Podcast: WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR SAY?

Episode: When to see an orthopedist? #03

Leading: Dariusz Litera

Guest: Dr. Tomasz Góral, specialist in orthopedics and traumatology

Duration: 10 minutes

Physical activity is one of the most common ways to maintain health, improve fitness, and lose weight. At the same time, more and more people are starting to exercise intensively, often influenced by the popularity of running, the gym, winter sports, cycling, or team sports. However, sincere intentions don't always go hand in hand with properly preparing the body for the demands of the demands.

In this episode of WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAYS, Dariusz Litera talks with Dr. Tomasz Góral, orthopedist and traumatologist, about when sport supports health and when it can lead to overuse, injuries, and contusions. The conversation focuses on a sensible approach to physical activity, the importance of consulting a specialist, and choosing a form of exercise that is appropriate for your age, health, and physical abilities.

The expert emphasizes that any form of activity can be valuable, but not every sport is suitable for every patient. Regularity, gradual increase in load, proper technique, footwear selection, physical therapy, and consultation with a doctor, physiotherapist, or trainer are particularly important.

Full podcast transcript

[00:00:00] Introduction: Does sport always mean health?

Dariusz Litera:

On the one hand, more and more Poles are struggling with excess weight. On the other, the number of people who actively want to combat this problem by participating in sports is growing. This is evident at running events, as well as in fitness clubs and gyms.

The problem is that a sincere desire to train does not always go hand in hand with a sensible approach to physical activity, and this can result in serious injuries.

Today, your doctor is orthopedist and traumatologist Dr. Tomasz Góral. Hello, doctor.

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Hello.

Dariusz Litera:

Is sport healthy, or not necessarily? Or at least, isn't all sport healthy?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Any form of activity is beneficial, but not every sport is healthy. This includes sports that significantly and visibly contribute to degeneration, especially in the spine and weight-bearing joints of the limbs.

[00:00:45] How to start exercising in middle age without overloading your joints?

Dariusz Litera:

Exactly. Orthopedist, traumatologist – what do they advise against for middle-aged people? I consider myself one of those people. What do we advise against for such patients?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

First of all, we try to encourage physical activity and regularity in this activity.

We advise against impulsive attempts to jump into any sport completely unprepared. If we want to improve our fitness, let's take small steps. Do it under the supervision of experienced trainers or personal trainers, of which there are a growing number at every gym.

Let us also seek the advice of rehabilitators and, above all, read about how to prepare for specific loads.

Let's remember that not all sports are health-promoting. As we know, professional athletes often put extreme strain on their joints. They overexert them. They know how they affect their joints and the risks. Or at least they should.

Unfortunately, it is often the case that we can sacrifice a lot for a sports or competitive career without considering how we will have to live once that career is over.

But let us know that every injury, every trauma to a given joint will affect us later in life.

[00:02:13] Running trend: when does running help and when can it harm?

Dariusz Litera:

Well, that later age has arrived. It turns out we have a desire to practice something.

What about this running craze? Because it seems like everyone caught on at some point. Everyone was running. Was it noticeable in the line of patients waiting outside the office?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Improper preparation for running will certainly be a big problem and will result in patients requiring orthopedic consultation.

Is running healthy? That's a bit of an oversimplification. Running won't always be the perfect sport.

Of course, the greatest benefit of running itself is the cardiovascular system. We also run to produce endorphins, the happy hormones. But if you have certain contraindications, first consult an orthopedist about whether running would be the best form of exercise we could think of.

Let's be aware that our bodies can change if the stress is too great, and we will experience discomfort as a result.

Let us maintain proper balance, moderation and proportion.

When preparing for a run, let's seek the advice of physical fitness coaches. Choose the right footwear. Try to improve your running technique, increase distance, and even intensity.

Let us remember about the necessary biological regeneration.

There are other forms of activity, other sports you can engage in. Let's also consider Nordic walking. Let's also consider slow jogging.

[00:03:58] Why is it worth choosing a variety of physical activities?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Let us remember that there are many other sports where the musculoskeletal system will only benefit from practicing them.

Let's try doing something in the water – from aqua aerobics to core exercises. Let's try to keep our activities varied. Then we can say that running is also good.

If it's just running, then from an orthopedic point of view, all kinds of impact sports will always make their presence felt at some point.

[00:04:35] What injuries do active people go to an orthopedist with?

Dariusz Litera:

Exactly. What are the most common injuries, traumas, and ailments that bring physically active people to orthopedists?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Are we still talking about athletes?

Dariusz Litera:

We're talking about people who, for their own health, decide to exercise and be active. And then, at some point, their activity ends with a visit because they develop some ailment. What brings these people to the office?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Mostly it depends on the season, our weather, and the sports that are popular in this case.

Dariusz Litera:

So when there was snow…

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

If there was snow, there would definitely be more skiers and snowboarders.

This isn't always a consequence of poor skiing skills. Often, it's also due to technical aspects, such as unprepared slopes, but also, of course, a lack of proper preparation for this type of challenge.

Always common sense, of course.

But cyclists, whether downhill or road, also find themselves in the middle of winter. Unfortunately, they often suffer injuries on the street or on the trail.

There will also be a lot of injuries related to team sports. There's no season here. It's year-round.

[00:05:57] Are patients more likely to consult a specialist before starting training?

Dariusz Litera:

What is the situation regarding the awareness of the need to seek specialist advice?

It seems to me that the current generation of twenty- and thirty-somethings has a completely different approach to certain activities. That is, they want to learn everything thoroughly first, and only then do something.

Is it a pattern where awareness is increasing and, for example, patients come to the office and say: I had such and such problems, and now I would like to do something, and they seek advice?

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

We're glad that people are preparing for the type of stress, sports, and activities they engage in. We're glad that they're also choosing a sport based on their health.

We are happy to be able to help, suggest or assess the musculoskeletal system before a given activity.

Of course, it is also very important to talk to a physiotherapist or trainers who can prepare a given potential athlete for the type of load.

Don't be afraid to ask. Reading alone isn't everything. Often, it's just the first step, but a good one, because with awareness, we can better protect our musculoskeletal system.

[00:07:18] Motorsports and Serious Injuries: Why Caution Is Needed?

Dariusz Litera:

And then there are sports that can be very dangerous. Motor sports. Many Poles have fallen in love with two-wheelers, and probably a certain percentage of patients who sometimes end up on operating tables are also people who practice these sports.

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

A very large percentage of people requiring difficult, complex procedures are motorcyclists.

It's a sign of the times. A great many people are switching to two-wheelers. Our roads aren't always prepared for this. Sometimes, recklessness—and disaster is inevitable.

Serious injuries to young people are often caused by bicycle accidents.

Dariusz Litera:

And here we are always left with appeals for caution and common sense. Otherwise, nothing can be done. We simply have to appeal. This appealing can be very difficult.

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

And also: let's be polite to each other on the roads.

[00:08:20] How to choose the right physical activity for yourself?

Dariusz Litera:

It's not our calling card—generally, our courtesy on the road. There's work to be done. At least, it's the same as working on our health.

We encourage you to listen to the podcast WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAYS. We also encourage you to think about the activities that best suit all of us.

I think it's difficult to say or generalize that any one type of activity is worth pursuing. There's something for everyone. The important thing is to get moving.

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Yes, of course. But ask your family doctor, ask your cardiologist, whether a given activity is possible for you.

Don't be afraid to ask. Let's also ask orthopedists, but first and foremost, let's ask a family medicine specialist, your doctor: Can I move this way? Can I run? Is this a good sport for me?

But let's start with what we are talking about regardless of the type of discipline we represent, namely proper nutrition.

[00:09:24] End of conversation

Dariusz Litera:

Exactly. And again, doctor, we're back to those kilograms. Let's hope there are as few of them as possible, those unnecessary ones.

Thank you very much for today's meeting.

Podcast guest WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR SAY? was an orthopedist, traumatologist Dr. Tomasz Góral.

Dr. Tomasz Góral:

Thank you very much.

Key takeaways for patients

• Any form of activity can be good, but not every sport is suitable for every patient.
• It is worth approaching physical activity regularly and gradually, without suddenly jumping into intense training.
• Before starting running or any other activity, especially if you have pre-existing health problems, it is a good idea to consult your doctor.
• Running can bring benefits, including for the cardiovascular system, but excessive strain can lead to musculoskeletal problems.
• Preparation for running should include, among other things, selecting footwear, working on technique, gradually increasing distance and intensity, and biological regeneration.
• It is worth choosing various forms of exercise, such as Nordic walking, slow jogging, water activities, aqua aerobics or healthy spine exercises.
• Injuries in active people often depend on the season and the sports that are popular at a given time, including skiing, snowboarding, cycling and team sports.
• Talking to a physiotherapist, trainer or doctor can help you choose the right activity for your health and body's capabilities.
• Motor sports and riding two-wheelers involve the risk of serious injuries, so caution, common sense and courtesy on the road are particularly important.
• Regardless of the discipline chosen, proper nutrition is also important.

Information about participants:

Guest: Dr. Tomasz Góral, A specialist in orthopedics and traumatology, he specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, with particular emphasis on hip and knee replacement and foot surgery.

Presenter: Dariusz Litera, medical editor, health communications specialist, and creator of the podcast CO NA TO TWÓJ ELEKARZ. He has been involved in patient education for years, conducting interviews with specialists in various fields of medicine.

ATTENTION!

This material is for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation. If you experience any disturbing symptoms, consult a doctor.

Subscribe WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR SAY?, if you are interested in reliable medical knowledge and conscious health prevention.