Howard Marans MD: Questions to Ask When Choosing an Orthopedic Specialist

Orthopedic Specialist

The need to see an orthopedic specialist varies with each individual. From fractures to joint degeneration, each year millions of people develop issues dealing with the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic specialist has extensive training in the issues, diseases and injuries of the joints, ligaments, tendons and all others pertaining to the musculoskeletal system.

Why Go to an Orthopedic Specialist?

The main reason to visit an orthopedic specialist is to find the cause of the pain and other symptoms. The various symptoms may occur in the shoulders, back, hips, ankles, knees, hands or wrists. Depending on the area, the symptoms may include:

- A limiting range of movement which affects daily living routines

- Continuous pain or a dull ache lasting over a week

- Stiffness, swelling, bruising of the joint area

- Deformity of the joint

- Inflammation, tender to the touch, fever

In most cases, the orthopedic specialist will begin with a complete medical history, physical examination, and testing to determine the cause of the symptoms.

Questions to Ask

The best orthopedic specialist will take the time to answer and explain the recommendations for treating the musculoskeletal issue. When finding the right orthopedic specialist, research and ask questions.

- What are the orthopedic specialist credentials? Specialized training? Board certification?

- How long has the doctor been practicing? Is the practice consistent?

- Does the doctor have experience with high risk patients? For example, a patient with diabetes may need different care options.

- How many procedures similar to the patient’s problem has the doctor performed?

- What the risks or complications involved with this type of procedure?

- Does the specialist use nonsurgical methods? Will these methods be implemented first before surgery?

- What is the desired outcome after the procedure?

- What hospitals does the doctor have an ongoing affiliation with?

- What is the recovery time for the procedure?

- Does the orthopedic surgeon provide material on the procedure for reading or direct the patient to a website for researching?

- Will the patient need physical therapy after the procedure?

- Is the medical team assisting in the procedure experienced?

- How many times will a patient need to return for follow up care?

- Is the procedure covered under the health insurance plan? What types of payment plans are being offered?

Write out questions or concerns prior to the first visit to get the most out of the appointment. As a potential patient, each subject should be addressed in full details to give peace of mind. If the answers are not satisfying, get a second opinion.

In California, Dr. Howard Marans strives to see each patient in a timely manner. He understands the need to eliminate pain to continue with normal daily activities. Dr. Marans begins with an individualized, accurate diagnosis prior to deciding on a treatment plan. After diagnosis, he will go over each of the treatment options and the expected outcome for both surgical and nonsurgical approaches.

California Orthopedic Specialist

The chosen treatment option will be reviewed, giving the patient time to ask questions and address all concerns prior to continuing with the plan. With over 20 years’ experience in a consistent practice, Dr. Marans and his courteous staff gladly accept PPO insurance and will work with other health care insurance providers to provide quality care without a financial burden. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981

Dr. Howard Marans Announces Vitals Profile

Dr. Howard Marans, an orthopedic surgeon with over 30 years of experience practicing medicine, is announcing the establishment of his profile on Vitals.

(Newswire.net -- September 16, 2015) Fountain Valley , California -- An experienced orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years, Dr. Howard Marans is now announcing the establishment of a Vitals profile that provides an overview of the doctor’s credentials and specialties. Vitals also offers an additional forum in which patients can leave feedback regarding their experience or view the feedback left by others. The profile also provides a great deal of other relevant information regarding the surgeon’s offices and contact information, making the establishment of the profile exceptionally valuable for patients seeking expert orthopedic care.

The new profile is active and can be seen at http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Howard_Marans.html. The active profile already includes several detailed reviews describing the specific type of treatment received from the doctor along with the outcome of the treatment or surgical procedure. In addition to offering patients access to this important information, the profile also provides details regarding the surgeon’s education, certifications and affiliations, allowing patients to have a deep understanding of their doctor’s background when seeking the kind of treatment that requires a significant level of expertise.

Through the establishment of this new profile, Dr. Howard Marans has again enhanced his accessibility while also continuing to offer an exceptional level of transparency relating to his medical practice. In addition to the Vitals profile, the orthopedic surgeon is also featured in the Health section of U.S. News & World Report and in the directory that is accessible through WebMD. The U.S. News & World Report page, which can be seen at http://health.usnews.com/doctors/howard-marans-851011, provides an overview of the surgeon’s experience, specialties and qualifications, while the WebMD page that can be found at http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/howard-marans-md-638f8765-66c7-4a13-ac1f-f2cc8b16a29e-overview offers similar information but adds practical details such as accepted insurers, along with yet another forum in which patients are able to leave feedback and view the feedback of others.

About Dr. Howard Marans

Dr. Howard Marans is an orthopedic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in the field of medicine. A graduate of University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, the California doctor is affiliated with several Fountain Valley-area hospitals that include the Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center.

Dr. Howard Marans

11190 Warner Ave Ste. 306

Fountain Valley , California 92708

United States

+1 714-979-8981

communication-services@outook.com

Dr. Howard Marans: Why do you need orthopedic care?

Machines can’t operate properly when some of its parts/systems are broken, right? It’s just the same with the human body. Everything must be in the right place and must function accordingly.

Have you ever wondered what system in your body is responsible whenever you raise your arm? Or every time you run or jump? It is none other than the musculoskeletal system, which contains muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues that allow you to lift an arm, or run across the street.

It’s one of the most wondrous system in the human body. Your range of motion or ability to move can become limited when something goes wrong within the system. You should seek out orthopedic care when this happens. Dr. Howard Marans is one of the most trusted professional in the field of orthopedic care.

Orthopedic care is a field in medicine that’s centered on identifying, treating, and preventing injuries, diseases, and ailments that trouble the musculoskeletal system of the body.

Orthopedic care can be applied in both non-surgical and surgical ways to treat a broad range of illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system, which can hamper an individual’s ability to move freely and experience a better wellbeing. Examples of the common problems orthopedic care treats in an individual include congenital disorder, degenerative diseases, infections, musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, and tumors.

There are a lot of techniques in orthopedic care that can be used to take care of musculoskeletal ailments; it includes surgical and non-surgical procedures, splints and traction.

It’s revealed that orthopedic care has made great advances in the battlefields. Surprisingly, field surgeons would use clothes dipped in horse blood during the middle ages to apply early splints to wound limbs. After the clothes dried, they would tighten and provide support to damaged limbs.

In 1950s, the external method of splinting and supporting fractured limbs were improved by American field surgeons and Russian doctors during the Vietnam War. Nowadays, science allows orthopedic care to fuse materials right to fractured limbs to give the best support for proper realignment.

Some are convinced that orthopedic care is simply about fractured bones, but it’s not, it’s also centered on repairing the tendons and ligament that connect muscle to bone or provide stability to joints. Both invasive ‘open’ surgeries can be carried out to reattach torn tendons in the joints or heal ligaments. In 1950s, better and less invasive Arthroscopy was developed to permit doctors to operate on people with musculoskeletal issues without exposing their internal organs and systems to harmful pathogens.

Others believe that the only purpose of orthopedic care is to diagnose and treat injuries; again, it’s not. People who develop degenerative diseases, or those who are born with congenital disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system can also seek orthopedic care of Howard Marans MD. A disease of a more molecular nature is infecting and damaging the system of these individuals.

People with congenital disorders is born with a deformation affecting the musculoskeletal system. Having said that, degenerative diseases cause excess wear and tear on the body, at a faster than usual rate, and hinder an individual’s ability to move about.

To be able to help individuals recover from injuries or combat diseases, surgeons specializing in orthopedic care like Dr. Howard Marans offers variety of procedures tailored to their patients’ needs.

Probably the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures as of 2003 include carpal tunnel release, debridement of skin/muscle/bone/fracture, hip replacement, knee Arthroscopy and meniscectomy, repair of ankle/femoral neck/femoral shaft/trochanteric fracture, shoulder arthoscopy or distal clavicle excision and decompression.

The advances in orthopedic care indeed delivered great help to a lot of people. Athletes who once thought that everything was over in their career as a result of a torn anterior cruciate ligament now have the chance to bring back their glory days in the sport they love with a new and stable knee ligament.

Older people are also grateful to the developments of orthopedic care. Most of them experienced advanced deterioration of a major joint, such as the knee or hip, but with the aid of physicians like Howard Marans MD, they now have a life of mobility without pain since their entire knee or hip joint were replaced.

Each of us deserves a life where one can enjoy a full range of motion and move through his life without physical pain, so if you’re currently facing problems in your musculoskeletal system, don’t hesitate to seek orthopedic care. Dr. Howard Marans can provide excellent care for you and your family.

Howard Marans MD: Where to Go for Surgery of the Hand and Wrist

Surgery Of The Hand And Wrist

From work to play, a person’s hands and wrists are essential for participating in daily activities. Each person’s hands and wrists consist of ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints and variety of bones for maximum function. If an injury or disease occurs, the consequences may create limited range of motion and pain. During this time, surgery of the hand and wrist may be required to restore function.

Finding a Hand and Wrist Doctor

Finding a specialist in the field may take some time and research. An orthopedic specialist is the best option for surgery of the hand and wrist.

·         Use the Internet as a resource tool to find reviews of orthopedic specialists in the California area.

·         Ask the primary care physician to recommend an orthopedic specialist. The primary care physician may make the appointment to get the patient in to see the orthopedic specialist.

·         Ask for referrals from family members, friends and professional peers. In most cases, one name will be mentioned more than once.

·         The orthopedic specialists should be available in a timely manner to give an accurate diagnosis of the problem. A patient who is in pain does not want to wait weeks for a consultation appointment.

The Value of Consultation

When considering surgery of the hand and wrist, a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon can provide the necessary answers for optimal outcome.

·         The consultation should make the patient feel at ease for the course of treatment options. Discussing both alternative non-surgical options and surgery of the hand and wrist should be part of the initial consultation.

·         An accurate diagnosis should be determined by medical history, circumstances surrounding the injury, x-rays, MRI’s and other testing.

·         The hand and wrist specialists should have numerous years of experience in the same location. Consistency and commitment are major factors when finding the best hand and wrist doctor.

Non-Surgical Options

To avoid surgery of the hand and wrist, the orthopedic specialist may suggest non-surgical options. The non-surgical options are less invasive methods and may help restore movement to the inflicted area.

·         A prescribed brace or other type of support aid to ease the pain while the inflammation and swelling slowly reduces.

·         Pain medications may be prescribed. Or an over the counter options may be suggested to reduce any swelling and pain symptoms.

·         Injections of steroids may be used to help fight the inflammation and pain.

·         If the area is arthritic, pain management could be part of the treatment process.

·         Physical therapy sessions may help in regaining function to the injured or arthritic area through different types of exercises.

Surgery

In some situations non-surgical methods are not an option. The degree of injury or disease is a major contributing factor in the overall treatment program. The only option may require surgery of the hand and wrist to help the patient restore function. The surgery usually involves repairing torn ligaments, tendons or the resetting of broken bones.

Surgery of the hand and wrist can be performed by one of California’s leading specialists, Dr. Howard Marans. With over 20 years of consistent experience, Dr. Marans is the perfect choice for administering a treatment program designed for each individual patient. Dr. Howard Marans welcomes PPO and will work with other insurance companies for optimal treatment. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Howard Marans MD: Where to Go for Sports Medicine Help in Orange County

Orange County Sports Medicine

Every day, thousands of people participate in sports related activities on various levels. From amateur leagues to paid professionals, sports provide individuals with numerous health benefits, including physical activity, self-worth and a defense against diseases. Along with the health benefits, one of the main negative attributes is a higher risk of injury or other orthopedic related issues. Dr. Howard Marans is a leading Orange County sports medicine doctor who works in a timely manner to return an athlete back to the chosen, active lifestyle.

Understanding Athletes Needs

A person who engages in an active lifestyle by engaging in sports has different medical needs. Dr. Howard Marans understands and practices the concept that all athletes need to be treated on an individual basis. Individualized treatment helps to achieve an optimal outcome for current health issues and concerns.

·         Athletes want to return to their chosen sports with the shortest amount of recovery time

·         Athletes may experience injuries during extensive training routines

·         Athletes desire to remain in top physical form even when injured

·         Restoring range of movement back to the injured area is critical to sports participation

Non-Invasive Treatment Options

Dr. Marans begins each treatment program by determining an accurate diagnosis based on medical history, physical examination, and various testing methods. The Orange County sports medicine expert may begin a treatment program with non-invasive methods. In numerous cases, rest and education about how the body reacts to specific activities will reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Other non-invasive treatment methods may include:

·         Anti-inflammatory drugs may be over the counter or prescribed to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.

·         The use of a brace, sling, or other support aid to keep the injured area immobilized.

·         Physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises to help the injured area slowly go back to a normal state. The exercises will improve strength and flexibility while promoting the overall healing process.

·         Cold and heat packs may be used separately or by altering between the two. In general, the packs are placed on the injured area for 20 minutes every two to three hours or as directed by the health care professional.

Surgery

When all other options have been exhausted or the damage is too severe, surgery may be needed to restore function. Under most circumstances, surgery may fall into one of two categories.

·         Arthroscopy is performed by making small incisions around the injured area to repair damage with the use of small surgical instruments. Arthroscopy is less invasive with a shorter amount of recovery time.

·         Open surgery requires the Orange County sports medicine expert to make a larger incision. Open surgery allows the orthopedic surgeon to gain direct access of the injury. The process may be more extensive requiring a hospital stay and a longer require time.

Sports Medicine Orange County

Each individual will have different concerns and questions involving all the different type of treatment options available. Dr. Howard Marans, an Orange County sports medicine expert understands the anxieties involving a sports injury and the desire to return to an active lifestyle in the shortest amount of recovery time. To have all questions and concerns addressed, please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Dr Howard Marans: What Does Tennis Elbow Treatment Usually Cost?

Tennis Elbow Treatment Cost

Tennis elbow is a medical condition creating pain and soreness around the outer part of the elbow. Repetitive motion is generally the cause of the damage to the tendons which attach the forearm and elbow muscles. Tennis elbow treatment cost will vary with each individual. From the type of treatment to the degree of damage, numerous factors need to be considered.

Non-Surgical Approach

The biggest factor to consider when estimating tennis elbow treatment cost is the type and coverage amount of the primary health care provider. Health insurance coverage is different with each individual patient. Depending on the type of coverage, co-pays and deductibles, health insurance will lower the amount of out of pocket costs for both surgical and non-surgical treatment methods.

Under most circumstances, using non-surgical methods is less expensive with a faster recovery rate. The non-surgical treatment approach has a high success rate with a majority of tennis elbow sufferers.

- Rest of the injured area is the least expensive way to help combat the symptoms of tennis elbow. By reducing activities or participating in sports, the elbow will have a chance to heal.

- Applying ice packs to the elbow to help reduce swelling and pain may be done at minimal costs.

- Another form of low-end tennis elbow treatment cost is the use of pain relievers. Pain medication may be purchased over the counter or by a prescription to help reduce symptoms associated with tennis elbow.

- Brace or other support aids are a lower tennis elbow treatment cost. In some cases, the cost is under $25.

- Cortisone injections to help reduce swelling and elevate pain are an effective method to treating tennis elbow with the minimum cost involved.

- Physical therapy is one of the higher non-surgical treatment cost for tennis elbow. Each session may run an uninsured patient over a $100. When four or five weeks of sessions are ordered, this form of tennis elbow treatment cost can add up quickly. The benefits often outweigh the costs by helping a patient reduce the painful symptoms and help restore range of movement.

Surgical Approach

When non-surgical methods fail to yield the desired results, surgery may be the next step in the treatment process. Depending on the type of health insurance coverage, surgery the tennis elbow treatment cost may be in thousands of dollars. Arthroscopy and open surgery are usually the two methods used to fix issues associated with tennis elbow. With most patients, the surgery for tennis elbow involves one of the following:

- The removal of inflamed tissue away from the tendon

- Providing a release for the tendon through an incision

- Repairing the tear in the tendons

Treatment Cost Tennis Elbow

The surgical method used to correct the medical issue depends on the degree of injury. When arthroscopy is used, the total cost may be lower than with traditional open surgery. If the surgery option requires the use of an anesthesiologist, the tennis elbow treatment cost will increase and an overnight stay in the hospital may need to be factored into the final expense.

The best way to determine tennis elbow treatment cost is to begin with an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Howard Marans will give a patient a complete explanation of the all available treatments with desired expectations for each approach. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Howard Marans MD : Affordable and Effective Arthritis Treatment Options in Fountain Valley

Arthritis Treatment Options

In broad terms, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of the joints within the human body. Every day, thousands of people of all ages experience pain and stiffness due to the degenerative effects of arthritis. In general as a person ages, the pain associated with arthritis may increase due to the simple wear and tear on the human body.

Beginning with an accurate diagnosis from a Fountain Valley orthopedic expert, arthritis treatment options will vary with each patient. Depending on the degree of degeneration, affordable and effective non-surgical methods may be enough to combat the symptoms of the disease to allow a patient resume normal daily activities.

Non-Surgical Arthritis Treatment Options

In Fountain Valley, seeking the expert knowledge of an orthopedic doctor will help find the best type of arthritis treatment options for the best price. The orthopedic doctor will begin with a complete medical history, physical examination, and testing to determine if the symptoms are related to arthritis. After a precise diagnosis, the doctor will design an effective program and explain the desired expectations for the various non-surgical arthritis treatment options.

- Maintain a healthy weight; losing the extra pounds will help reduce the stress on the joints. Working to stay in good physical condition will be more helpful in the long term as the degenerative disease slowly progresses.

- Strength training and low impact exercises will help in reducing symptoms while increasing flexibility and range of motion. For example, numerous arthritis sufferers opt to use swim exercise programs to help get the most out of a workout with limited impact on the joints.

- Physical therapy may be ordered by the orthopedic specialist to help restore range of movement. The sessions will use stretching exercises to help with everyday activities, including walking, sitting, climbing small sets of stairs and much more.

- Corticosteroid medication or injections to help reduce inflammation which will reduce the pain of the joints.

- Over the counter or prescribed pain medications to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

- The use of a brace or splint to give extra support when symptoms are overwhelming.

- Walking with a cane for added support during daily activities

- Hot or cold compresses to ease symptoms, including pain and inflammation

Surgery

After all the non-surgical arthritis treatment options have been exhausted, surgery may be the next step in the treatment program. Surgery may involve replacing the entire joint with a prosthetic one or alignment of the existing joint for better range of movement. The types of surgical arthritis treatment options usually fall into one of four categories.

- Arthroscopy is a medical procedure where small incisions are made around the diseased joint. Inserting small instruments in the incisions allow for removal of pieces of bone, cartilage or tissue away from the joint to reduce symptoms.

- Arthroplasty is a total joint replacement.

- Joint fusion removes the joint completely to fuse the bones together.

- Osteotomy is a surgery designed to preserve the joints by cutting a section of the bone.

Arthritis Treatment Options

With the various arthritis treatment options available, Dr. Howard Marans will individually work with each patient to achieve an optimal outcome. Dr. Marans accepts various insurances including PPO to provide the highest level of care without creating a financial hardship for the patient. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.