We’ve got a lot to thank our bones for. They give us the ability to move, create our physical structure, and hold our muscles in place. And they store calcium — a mineral associated with bones and teeth; but it’s also vital for nerve function, healthy heart rhythms, muscle contracting,...
Did you know you had about 270 bones in your body when you were born? However, some bones fuse together as we grow, leaving us with between 206-213 bones by the time we reach adulthood. But, whether you have 270 bones or 206, they can all get broken or cracked. And, if that happens,...
We demand a lot from our hands on a daily basis without even realizing it. Whether it’s holding a fresh cup of coffee, dribbling a basketball, or performing fine and intricate tasks, their strength and dexterity get us through each day until something goes wrong — like trigger finger. Dr....
Most people hear from a very young age to drink plenty of milk for strong teeth and bones. But does science back up these claims? Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr., has spent over 30 years practicing orthopedic medicine. His passion and commitment to the field and his patients keep him...
Arthritis is a widespread problem, affecting an estimated 57% of Americans between 18-64 years of age alone. But that doesn’t mean they have the same disease, so they won’t necessarily respond to the same treatments. Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr., specializes in diagnosing and treating joint conditions like arthritis at Orthopedic Associates of Southwest...
It’s easy to take our bodies for granted until something starts to hurt or stops working right, especially when it involves our knees. Unfortunately, our bodies are complex systems that can begin to fail when we least expect it. But there are ways to restore function, even when it involves...
How often have you tried to ignore a problem or put off treatment for as long as possible? Does it happen more often when it involves a trip to the doctor? Unfortunately, this common mistake rarely works out for the best, especially when it involves your health. In fact, delaying...
Exercise and athletics may be good for the body and mind, but they can also leave you vulnerable to injury. Fortunately, whether you are a professional or weekend warrior, you can protect yourself from sports-related injuries. Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr. brings over 30 years of medical expertise to people...
Approximately 32.5 million American adults live with osteoarthritis. This form of joint disease develops when the cartilage cushioning a joint begins breaking down, leading to bone deterioration. These changes typically occur slowly and worsen with time, leading to pain and stiffness, along with reduced function and mobility. Fortunately, numerous treatments...
Broken bones come in several varieties. In some cases, a bone can completely shatter or break in two, piercing the surface of your skin. Because of this, it’s easy to brush off a stress fracture as nothing serious. After all, it’s only a thin, hairline crack, right? Dr. Edward R....
Do you love to exercise? Are you an athlete or a weekend warrior? These are just a few of the people who can benefit from working with a sports medicine specialist. Whether you’re a fitness aficionado or you’re starting a new exercise plan, the field of sports medicine focuses on...
Most people associate arthritis with aging. However, it’s actually a general term for describing any form of joint pain and related conditions. In fact, there are so many types of arthritis that experts organize them by their four most common causes: Degenerative: wear and tear on the joints over time...
Having problems with your hands can make it difficult or impossible to perform the smallest tasks. Fortunately, hand surgery can often repair and restore function to your hands. There are numerous techniques and procedures that can treat a long list of hand conditions and injuries, ranging from joint and nerve...
Reconstructive surgery isn’t necessarily a single procedure. Instead, it describes specialized orthopedic techniques that restore function and structure to: Bones Cartilage Joints Muscles Tendons Ligaments As a result, these procedures can address a wide variety of damage in the body, whether it’s a congenital problem present from birth or an...
An estimated 40 million Americans struggle with arthritis — a general term for describing more than 100 different types of joint inflammation. There may be numerous kinds of arthritis, but they all share a few common characteristics: pain, reduced mobility, and cartilage deterioration. Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr., offers nonsurgical...
You have your nervous system to thank for your ability to interact and connect with the world around you. That’s because it controls a wide range of bodily activities, from voluntary and involuntary functions — like balance, movement, blood pressure, and blood flow — to sensations, like touch, taste, and...
Whether you have joint damage, infection, nerve problems, or a fracture, hand surgery can provide effective results. And with new minimally invasive approaches, you can get relief with fewer risks and faster recovery times. However, you’re still undergoing surgery, and you’ll likely have limited use of your hand while it...
More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children live with arthritis in the United States alone. However, it’s important to note that the word “arthritis” simply describes inflammation of the joint causing debilitating pain. More than 100 conditions fall under this umbrella term, and osteoarthritis by far is the most...
Trying to figure out what type of doctor to see when you have an injury can feel overwhelming. Should you visit your family doctor? Or maybe an orthopedist? And is sports medicine only for competitive athletes? It may seem confusing, but the short answer is fairly straightforward. Sports medicine physicians...
The term “trigger finger” can be a bit misleading, as it has nothing to do with using firearms. Instead, this tendon problem, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, describes a finger stuck in a bent position, as if pulling a trigger. At Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, Dr....
In an ideal world, we’d all take steps beforehand to prevent sports injuries from happening. Unfortunately, we’re not always that lucky. In fact, sports injuries are quite common, especially those that result from overuse. At Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Florida, Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr., offers comprehensive sports medicine services....
You have three bones forming your elbow joint: the distal humerus, the radial head, and the olecranon. The distal humerus is the part of your upper elbow at the bottom of the arm bone that attaches your elbow to your shoulder. Your radial head is the knobby part of your...
When you have arthritis, you experience inflammation in at least one joint — the areas where two or more bones come together. However, not all joint inflammation has the same cause, which means they don’t respond to the same treatment. Here in Fort Myers, Florida, Dr. Edward R. Dupay, Jr....
You can sustain a fracture in several ways. Sometimes, it’s obvious, like falling or experiencing some form of trauma. Other times, a fracture can be as small as a tiny crack in your bone from repetitive stress, overuse, or weakening bone tissue. No matter what’s behind your fracture, the one...
If you have arthritis pain, you’re not alone. More than one in four Americans with arthritis experiences severe joint pain, and approximately 24 million report limiting their activities because of their symptoms. Fortunately, if you have osteoarthritis in your knees and prefer to avoid or delay a joint replacement, Synvisc-One®...
If you have arthritis then you know just how agonizing it can be when you’re in pain. And exercising is probably the last thing on your mind. But, did you know that with regular exercise you can actually improve your arthritis pain? At Orthopedic Associates Of Southwest Florida, Edward R....
If chronic, persistent shoulder pain is interfering in your daily life, one of the greatest advances in orthopedic medicine could be the solution you’ve been looking for — arthroscopic surgery. This technologically advanced and minimally invasive procedure allows surgeons to diagnose and treat damage in your shoulder joints without the...
It’s easy to assume that you have to sustain a serious trauma to break a bone. However, not all fractures involve severe breaks or accidents. In fact, two of the most common causes of fractures include osteoporosis and overuse -- both of which can cause cracks or breaks in your...
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...
Stress fractures are common injuries, especially for people who have a job or play a sport that includes a repetitive force activity – such as running or jumping. Overuse and stress on your legs or feet can lead to a tiny crack in your bone, otherwise known as a stress...
If you have arthritis, you likely know how painful it can be. So you may be surprised to learn that one of the best ways to reduce arthritis pain is to get moving. Research indicates that physical activity can be very effective in reducing pain and improving mobility. At Orthopedic...
If you do work that requires extensive and repetitive use of your hands and wrists, you’re unfortunately at a higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that’s not only painful but aggravating. In addition to pain, you may experience persistent numbness and tingling in your hands and wrists. You’re...
It used to be that any repair to your knee entailed an open surgery, which meant months of recovery and a fair degree of immobilization. Thanks to arthroscopy, we’re able to get in and repair your knee using a minimally invasive approach that greatly reduces collateral damage and gets you...
The mobility in your shoulder makes it vulnerable to injury. Repetitive use, especially in sports, can lead to injury. Pitch a softball one too many times or swing a racquet with poor form and your rotator cuff may suffer. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons that cap...
Joint replacement surgery is an effective way to address serious joint-related pain and dysfunction. If you think you’re too young to consider hip replacement surgery as an option for your hip pain, think again. More and more patients in their 40s and 50s are opting to go in for hip...
More than 31 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, and as the population ages, that number will go up. Osteoarthritis can develop in many joints in your body, but when it hits your knees, the pain and inflammation can make it hard to walk, stoop, climb stairs, and sit. At Orthopedic...
