OSC Blog
Chronic Pain and Functional Neurological Disorder Podcast
Chronic Pain and Functional Neurological (Previously Known as Conversion) Disorder: A Psychological Perspective WPC Intern Jennifer Brown interviews Dr. Andrew Martin on the psychological perspective of chronic pain and functional
What is Nociplastic Pain?
Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD Clinicians have long held that there are two types of pain – nociceptive (the type of sensation or pain you feel when there is damage to
Why am I Afraid To Go To The Doctor?
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD Disliking going to the doctor is pretty common. About one third of all adults have avoided doctor visits that they knew were necessary.1 About 25% of
Phantom Pain and Its Treatment
By Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD In my last blog post, I discussed the possible causes of phantom pain and the medications that are commonly used to treat those symptoms. In
Why Opioids are not First-Line Treatment for Chronic Pain in our Practice
Raj N. Sureja, MD Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD Although we’ve often talked about the hazards of opioids in articles we have authored, and shown data that opioid use isn’t effective
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder vs. Complex PTSD
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a well-established psychological condition, recognized since 1980 by most mental health and medical organizations. Complex PTSD is a relatively new condition,
Debunking Myths About Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) in the Lumbar Spine
Mark W. McFarland, DO As a busy orthopedic Spine specialist, I am happy to answer the questions I get from patients before having a lumbar epidural steroid injection. However, I’m
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD Persistent Depressive Disorder (once called Dysthymia), or PDD, is a relatively long-lasting, milder form of depression, compared to Major Depressive Disorder.1 Because PDD begins gradually and
Helping Someone Who May be Thinking About Suicide
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD It’s always okay to ask someone if they are thinking about suicide. You won’t give them the idea, and it often leads to the person getting
The Stages of Bone Healing After a Fracture
Mark W. McFarland, DO Bone fractures are a common form of skeletal injury that affect individuals of all ages which undergo a complex and coordinated process of healing. This
What Causes Phantom Limb Pain?
By Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD In my last blog post, I discussed phantom pain and the symptoms typically seen in those who have had limbs amputated. In this post, I
OSC Recognizes Our Physician Assistants for PA Week!
Our Physician Assistants are a very important part of the clinical care team at OSC. They back-up our Orthopaedic surgeons and care for our patients by seeing them during office
OSC Adding New Intellichart Patient Portal for Your Convenience - November 6, 2024
Orthopaedic & Spine Center is pleased to announce that we are transitioning our patient portal from Medfusion to Intellichart, effective November 6, 2023. We are excited about the many benefits
What is Phantom Pain?
By Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD In this blog post, I will discuss the phenomenon of phantom pain and define for the reader how it manifests in patients, describing symptoms typically
OSC is Watching the Weather and Tropical Cyclone 16 - with Your Safety in Mind!
The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for most of the Hampton Roads area for the next 48 hours. This means that strong winds, heavy rain, and
Christine Adams - Pain Management & Injections
I first came to OSC to see Dr. Raj Sureja for a follow-up after I had spinal fusion surgery. I began to panic because I had once had a bad
PTSD and Intimacy
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD The word intimacy has several meanings. For this article, intimacy means ‘closeness,’ or the act of being close with oneself, or close with others, in meaningful
The Female Athlete Triad (FAT): Understanding, Prevention, and Treatment
Boyd W. Haynes III, MD I’m well known in the Hampton Road area as an orthopaedic surgeon, but you may not know that my fellowship training is in Sports Medicine,
Why do I Need Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, MBA, FAAOS, CPE When I have a discussion with patients about potential spinal surgery, they often ask “how extensive will the surgery be and how much
PTSD and Other-Esteem
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD We usually associate “esteem” with self-esteem, but esteem also refers to our attitude toward others. It’s how much we value and respect others. Esteem for others