Monday, January 25, 2016

Howard Marans MD: ACL Surgery Recovery Timeline and Expectations

Repairing a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may only require a short time in the hospital or health care facility. In fact, most ACL surgery patients return home the same day of the procedure.




The ACL recovery timeline is a longer process. Listening to the doctor’s after-care procedures and expectations is vital for an optimal outcome. Depending on medical history, each person may have a different ACL recovery timeline.


During the first two weeks of the ACL recovery timeline, rest is the main priority to help in the healing process.

- Use crutches to help keep the pressure and full weight off from the newly repaired area.
- Keep leg elevated with the use of a pillow.
- Follow the doctor’s recommendations for exercises to help reduce the chances of blood clots or other negative issues.
- Use either over the counter or prescribed medication to help reduce pain and swelling.

The first two weeks are critical to the healing process. Keeping the entire incision area clean and dry will aid in fighting off infections or other serious health issues. Knowing when to call a health care professional after surgery is a must.

- Bleeding from the incisions will not cease and the bandages cannot contain the flow.
- A red streak or line appears around the incision
- The incision area is producing a discharge.
- The inflammation and swelling proceed down the leg into the calf area.
- The patient has a high fever.
- The pain does not subside with the prescribed medication.

If anything looks out of the ordinary, asking a health care professional will give a patient peace of mind and prevent any harmful consequences. Do not be afraid to ask questions concerning aftercare procedures for ACL reconstruction surgery.

Two to Six Weeks

After the initial resting period in the ACL recovery timeline, the next step is to slowly begin strengthening the area to restore full range of movement.

- Crutches should be no longer in use unless directed by the health care professional.
- Beginning to put full weight on the knee
- Slowly working toward full extension of the knee
- A knee brace may be prescribed to help restrict movement
- If comfortable, driving may be allowed.
- Physical therapy begins

Six Weeks to Six Months

After six weeks in the ACL recovery timeline, the patient will move toward returning to normal activities at a slow progression. By continuing to exercise and develop strength in the knee area, a full range of movement may be achieved.

- The area should be pain-free prior to returning to sports or an exercise routine.
- The orthopedic surgery will need to clear the patient prior to engaging in strenuous activities. Beginning too soon will damage the repair area.
- A brace may be suggested to help keep the knee safe.

ACL Surgery Recovery Timeline and Expectations


For premium results during the ACL surgery recovery timeline, listening to a top rated orthopedic specialist is critical. From the initial consultation through the entire recovery process, Dr. Howard Marans  will guide each patient through the steps of the ACL recovery timeline to achieve each level of expectations in the healing process. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Howard Marans MD: Where Is The Best Doctor For ACL Treatment In Huntington Beach?



Supporting and maintaining the knee joint is the function of numerous tendons and ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major components in the knee providing a connection of the femur to the tibia. A tear or other injury to the ACL may happen to anyone regardless of age. Sports participants often obtain the injury more frequently. Finding the best doctor for ACL treatment Huntington Beach will depend on the degree of injury and other contributing factors.

The Best ACL Doctor in Huntington Beach


With a little time and research, a person will be able to find the best doctor for ACL tears or other related injuries. Ask for referrals from friends, family members, primary care professional and others within the patient’s peer network. After compiling a list, start narrowing down the choices.
 
·         Medical Insurance Coverage: The biggest consideration when finding the best doctor for ACL treatment will be the extent of a patient’s health insurance coverage. Contacting the insurance provider’s claims representative will help you discover the amount of your coverage for ACL treatment.
·         Medical Training and Credentials: The type of education, specialized training, and experience of a potential doctor must also be considered when finding one to treat your ACL. Ask potential doctors about their board certifications, professional associations, and hospital affiliations.
·         Experience: Consider how many times an orthopedic specialist has performed ACL procedures within the past year, month, or even week. A doctor who regularly performs ACL treatment procedures is most likely to be current on the best standard of care.

Finding the Best ACL Treatment Options

The first appointment will help determine if the doctor is the right choice for the patient’s needs. The best doctors will begin with an accurate diagnosis to determine what course of action is the best treatment option.

Before going to your consultation appointment, prepare a list of questions to ask the doctor. The best doctor to treat your ACL will be one who takes the time to address each question and concern until you feel confident with proceeding with diagnostic testing and treatment.

ACL Treatment in Huntington Beach

As a provider of the best ACL treatment in Huntington Beach, Dr. Howard Marans will explain each step in the diagnostic testing and treatment process. The Doctor will explain his desired outcome resulting from his recommended treatment option. Depending on the degree of injury, non-surgical methods may be the first course of treatment. If a conservative approach fails to yield the desired results, or the degree of injury is too severe based upon diagnostic testing, surgery may be the Doctor’s chosen treatment method.

Dr. Howard Marans and his courteous staff will work with numerous insurance programs, including PPOs, to give each patient the highest level of care without creating an overwhelming financial burden. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Dr. Howard Marans: Two decades of prime orthopedic surgical care

For many years now, people in Southern California trust and respect Dr. Howard Marans’ specialty, along with his incredible effort in providing quality orthopedic surgical care. He’s one of the most distinguished orthopedic surgeons in Orange County, and his team delivers expert medical care in a warm setting in the heart of Southern California.

Surprisingly, Sarah Hammer, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, has been his patient. Along with Sarah, a lot of patients have made Howard their personal physician because of his safe and prompt care. He often treats conditions of the upper and lower extremities.

With his help, patients can return to their daily activities as soon as safely possible. He can discuss with the patients the nature of their injury, and impart methods on how to prevent it from happening again.

Howard also offers pain management to his patients. As we all know, pain is an unpleasant feeling or discomfort caused by injury, illness or emotional disorder. Diseases and inflammations are some of the causes of severe pain.

He’s a man of dedication. He always makes sure that he’s giving his best in giving a precise diagnosis, a comprehensive explanation of treatment options and expectations, and proper execution of the chosen treatment whether non-surgical or surgical. With this, it’s apparent that he has a busy practice for more than 20 years. His commitment to the field is beyond compare.

Howard Marans MD provides prompt care utilizing established orthopedic treatments and innovative surgical and arthroscopic procedures. You can be sure that you’ll get back to your softball league or return to play on your school team with the help of his expertise.

Importance of Orthopedic Surgeons

Most people suffer from various problems on their musculoskeletal system every year, which were rooted from an injury or a disease. This then results to a slow down and restriction of movements.
Therapy and non-invasive treatments can be done on individuals with minor disease or injury since these methods are more than enough to treat the problem of the musculoskeletal system.

In order to repair the problem of people suffering from an acute injury or fighting a serious disease, a surgery is needed. Orthopedic surgeons are responsible for manipulating the musculoskeletal system in the human body and repairing the injuries, as well as fighting the diseases that attack it.

The musculoskeletal system is composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues that allow the body to move. Orthopedic surgeons dedicate their time treating this particular system of the body. Sports injuries, degenerative disease, and congenital diseases are mostly the culprits in attacking the musculoskeletal system. As mentioned earlier, these could make an individual suffer a loss of range of motion or experience limited mobility.

There’s a battlefield waiting for you if you’re an aspiring orthopedic surgeon. You’re advised to be completely prepared in order to conquer this endeavor. You must not give up despite the unimaginable difficulties because it’ll be all worth it in the end, once you’re rewarded with a degree and licensure for practicing in this highly competitive field of medicine.

The standard education system for an orthopedic surgeon includes four years of undergraduate study culminating in a bachelor’s degree, usually in biology, chemistry, or another field of science; four years of medical school training that includes two years of pre-clinical courses and an internship; and residency training.

Orthopedics has one of the longest residency training programs among other medical fields due to its intricate nature. Just imagine what Dr. Howard Marans and other orthopedic surgeons have been through. Orthopedic surgeons have to take five years residency program with one year of general surgery training followed by four years of training in orthopedic surgery. More than 600 students complete residency training programs every year in the United States.

Some orthopedic surgeons continue their training in a sub-specialty within orthopedic surgery, which includes foot and ankle surgery, hand surgery, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, pediatric orthopedics, shoulder and elbow surgery, spine surgery, surgical sports medicine, and total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty).

Orthopedic surgeons can specialize in various sub-specialties, but first, Howard Marans MD wants you to remember two important things:

1. Sub-specialties normally require additional training in a fellowship program, which
 lasts 1-2 years (depending on the research requirements) after the completion of a residency.
2. An individual who specializes in one of those sub-specialties isn’t always considered an orthopedic surgeon. For example, neurologists specialize in spine surgery, but they’re not orthopedic surgeons.

Howard agrees that orthopedic surgeons are, indeed, true warriors. The path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon has a lot of obstacles and hardships, and without serious dedication and strong will, an individual might fail to succeed in this field of medicine. Orthopedics has a long and difficult educational program, but for those who survived this battle will find themselves in a well-paid, highly competitive field with a first-class group of peers.

There are more than 20,000 practicing orthopedic surgeons and residents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and they represent only 3-4% of all practicing physicians. There are several factors that contribute to the salary of an orthopedic surgeon, it includes the location of his workplace, years of experience, and the size of the business, which are often similar to any career field. Each year, an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. could earn around $440,979, which is considered as the median salary.

Howard Marans MD specializes in arthroscopic surgery, open reduction and internal fixation of fractures, sports medicine, and the treatment of arthritis. His team can take good care of you if you have any problems with your shoulder, knee, hand, wrist, elbow, or ankle. He serves more than 20 cities in the entire Southern California and Fountain Valley.


A lot of people in the region choose Howard as their personal surgeon because they strongly believe that he’s the most capable physician to perform a surgery on the injured part of their body. He’s also working very hard every day to give his patients a quality orthopedic surgical care, so all the recognitions he’s receiving right now is a strong testament that he’s doing an excellent job in orthopedics.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Dr. Howard Marans: Facts you need to know about orthopedics

Are you familiar with Nicolas Andry? Arthroscopy? Or Prosthesis? Perhaps most of you aren’t. Those are some of the basic terms in orthopedics, and if you’re going to finish this article, you’ll be able to obtain a bountiful of knowledge about this particular field of medicine.
Let’s begin with Nicolas Andry. He played a major role in the early history of orthopedics. He was the first one to introduce the word ‘orthopedia’ in 1741, in his book Orthopaedia, or the art of preventing and correcting deformities in children. The terminology Nicolas used were derived from two Greek words; orthos, meaning straight and pais, meaning child.

Great developments were seen in this specific branch of medicine and after a long period of time, orthopedics is not only about children.
Orthopedics focuses on the diseases and injuries of the bones or muscles. If a bone is broken, it would develop new growth in order to correct the fracture and fill in any areas from which bone is removed, since bone is a living and functioning part of the body.
For that reason, a bone that’s deformed from birth can be operated, cut, braced, or treated to generate a normal form. If a broken bone is held in alignment, it will heal without any physical deformity.

Even in the prehistoric ages, humans have had to deal with broken or deformed bones. It’s evident in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that people wrapped and braced a limb in order to heal normally.
Wars are common during those times and it happened on a much larger scale. The soldiers also used more competent weapons. This result in fractures and other bone injuries to become more prevalent.
Interestingly, advances in orthopedics made a great uproar in the field of medicine as surgeons shortly invented simple prosthesis to replace limbs that were amputated because of a grave wound.

Orthopedists in the earlier times were very committed in their field. It’s no doubt that their legacy remained into our modern orthopedists. Birth defects such as scoliosis and clubfoot have also been the main concern of the former orthopedists. But it doesn’t stop there, those physicians also included within their specialty the dislocations, fractures, and trauma to the spine and skeleton. Orthopedics had been a physical specialty for several years.
After manipulating bones and joints to restore alignment, orthopedists including Dr. Howard Marans will apply casts or braces to maintain its structure while waiting for it to heal. While the fracture heals on its own, the patient is advised to be more comfortable as possible to avoid further injuries. However, in some cases, the healing process was incomplete and affect the patient with a lifetime handicap that can make walking or bending difficult.

In order for the bone fragments to heal better, a special nail was invented in the 1930s to hold them. On the other hand, the head of a femur that is a part of the hip joint and that wouldn’t often heal after being fractured can be replaced with a metal device that was developed a couple of years after the nail, then a total artificial hip joint was invented after that. Revisions and improvements are still being made by the orthopedists to allow an individual to maximize the use and flexibility of the leg.
Orthopedists utilize physical methods to align fractures and repair damaged joint. Braces and casts are still being used to hold injured bones in place while they heal. To ensure that the bones are aligned properly and that there’ll be a better healing process, orthopedic specialists now use x-rays.

Crushed bones that have a little chance of healing on their own could be treated by Dr. Howard Marans through transplanting bits of bone from other locations in the body to fill fractured areas. He and other orthopedists use drills, screwdrivers, screws, staples, nails, chisels, and other tools to operate the bone and connect pieces with one another.
Most of the bone deformities these days could be corrected. Deformed facial bones can be replaced or reshaped. Bone transplants from one person to another is a usual thing. Grave diseases like cancer may bring terrible results to patients, such as losing a limb, but Howard Marans MD can provide a normal-appearing prosthesis for them to have a near-normal life. He can teach them on how to use it, and it’s also fitted so it’s convenient to use.
The patients that have lost limbs due to traumatic injuries, vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer or congenital disorders could get prosthetics through orthopedic surgeons. Prosthetics refers to the design, fabrication, and fitting of custom-built artificial limbs or other assistive devices.
These devices could restore the function and appearance of a full or partial missing limb as completely as possible. He also added that the creation of prosthesis is a very complicated and custom procedure that requires a high degree of skill coupled with advanced technology due to the huge differences in human anatomy.

Arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, and osteoporosis are among the list of degenerative diseases that orthopedists were trained to treat. Treatment options include diet changes, exercise, steroid injections, as well as surgical procedures and hormone replacement therapy.
Arthroscopy and joint replacement are some of the recent technological advances that helped a lot of orthopedic patients around the globe. Several orthopedic surgical procedures don’t need an open incision to completely expose the joint. Flexible arthroscopes can now be inserted through a small incision in the skin and then into a joint, and after that, it can be manipulated through the joint to locate and determine the nature of the injury. Arthroscopy can be used to look into many joints of the body, such as knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
Dr. Howard Marans and his affiliates are committed to treating all patients in a professional and timely manner. They surely are a promising team because they can provide prompt care utilizing established orthopedic treatments and innovative surgical and arthroscopic procedures.

That’s it! This sum up most of the facts about orthopedics. Hoped this article helped you in understanding this particular field of medicine.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Howard Marans MD: 4 Questions to Ask When Choosing Between Knee Specialists

Dr. Howard Marans MD - Each year, millions of people of all ages seek medical treatment for common knee problems. The knee joint provides a wide range of motion which leaves the area vulnerable to a variety of injuries. Common knee injuries range from simple sprains to complex tears in the ligaments.

Knee Specialist

In most situations, the knee injury may be corrected with simple non-surgical treatments, including rest, pain medications, and therapeutic procedures such as physical therapy. Other complex injuries require the medical attention and expertise of knee specialists. When choosing between knee specialists, consider these four questions.

1. What are best reviews and recommendations among the knee specialists?

Seeking out treatment for a knee injury may seem like an overwhelming task. Start by getting recommendations and referrals from a variety of sources.

·         Ask the primary care physician for a recommendation based on current medical needs.
·         Ask family members and friends who have visited an orthopedic specialist.
·         Consult the health care provider representative. If the knee specialists are not in the medical care network, the out of pocket costs may be higher.
·         Use the Internet as a resource tool by checking online reviews and customers satisfaction rankings.
·         Consult the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

2. What are their educational and certified credentials?

Do not be afraid to ask questions concerning their professional career. In most cases, the information is located on their office website or the hospital where the knee specialists are affiliated.

·         Where did they go to school?
·         What specialized training did they receive?
·         Are they board certified?
·         Have they received further training, discovering new techniques?

Most reputable knee specialists undergo extensive training in order to pass board certification for orthopedics. As a potential patient, finding out the type of training and schooling of the orthopedic doctors will add in narrowing down the search.

3. How long has the knee specialist been in practice?

An orthopedic knee specialist with consistent practice shows stability in the chosen medical field. When an orthopedic surgeon performs similar surgery on a consistent basis, there are fewer chances for errors and complications.

·         How long has the doctor been at the same location?
·         How many similar procedures are performed?
·         What is the doctor’s hospital afflation?
·         What is the success rate for the procedure?

4. Does the doctor give individualized attention?

When visiting a new doctor, anxieties and nervousness are two common reactions. Orthopedic knee specialists who make each patient feel at ease and comfortable is a vital component for quality care.

·         Does the doctor listen carefully while explaining the medical condition?
·         Does the doctor answer all questions and concerns?
·         Does the doctor explain all the different options for receiving medical treatment?
·         Does the doctor give a full explanation of the desired outcome for the procedure?

Feeling comfortable with treatment and the orthopedic knee expert is a must for an optimal outcome. When a person does not feel the doctor leaves up to the desired expectations, getting a second opinion is the next crucial step.

Choosing Between Knee Specialists


Common knee pain may be more than a simple sprain or ache from athletic training. Consulting knee specialists are the best way to return to an active, healthy lifestyle. Dr. Howard Marans will work with each patient to achieve this goal. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Howard Marans MD: Huntington Beach’s Top Rated Orthopedic Surgeon



Orthopedic Surgeon Huntington Beach

From participating in local sports or just walking along a shoreline, the beautiful seaside city of Hunting Beach offers various events and activities for people to enjoy on a daily basis. Being in pain from an injury or a disease places limits on a normal active lifestyle. A top rated Orthopedic Surgeon Huntington Beach will work with a potential patient on an individualized basis to provide an optimal outcome for the medical condition.

Orthopedic Surgeon Huntington Beach


An orthopedic surgeon focuses on the medical issues of the musculoskeletal system. The treatment approach may be either surgical or non-surgical depending on the degree of injury or disease degeneration. The orthopedic specialist will work with each patient to provide high-quality medical treatment to preserve and restore function to joint, bones, tendons, ligaments and other relatable ailments. The orthopedic surgeon Huntington Beach also works with patients with birth defects, traumas, tumors and sports injuries.

Finding the Best Orthopedic Surgeon Huntington Beach

Each orthopedic surgeon receives extensive training prior to receiving board certification. As a potential patient, feel free to ask for credentials and educational background. Under most circumstances, the information is available on the orthopedic surgeon’s website. Begin researching reviews and asking for referrals to find the best surgeon to meet specific medical issues and concerns.

·         Begin by asking family and friends for referrals
·         Ask co-workers and peers
·         Research online reviews from various websites
·         Check out the surgeon’s websites
·         Research hospital affiliations where the surgeon performs on a regular basis
·         Contact health insurance provider
·         Ask the family doctor for a referral

Each resource is valuable in finding a top-rated orthopedic surgeon Huntington Beach. Gathering names will aid in narrowing down the search to find the best specialists.

Characteristics of a Top Orthopedic Surgeon

Credentials and education are only part of what makes a top rated orthopedic surgeon Huntington Beach. The surgeon should have other qualities to make the patient feel comfortable.

·         Treats each patient as an individual, not a symptom
·         Begins by taking a full medical history followed by a physical exam and testing to allow for an accurate diagnosis.
·         Creates a treatment program with both surgical and non-surgical options
·         Explains the reasons for the type of treatment needed
·         Answers all patients questions and addresses concerns with everyday language to help the patient understand the treatment process
·         Follows the patient’s progress through each step of the treatment process

Every patient’s medical needs are different. A top rated orthopedic surgeon Huntington Beach should provide an accurate diagnosis for an optimal outcome to allow the patient to return to a normal active lifestyle.

In Huntington Beach, Dr. Howard Marans is a top rated surgeon who strives for the best possible outcome for each situation. With over twenty years’ experience in a consistent location, Howard Marans MD record speaks volumes for the high standard of caregiving to patients. He begins with an accurate diagnosis with a complete explanation of the desired outcome of the treatment program. Dr. Marans and his courteous staff accept PPO and will work with other insurance companies to provide the highest level of care without creating a financial burden.



Sunday, January 17, 2016

Howard Marans MD: Orange County’s Top Rated Sports Medicine Surgeon


Participating in sports in Orange County is easy. Adult fitness centers, local leagues or just running down one of the numerous beaches along the Pacific Coast allows for all types of choices to stay active and healthy. All sports enthusiasts understand minor aches and pains are a normal part of training and participating in a training program. If the symptoms continue for a longer than normal period of time, seeking a professional opinion from an Orange County sports medicine specialist should be the next step.




sports-medicine-caIn general terms, an Orange County sports medicine doctor will have extensive knowledge and training of the body’s various joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and all other issues relating to the musculoskeletal system. Top rated sports medicine specialists may help with injury prevention, nutrition, and vitamin deficiencies. The primary concern for a sports medicine doctor is providing the necessary resources to regain an active lifestyle.

Accurate Diagnosis

A top rated Orange County sports medicine specialist will begin by providing an individual with an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis will be determined based on numerous factors, including:

- A complete medical history
- Details of the injury or ailment
- Physical examination
- Testing in the form of blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, bone scans and numerous other imaging procedures.

Under most situations, a non-surgical approach may be used to help get a patient back to a healthy, active lifestyle in a short period of time. For others, an injury or degree of damage from the sports may require the expertise of an Orange County sports medicine surgeon.

Top-Rated Orange County Surgeon

Finding a top rated Orange County sports medicine surgeon may require some research.

- Ask for referrals. The best way to find a quality doctor is by referrals from friends, family members and work colleagues.
- Consult the primary care doctor for recommendations. In some situations, the primary care provider may actually be the one suggesting a person continues medical treatment with a specialist in the area of sports medicine.
- Speak with the medical insurance customer representative to verify the doctor is within the health care network. Doctors outside of the network may have higher out of pocket costs.
- Research the Internet for online reviews. Numerous web pages are dedicated to reviews and referrals of health care professionals. Use the information to help make a decision.

Ask Questions

When seeking medical treatment, do not be afraid to ask questions. A top rated Orange County sports medicine doctor will be more than happy to answer all questions to ensure the highest level of comfort.
- Ask about years of experience in the area of sports medicine.
- Ask to verify board certifications, education, specialized training and other certifications.
- Find out how many similar surgeries are performed.
- Ask about different treatment plans.
- Ask about the expectations of the treatment program.



Asking questions should help relieve anxieties about the course of medical action being implemented by the Orange County Sports medicine specialists. In Orange County, Dr. Howard Marans <http://www.ocorthopedic.com> understands the desire to return to a beloved sports routine as soon possible. Dr. Marans will design a treatment program to give each patient an optimal outcome. For more information and to have any question addressed, please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981