Hill Country Neurology

signs of underlying conditions that an orthopedic specialist is trained to diagnose and treat. Some of the more familiar issues include:

• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; • Bursitis; • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow); • Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s or baseball elbow); • Fibromyalgia; • Fracture; • Carpal tunnel syndrome; • Torn meniscus; • Kyphosis; • Osteoporosis; • Scoliosis.

When choosing an orthopedic team, look for one that is trusted, award-winning, rated highly by patients and peers, and with resources to deliver a range of treatments, including: • Shoulder surgery. • Arthroscopy and ligament repair. • Carpal tunnel release. • Repair of open and closed fractures; • Tendon repair; • Hand and foot surgery; • Sports medicine.

REPLACEMENT

According to HCM, one of the most life-changing procedures orthopedic specialists provide is total joint replacement, usually of the hip, knee or shoulder. Their programs offer pre-operative group classes to reduce pain and anxiety, a strong support team with state-of-the-art imaging and operating equipment, and convenient follow-up care. HCM’s Restore Program offers a dedicated team for Restore patients that will be with the patient from the first visit to recovery.

Recovery is most rapid when the patient has ready access to physical therapy, personal and group coaching, and home care support nearby.

HCM’s goal is restoration of function, so the patient can return to as normal a life as possible and enjoy life in every dimension.

HCM Breast Center Encourages Women to Monitor Breast Health

By Madalyn Watson

Standard-Radio Post Reporter

The Hill Country Memorial Breast Center, at 808 Reuben St., offers several resources to help women monitor their breast health.

In addition to regular breast self-exams, women have access to mammograms or breast ultrasounds at the “spa-like” Breast Center.

Breast Center Director Susan Bacon said their policy is that anyone 35 or older can schedule their own screening mammogram — which means no symptoms or recent history of breast cancer — without a doctor’s order.

“Now, there’s always exceptions to the rules,” Bacon said. “There are a few doctors in the area that prefer their patients have a written order from them.”

Bacon suggests women talk with their primary care physician about their options with them as well as with the HCM Breast Center. If they have symptoms, they will need to get a referral from their doctor beforehand.

It is highly recommended that women over the age of 40 get an annual screening exam. Women under the age 40 should see their doctor for a referral if they have symptoms or a family history of breast cancer.

Bacon also said some women assume they can stop getting regular mammograms after the age of 60, but she still highly recommends it since that age range is still at a high risk for breast cancer.

“For women who have symptoms and are younger than 30, we normally start with an ultrasound just because when you’re that young, the breast tissue is very, very dense,” Bacon said.

The breast ultrasound can also be complementary to an annual mammogram and regular selfexams.

Susan Bacon

Self-Exams

When conducting a breast selfexam, women should look for unusual lumps, discharge from the nipples and skin changes. Bacon mentioned that irregular pain could be a symptom, but it is most likely not a sign of cancer.

Women should call the HCM Breast Center with any questions about the process, including questions about conducting their own self-exams at home.

“We have breast models that have lumps in them, so they can actually practice to see what a lump can feel like,” Bacon said.

Time

Many women do not get regular breast screenings because of their busy schedules, Bacon said. However, a regular screening mammogram is usually no longer than 20 to 25 minutes.

“A lot of people say they don’t have time but we do have early and late appointments so we can help women that are working around their work schedule,” Bacon said. “For a screening mammogram, they’re usually not in here more than 20 to 25 minutes.”

Bacon also said depending on the volume of patients at the HCM Breast Center, women can get the results of their exams within six hours, or at least by the next day.

“If you have your mammogram done in the morning, we’ll usually have that report ready for you in the afternoon. You come in the afternoon and it’s usually ready for you the next morning,” Bacon said.

“When they’re here for their diagnostic imaging, the radiologist reads it right away,” she said.

Pink Card

An initiative that began at HCM Breast Center in 2015 is the Pink Card. After an annual screening mammogram, women receive a pink card that can be used for different discounts at local retailers.

Bacon said the Pink Cards motivate many women to care about their breast health and schedule their exams. The Pink Card expires within one year of the appointment, providing motivation, to return and take care of their breast health.

“The card is good for a year, they can use it up within that year and that’s their incentive to come back the following year, get another mammogram and another round of discounts,” Bacon said.

HCM Breast Center

(830) 990-6181 www.hillcountrymemorial.org/ services/breast-care/