Vaccines can prevent many illnesses.
Some of those vaccines—like the one for
u—are well-known.
But others, like the pneumococcal
vaccine, don’t seem to get the same
attention. This vaccine helps prevent
pneumonia. You and your family may be
among those who should get the shot.
A bad bug
Like the u, pneumonia can
make you very sick. It causes the air sacs
in your lungs to ll with pus and liquid.
ACL INJ URY
A knee in
need of repair
If you’re like most athletes, whether
you’re a competitive player or a weekend
warrior type, even just the thought of a
torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in
your knee might make you wince—and
for good reason.
An ACL tear is o en a season-ending
setback with a long recovery. But it doesn’t
have to be a game changer. Treatment
can o en help you safely get your game
on again.
How an ACL tears
Your ACL is one of four
main ligaments—tough, brous tissue—
that connect the thigh and lower leg bones.
ey help stabilize your knee. Tears to the
ACL, which are one of the most common
knee injuries, usually don’t involve player
collisions or other contact. ey tend
to happen when an athlete suddenly
stops, twists, pivots, makes a cut or lands
awkwardly from a jump.
You’re more likely to tear your ACL in
sports such as soccer, basketball, skiing,
gymnastics, tennis or football. And for
reasons still under study, your risk is
higher if you’re a female athlete.
Anyone else hear that?
A torn ACL
usually isn’t something you can ignore.
You may hear a popping sound when it
happens, and your knee may feel like it’s
about to buckle or give out.
Within 24 hours, the injured knee may
become swollen and unsteady when you
walk. If you have any of those symptoms
a er an injury, see your doctor. Although
the swelling and pain may go away, you
may risk more damage by returning to
playing sports.
Will I need surgery?
O en, decisions
about ACL treatments take into account a
person’s activity level as well as the injury.
For example:
Nonsurgical treatments.
Special
exercises can help strengthen and stabilize
the knee and reduce the risk of new
injuries. Physical therapy alone might be
an option if, for instance, you’re going to
participate in a sport, such as running or
swimming, that doesn’t involve cutting or
pivoting. And an ACL can sometimes heal
if it’s only partially torn.
Even if you plan to have surgery,
physical therapy is o en still advised.
Rebuilding the knee.
If you want to
return to a sport or a job that could involve
a lot of pivoting or other stress on your
knees, you and your doctor may consider
surgery.
Typically, a torn ACL isn’t stitched
together. Instead, working through small
incisions, the surgeon removes the torn
ligament and replaces it with a gra . e
gra usually comes from a piece of tendon
in your leg.
Road to recovery
Recovery from ACL
surgery o en takes at least six months.
e recovery period usually involves knee
rehabilitation, which includes exercises
that help people move and strengthen
their knee. Programs are tailored to each
person’s needs and sometimes even to a
particular sport.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American
College of Sports Medicine
{
I have diabetes, and I’ve heard
that it’s really important that I get a flu
shot every year. Why?
}
It’s true that a yearly u shot is
essential for you. And there are several
reasons why.
First, diabetes can weaken your
immune system. As a result, you have a
heightened risk of getting the u, since
it’s harder for you to ght o the u virus.
And if you do come down with the
u, you’re especially susceptible to its
complications, such as pneumonia, which
can be deadly.
An advance directive is intended to keep
your life on your terms. Whether you’re
18 or 80, documenting your wishes today
means your family won’t have to make
heart-wrenching decisions later.
Texas hospitals encourage you to know
your options for accepting or refusing care.
Decide what’s right for you. Talk with your
family, friends and doctors. And then put
it in writing.
Texas law recognizes four types of
advance directives:
A Directive to Physicians and Family
or Surrogates (living will).
PNEUMONIA
Who needs the shot?
What’s more, even if you don’t develop
complications, simply being sick with the
u can raise your blood sugar. It can also
keep you from eating properly, which can
make your blood sugar uctuate.
Additionally, you should get the flu
shot—not the nasal spray u vaccine. e
nasal spray isn’t safe for people with diabetes.
Annua l i n f l uenz a vac c i nat i on
of everyone 6 months and older is
recommended by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. To schedule a
time for your u shot, call our clinic
scheduling line at
830-426-7444
.
M
edina Regional
Hospital’s Rehabilitation
Department has worked
with local athletes to rehab their
bodies and get them back on the
playing field. If you’ve suffered a
sports injury or your doctor has
recommended physical therapy, we
can fit your rehab needs into your
busy schedule, including after-
school appointments. Call
830-426-7888
for more information
or to make an appointment.
Diabetes and the u
Take charge of your healthcare
Put your wishes in writing with an advance directive
A Medical Power of Attorney.
A mental health treatment declaration.
An out-of-hospital do not resuscitate
order.
You can get the form from your
healthcare facility or download one
online in English or Spanish at
tha.
org/GeneralPublic/AdvanceDirectives/
index.asp
.
Click on “What Are My Options for
Advance Directives?” When the form is
complete, share copies with your doctor
and your family, and take copies with you
to the hospital.
at makes it hard for oxygen to get into
your bloodstream and for your body’s cells
to work the way they should.
Very young children and older adults
are at greatest risk of getting pneumonia.
People with chronic health problems and
weak immune systems are also at great risk.
Staying safe
ere are two pneumonia
vaccines.
One is for children only. It protects
against the strains of bacteria that cause
the most severe infections in kids.
e second type of pneumonia vaccine
is mainly for adults. Kids 2 years and older
who are at high risk are also given it as
added protection.
Bot h pneumoni a vacc ines are
considered very safe. Side e ects may
include pain or redness at the site of the
shot and a fever.
Talk to your doctor to learn more. Ask
if or when you or your loved ones should
get this vaccination.
Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention; Immunization Action Coalition
From left, Kim DeLeon, receptionist; Jim Penn, PTA; Ashley Holt, PT; Rehabilitation
Director Lacy Herrmann, PT; and Diane Meyer, SLP.
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M E D I N A H E A L T H N E W S
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N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S
H E A L T H T A L K
