Page 18 - The Jewish Voice - March '22

Page 18, The Jewish Voice

LiFestyLes

Are You Bothered by Hip Pain? friends, and communities to help provide an optimal environment until the child is 21. At that point, they can spend the money as
for their children. As a single parent, you should feel proud of they wish, which may not be optimal for a young person who is
If you’re a younger or your efforts to nurture and care for your children. Here are a not yet mature enough to make prudent financial decisions. In
middle-aged adult bothered by few additional things you can do to provide for your children’s addition, any present or future creditors could try to reach your
hip pain, your first thought is future that you may not have considered. children’s inheritance to satisfy their claims.
likely not about hip surgery – but Name a guardian. If your children’s other parent is willing Create a trust. A trust is often preferred over a custodial
you may need it. Many young, and able to care for them if you pass away unexpectedly, he account because it is more flexible and can be designed to
athletic people are having hip or she will likely be given physical custody of the children protect the funds against your children’s future creditors and
surgery after finding out that and responsibility for their care. In the case of single parents, their own imprudent spending. You can name someone who
a deep cartilage tear is causing however, the other parent often may not be able or willing to is adept at handling money to manage and disperse the funds
their mysterious, nagging pain. take on this role. This is why it is crucial for you to name a for the benefit of your children if you die before they reach
Cleveland Clinic Florida guardian who will step into your shoes to provide day-to-day adulthood — or the age you have decided to the funds should
sports medicine specialist Evan care for your children if something happens to you. If you do not be distributed to them. This can be the same person who will
Peck, MD, who sees patients name a person you trust, a court will step in to appoint someone. act as the children’s guardian, or a different person if you do
in West Palm Beach and Coral Because the person the court chooses to be your children’s not trust the guardian (e.g., an ex-spouse) to handle the money
Springs, answers questions guardian may not be the person you would have chosen, it is you have left to your children.
about identifying and treating Dr. Evan Peck vitally important that you designate this person in advance. You If you would like to set up a trust that can be used to manage
painful labral tears. can name a guardian in your will (and in some states, a separate your money and property for your (and your children’s) benefit
Q: What is a labral tear? document can be used specifically for this purpose). Although if you become too ill to do it yourself, you can establish a
A: It is a tear in the ring of cartilage (labrum) in your hip that the court will still have to appoint the guardian, the court will revocable living trust with yourself as the trustee. This type of
cushions and seals the joint. typically defer to your wishes. trust will remain in effect if you pass away, and the successor
Q: What causes it? In making your decision, there are a few factors to keep trustee you have named can continue to manage the funds
A: Trauma (from a car accident, for instance) can cause a in mind: Does your chosen guardian share your values and and make distributions for the benefit of your children. The
labral tear. But it’s seen more frequently among athletes whose parenting style? Will your chosen guardian require your children successor trustee can also step in to manage and distribute the
activities flex the hip while twisting – including yoga and Pilates. to relocate? Does your chosen guardian have the energy and funds for your benefit if you are unable to do so. An often less
A variation of normal anatomy can cause a labral tear, as stamina needed to care for your children? Do they have the preferable option is to include provisions in your will for the
well. Often this is hip impingement, where the shape of the hip time to be an involved caregiver? Do you want more than one establishment of a trust at your death. This type of trust will not
causes abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the joint. guardian to care for multiple children, or do you prefer for the help if you become disabled because it will not go into effect
The most common root cause of a labral tear is onset over time children to stay together? It is important to weigh the importance until your death. In addition, it will not be funded until your
due to physical activity combined with a bony abnormality. of these considerations in making your decision. will has been probated, a process that may be expensive and
Q: Are certain groups more likely to have a labral tear? Create a custodial account. If your children are minors, time-consuming. Also, by creating the trust through your will,
A: Women are about twice as likely to experience a labral tear, you can establish a custodial account to hold an inheritance the management and distribution of funds may also be subject
and it often happens in younger, active patients. under a law called the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act or the to ongoing oversight by the probate court.
Q: What are the symptoms? Uniform Gifts to Minors Act. If you do not appoint the custodian, The trust terms can specify the purposes for which the trust
A: Many people can have a tear and not have any symptoms the court will appoint someone to control and manage your funds can be used, how and when the trustee should make
at all. children’s inheritance until they reach the age of majority. This is distributions, and, if you so choose, the age at which you would
If you do notice a symptom, though, it’s typically pain deep necessary because minors legally cannot own money or property like the trust funds to be fully transferred to your children —
in the hip joint that doesn’t get worse when you push on the area. on their own. A custodian will manage the funds in the account which does not have to be at the age of majority. You can choose
It often comes with certain activities (movement in a particular for the benefit of your children, but the downside is that when the type of distributions you believe are best for your children:
direction, for instance). they reach the age of majority (18-21 years old depending on Some parents give the trustee the discretion to make distributions
Q: How do doctors diagnose a labral tear? applicable state law), the funds will be distributed to them in
A: We can get most of the information we need from a health a lump sum. In Florida you can keep the funds in this account Lifestyles on page 20
history, examination, and a good set of X-rays. An MRI is often
needed in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Q: What are the treatment options?
A: There are a few conservative treatments for a labral tear,
which are typically attempted for three to six months to try to
alleviate the pain.
These options include:
• Taking a break from activities that cause the pain
• Using anti-inflammatory medication
• Receiving a guided injection of cortisone into the hip joint
• Using physical therapy, which unloads some of the pressure
from the hip joint
• Modifying activities to a lower, less painful level
Q: What if conservative treatment doesn’t help?
A: If these things aren’t working, we can do an MRI to get a
better idea of the pathology of the injury. This shows whether
there is cartilage damage, arthritis in the joint, or injury to other Luck
muscles that might cause problems. Depending on how severe
the symptoms are, your doctor might recommend surgery to of the
fix it. Irish to you!
If you are having hip pain deep in the joint that lasts for more
than a month and occurs with particular movements, check with
your doctor to see if you might have a labral tear. The sooner
you pinpoint and address the problem, the sooner you can get
back to your normal activities with less pain.
To make an appointment with Dr. Peck or another orthopaedic We Connect REAL People in REAL Life.
specialist at Cleveland Clinic Florida, call 888.450.0815 or visit
ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/ortho for more information.
This article first appeared in Cleveland Clinic’s Health
Essentials. Visit health.clevelandclinic.org to read more.

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