Range Of Motion

So you've had a nagging pain in your right shoulder ever since you aced the final set against your former college roommate? It perhaps is little consolation to learn that you are far from being alone. Indeed, an estimated 20 percent of Americans will have shoulder pain of some type in their lifetimes, says Dr. Steve A. Petersen, co-director of the division of shoulder surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Annually, about 4 million Americans will seek medical care for aches, strains, arthritis or trauma to their shoulders.

Knee and hip replacements have been common for decades, offering patients who suffered from degeneration a full range of pain-free movement. But spines and backs have been more problematic. Spinal fusions, the gold standard, have meant a limited range of motion for patients and even future procedures on adjoining discs. But a newer procedure that involves inserting an artificial disc, called total disc replacement, means patients can get that range of motion and pain relief without the drawbacks of fusion.

Exercise classes offered for those with joint problems Anne Arundel Medical Center and Major Changes Inc. offers a series of exercise classes designed to help people with joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations. The courses include: Joints in Motion, offered Mondays and Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. This class is designed for people who have had or will have joint-replacement surgery, and for those experiencing joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations.

So you've had a nagging pain in your right shoulder ever since you aced the final set against your former college roommate? It perhaps is little consolation to learn that you are far from being alone. Indeed, an estimated 20 percent of Americans will have shoulder pain of some type in their lifetimes, says Dr. Steve A. Petersen, co-director of the division of shoulder surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Annually, about 4 million Americans will seek medical care for aches, strains, arthritis or trauma to their shoulders.

Cal Ripken's summer of discomfort won't become his winter of surgery.The Orioles third baseman said yesterday that he has decided against undergoing back surgery to alleviate a herniated disk that caused him two months of sometimes excruciating discomfort last season.Nerve damage that at times caused him so much pain that he found it impossible to sit on a bench during games or to gain meaningful sleep for stretches of days has eased, Ripken said. Atrophied muscles in his left leg have begun to recover and his range of motion is near normal.

Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis practiced yesterday for the first time since dislocating his left elbow against Jacksonville 24 days earlier, and Lewis looked so good to Ted Marchibroda that the Ravens coach pronounced him fit to start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Lewis, who wore a cumbersome brace on the elbow, worked extensively with the first-team defense, although he gave way to backup Tyrus McCloud during 11-on-11 drills. Like most practices, yesterday's featured only light contact.

I'm training for the Annapolis Anniversary 15K run in mid-December, and I've started developing blisters on my feet. I'm terrified that I might have to pull out of the race. A fellow runner suggested I use something called Second Skin, but when I asked at the pharmacy, they hadn't heard of it. Where can I find it, and what else can I do to avoid being too blistered to race? Head to a specialty running store, or revisit the pharmacy. Both should carry Second Skin, or a similar brand like Compeed.

The Odenton Elementary School PTA is having a flea market in the school parking lot from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sept. 24.Spaces are $10 each. Tables are not provided.Reservations may be made by calling Leah Man at 301-621-0668.The rain date is Oct. 8.*The general meeting of the Odenton Heritage Society will be held at the Odenton Library at 10 a.m. Sept. 14.Bring old pictures, news articles and other materials that pertain to area history.Photo equipment will be set up for copying.Tickets for the society's $5,000 cash drawing to benefit the Bank Building Fund go on sale Oct. 1 for $10 each.

I live in Howard County and want to start doing more strenuous hikes. Are there any good trails to use this late in the season? November is a great time for hiking. Not only does cool weather make long hikes easier to manage, you'll also have more privacy on the trails. The Sierra Club of Howard County sponsors four hikes in November: Cat Rock / Cunningham Falls, Harpers Ferry, Caledonia / Michaux Forest and Prince William's Forest. For details, go to www.sierraclub.org (select "Maryland" under "My Backyard" and then select "Events and Outings")

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Little more than a month after undergoing ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, Scott Erickson is considered ahead of schedule by the Orioles' medical staff. Erickson has shed the splint placed on the elbow after Aug. 8 "Tommy John surgery" and, after visiting Los Angeles orthopedic Dr. Lewis Yocum Friday, has been given reason to believe he may be able to toss next spring training. Noticeably lighter and encouraged by his progress, Erickson will accompany the Orioles for the balance of their schedule.

I'm training for the Annapolis Anniversary 15K run in mid-December, and I've started developing blisters on my feet. I'm terrified that I might have to pull out of the race. A fellow runner suggested I use something called Second Skin, but when I asked at the pharmacy, they hadn't heard of it. Where can I find it, and what else can I do to avoid being too blistered to race? Head to a specialty running store, or revisit the pharmacy. Both should carry Second Skin, or a similar brand like Compeed.

COLLEGE PARK - Maryland running back Josh Allen, who suffered a serious knee injury in the final game of the 2004 season, said yesterday that it's unlikely he'll be healthy enough to play in 2005 and that the team is planning to redshirt him. Allen, who has been a starter for much of his three-year career at Maryland, would have one year of eligibility remaining. "It's something that I'm just having to deal with," Allen said. "I'm just trying to make sure I get back right. When [the injury]

Exercise classes offered for those with joint problems Anne Arundel Medical Center and Major Changes Inc. offers a series of exercise classes designed to help people with joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations. The courses include: Joints in Motion, offered Mondays and Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. This class is designed for people who have had or will have joint-replacement surgery, and for those experiencing joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations.

I live in Howard County and want to start doing more strenuous hikes. Are there any good trails to use this late in the season? November is a great time for hiking. Not only does cool weather make long hikes easier to manage, you'll also have more privacy on the trails. The Sierra Club of Howard County sponsors four hikes in November: Cat Rock / Cunningham Falls, Harpers Ferry, Caledonia / Michaux Forest and Prince William's Forest. For details, go to www.sierraclub.org (select "Maryland" under "My Backyard" and then select "Events and Outings")

My shoulders ache, my chest pains me, it hurts to sit down, and turning my head to the side elicits a sharp yelp - all courtesy of the computer from hell. This sorry state of affairs came about only a couple of weeks ago, but we have to go back about a year to find its origins. It was when my wife persuaded me to start working out at the local YMCA. It seemed a harmless thing to do and perhaps even beneficial. I was overweight and sadly out of shape. I got into a pretty good groove. Chest and arms on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, legs and abdomen on Tuesday-Thursday, plus half an hour of cardiovascular work every day. I peeled off 20 pounds and actually began enjoying the workout.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Little more than a month after undergoing ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, Scott Erickson is considered ahead of schedule by the Orioles' medical staff. Erickson has shed the splint placed on the elbow after Aug. 8 "Tommy John surgery" and, after visiting Los Angeles orthopedic Dr. Lewis Yocum Friday, has been given reason to believe he may be able to toss next spring training. Noticeably lighter and encouraged by his progress, Erickson will accompany the Orioles for the balance of their schedule.

My shoulders ache, my chest pains me, it hurts to sit down, and turning my head to the side elicits a sharp yelp - all courtesy of the computer from hell. This sorry state of affairs came about only a couple of weeks ago, but we have to go back about a year to find its origins. It was when my wife persuaded me to start working out at the local YMCA. It seemed a harmless thing to do and perhaps even beneficial. I was overweight and sadly out of shape. I got into a pretty good groove. Chest and arms on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, legs and abdomen on Tuesday-Thursday, plus half an hour of cardiovascular work every day. I peeled off 20 pounds and actually began enjoying the workout.