From Resolutions to Results: How to Stay Active, Prevent Injuries, and Achieve Fitness Goals in 2025. – NOLA.com

Year after year, one resolution always makes it to the top of people’s lists – get fit and be more active. This can start with a new exercise regimen, increasing the intensity of your workouts, or participating in a new sport. But the promise of an active 2025 could end quickly if injury strikes. We asked Ochsner Health Orthopedic and Sports Medicine surgeons around the state how to help Louisianans get back in the game, whether they’re fighting for a championship or just trying to get off the couch.

“The most important thing I tell people, especially as they get older, is to try to maintain their flexibility. Connectivity in joints and tissues often leads to problems. You don’t have to do an aggressive stretching regimen, but a little before and after training can help prevent injury,” said Derrick Jones, MD, chief of sports medicine at the Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute and team physician and physician. of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute is a partnership between Ochsner and Dr. James Andrews, one of the world’s leading sports medicine surgeons. This allowed Ochsner to improve his protocols and offerings for physical therapy and athletic performance, while his physicians received guidance from Dr. Andrews on best practices for injury treatment and prevention.

“This institute allows us to provide a continuum of care for all levels of athletic injuries,” said Dr. Jones. “Once an injury is diagnosed, we work together to create a treatment plan. It’s a very personalized approach for each individual that includes physical therapy and sport-specific activities to help them build their strength and speed. It’s really about creating a process for people to have a safe, controlled return to full activity. “

The institute also provides cutting-edge research in many fields. One example is Ochsner surgeons performed a cartilage regeneration procedure with an arthroscopic incision, something that was not possible just a decade ago. Dr. Jones said Ochsner is also involved in a new national trial of an implant that won’t damage other surfaces in the body, which could be significant for patients who struggle to heal or who are more severe. Ochsner is also part of a study in which fat cells are removed from one part of the body and injected into areas near damaged joints.

“There’s a lot of ongoing, multi-center research going on at the Institute,” says Dr. Jones. “You have to have a lot of tools in your toolbox. People have different needs and goals. Their body types and tissue formations are different. Our goal is to have many options so that we can tailor treatment to each individual based on their body and what they want to achieve. “

In Baton Rouge, Ochsner has partnered with Elite Training Academy to create the Ochsner Institute of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at the Elite Training Complex – Burbank. The new facility helps patients seeking comprehensive sports results and care.

Jeremy Burnham, MD, medical director of sports medicine and section chief of orthopedic surgery at Ochsner in Baton Rouge, said the institute’s services include a walk-in clinic for immediate orthopedic care needs such as sprains, strains, minor dislocations and sports injuries as well as expert clinical, rehabilitation, wellness and surgical care including orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, strength and conditioning, group exercise classes and laboratory for 3D motion analysis. The lab enables doctors to assess a patient’s problems and determine the right treatment plan after an injury. It also identifies movement patterns that can make a person more prone to injury. By training to revise these movements, the lab also prevents devastating injuries, such as ACL tears, which Dr. Burnham says disproportionately affect young athletes.

“We really thought a lot about the patient journey when we were developing this institute,” said Dr. Burnham. “If you’re getting hurt, you might not know exactly who you need to see. We want to put everything one needs under one roof. “

Dr. Burnham is also Ochsner’s Principal Investigator for the Knee Injury Surgery Time and Rehabilitation Trial, known as Star, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of multiple knee injuries, including ACL injuries, meniscus tears, cartilage and knee instability. Ochsner is one of 25 medical centers nationwide participating in the trial.

“The study will answer two questions: Is it best to operate quickly after a multiligamentous knee injury?” And is it best to start rapid weight bearing and aggressive range of motion exercises after surgery? ” said Dr. Burnham. “These injuries, which are complex and potentially devastating, often result in extended time away from duty, work, or sports. What we learn from this process will benefit U.S. military service members , as well as for athletes and people from all walks of life.”

Julie Neumann, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge, Ochsner Andrews Institute for Sports Medicine and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove, noted that each patient needs a treatment plan specifically tailored to them. While some people have specific goals tied to athletic events or competitions, others just want to be able to move throughout their day without pain. Dr. Neumann specializes in treating conditions such as ankle fractures and sprains, torn Achilles tendons, foot and ankle arthritis, bunions, and more.

“When most people come to see me, I spend time with them to talk about why they’re here, what their goals are, and what other treatments they’ve tried,” Dr. Neumann said. “I discuss what I think may be causing the problem and outline a number of treatment options. Essentially, the patient and I put our heads together to determine the best plan to help them achieve their goals. “

Dr. Neumann said surgery can often be a last resort because many conditions can be treated by other means. Many people respond well to physical therapy and medications, and may also benefit from modified activities, braces, splints, or supportive shoes.

“Injuries usually happen in two ways – an acute injury where someone knows the exact event that happened, or a chronic injury that gets worse over time and doesn’t respond to home remedies,” said Dr. Neumann. “Any time you can’t bear weight, you definitely need an evaluation as soon as possible.”

While many injuries occur during athletic activities, Brian Ethier, MD, director of orthopedic sports medicine at Ochsner Lafayette General, said they can also occur during falls, vehicle accidents, or as a result of overuse damage to the joint or ligament over time. Age also makes us more vulnerable to orthopedic injuries.

“A big part of orthopedic care is preventative care, making sure you’re working out, lifting weights and staying strong,” he said. “As we age, our muscle mass decreases, our strength decreases, so being able to maintain strength as we age pays big dividends down the road. I found the patients who are aging the best, weight. “

This fall, Ochsner broke ground on the Ochsner Lafayette Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, which will contain nearly 20,000 square feet of physical therapy space as well as sports medicine services, serving patients of all ages and abilities.

With the only comprehensive sports medicine system in the Acadiana area, Dr. Ethier shared an example of how alignment between athletic training, surgery and physical therapy makes a difference to the patient. “Just recently there was a local high school football player who was injured on a Friday night. I saw him on Saturday and he had an MRI on Monday so we could go through the diagnosis and treatment plan. His trainer was telling me that it felt like level-level care here in Lafayette,” Dr. Ethier said.

Dr. Ethier sees patients from Pineville to Morgan City, Breaux Bridge and Lake Charles – providing the same care in Acadiana to non-athletes, from tournament enthusiasts to weekend warriors. Services include an anti-gravity treadmill for physical therapy patients to begin walking without putting stress on their joints, as well as outpatient arthroscopic and joint replacement surgeries. Robotic surgeries are also available, allowing doctors to realign the joints back into perfect position.

“This device is accurate to within a millimeter, so we know the results are better,” he said. “There is nowhere else in Acadiana that offers such a GameChanger when it comes to collaborative repair. The technology we have is a huge advantage and people are able to recover much faster. “

As more people head to the gym in the New Year, Dr. Neumann said he encourages exercisers to warm up properly before beginning any strenuous activity. She also recommends working with a trainer who can provide guidance, especially for someone who hasn’t exercised in a few years.

“They know how to take people from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active lifestyle in a controlled way,” she said. “It’s also important to keep a positive mindset, especially if you feel like you’re hitting a plateau or a wall. Most people won’t be able to do everything they want to do every day, but if you keep working at digging a path forward, you will see results. Don’t be too hard on yourself on bad days and enjoy the successes of your good days. “