Blanchard Valley Health System

By Jim Davidson, MD and Katie Fultz, PA-C

Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Often a patient has been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of a large joint (hip, knee, shoulder) and among treatment options discussed, joint replacement surgery may be considered. Typically, a joint replacement is reserved for the treatment of severe osteoarthritis when non-surgical treatments are no longer working. A joint replacement is replacing the cartilage ends of two bones where they come together to make a joint with a metal and plastic prosthetic. Once a patient has met with their orthopedic provider and decided a joint replacement is the right treatment option for them, there is preparation that can be done. This preparation is crucial to joint replacement success. Often, some of these things should start to be addressed upon initial diagnosis of the disease.

By Thomas Grace, MD, Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio 

CGM stands for Continuous Glucose Monitoring, the newest and best way for people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels. Simply put, a CGM is a patch that you can wear on your skin that allows the user to see their blood glucose level consistently, in real time. Someone with diabetes would be able to track what is happening to their glucose level continuously throughout the day. Not only do these devices show blood glucose readings, but they also provide predictive trends to show users where their blood glucoses are headed. Unlike the traditional glucometers on the market, you do not have to poke your finger, which is painful and burdensome.