Traveling for the holidays? Avoid aches and pains

Cincinnati- Are you traveling for Thanksgiving? If so, AAA says you'll join 65 million other Americans in the air and on the roads. Michelle Andrews, MD, a Jewish Hospital orthopedic surgeon, sees patients who have suffered a variety of injuries as a result of travel, and offers tips for avoiding them.

"Packing and lugging our baggage, running through airports to make connections, long rides in cars, airplanes and busses are all necessary, but sometimes uncomfortable parts of travel. The good news is that there are ways to make it easier on your body," Dr. Andrews says.

Traveling by bus or even shuttle buses between airport terminals means you have to climb up bus stairs. This is not an easy task for painful knees and is more difficult with heavier baggage. "Think about packing your heavier items in the bags you check, lightening your carry-on as much as possible," says Dr. Andrews.

With airplane passenger space getting tighter, there is less room for knees. Aisle seats make it easier to get up and stretch without having to climb over other passengers.

"Rotator cuff tendonitis and occasionally rotator cuff tears can occur when you try to maneuver heavy bags overhead. Lighten those bags or ask someone else for help," says Dr. Andrews

Another trouble spot is taking your heavy bags off of the baggage carousel. "Besides hurting your shoulders, twisting movements can cause meniscus tears in the knee or low back strains. Move deliberately and slowly when reaching for your baggage," says Dr. Andrews.

Just getting through a large airport with your luggage can irritate tendons of the elbow and wrist. "Buy luggage with wheels that roll instead of carrying heavy bags. Some carry-on bags have shoulders straps, and are easier to carry," says Dr. Andrews.

Sleeping on the plane can cause a stiff neck. "Neck supports may be helpful on long plane or bus trips. They can help you avoid awkward, painful neck positions if you fall asleep," says Dr. Andrews.

"Some of my other favorite tips to offer to travelers include making sure you stop the car frequently to get out and stretch; lift heavy bags carefully; and, if it's OK with your doctor, bring over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to use if you need it. By following these tips, you should be able to enjoy your holiday, free from unwelcome strains and unnecessary injuries!" says Dr. Andrews.

Dr. Michelle Andrews is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Cincinnati SportsMedicine and Orthopaedic Center. She specializes in sports medicine, knee and shoulder orthopedic problems. Dr. Andrews completed her surgical residency at Yale University, and has the distinction of being the first-ever female orthopedic surgeon to be a team physican for a major league baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. Dr. Andrews lives in Hyde Park.

The Jewish Hospital is an acute care hospital located in Cincinnati's northeast suburbs. Known as Cincinnati's premier orthopedic hospital, Jewish Hospital performs more joint replacements than any other hospital in the region and is home to the world's first operating room dedicated to computer-assisted orthopedic surgery. It was established in 1850 as the first Jewish hospital in the United States and is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system. To view other Jewish Hospital news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.