Do you feel pain and stiffness in your shoulder when attempting to retrieve something from a high shelf or reaching across your body to fasten a seatbelt? You might be dealing with frozen shoulder. This condition tends to creep up slowly, making everyday tasks more difficult as your shoulder joint tightens.

Frozen shoulder is common, especially in people over 40, and it doesn’t always have an obvious cause. But once symptoms begin, they tend to stick around. Recognizing frozen shoulder symptoms early and starting the right treatment plan is the best way to speed up your recovery.

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that limits movement in your shoulder joint. The capsule of connective tissue that surrounds the joint becomes inflamed and stiff. Over time, this tightens up the joint and severely restricts motion.

Frozen shoulder typically affects one shoulder at a time, although in some unlucky cases, both may be affected at once. Fortunately, this condition is treatable and often preventable.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

Here are the factors that increase the risk of frozen shoulder:

• Injury or surgery: After shoulder surgery or breaking your arm, you may need to avoid moving your shoulder for a while. However, wearing a sling for too long may cause the joint capsule to tighten up.
• Chronic conditions: People with diabetes, thyroid disorders, Parkinson’s disease, or cardiovascular disease are at higher risk.
• Age and gender: Frozen shoulder is most common in people between 40 and 60 years old. It also affects women more frequently than men.

Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Frozen shoulder develops in four distinct stages, each with unique symptoms. Knowing which stage you’re in guides your treatment plan and helps you set reasonable expectations.

Stage 1: Pre-Freezing

In this phase, your shoulder feels off, but you’re not sure what’s wrong yet. You might assume you slept in a weird position or overdid it at the gym. But when the discomfort lingers for weeks, it becomes clear that it’s not just a passing soreness.

Symptoms of a pre-freezing shoulder:

• Mild to moderate pain with movement
• Slight stiffness
• Discomfort at night

Stage 2: Freezing

By now, you’re in active freezing mode. The pain increases, and your range of motion plummets. Tasks like brushing your hair or reaching behind you to grab a seatbelt may make you grit your teeth. The discomfort may last six weeks to nine months.

Symptoms of a freezing shoulder:

• Sharp or throbbing pain
• Severe stiffness
• Nighttime pain that disrupts sleep
• Reduced ability to lift or rotate the arm

Stage 3: Frozen

You can expect a slight reprieve from the pain during this stage, but your movement becomes highly restricted. Your shoulder may remain uncooperative for four to six months.

Symptoms of a frozen shoulder:

• Pain lessens but doesn’t disappear
• Limited movement persists
• The shoulder feels stuck or locked in place

Stage 4: Thawing

Finally, you start to see improvement as your mobility gradually returns. A frozen shoulder may take six months to two years to fully thaw, but you can speed things up with help from physical therapy or medical intervention.

Symptoms of a thawing shoulder:

• Range of motion begins to improve
• Discomfort fades
• Activities become easier

Frozen Shoulder Medical Treatment

No one wants to live with a shoulder that refuses to move for months on end. Fortunately, there are many ways to ease the pain and relieve stiffness. Some of the most common frozen shoulder treatment methods include:

• Oral medications: NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen manage pain and swelling.
• Interventional pain management: Cortisone injections reduce inflammation and make physical therapy more effective. Other options like joint distension and hydrodilatation involve injecting sterile water into the joint capsule to stretch the tissue and improve mobility.
• Manipulation under anesthesia: For more severe cases, a doctor moves the shoulder joint through its full range of motion while the patient is under anesthesia. This helps break up adhesions and improve flexibility without causing pain during the procedure.
• Arthroscopic capsular release: In this minimally invasive surgery, small instruments are inserted through tiny incisions to cut through the tight, thickened joint capsule. This releases tension and restores mobility.

It’s important to match the treatment with the stage of your condition. In most cases, conservative options work best if started early.

Frozen Shoulder Exercises

Gentle movement is one of the best ways to ease stiffness and gradually restore shoulder mobility. Try these exercises at home with permission from your doctor or physical therapist:

• Pendulum swings: Lean forward with your unaffected arm supported on a table. Let the affected arm hang straight down and gently swing it in small circles, clockwise and counterclockwise. Do 30 seconds in each direction two to three times total.
• Finger wall walks: Stand facing a wall, arm’s length away. Use your fingers to “walk” your hand up the wall until you feel a light stretch, then walk back down. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
• Cross-body reach: Use your good arm to lift your affected arm across your chest until you feel a stretch in the shoulder. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat three to five times.
• Towel stretch: Hold a towel behind your back with one hand and grab the opposite end with your other hand. Gently pull to stretch the affected shoulder, either upward or downward. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat five to 10 times.

Let’s Thaw that Frozen Shoulder

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics has been helping patients reduce shoulder pain and regain mobility since 1983. Our approach puts you first—you’ll leave your initial appointment with a clear, personalized action plan in mind so you know exactly what comes next. Our specialists work together to help you meet your treatment goals, whether that’s returning to your sport or just getting through the day without pain. When you’re ready to restore motion in your shoulder, please book an appointment in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, or Tipton, IN.

Has your hip been acting up lately? If it feels sore, stiff, or just plain cranky, you might be dealing with hip bursitis. This common condition can sneak up on anyone, but certain activities and underlying conditions increase your risk. Don’t worry—with the right interventions and lifestyle changes, hip pain is fully treatable and, in many cases, preventable.

What Causes Hip Bursitis?

Hip bursitis happens when the bursa—a small fluid-filled sac that cushions your hip bone—gets irritated or inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by various factors:

• Repetitive motion: Running, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods can create damaging friction over the hip joint.
• Injury or trauma: A fall, bump, or awkward twist may inflame the bursa almost instantly.
• Poor biomechanics: Problems like leg length differences or a limping gait from another injury may throw off your body’s alignment and strain your hip.
• Underlying health conditions: Arthritis or scoliosis can lead to extra wear and tear.
• Surgical changes: Developing bursitis after a hip replacement is not uncommon, especially if you experience altered movement or additional pressure post-op.

Hip Bursitis Symptoms

Not all hip pain points to bursitis. Here are the specific signs to watch for:

• Outer hip pain: The discomfort may worsen when lying on that side.
• Tenderness: The side of your hip may be warm, sensitive to touch, or slightly swollen.
• Pain with movement: Your hip might feel stiff or uncomfortable as you go about your daily activities.
• Nighttime pain: Lying on the affected side can make sleep uncomfortable or even impossible.
• Limited mobility: Over time, tight muscles around the hip make normal motion harder.

Symptoms usually start mild and worsen gradually. It’s easy to mistake discomfort as “just getting older,” but if your hip has been complaining for over a week, it’s time to listen.

Hip Bursitis Treatment

Effective treatment for hip bursitis starts with a clear diagnosis and a conversation about what’s causing your pain. Your healthcare provider may complete a physical exam, ask you how and when the pain began, and use imaging to rule out fractures or other issues.

Once you sort that out, the goal is to calm the inflammation, relieve pressure, and prevent pain from returning with the following hip bursitis treatments:

• Activity adjustments: Scaling back on high-impact movement gives your inflamed hip time to heal.
• Ice therapy: Applying ice packs a few times a day reduces inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatories: Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen relieve pain and swelling.
• Interventional pain management: For chronic or severe cases, a cortisone injection directly into the bursa calms things down quickly.
• Physical therapy: Targeted exercises for hip bursitis strengthen the muscles that support your hip, improve flexibility, and fix any off-kilter movement patterns.
• Assistive tools: Using a cane or walker relieves the pressure when walking becomes difficult.

Exercises for Hip Bursitis

Movement is a major part of hip bursitis recovery (and prevention), but not just any movement will do. Here are some specific exercises to strengthen your hip muscles, improve flexibility, and take pressure off your inflamed bursa:

• Side-lying leg lifts: Lie on your good side and slowly raise the top leg about 12 inches, then lower with control. Aim for two sets of 10 to 15 reps.
• Bridges: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Hold for three to five seconds, then lower slowly. Do two to three sets of 10 reps.
• Standing hip abduction: Hold onto a chair for balance and lift one leg straight out to the side without tilting your core. Pause at the top for a second or two, then lower. Complete two sets of 10 to 12 reps.
• Clamshells: Lie on your side with knees bent and feet together, then open your top knee like a clamshell while keeping your feet in contact. Hold for two seconds at the top. Do two to three sets of 15 reps.
• IT band stretches: Stand with your feet together. Cross your affected leg behind the other and gently lean to the opposite side until you feel a stretch along your outer hip and thigh. For a deeper stretch, raise your arms overhead. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, and repeat two to three times.

Before trying exercises for hip bursitis, check with your healthcare provider to make sure they’re safe for your specific case. Take each one slowly, and stop if you feel pain.

When to See a Doctor

Hip bursitis can often be managed at home, but if you’re tired of chronic bursitis hip pain​, it may be time to meet with a healthcare provider. Here are the signs that toughing it out is no longer an option:

• The pain is severe or lingers for more than a couple of weeks.
• Walking or basic movement is becoming more difficult.
• You notice redness, warmth, or fever, which are signs of infection.
• You’ve tried adjusting your activities, resting, icing, and stretching, but things are only getting worse.

In short, if hip pain is affecting your quality of life, you need a better solution from a medical professional.

Try Proven Hip Bursitis Solutions

At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for treating hip bursitis. Our fellowship-trained specialists design treatment plans based on your specific diagnosis, age, activity level, and personal goals. We focus on conservative, non-surgical options first, with the goal of restoring your activity level without surgery. If hip replacement becomes the right call, you can count on our skill and experience to guide you through it. Don’t let hip pain slow you down—request an appointment today at one of our locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, or Tipton, IN.

If you’ve ever found yourself shaking out your hands after a long day of typing or waking up with numb fingers, you might be wondering, “How do I know if I have carpal tunnel?” It’s a common question, especially in the age of computers and smartphones, which make repetitive hand movements a part of daily life. Explore carpal tunnel syndrome, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do about it.​

What Is Carpal Tunnel?

The carpal tunnel in your wrist is a narrow passageway of bones and ligaments. It’s already a tight squeeze, so when tendons or surrounding tissues swell, the median nerve running from your forearm into your palm may get pinched or compressed. This is known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common than many people realize. It’s not just an issue for office workers—athletes, artists, assembly line workers, and anyone who frequently uses their hands for repetitive motion are all at risk. Don’t confuse carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome—they share similar mechanics, but tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs in the feet and ankles rather than the hands and wrists.

What Does Carpal Tunnel Feel Like?

Here’s how most people with CTS describe this condition:

• Tingling or numbness: The thumb and nearby fingers are most likely to be affected. The sensation might come and go or consistently annoy you.
• Pins and needles: This may be especially noticeable when holding objects or using your hands for long periods.
• Radiating pain: You may feel discomfort in your wrist, up your forearm, or down into your hand.
• Poor grip strength: If you drop your coffee mug for no reason or struggle to open jars, your grip strength could be affected.
• Sudden, brief jolts: A shock-like feeling in your fingers is another sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms often worsen at night because it’s natural to sleep with bent wrists, which puts extra pressure on the already-cramped nerve. If you wake up with numb, tingly hands, that’s a red flag.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

Several factors increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Repetitive motions: Examples include typing, using tools, playing instruments, or anything that involves the same hand movements over and over.
• Wrist positioning: Extreme flexing or bending puts pressure on the nerve.
• Inflammation: Conditions like arthritis and diabetes cause swelling and increased pressure in the carpal tunnel.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and fluid retention contribute to nerve compression.
• Injury or trauma: A wrist fracture or sprain can shrink the tunnel space.
• Genetics: Some people are born with a narrower carpal tunnel, which makes compression more likely.

How to Treat Carpal Tunnel

Not every case of CTS requires surgery. You can try several conservative treatment options first:

• Wrist splints: These are worn mostly at night to keep your wrists in a straight, neutral position while sleeping. This simple fix prevents the nerve from being squished and relieves symptoms effectively.
• Stop the aggravating activity: If wrist pain sets in while doing a repetitive task, take a break or change activities.
• Interventional pain management: Cortisone injections are a non-surgical option that reduces swelling and inflammation around the median nerve. It’s not a permanent fix but can offer powerful relief when symptoms spike.
• Physical or occupational therapy: A therapist can help strengthen the right muscles and teach you stretches to open up the carpal tunnel. They’ll also work with you to change how you use your hands throughout the day and prevent future flare-ups.
• Surgery: Reserved for the most stubborn cases, carpal tunnel release surgery involves cutting the ligament pressing on the nerve. It’s usually done under local anesthesia and has a high success rate.

How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel

If your job or hobbies involve repetitive hand movements, preventing CTS should be a high priority. While you can’t change your genetics or stop using your hands entirely, you can adopt good habits to protect your hands and wrists:

• Keep your wrists neutral: Try to avoid bending your wrists too far up or down during tasks. Keeping them straight reduces pressure on the median nerve and allows blood to flow more freely through the carpal tunnel.
• Take breaks often: You don’t need to pause for long—just a 30-second break every 30 minutes during prolonged periods of typing or using hand tools reduces repetitive strain. During these breaks, shake out your hands and gently stretch your fingers and wrists.
• Use the right tools: An ergonomic keyboard, vertical mouse, cushioned hand tools, and properly positioned work surfaces reduce the stress on your wrists. The more comfortable your setup, the less likely you are to overcompensate with poor hand positioning.
• Stretch and strengthen: Daily wrist flexor and extensor stretches improve flexibility and decrease tightness. Do strength-building exercises, too, like squeezing a soft ball or using resistance bands.
• Watch your posture: Slouching might seem harmless, but it affects how your shoulders and arms support your wrists. Sit upright with your shoulders relaxed and elbows close to your sides to reduce strain along the entire nerve pathway, which extends from your neck down to your fingers.
• Warm up your hands: Cold muscles and tendons are more prone to stiffness and injury, especially during the winter or in air-conditioned environments. Wear fingerless gloves or warm up with a heat pack before repetitive tasks to keep your hands limber.

Begin Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we’ve seen a lot of sore wrists over our 40+ years in business, and we’ve learned how to treat them with precision, care, and proven results. Our specially-trained doctors offer a combination of advanced surgical techniques and non-surgical therapies and interventions. We’ll work with you to develop a customized care plan for your wrist pain. Stop guessing whether you have carpal tunnel—contact us today to get answers you can trust. We have several convenient locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, and Tipton, IN, to better serve you.

Knees don’t get nearly enough credit. They are among the body’s largest, most complex joints, connecting the femur, tibia, and patella with a web of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage that must work together in harmony. Whether sprinting down a field, squatting to lift something, or simply taking a walk, your knees absorb the brunt of the impact.

With all that action, it’s no surprise the knee is one of the most injury-prone joints in the body. When it starts to hurt, even simple tasks feel 10 times harder. The good news is most knee injuries are preventable. Performing a few strategic exercises takes you one step closer to strong, stable, pain-free knees.

Common Knee Injuries

Anyone can injure their knees, not just athletes. Here are some of the most common types of knee injuries that send people to urgent care or physical therapy:

• ACL tears
• Meniscus tears
• Patellar tendinitis
• Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
• Osteoarthritis

Best Practices for Knee Injury Prevention

Before starting your first set of knee-strengthening exercises, brush up on these best practices to garner the best results:

• Warm up first: Cold muscles are more prone to strain. A five-minute warm-up gets the blood flowing and reduces the risk of injury.
• Cool down and stretch: Don’t end your workout abruptly. Your post-exercise routine should include a five-minute cool-down and stretching session to keep your muscles loose and flexible.
• Wear supportive shoes: The wrong footwear throws off your alignment and stresses your knees. Look for shoes with good arch support, cushioning, and a stable sole to absorb impact.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying just 10 extra pounds of body weight translates to 40 pounds of added pressure on your knees. Shedding even a little weight relieves the pressure and reduces the risk of injury.
• Practice good posture: Poor spinal alignment while walking, squatting, or lifting causes muscle imbalances that stress the knees. Be mindful of your posture to keep injuries at bay.

8 Exercises to Strengthen Your Knees

The best knee exercises focus on building muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, three essentials for preventing injury. Consistency is key—aim for two to three sessions per week, but always listen to your body. If anything starts hurting, stop before you cause long-term damage.

1.    Straight Leg Raises

This strengthens your quadriceps, the large muscles on the front of your thigh that support the knee joint. If your knees aren’t ready for weight-bearing exercises, this one’s a gentle place to start.

Lie on your back with one leg bent and the other leg straight. Tighten the thigh muscle and flex the foot of the straight leg. Then, slowly lift it about 12 inches off the ground. Hold for a count of three, then lower it slowly. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps on each leg.

2.    Hamstring Curls

This move targets the hamstrings on the back of the thigh that help stabilize the knee.

Stand next to a chair or countertop for balance. Slowly bend one knee and lift your heel toward your buttocks. Hold for a beat or two at the top, then lower your leg. Aim for 10 to 15 reps per leg. As you get stronger, try the exercise while wearing ankle weights.

3.    Step-Ups

This knee-strengthening exercise mimics everyday motions like walking up stairs and builds strength in the quads, hamstrings, and glutes.

Use a low, sturdy bench or the bottom step of a flight of stairs. Step up with one leg, then bring the other leg up to meet it. Step back down and repeat. Alternate your leading leg with each rep. Do 10 to 15 on each side.

4.    Wall Squats

Do this exercise to strengthen your lower body while keeping pressure off the knee joints.

Stand with your back flat against a wall, feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly slide down until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle like you’re sitting in an invisible chair. Hold for at least 10 seconds, then slide back up. Try for 10 reps.

5.    Calf Raises

Your calves affect balance and lower-body stability, which contributes to knee injury prevention.

Stand tall, feet hip-width apart. Slowly raise your heels off the ground so you’re on your toes, then lower them back down. Perform 15 to 20 reps. For a larger range of motion, perform the exercise on a low bench or step, allowing your heel to hang off the end.

6.    Side-Lying Leg Lifts

This targets the hip abductors, which are critical for maintaining knee alignment and stability during side-to-side movements.

Lie on one side with your legs stacked. Keep the top leg straight and lift it slowly to about a 45-degree angle. Hold, then lower. Do 10 to 15 reps per side. If this is too easy, add ankle weights.

7.    Standing Hamstring Stretch

Flexible hamstrings reduce the strain on your knees during physical activity.

Place one heel on a low stool or bench. Keep your leg straight and your toes pointing up. Gently lean forward from the hips—not your lower back—until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, and repeat on the other leg.

8.    Quadriceps Stretch

This increases flexibility in your quads and reduces the likelihood of overuse injuries.

Stand on one foot, holding onto something to maintain your balance. Bend your opposite knee and bring your heel toward your glutes. Grab your ankle and gently pull to deepen the stretch. Keep your knees close together, and your hips pushed slightly forward. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds per leg.

Treat Your Aching Knees

If you’re already dealing with knee pain, these exercises may not be enough. Consider supplementing them with interventional pain management at Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. We have over 40 years of experience helping patients recover, rebuild, and return to doing what they love. Our fellowship-trained physicians and sports medicine professionals provide diagnostics, imaging, and treatment all in one convenient location. Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury or looking to improve athletic performance, we’ll develop an action plan and guide you every step of the way. Schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, or Tipton, IN.

Acute injuries happen all the time, but recently the 15-24 age group has had the highest injury rate in a study of emergency room visits. Approximately 2.5 million sports-related knee injuries occur each year amount adolescents in the United States. The most common diagnoses are the following:

• Ligaments: Sprains or tears of the ACL, MCL, PCL or LCL
  • Since 2007 we have seen an increase in ACL tears in children and teens by 26%
• Fibrocartilage: Injury to the medial / lateral meniscus
• Bone: Bruises or non-displaced fractures
• Cartilage Injury: Osteochondral defects

How to Manage the injury:

Decrease pain and swelling, but also increase range of motion.

• Over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen
• Ice therapy and compression
• Gentle range of motion exercises with the following exercises:
  • Ankle Pumps & Circles
  • Quadriceps Sets
  • Heel Slides (Hip & Knee Flexion)
  • Lying Kicks
    • Lie on your back with a padded 3-pound coffee can or rolled blanket under your knee. Straighten your knee. Hold for 5 seconds. Slowly lower your leg down and relax. The back of your knee should stay in contact with the can/blanket during the exercise. Repeat with opposite leg
  • Straight Leg Raises
  • Knee Bending (Seated Knee Flexion)
    • Sit on a chair. Bend your knee back as much as you can. You may use the other leg to push the leg back. Hold for 30 seconds. Return to the starting position and relax. Repeat 5 times.
  • Sitting kicks
    • Sit in a sturdy chair. Lift your foot, straightening your knee as much as possible. Try to keep your knees level, as if you were holding a tray on your lap. Hold for 5 seconds. Slowly lower your leg down and relax. Return to the starting position and repeat with opposite leg.
  • Knee straightening stretch
    • Work on straightening your knee for 10 minutes. Sit on a sturdy chair with your heel up on another chair, or a footstool, in front of you. You should feel a stretch on the back of your knee. You can do thigh squeezes while you sit in this position to increase the stretch.

Next Steps:

Given the mechanism of injury, symptoms and physician examination, an MRI has to be ordered to evaluate internal derangement. A Forté staff member associated with your physician will contact you usually 48 - 72 hours after the MRI has been completed to review the results and develop a personalized treatment plan. Physical therapy is an integral part of the recovery process and can be initiated before the MRI scan to help with the range of motion.

Resources:

• S.K. Yasen: Common knee injuries, diagnosis and management
• L.S. Butler, J.J. Janosky, D. Sugimoto: Pediatric and adolescent knee injuries: risk factors and preventative strategies
• V. Minjares: Analysis: Serious knee injury among teen athletes grows 26%; National ACL Injury Coalition

Traditionally a more common and well-known approach, cortisone injections are used by orthopedic specialists at Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics to treat a wide variety of conditions. Derived from a type of steroid called corticosteroids that became popular because of their strong anti-inflammatory properties and instant pain relief, cortisone injections are most commonly administered to reduce joint inflammation and pain and get people back to their everyday activities.

Considered a short-term solution, cortisone injections act as more of a band-aid to the underlying issue and require close monitoring, as frequent usage can cause tissue damage and unwanted side effects. While the injection reduces pain, it typically doesn’t cure the underlying problem causing the inflammation.

What is a cortisone shot good for?

Cortisone shots effectively treat conditions like arthritis, tendonitis and bursitis, among others. These injections target inflammation to relieve acute injuries or chronic conditions causing joint pain. However, since they are not intended for frequent use, your doctor will guide you on how often you can have a cortisone injection to minimize risks. At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we administer cortisone judiciously and as part of a broader interventional pain management plan.

What to expect after a cortisone shot?

You may notice initial soreness or swelling at the injection site, which typically subsides within 24 to 48 hours. Many patients experience noticeable pain relief within a few days, but for some, it takes up to a week to feel the full effects. Rest the treated area and avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours to allow the medication to work effectively. Your doctor may recommend certain follow-up care or physical therapy to maximize the injection’s benefits.

How long does a cortisone injection last?

Relief from a cortisone shot typically lasts a few weeks to several months, depending on the condition and the individual’s response. Many patients enjoy significant pain reduction and improved mobility during this period, allowing them to participate in physical therapy or other treatments aimed at addressing the root cause of their pain.

Where can I get a cortisone injection?

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics provides cortisone injections, with experienced medical providers administering treatment based on your unique situation. Our locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, Mooresville and Tipton, IN, make it easy to access the care you need.

You have had a corticosteroid injection with anesthetic.

• This is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) and a steroid mixed together.
• The anesthetic may help initially with pain and the site of the injections may feel numb for the next 4-6 hours.
• When this medicine wears off, you may have an increase in your pain. Patients often describe this as a "full" or "tight" feeling. Do not be alarmed. This feeling will go away.
• You may not feel relief from the steroid right away. On average, the steroid begins to take its pain-relieving effect in 2-3 days but may take up to 14 days.

Side effects:

You may have some bleeding, a bruise of feel tender at the site. An ice pack or your usual pain medicine may help. Do not use heat for 24 hours. There are side effects that could happen from the steroid medicine. these are much less common than the side effects from oral steroids but include:

• Increase in local pain
• Headaches that go away within 24 hours
• Red or hot face
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Fever the night of injection
• High blood sugar. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully
• A decrease in your body's ability to resist infections for a short time
• A change in the skin color at the injection site
• Infections can happen but are extremely rare
• Further cartilage or other tissue damage including avascular necrosis

Please call us if any of the following happen:

• Fever over 101 F
• Redness or drainage at the injection site
• Increase in pain at the injection site
• New weakness, numbness or tingling at or below the level of the injections
• Severe headache that does not go away

Activity:

• We may ask you to do physical therapy. Do your therapy as instructed. This will help you get the best results from the injection.
• Restrictions:
  • No strenuous activities on the day of the injection
  • You can gradually re-introduce activity as your pain allows
• Do not submerge the injection site under water for 48 hours. You may shower but no baths or hot tubs where the site would be completely submerged under water.

Our very own Dr. Matthew Negaard specializes in ultrasound-guided injections, PRP treatments, orthobiologics and sports medicine. Whether you’re considering cortisone, PRP, or other treatments, we’ll help you overcome obstacles to achieve the best possible outcomes. Contact us today to request a consultation at one of our offices in Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, Mooresville or Tipton, IN.

A hip fracture is more than just a broken bone; it is a serious injury that can impact your mobility, independence, and quality of life. Most often caused by falls or accidents, hip fractures typically require surgery and a structured recovery plan. At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we understand how overwhelming this injury can be. That’s why our team of experts provides you with advanced treatment options and personalized recovery plans to help you get back on your feet as safely and quickly as possible.

What is a Hip Fracture?

A hip fracture refers to a break in the upper portion of the femur (thigh bone) near the hip joint. As the longest and strongest bone in the body, the femur typically requires significant force, such as a fall, car accident, or other trauma, to break it. For patients with conditions that can affect bone health, such as advanced age, osteoporosis, or chronic health problems, hip fractures can occur with a simple fall from standing. Most hip fractures require surgical intervention to repair, and recovery can be extensive. It is important to understand that hip fractures are serious and potentially life-altering injuries, especially for older adults.

Types of Hip Fractures?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, where the rounded head of the femur fits into the socket of the pelvis. A hip fracture involves any break in the upper part of the femur and is categorized based on the specific location of the break.

• Femoral Neck Fracture: The femoral neck connects the femoral head to the long shaft of the thigh bone. This is the most common site for hip fractures, particularly in older adults.
• Intertrochanteric Fractures: This type of break occurs between two bony projections (the greater and lesser trochanters) just below the femoral neck. These areas are key attachment points for muscles and tendons around the hip.

 “The goal of any treatment is early mobilization and weight bearing.  I want to get people as close to the quality of life they had prior to the accident.”  says Dr. Patrick Laboe, an orthopedic trauma surgeon who specializes in acute fractures and traumatic injuries.

What are Hip Fracture Symptoms?

The most common hip fracture symptoms include falling and being unable to move/get up; others include:

• Groin pain that can radiate to the knee
• Inability to bear weight
• Severe hip pain
• Not being able to move your hip or leg
• Shortening and rotation of the leg

What Can Cause Hip Fractures?

It usually takes a trauma to break your hip, such as a slip or fall. The most common causes of hip fractures include:

• Low energy fall from ground level or standing.
• Falls from ladders or step stools

What are the Risk Factors?

While anyone can experience trauma that results from a hip fracture, certain individuals are at a higher risk, including:

• Adults over the age of 65
• People with health conditions that weaken their bones, such as osteoporosis or osteopenia, diabetes, and chronic kidney failure
• Females (more likely to develop osteoporosis)

Older adults and individuals with weakened bones may sustain a fracture from a small slip or fall. Sometimes, even while performing daily activities. Any medical condition that affects balance, coordination, or walking can increase the risk of hip fractures. Examples include:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Vertigo
• Gait abnormalities
• Chronic health conditions

How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose a Hip Fracture?

To diagnose a hip fracture, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam and then confirm the injury using imaging tests. These may include:

• Hip X-ray
• MRI
• CT scan

What Are the Treatment Options for a Hip Fracture?

Surgery is almost always required to repair a fractured hip. The specific type of procedure depends on factors like the location and severity of the break, your age, and overall health. Common surgical treatments include:

• Hip Replacement (Hip Arthroplasty): Most common for patients over 65. This involves replacing part or all the damaged hip joint. You may receive a partial or total hip replacement depending on the fracture type.
• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): In this procedure, your surgeon realigns the broken bones and secures them using metal screws, plates, or an intramedullary nail.

What is the Recovery Time for a Fractured Hip?

Recovery timelines vary from patient to patient, depending on factors like age, overall health, and the type of surgery performed. The goal is early mobilization.  Most individuals will need inpatient rehab or assistance from a skilled nursing facility before they go home to ensure they can go about their daily tasks without help. Most people experienced some initial swelling and discomfort, but pain generally improved within a few weeks. Regaining full strength and mobility may take several months to up to a year. Following your care team’s instructions, including physical therapy and at-home exercises, is key to a successful recovery. We will also schedule regular follow-up appointments for four to six months to monitor progress and set realistic goals.

Contact Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Today

A hip fracture doesn’t have to define your future. At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we offer expert surgical care and comprehensive recovery at our location in Greenwood, IN. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin the path toward better mobility.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments use concentrated growth factors from your blood that are injected into the area of injury. You will not feel pain relief from the procedure right away, and you will likely experience an increase in discomfort after the procedure. Tendon injections often have a significant increase in pain post procedure that can last several days. Joints can take 6 weeks to start feeling better and tendons can take 8 weeks to start feeling better. Maximum improvement takes place over a period of several months.

Orthobiologic treatments have not been authorized by the FDA and are considered experimental by the FDA.

Discontinue any Anti-Inflammatory anti-platelet medications:

• Advil
• Aleve
• Aspirin
• Celebrex
• Coumadin
• Diclofenac
• Fish Oil
• Ibuprofen
• Meloxicam
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Plavix
• Xarelto
• Do not discontinue antiplatelet therapy without discussing with your primary physician first.

What do I need to prepare for injections:

• Bring a driver
• Bring DME (durable medical equipment) such as: crutches, boots, sling, splint, etc.
• Drink lots of water for 48 hours prior to your injection

Compression:

• If the PRP is in your hip, groin or thigh please bring compression shorts with you.
• We will provide a compression sleeve for all other areas.

Activity:

• Do not submerge the injection site for the first 48 hours following injection. You may shower but no baths or hot tubs where the site would be completely submerged by water.
• Please discuss possible work/activity restrictions prior to the procedure.
• Rest the area for the first 2-3 days.
• No excessive activity for the first 2 weeks.
• Return to activities will be determined by your medical team on the day of the procedure.
• Physical therapy will begin after 1-2 weeks.

Pain Control:

It is common to have pain and swelling after the procedure. Pain often lasts 3-4 days but may last up to 2 weeks after the injection.

Ice:

• You may use ice for pain control 1-2 days after the procedure for 15-20 minutes at a time. Allow at least 30 minutes before repeating.
• Do not use ice after the second day.
• Do not apply heat the first 3-4 days after the injection.

Medications:

• You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) over the counter if needed.
• Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for at least 2 weeks after and up to 6 weeks after the procedure if able.

Please call us if any of the following happen:

• Fever over 101 degrees F (or 39.0 C)
• Redness or drainage at the injection site
• New weakness, numbness or tingling at or below the level of the injections
• Any other concerns

We are tracking patient clinical outcomes. What does that mean?

We use a secure data tracking system called Data Biologics. You'll receive an email to complete a survey the day of the treatment and a few months post treatment. This data allows us to compare our patient outcomes to other providers across the country to help us better modify our protocols and individualized treatment plans.

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics provides exceptional care tailored to our patients’ needs. With over 40 years of experience, our team of providers and clinicians know the importance of putting patients first. Our flexibility and comprehensive services mean you can see a physician, get diagnostic imaging, and start treatment all in one convenient location. Contact us today to request an appointment.  We’ll help you take the next step toward a pain-free life.

If you have questions on pricing, please click here.

What is ESWT?

ESWT is a procedure where a form of shockwaves are passed through the skin to the injured or painful part of the body. Shockwaves are low-energy sound waves, which work by increasing blood flow to the injured area. This speeds up your body’s healing process. You will usually require a course of 3-6 treatments, 1-2 weeks apart.

Why should I have ESWT?

ESWT is a noninvasive treatment option that is often used in conjunction with physical therapy for tendon, muscle and other soft tissue pain and abnormalities. It is a safe treatment with clinical benefits with no downtime compared to other treatment options.

What are the risks/side effects?

You will experience some discomfort during the treatment, but most patients tolerate this very well. Following the treatment, you may experience more pain, redness, bruising, swelling and numbness to the area in the first 1-3 days. These side effects should resolve within a week, before your next treatment.

You should not receive EWST if you:

• are pregnant
• are taking antiplatelets excluding aspirin 81mgs (for example, Clopidogrel) or anticoagulants (such as Warfarin or Rivaroxaban)
• have a blood clotting disorder
• have open growth plates
• have been diagnosed with bone cancer or are being treated for active cancer
• have an infection in the area of pain
• have a history of tendon or ligament rupture in the area of pain
• have had a steroid injection into the affected area in the previous 12 weeks

These will be discussed with you by your healthcare professional when the treatment is offered. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with you in more detail — please let them know if you have any questions or would like any further information.

How can I prepare for ESWT?

You will need to be available for the full course of treatment. Treatments will take 3-7 minutes and are performed 1-2 weeks apart. You should not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, for two weeks before your first procedure, and throughout your treatment if you are able. We recommend the use acetaminophen for pain during the course of treatment.

Who will carry out the procedure?

Your ESWT will be carried out by a fellowship-trained physician who has undertaken special training to carry out the procedure.

What happens during ESWT?

The physician performing the treatment will put ultrasound gel on the injured area and then place the hand piece of the device on the gel. The ESWT is delivered using this hand piece — it delivers compressed air pulses through the ultrasound gel.

Will I feel any pain?

Most patients do experience some pain or discomfort during the procedure. You will be asked how much pain you are experiencing during the treatment, and we will try to adjust the treatment to help manage the pain.

What happens after ESWT?

After the treatment you will be able to get up and walk straight away. If you do experience discomfort following the shockwave treatment, you can take over-the-counter painkillers (such as acetaminophen/Tylenol). Do not take anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen/Advil, Naproxen/Aleve or Meloxicam) or use ice therapy as these can interfere with the body’s healing process.

What do I need to do after I go home?

You will be able to return to your usual activities including returning to work straight away. However, we advise you not to undertake any strenuous, pain-provoking activity or high-impact exercise for 48 hours after the procedure.

Will I have a follow-up appointment?

You will have a follow-up appointment with your physician to monitor your symptoms and progress.

Is ESWT covered by insurance?

No. ESWT is not covered by insurance companies at this time therefore will be an out-of-pocket expense. Scan the below QR code for pricing options. For additional pricing questions, please call: 317.419.6019.

Are there any studies to support the use of ESWT?

Yes. There are several studies to support the use of ESWT for multiple different conditions. Click the below links for a couple of studies reviewing the use of ESWT.

• Effect of Shockwave Treatment for Management of Upper and Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Narrative Review
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Management of Sports Medicine Injuries

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics provides exceptional care tailored to our patients’ needs. With over 40 years of experience, our team of providers and clinicians know the importance of putting patients first. Our flexibility and comprehensive services mean you can see a physician, get diagnostic imaging, and start treatment all in one convenient location. Contact us today to request an appointment.  We’ll help you take the next step toward a pain-free life.