood and Alabama A&M Universities. Professional teams like the Huntsville Havoc hockey team count on the TOC Sports physicians for their on-the-spot care.
This growth has allowed TOC Sports to become the most comprehensive sports medicine team in Alabama, with some very unique services including pre-season physical exams and injury prevention programs. TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital also offer a Friday Night Post-Game Injury Clinic during the fall sports season as a way to continue to help athletes after the game is over. Athletes can benefit from our innovative therapies and procedures including: ultrasound-guided injections, bioinductive implants and regenerative medicine, like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) treatments which have shown to decrease recovery time in patients recovering from surgery.
Beyond their commitment to the health and well-being of student-athletes, the TOC Sports physicians understand that the word “student” comes before “athlete”. We recognize the dedication it takes to be a successful student-athlete, and proudly support the Athlete of the Year Scholarship Program. This program recognizes outstanding high school seniors who go above and beyond, excelling inside and outside the classroom.
Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior or just getting started with an active lifestyle, the Sports Medicine specialists from TOC Sports can develop a game-plan to care for all your orthopaedic needs …and Keep YOU in the Game!
(A version of this article was originally published in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
When 17 year old Tanner from Decatur started experiencing daily leg pain, she initially thought she was being too active. Between her job in a doctor’s office, working out regularly at the gym, and her daily walks with her dog, Callie, that seemed like a reasonable assumption. In addition to her typical activities, Tanner had recently been helping a friend pack to move. She hoped the pain was related to her over-exertion and would resolve with a little rest. Unfortunately, the pain worsened and became an ongoing hardship.
Tanner endured discomfort for four months before she went to a chiropractor. Unfortunately, that visit brought only a short respite from her pain. Steroid packs and acupuncture didn’t bring relief, either.
Family trips were canceled as she dealt with debilitating back pain. She was unable to sit through long car rides or enjoy short walks. Tanner started to feel depressed about missing out on life.
Tanner’s mother Kacey, a nurse, was desperate to find a solution for her daughter’s pain. Finally, at the recommendation of a colleague, she and Tanner visited the office of Dr. Larry Parker, a well-known and respected TOC spine surgeon.
Dr. Parker was able to quickly diagnose the source of Tanner’s troubles as sciatic pain due to a slipped disc, which was pinching a nerve. The solution would require surgery… Tanner knew this was her opportunity to find relief and scheduled her surgery within two weeks of that visit.
“I was really afraid for her to have any procedure done to her back, but we felt we had exhausted all other options.” Kacey recounted. Thankfully, consistent communication from Tanner’s surgeon helped relieve her parental anxieties. Dr. Parker called Tanner’s mother before the surgery to discuss previous successes he had with similar cases. He also spoke with her the morning of the surgery and after it was complete to report on the procedure’s success. Tanner was released to go home after a couple hours. “Looking back, I wish we had considered the procedure much sooner,” Kacey said.
After two weeks of rest at home, Tanner was back at work and enjoying her life totally pain-free. “Before I had surgery, I thought I would have to miss my Senior Trip. Now, I feel 100% better. The Senior Trip is booked and I’m Bahama bound!” Tanner said.
Dr. Parker and TOC are very glad to have been a part of Tanner’s recovery. We wish her well as she and Callie enjoy an active life once again.
TOC stands ready to create many more positive outcomes for our patient family with our excellent team of Spine Surgeons: Drs. Blake Boyett, Larry Parker, John Rodriguez-Feo, Calame Sammons, Brian Scholl, Morris Seymour, and Murray Spruiell. In addition, physicians Steven Buckley and Michael Lawley, TOC’s pediatric orthopaedic specialists, treat spine issues in children ages newborn to 14.
(A version of this article was originally published in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
“Tanner woke up from surgery with immediate relief. We would recommend Dr. Parker to anyone having back pain.”
– Tanner’s mother, Kacey
“It is highly unusual to see this kind of injury in someone so young, but fortunately, I’ve had lots of success with these operations and patients of all ages are able to resume their normal lives. It’s so rewarding to see someone recover and enjoy life as they want.”
– Dr. Larry Parker
TOC Spine Surgeon
Whether you’re picking up grandbabies in a big bear hug or throwing the winning touchdown, everyone needs to be able to move their shoulders through their normal ranges. You can improve your flexibility through range-of-motion (ROM) exercises. Stretch out your shoulders with these four basic movements.
ROM Flexion: Slide your arm up a wall, with your palm facing out as you lean toward the wall. Hold that for 10 seconds, and repeat it five times, twice a day. Alternate each arm.
ROM External Rotation: Keep the palm of your hand against a door frame with your elbow bent at 90 degrees. Turn your body from the fixed hand until you start to feel a stretch. Hold ten seconds, repeat five times and do this twice a day. Alternate each arm.
ROM Towel Stretch: With interior rotation pull your arm up behind your back by pulling the towel up with your other arm. Hold for ten seconds, repeat five time and do this set twice a day. Alternate each arm.
Corner Stretch: Stand in the corner with your elbows at shoulder level, leaning forward to stretch across your chest. Hold for ten seconds, repeating five times for two sessions a day.
For more tips, visit AthletesGuide.VisitTOC.com, your online guide to Sports Medicine.
(This article originally appeared in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 Newsletter.)
If you’ve ever watched an episode of HGTV, you’ve probably seen excitement over a house with “good bones”. That’s because even TV personalities realize that bones are the strong foundation for success.
Everyday life can be very demanding on your body’s joints, so it’s especially common for athletes to feel occasional pain in those areas. If you need a joint issue addressed, TOC has a specialist for you. Meanwhile, here are some helpful conditioning exercises our physicians recommend to keep your body strong. These exercises use just your body weight, no equipment needed! Continue reading “TOC Fit Tips: Hips & Knees”
Growing up in the Deep South, you quickly learn that a few things are non-negotiable: respecting your elders, drinking sweet tea, and choosing your favorite football team. Continue reading “Football Fun & Avoiding Injury”