Dr Howard Marans MD: Sports Medicine Physicians In Orange County, CA

An Orange County, CA sports medicine physician will focus on helping an athlete improve performance or recover from an injury. From professional athletes to weekend warriors, participating in sports training and physical activities bring about aches and pains – major and minor in nature.

Sports Medicine in Orange County

When the pain increases or an injury has occurred, seeking an Orange County, CA sports medicine physician is the next step.

Focuses on the Athlete

A sports medicine physician focuses on the athlete’s unique needs. Beginning with an accurate diagnosis, the orthopedic specialist will work the athlete to achieve a fast and optimal recovery. Administering various components will help the specialist determine the right course of treatment based on the results.

• Reviewing the athlete’s complete medical history will help determine how the injury occurred
• Physical examination
• Medical testing including, x-rays, MRIs, and other imaging resources

Athletes are normally at the highest level of physical fitness. An injury may cause a disruption or change in the overall fitness level of the person. Depending on the degree of injury, returning to the sport may not be an option. An accurate diagnosis and course of the treatment plan are vital to achieving the best possible outcome.

Course of Action

The accurate diagnosis will determine the course of action in the treatment program. Under some circumstances, the injury may be due to improper training techniques, including over-training or insufficient warm-up practices. Conservative methods may be used to restore the athlete to a normal active lifestyle.

• Rest: An injury or weakened muscle may just need time to heal.
• Ice: Applying ice to the injured area may help reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Physical Therapy: Specific exercises or stretching techniques to strengthen the muscles around the injured area may be implemented.
• Bracing: The use of a brace or support aid may help in the healing process.
• Drugs: Prescription, over the counter medications, or injections may be administered to help reduce the pain and other symptoms.

Surgery

When an injury is too severe or other approaches do not yield the desired results, surgery may be the only option available. The surgical technique depends on the type and extensiveness of the injury. In most cases, the surgical technique is one of the two following procedures.

• Arthroscopy: A less invasive surgical method performed by inserting instruments through small incisions around the injured area. The sports medicine Orange County specialists can use this technique to view, diagnose, and repair the injured area with a shortened recovery time.
• Traditional Surgery: Severe injuries with multiple medical factors may require traditional surgery, allowing the physician to gain visual access to the damaged area. The major drawbacks to this approach are a hospital stay and longer recovery time.

Prevention

A sports medicine physician will focus on preventing future injuries as part of the treatment plan. Athletes have an overall desire to return to the sport as soon as possible. The physician will guide the athlete to ensure the introduction back to the training routine is done with proper techniques. Measures are implemented to help eliminate or reduce the risk of repeating or developing a new injury.

Orange County’s Best Sports Medicine Provider

In Orange County, CA, Dr. Howard Marans strives to achieve an optimal outcome for every athlete’s recovery from a sports-related injury. Dr. Howard Marans can also help an athlete improve performance. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Howard Marans MD: Is Knee Arthritis Treatment Covered By Insurance?

The symptoms of arthritis can negatively affect daily living routines. Arthritis creates pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. When a person has arthritis in one or both knees, everyday activities become extremely difficult.

Knee Arthritis Treatment

Even though arthritis is incurable, finding options to manage the painful symptoms will aid in staying active. Various factors including the degree of degeneration will help determine the best type of knee arthritis treatment for each individual.

Medical Insurance

The costs of knee arthritis treatment will vary with each person’s particular insurance policy coverage. Calling the medical insurance provider’s customer service representative will help determine the amount of coverage a patient has for knee arthritis treatment. Each health insurance policy is different. Specific guidelines for knee arthritis treatment may need to be followed for the utmost medical insurance coverage compensation.

• Prior recommendation and referral from the family or primary physician
• The orthopedic specialists must be within the medical insurance care network
• Co-pays or deductibles may be part of the out of pocket costs as outlined in the insurance policy
• Non-surgical measures may first need to be implemented prior to surgery costs coverage

Non-Surgical Options

Under many insurance policies, surgical options are often viewed as the last resort in knee arthritis treatment. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in determining the type of individualized knee arthritis treatment.

Unless the degree of degeneration is too severe, a patient will typically begin treatment with non-surgical options to relieve the symptoms.

• Over the counter or prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and pain
• Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
• Weight management to help reduce the pressure and stress on the knee joints
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee to help improve movement and flexibility
• Walking aids or a cane to help support stability during movement
• Knee brace to provide extra support

Surgical Options

If the non-surgical options do not yield the desired results, the next step in the knee arthritis treatment process is surgery. Knee joint replacement is one of the most effective methods used. The joint is removed and replaced with prosthesis. The costs vary with medical insurance guidelines and other contributing factors.

• Geographic location
• Length of hospital stay
• Type of prosthesis used
• Surgical approach
• Pre-existing medical conditions that may require specialized care
• Amount of time in the operating room
• Anesthesia costs
• Unanticipated medical care

Each component of treatment will add to one’s final medical expense. Without medical insurance or limited coverage, a knee joint replacement procedure could cost a patient over $50,000. Knowing the knee arthritis treatment options and following guidelines will help keep the costs manageable.

Located in Orange County, Dr. Howard Marans strives to return a patient back to a pain-free lifestyle. Dr. Marans will create an individualized knee treatment approach. Each step in the medical treatment program will be explained in great detail to allow the patient time to ask questions. Following each step of the patient’s progress, Dr. Marans will implement a precise execution for knee arthritis treatment approach.

Knee Arthritis Treatment Provider

With a consistently busy practice for over 33 years, Dr. Howard Marans provides the best knee arthritis treatment options available knee to return his patients back to their active lifestyle. Dr. Marans accepts various types of medical insurance, including PPOs. It is the Doctor’s goal to provide the highest level of care without an overwhelming financial burden for the patient. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Dr Howard Marans: Best Orthopedic Doctor For Athletes and Sports Injuries

Maintaining an active lifestyle as a student-athlete, minor league player, professional player, or just training to stay fit is a priority to millions of people. When an injury causes a person to halt the training or participation in the sport, the desire to return becomes a feeling of urgency. Athletic and sports injuries may occur due to a variety of circumstances including the type of training or sport of choice.

Orthopedic Doctor for Athletes

A specialized orthopedic doctor for athletes will work closely with the injured person in an individualized manner to achieve an optimal outcome.

Sports Medicine

Sports medicine works on different levels by helping a person:

• Achieve peak performance
• Recover from all types of injuries
• Prevent future injuries through training and education.

Seeking an orthopedic doctor for athletes is essential. The orthopedic specialist understands a person’s dedication for a chosen sport or fitness activity. With the extra training and credentials, the orthopedic doctor for athletes will design the best treatment program for an injured person to allow for the fastest recovery.

Seeking Out Help

Finding the best orthopedic doctor for athletes and sports injuries will depend on a variety of contributing factors. Start by making a list of the orthopedic specialists within a specific geographic location. Ask friends, coworkers, family members, and others to make a referral. Or, use the Internet to check out online reviews. Find out the orthopedic doctor for athletes area of expertise.

Fractures, severe sprains, and overextension are common injuries for athletes. Other injuries require specialities of orthopedic practice.

• Shoulder: arthroscopy, rotator cuff, impingement
• Knee: ACL, MCL, PCL injuries and torn cartilage
• Hip: cartilage injury, tears, bursitis, tendon tears
• Elbow: MCL injuries, impingement,
• Ankle and foot: tendon repairs

Accurate Diagnosis

Treating the various orthopedic problems and injuries for athletes begin with an accurate diagnosis. The best orthopedic doctor for athletes will begin with a complete medical history. Before the initial consultation, a patient may want to write down information to help with the process. The smallest detail of past injuries may help identify an overtraining technique or other source contributing the present problem.

Along with the complete medical history, a physical examination and testing will be done. The testing may be done with x-rays, MRIs, or other imaging techniques. After all the medical information is gathered, the orthopedic specialist will design a treatment program to best fit the athlete’s needs to return to an active lifestyle.

Treatment Approaches

Each athlete will have a different treatment approach due to the individualized nature of the injury. When the injury is less severe, non-invasive methods are implemented.

• Rest
• Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and restore function
• Over the counter, prescription, and injections to help ease the pain and reduce inflammation to promote the healing process.
• Change in fitness routine to help in the prevention of future issues
• Bracing, or splints to support the injured area, during the healing process

When the non-invasive methods do not yield the desired results or the injury is too severe, an orthopedic doctor for athletes will recommend Arthoscopic Surgery to repair the damage.

Best Orthopedic Doctor for Sports Injuries

Understanding the unique needs of athletes, Dr. Howard Marans will work with each patient to find the best treatment approach involving the shortest amount of recovery time possible. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Dr Howard Marans MD: Who is the Best Knee Specialist in Tustin?

People who lead active lifestyles understand knee pain will occur at some point. Participation in sports, training, or a fitness routine can create all types of problems for the knee.

Best Knee Specialist

From simple muscle strains to serious injuries, knee pain can abruptly halt one’s active lifestyle. Chronic pain may decrease participation in activities dramatically. Finding the best knee specialist in Tustin should be the next step.

Knee Injury Symptoms

Symptoms will vary with each person based on the degree of injury or the stage of the degenerative disease. The best knee specialist in Tustin – Dr. Howard Marans – will be able to determine if the symptoms are part of a larger problem.

• Pain is often the first indicator of an injury or disease
• The pain does not subside over time
• Simple knee movements may increase the amount of pain
• Swelling of the knee creating extra pressure and pain
• Difficulty standing or placing full weight on the knee
• Redness or tenderness to the touch around the knee area

After experiencing any knee injury symptoms, the decision to make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist should be a priority. Early diagnosis and treatment will help in achieving the desired outcome allowing the person to resume normal activities.

Common Knee Problems

The best knee specialist in Tustin will start with a precise diagnosis to determine the reason for the pain. Medical history, physical examination, x-rays, MRIs, and other imaging devices are primarily used.

• Arthritis commonly effects the knees of elderly adults
• Arthritis is a degenerative disease causing stiffness, inflammation, and pain in the knee joint
• Dislocated knee cap
• Bursitis occurs from overuse or repetitive motion of the knee joint
• The bursa sac swells, creating pain in the knee
• Knee ligament injuries
• Knee cartilage tears

Each type of knee problem will require a specialized treatment approach based on the patient’s diagnosis.

Treatment

In many cases, the only treatment available is surgery to repair the damage or help eliminate the painful symptoms of a degenerative disease. Milder injuries may be treated with non-surgical methods to help engage in the body’s healing process.

• Resting and avoiding activities that require knee movement
• Elevation of the knee with a pillow during times of inactivity
• Cold compresses for approximately 20 minutes every 4 hours or as directed by a healthcare professional
• Anti-inflammatory medication to help fight pain and reduce swelling
• Physical Therapy to allow the muscle to be strengthened to add to the flexibility of the knee
• Steroid injections to help reduce painful symptoms including swelling

Best Knee Specialist in Tustin

Each treatment option will depend on the findings of the initial diagnosis. The best knee specialist in Tustin, Dr. Howard Marans, has over 20 years of consistent experience with all types of musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Marans works with each patient to design an individualized treatment program yielding best results possible. Dr. Marans strives to provide the best knee treatment in Tustin, returning his patients to a normal, active lifestyle. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.

Dr. Howard Marans: Your most trusted orthopedic health partner for life

As soon as you enter the office of Dr. Howard Marans, you’re going to feel a transforming and healing presence. His absolute care for his patients for 29 years makes him one of the most recommended physicians by his peers in Southern California.

Howard is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1993 and recertified in 2003. He’s also certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1989.

He completed his pre-med and master’s degree at the University of Toronto. He finished his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Toronto under the Gallie Surgical Program in 1989.

Dr. Howard Marans completed his orthopedic fellowship in knee and shoulder at Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre in Toronto in 1990 and after a year, he completed once again his fellowship in knee and shoulder at SPORTSMED•SA, and at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

He also gained some achievements in his career such as a J.C. Kennedy Award for Excellency in Sports Medicine, and Excellence in Research Award (Sports Sciences) American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Howard is affiliated with 6 hospitals, namely Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, West Anaheim Medical Center, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center, Anaheim Memorial Medical Center, and College Medical Center.

For 19 years, Howard delivered volunteer medical assistance and coverage to many colleges and high schools. He is currently the team physician for Orange Lutheran High School and Tustin High School. He previously took care of Northwood High School (Irvine, California) and Concordia University. He was also an officer for the Special Olympics. He continues to provide medical coverage at several local, national, and international cycling events.

His team has a passion for putting patients first. They consist of professional and efficient individuals who are always ready to give their utmost care for their patients. In particular, they provide prompt care using established orthopedic treatments and advanced surgical and arthroscopic procedures.

Because of the wonders of modern technology, many born deformities can now be corrected. Deformed facial bones can be replaced or reshaped. On the other hand, Dr. Howard Marans can provide a normal-appearing prosthesis to those who became victims of a grave disease such as cancer which causes them to lose a limb.

Prosthetics is the design, fabrication, and fitting of custom-built artificial limbs or other assistive devices. These devices can restore the function and appearance of a full or partial missing limb as completely as possible.

Because of the big differences in human anatomy, the creation of prosthesis involves an intricate and custom procedure that requires a remarkable skill and an advanced technology.

Arthroscopy is one of the recent technological advances that Dr. Howard Marans has been using to help a lot of orthopedic patients. Many orthopedic surgical procedures don’t need an open incision to fully expose the joint. Flexible arthroscopes can now be inserted through a small incision in the skin and then into a joint. And after that it can be manipulated through the joint to locate and determine the nature of the injury.

Howard is a natural – he is benevolent and incisive. No wonder a lot of people trust him and respect him as an orthopedic surgeon.