Blog Archive

Orthopaedic surgery is a big step at any point in the year, but if you've waited until now, another thing is weighing on your mind – how you will tackle the holidays during recovery. Recovering from orthopaedic surgery takes determination, time, and patience, all of which the holidays can interfere...

Nobody wants to have surgery, but it's sometimes necessary to treat chronic health problems or injuries. Orthopedic surgery is elective but necessary to correct issues like joint problems from arthritis or fractures or chronic issues like knee pain, hip pain, or shoulder discomfort. Preparing for surgery is an essential step...

Pain at work in any form is unbearable, especially when you can't seem to find relief. However, wrist pain is incredibly daunting at work when you use your wrists constantly throughout the day. Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis, there are ways to relieve wrist pain, even at...

Living an active lifestyle means you likely encounter aches and pains. Your knees are a crucial part of sports like running, basketball, and soccer, but these activities also put you at risk for painful knee injuries. Hurting your knee may be as simple as some rest and ice or as...

The elbow joint is a highly used joint that allows you to do many things throughout the day, which is why elbow pain is so detrimental. Elbow pain can come suddenly or develop over months to years of overuse. When elbow pain strikes, every move you make with your arms...

We've all been there – you step off a curb wrong or twist your ankle hiking, leading to a painful ankle sprain. In most cases, you can rest the injury, use ice and compression, and return to normal activities within a few weeks. But what happens when the same injury...

Many treatments exist for orthopaedic injuries, including physical therapy, injections, and surgery. Still, few are as versatile as platelet-rich plasma injections. PRP has been around for a while, but it's only growing in popularity among people who suffer an injury or have a chronic issue like arthritis. It's an excellent...

A knee replacement is a necessary surgical procedure for people with severe arthritis in the knee joints. It's a successful operation that restores functionality and movement in the knees by removing damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with prosthetics. Although knee replacement surgery is a big deal, the recovery...

You've likely heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, but did you know you can have a similar problem in your elbow? Cubital tunnel syndrome is a problem that compresses the ulnar nerve in the elbow. The ulnar nerve is an essential part of your arm that innervates many of the muscles...

Knee pain is a common ailment among people of all ages. Injuries and chronic problems can lead to knee pain, which may be debilitating in severe cases. Some treatments provide short-term relief, but not all work, like physical therapy. Physical therapy is an excellent option for most types of knee...

Injuries typically happen when you're least expecting them: a fall off the curb resulting in a sprained ankle or a broken bone from a car accident. These injuries can cause long-term damage unless you get the proper treatment immediately. Various treatments are available, depending on the type of injury and...

Your hips are crucial aspects of your body, and you use them more than you think. Over time, it's common to have some wear and tear in the hip joints, which can lead to severe pain and disability. When hip pain strikes, it could be something minor that will go...

Do your knees hurt so bad that you can't seem to get up the stairs without extreme discomfort or even walk down the street without severe pain? Various conditions, including osteoarthritis, can lead to chronic knee pain, often worsening without treatment. Home treatments such as ice, heat, and anti-inflammatory medications...

Severe arthritis and chronic injuries often lead to uncontrollable shoulder pain. You utilize the shoulder joints in everyday tasks, so when pain strikes, it affects your entire life. Injections, medications, and physical therapy help shoulder pain, but sometimes, these treatments aren't enough. If shoulder pain persists despite all other efforts,...

Orthopaedic surgery is necessary for various conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendon or ligament tears, and fractures. If you're getting ready for orthopaedic surgery, you probably have heard about physical therapy after the procedure and may wonder if you need it for a successful recovery. Physical therapy is vital to recovery from any surgery,...

The shoulders are complex joints that allow you to raise your arms above your head and perform tasks like lifting and throwing. Because you use them so often, the shoulders are incredibly prone to injury. However, injuries aren't the only reason your shoulders might hurt. Years of wear and tear...

Any surgical procedure is a big deal, especially when having a joint replacement. Preparation for surgery can begin months before the actual procedure, so knowing what to expect the week before is crucial. Medications, even those necessary, may be discontinued before your procedure to ensure your safety during surgery. Knowing...

Regenerative medicine is an up-and-coming treatment for various issues, including orthopaedic injuries. We even utilize it after surgery to stimulate your tissues to heal more efficiently. If you're considering PRP therapy, you likely have many questions about when you feel the effects of the treatment and how often you may...

Joint pain can be unbearable, primarily when it affects your daily activities. If you've tried every other conservative option without relief and have significant damage in your joint, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery. While joint replacement surgery is beneficial, you may have postoperative pain for several...

When you're planning to have surgery, you have much to think about and prepare for the big day. Knowing what to expect during recovery is one of the most vital aspects of preparing for surgery. Blood clots are one of the major complications after surgery, but they are entirely preventable....

Chronic shoulder pain from an injury or degeneration is sometimes hard to treat without surgery. If you have significant arthritis or damage within your joint, a shoulder replacement may be the best choice for pain relief and functionality. Recovery after surgery is crucial as it can make or break your...

High blood pressure is a chronic medical condition that wreaks havoc on your health. Luckily, you can make medications and lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure and improve your health. Staying on your medications is the only surefire way to keep your blood pressure in check. So what happens...

After you have surgery, pain control is the key to a successful recovery. However, opioid pain medications are addictive and pose other risks to your health while you're trying to heal. There are plenty of other options to control your pain after surgery. At Orthopaedic Specialists, Dr. Brandon Downs offers several non-opioid therapies...

A joint replacement may seem daunting, but it's often necessary after years of wear and tear on your joint. However, it is more challenging to decide on joint replacement surgery. Don’t put it off too long, though — the longer you wait, the more damage you could do to your body....

Joint pain happens for various reasons, including osteoarthritis and injuries. No matter what's causing your pain, you must receive treatment to prevent further damage to your joints. Regenerative medicine is just one of the many treatments Dr. Brandon Downs and the team at Orthopaedic Specialists offer at their Nashville, Tennessee office. Dr. Downs provides...

Treatments are necessary when you have severe joint pain that affects your life. However, conservative therapies don't always work in severe osteoarthritis or joint damage cases. You may benefit from a joint replacement if you can't get through your day because of joint pain. This procedure can significantly improve your...

Chronic hip pain is a problem that affects every aspect of your life. A hip replacement is the next step to relieve your pain when you've tried everything else without relief. You must understand the hip replacement process to prepare for life after your procedure. Dr. Brandon Downs is an orthopaedic surgeon with...

When you need surgery, there are always some risks involved. One of the main risks of orthopaedic surgery is blood clots in the post-op period. Not everyone experiences this issue, but it’s something you should be aware of before and after your procedure. Knowing the symptoms helps you detect a problem early. ...

When you’re a pitcher, you have one main goal — to throw the ball hard and strike the batter out. You throw a lot of pitches to keep up your skills in both practice and your games. Over time, this has a definitive impact on your shoulder joint. If you’re...

Your blood is vital to your ability to live and thrive. It’s made up of many different cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Although they’re the smallest, platelets pack a huge punch when it comes to blood clotting and regenerating tissues. In fact, they’re harvested and...

If your job requires you to use your arms repetitively, you’re at risk for a condition called tennis elbow. The same is true if you play sports that require repetitive motions such as tennis or golf. Luckily, there are ways for you to keep your elbows pain-free by preventing tennis...

Knee pain due to severe injury or osteoarthritis is hard to treat, especially in advanced stages. If your knee pain is unbearable and has affected your mobility, a knee replacement might be the best route of treatment. But how do you prepare for such a big surgery, and the recovery that follows?...

Your shoulders are vital to many different activities; from lifting items to enjoying a swim, your shoulder joint is important. However, because it’s used often, your shoulder is prone to injury — especially to your rotator cuff. This injury can put you out of work and your activities for months,...

While the thought of surgery can be intimidating, the reality is that for some people with severe knee pain, a total knee replacement can be the best chance for an active life without pain. A Nashville native, Dr. Brandon Downs and our highly trained team, at Orthopaedic Specialists, with 7...

View full article here: https://www.nashvillemedicalnews.com/article/2217/physician-spotlight-brandon-downs-md "I was exposed to medicine at a young age by going on rounds with my father," Downs said of his early years. After attending Belmont University as a full Presidential Scholar and graduating magna cum laude, he continued his education at Loma Linda University School...

Spinal stenosis is usually divided into two broad categories: cervical stenosis and lumbar stenosis. The difference is the location of the problem. Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of your spinal column in your neck, and lumbar stenosis is in your lower back or lumbar region.  At Orthopaedic Specialists, our team...

Bone Marrow Therapy: If you suffer from moderate to severe osteoarthritis or tendon injuries, Bone Marrow Concentrate Therapy could be an option for you. Bone marrow is the soft spongy tissue that is found in the center of your bones. In adults, marrow in the large bones are the producing center of...

PRP Treatment  PRP Treatment – If you have a tendon or ligament injury, or mild to moderate osteoarthritis and traditional methods have not provided relief, then Platelet Rich Plasma, also known as PRP therapy, may be the solution. If you’re new to the idea of PRP treatment, here’s some frequently...

Osgood Schlatter Disease: While it is completely normal for those who are older to experience knee pain or even athletes who put a lot of stress on their knees; however, it is important to keep a close watch on the level of knee pain that youth experience. While not extremely common, Osgood Schlatter...

Total Knee Replacement Nashville TN: Total knee replacement is a common surgery especially for elderly patients. After years of abuse and stress from the weight and movement that we put on the simple joint, it just can’t keep up with our bodies the way it is used to and becomes...

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. This also means that it is more susceptible to strains, breaks, dislocations, and other injuries. Normally, your shoulder consists of your humerus or the upper arm bone fitting into the socket of your shoulder blade. The socket is then surrounded...

One of the most common types of injuries athletes experience are injuries relating to overuse of one particular body part. During the spring and summer months, baseball/softball players, tennis players, etc….may experience elbow injuries due to the repetitive motion their arms and elbows perform. These injuries often occur over time...

What is a rotator cuff? Shoulder injuries are some of the most common injuries among athletes and workers who tend to do a lot of arm movement in their jobs. Many times these injuries includes damage to the rotator cuff. When this happens, it can make it difficult to perform...

Started by Madison Academy, the Neely’s Bend 5k race is in its sixth year. On April 22, starting at 1:30 pm, they will host the run at the beautiful Peeler Park in Madison, TN. This year Madison Academy is working with the 100 Club of Nashville to bring awareness and...

When is it time to see a Doctor? Hip pain is something that can be serious and deciding when it is time to see a doctor especially if you know you have arthritis in your hip can be difficult. While not every pain and ache means that you should seek medical attention,...

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company Any surgery requires a lot of work and preparation in order to insure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. During the surgery, the doctor and his team handle everything. Immediately after, you’re checked on, and they make sure you can reach a bare...

As the rise in children playing sports has increased over recent years and the competitive nature in turn, there’s also been a rise in overuse injuries among children. While there’s plenty of benefits from playing sports from promoting physical and emotional well being of children and encouraging life-long habits of...

When to Seek Medical Care When to Seek Medical Care? Pain in the neck can be one of the most frustrating things. Nearly everyone has experienced it, maybe even from something as minor has a sleeping in a strange position, but there are other moments when neck pain can be...

Prevent Back Pain Back pain can be one of the most consistent and annoying pains that can occur at any time in your life. While it’s nearly impossible to prevent back pain all the time, there are some steps to take to prevent it most of the time. It starts...

Basketball Injuries Basketball is one of the most popular sports behind football, and like football there is no shortage of injuries during the sport. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 501,000 basketball-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2009. Most injuries from basketball however,...

Protect Your Bones When you were younger, your parents may have coaxed you to “drink your milk, so you can grow big and strong.” As we age, we tend to forget that our bones still need to be kept strong and healthy. It’s important to make sure you are getting...

Anterior Knee Pain Anterior knee pain is one of the most common issues in older adults. Due to the increase of arthritis as we age, the condition that affects active teenagers and young adults who participate in sports, especially girls. Often the pain is centered and towards the front of...

Athletic Shoe When many think about having the right athletic shoe, they think about whether it fits, whether it matches their wardrobe, or is appropriate for an occasion, but having the right shoe, especially the right athletic takes more consideration. Sports and high impact activities like running, jumping, or even...

Orthopedic Specialist Near Me Find an orthopedic specialist near me. With more than 300 bones and joints in your body, it’s almost a fact of life that nearly everyone will have pain and discomfort in them at some point. This is especially true for those who tend to do more...

Knee Exercises and Stretches As we get older, knee problems seem inevitable. The knee is one of the most common body parts to experience injury or overuse and becomes a popular source of pain and discomfort. However, despite pain, it is vital to keep moving and exercising your knees. It’s...

Ever heard of the 3 Stages of Frozen Shoulder? If you haven’t heard of it, it is exactly as the name suggests – your shoulder becomes “frozen” due to pain and stiffness. The condition, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs in roughly 2% of the general population and usually in...

Tennis Elbow Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a condition caused by overusing the elbow. The condition got the name “tennis elbow” because those participating in racquet sports tend to suffer from the condition the most; however, anyone who moves their elbow in repetitive movements can experience tennis elbow. The combination...

Knee pain can be debilitating, hinder your movement, and make even regular activities that you used to enjoy a chore. In this article, we’ll explore three of the most common causes of knee pain so you can better understand what is happening in your knee. 1.Knee Ligament Injuries Knee joint...