9 Everyday Habits That Could Affect Your Chances Of Getting Arthritis
Bustle.com – April 27, 2018
Most young people don’t tend to think much about arthritis. However, like many other areas of our health, the habits we do now have an effect on our chances of getting arthritis later. There are even some things that cause arthritis that you may be doing everyday without realizing. Even though arthritis may not be at the top of your mind now, it’s important to pay attention to the little habits you do that can cause issues down the road.
“We’ve all heard the term arthritis and know that it is a very painful condition that we definitely want to avoid,” Gregory Mallo, MD, orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of the Department of Orthopedics at St. Charles Hospital, tells Bustle. “Arthritis is a … way of referring to any type of pain in the joint. In reality, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. In general, arthritis is the loss of the soft cushion on the ends of each bones that makes up a joint. When this spongy cushion, called articular cartilage, wears away, the bone itself becomes exposed along with many painful nerve fibers.”
Dr. Gregory C. Mallo on Elite Special Forces experience and empathy in patient care
Becker’s Spine Review – April 19, 2018
Gregory C. Mallo, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in complex shoulder reconstruction, shoulder arthroscopy and revision surgery. He serves as co-chief of the shoulder service at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y.
Question: You served as a Lieutenant Commander and orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Navy and cared for active duty sailors and members of the Elite Special Forces Community. How has your military experience influenced your practice?
Dr. Gregory C. Mallo: After 9/11 I was eager to start the long process that began with medical school, continued with residency and culminated with my duty assignment as orthopedic surgeon at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. While I was there, I had the privilege of caring for our active duty sailors, marines, and some members of [Marine Corps Special Forces].
This high-demand population needed a comprehensive treatment plan. These men and women were expected to deploy to the highest-risk combat situations. I had to be very careful when discussing surgical and non-surgical options. These motivated patients often saw surgery as a quick fix, and underestimated the potential risks, complication, and recovery time.
In my practice now, I first identify if surgery is an imperative first-line option, like with a displaced fracture which will not heal correctly if it is not fixed immediately.