How do you know when you need a total ankle replacement

Total Ankle Replacement - also called Total Ankle Arthroplasty - is a surgery used to treat advanced ankle arthritis or pain and deterioration due to normal wear and tear or a previous injury. Orthopedic specialists perform this surgery at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

How do you know when it's time for a skin cancer screening?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in America. It is also the easiest to cure if diagnosed and treated early. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone do a monthly head-to-toe examination of their skin. What should you be looking for? And when is it time to see the doctor? Read on for some basic guidelines.

How do you know: when it's time to see a dermatologist

Wrinkles, freckles, moles, rashes... these are all very common - and usually minor - skin problems for people of all ages. When do they move beyond a nuisance and into the category of needing medical attention? How do you know if you need a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin, hair, nails and the mucus membranes inside the mouth, nose and eyelids. They help patients of all ages with many different diseases including skin cancer, eczema, acne, psoriasis, and nail infections.

Achilles tight? How you know when it's time to see the doctor

Tendons connect muscle to bone and often connect near a joint. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. When the tendon becomes strained or torn it can cause pain, swelling and make it difficult to move the joint normally. It is not unusual for athletes or runners to have tight Achilles tendons. How do you know when the issue is something that warrants a call to the doctor?

How do you know when you need a flu shot?

The flu used to be a generic term for just about any virus. Now, however, more people realize that the flu - short for influenza - is actually a serious upper respiratory infection. The flu is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, even hospitalization for some people. The best defense against influenza? An annual flu shot.

How do you know when you need gallbladder surgery?

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is a very common procedure at Logansport Memorial Hospital and across the country. In fact, cholecystectomy - the formal name for gallbladder removal surgery - currently accounts for 75% of all surgical procedures in the United States. Surgery is the most common treatment for gallstones that are causing pain and other problems. How do you know if you're having issues with your gallstones? And when do those issues warrant surgery? Let's learn more about gallstones and surgical treatment options.

How do you know: if it's a stroke

A stroke is a sudden and serious injury to the brain. They can seemingly happen suddenly and with no warning - even to otherwise healthy individuals. Educating yourself on the signs of a stroke is an important way to keep yourself and those around you safe. Prompt medical attention is critical to successful stroke recovery. Learn more about stroke signs and how you can help.

How do you know when: you need an osteoporosis screening test?

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. There are no symptoms or signs of osteoporosis and many people do not realize they have it until a bone breaks. However, if diagnosed early, the progression of osteoporosis can be slowed dramatically. As with many screening tests, osteoporosis screening can make a positive impact on your life for years to come.

How do you know when: you need colon screening?

It's worth making time in your schedule for an annual check-up. An important part of preventative health care, the annual check-up lets your doctor do routine health screenings which can spot potential health issues early. Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Colon screening is a perfect example. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

How do you know when: you have heart failure?

Heart failure is a term often misunderstood. Many people think heart failure means the heart is no longer working and there is nothing that can be done to help a person with heart failure. In fact, heart failure means the heart is weak and not pumping as well as it should be. Heart failure is a serious condition but not necessarily a fatal one. In fact, many people with heart failure lead a full, enjoyable life when the condition is managed with medications and healthy lifestyle changes.

How do you know when it’s time for a hip replacement?

Your hip hurts when you get out of a chair. Walking for any length of time causes pain in your hip. It is difficult to put on and tie your shoes because your hip is painful and inflexible. You are not alone! Hip pain is a very common issue for people.

Hip pain can be treated with medicine and physical therapy but sometimes that isn’t enough and a doctor may recommend hip replacement. Learn when to call the doctor, what to expect if hip replacement is in your future and recovery tips for this common orthopedic surgery.

How do you know when it’s time for a pap test?

Preventative health care can help you avoid serious illness and stay healthy for years to come. Routine checkups and screening tests are an important part of preventative health care and help your doctor manage your overall health. A vital screening test for women is the cervical cancer screening test - commonly known as the Pap test.

The Women's Health Center at Logansport Memorial Hospital includes Pap smears as a routine part of exams. Let's learn more about this effective screening tool.

How do you know when it's time to see a doctor for an injury?

You're out running and feel a twinge in your knee. You're playing in your basketball league and twist your ankle. You fell on a weekend hike with friends and now your elbow is suspiciously swollen. Is it time to see the doctor or can you rest and ice your way through it?

It's hard to know sometimes if you're hurt and need a break or if you're injured and need medical intervention. Let's ask the orthopedic team at Logansport Memorial Hospital: When does a sports injury need a doctor?

How do you know when: you need your tonsils removed?

All too often people have nagging medical issues that they feel aren't serious enough to call the doctor. Sore throats often fall in this category. It's easy to pass off a sore throat as the symptom of a cold or just "something I get every winter." How do you know when a sore throat is more than just a sore throat?

Let's learn more about a few signs that your sore throat could be something more serious like tonsillitis; when that tonsillitis might warrant having your tonsils removed and how to recover after a tonsillectomy.