Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - January '21

Page 6, Hobe Sound

Tip of THe TaiL

Canine Cataracts are called cataracts. The most common cause in dogs is Since the major cause of cataracts are heredity, cataract

inherited cataracts, but other cataracts form after traumatic progression varies from breed to breed and individual
injuries or systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus. The to individual. Cataracts may develop relatively early
hereditary cataracts can be seen in many breeds including in life in some breeds, but in others the first signs are
cocker spaniels, Labs, poodles, and Boston terriers. detected when the dog is older and progression is so
The effect cataracts will have on your dog can vary slow that dogs still have reasonable sight well into old
from almost no effect to total blindness. If cataracts age. Efforts can be made to prevent inherited cataracts
occupy less than 30 percent of the lens or only one by careful and conscientious breeding. Many veterinary
lens, the vision will likely be almost normal. Noticeable ophthalmologists offer eye certification programs that
impairment occurs when greater than 60 percent of the offer breeders the opportunity to screen their breeding
lens is affected. If opacity progresses to 100 percent, your stock and make sure they are producing disease-free
dog will be blind. The progression depends on the type puppies.
of cataract, the breed, and other risk factors. Veterinary Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
ophthalmologists can surgically remove cataracts and Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
restore failing vision caused by cataracts in your pet. for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
The structure and function of the eye is similar to that Most pets have few complications and return to normal surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
of a camera. The camera has a lens to focus light on film, activity, running and playing, within just a few days of medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
while the eye has a lens to focus light on the retina which the surgery. The earlier cataracts are removed, the results Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
sends signals to the brain to be interpreted into the world of the surgery are better. Your veterinarian can arrange medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
around us. The lens is just behind the pupil which opens a referral appointment to an ophthalmologist to further owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
and closes like a camera lens to let in varying amounts evaluate your pet’s condition and determine appropriate www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
of light through the pupil and then the lens. Opaque lens treatment options. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

cLeveLand cLinic MarTin HeaLTH neWs

Shoulder Injuries Treated Instead of a large incision circumventing the shoulder, hours. Often patients need little or no pain medication

With Arthroscopy Heal Faster Evans uses an arthroscope, a pencil-sized instrument with after their initial recovery due to the new techniques.

A painful shoulder condition or injury can impede
a tiny camera at the tip, to examine and repair the tissues
With Less Pain in the joint. Recovery is quicker and less painful when writing, eating, dressing, hair brushing and other activities
compared to an open procedure.
of daily living. With newer techniques and appropriate
Using arthroscopy also minimizes swelling and allows rehabilitation, arthroscopic surgery can fully restore
New surgical techniques and better pain management patients to begin their post-operative rehabilitation sooner. movement in the shoulder.
enable easier recovery. Remember Operation, that electronic In the last few years, other innovations have made the “Prior to arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair required
board game in which one wayward movement causes other recovery process easier, including surgical improvements months of post-operative rehabilitation and many patients
body parts to spasm and a loud buzzer to sound? and better post-operative pain management. avoided the surgery,” said Evans. “Using arthroscopy,
Just like in the board game, an injured rotator cuff can According to Evans, sutures today use new materials we can help our patients return to a fuller life without
wreak havoc with other body parts – and everyday activities that do not require intra-operative knots. Overall, the constant pain.”
like writing and eating – because it’s the rotator cuff that procedures are less abrasive to the tissue. New, long-acting To schedule an appointment with Dr. Evans, call (772)
allows us to lift and rotate the arm. The rotator cuff is pain medications used following surgery last for 72 to 96 223-5708 or visit martinhealth.org/evans.
composed of four muscles plus attached tendons and other
tissue in the shoulder. It holds the arm in the joint and helps
attach the humerus (long bone in the upper arm) to the elbow,
neck and torso.
Rotator cuff tendons can tear from age, overuse, traumatic
injury or a fall. When it is injured, even reaching for a book
can be painful, and a tennis match or golf outing would be
nearly impossible. Understandably, shoulder injuries used
to be among the most dreaded by weekend warriors and
professional athletes alike. In fact, a rotator cuff injury was
often a career-ending incident in sports.
“Shoulder patients can experience much quicker recovery
and much less pain using the arthroscopic techniques
developed in recent years,” said Peter Evans, M.D., a board-
certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in
the upper extremities. “Today, my patients return to their
preferred activities quickly.”