Women’s Orthopedic Health: Understanding Your Unique Needs
Did you know women face unique orthopedic challenges throughout their lives? At Conway Medical Center, our specialized orthopedic team understands these differences and provides targeted care to help women protect their joint and bone health at every age.
In this article:
- Understanding Women’s Orthopedic Differences
- Common Orthopedic Conditions in Women
- Pregnancy and Orthopedic Health
- Supporting Active Women and Athletes
- Aging and Women’s Orthopedic Health
- Specialized Care at Conway Medical Center
- Patient Success Stories
- When to Seek Help
- Insurance and Treatment Options
Key Takeaways:
- Women’s unique anatomy creates different orthopedic needs than men
- Hormonal fluctuations significantly impact joint stability and bone health
- Pregnancy creates specific orthopedic challenges requiring specialized care
- Conway Medical Center offers women-specific orthopedic treatments
- We now serve patients in Conway, Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Aynor, and Surfside Beach with convenient walk-in hours
Ready to address your unique orthopedic needs? Contact our Orthopedic Specialists today at (843) 347-8041 to schedule your personalized assessment.
Let’s explore what makes women’s orthopedic health unique and how our specialists can address your specific needs.
Understanding Women’s Orthopedic Differences
Many of our female patients seem surprised when learning why their orthopedic needs differ from men’s. For example, one patient was confused about her recurring knee pain despite following the same training program as her husband.
Our orthopedic team helped her understand the important differences:
Anatomical Considerations:
• Women typically have wider hips, affecting knee alignment and stress distribution
• Greater joint flexibility that can impact stability
• Different muscle mass distribution requiring specialized strengthening approaches
• Unique foot structure that influences gait and weight distribution
Hormonal Influences:
• Estrogen affects joint stability and ligament flexibility
• Monthly hormonal fluctuations can temporarily impact joint laxity
• Pregnancy-related changes to posture, weight distribution, and ligament stability
• Menopausal bone density changes requiring proactive management
Common Orthopedic Conditions in Women
At Conway Medical Center, we regularly help women address conditions they’re more susceptible to developing.
Knee Conditions: Women experience ACL tears 2-8 times more frequently than men. Our specialists help patients like runners who benefit from our targeted prevention program addressing:
• Patellofemoral pain (anterior knee pain)
• Runner’s knee and tracking issues
• Custom prevention strategies based on individual biomechanics
Bone Health Management:
• Early osteoporosis screening and prevention
• Evidence-based strength-building exercise programs
• Nutritional guidance for optimal bone health
Joint Stability Programs:
• Assessment of natural ligament laxity
• Customized balance training
• Targeted strengthening programs
• Injury prevention education
Pregnancy and Orthopedic Health
Here’s how our team addresses pregnancy-related orthopedic concerns.
During Pregnancy:
• Specialized back pain management techniques
• Joint protection strategies as ligaments relax
• Safe, modified exercise options for each trimester
• Posture guidance to reduce strain
Postpartum Recovery:
• Core rehabilitation programs
• Pelvic stability assessment and strengthening
• Graduated return-to-activity plans
• Long-term joint health maintenance
Supporting Active Women and Athletes
Our sports medicine specialists help patients protect their joints while pursuing athletic goals.
Personalized Training Approaches:
- Sport-specific preparation and technique modification
- Evidence-based recovery protocols
- Preventative strengthening programs
- Performance optimization with reduced injury risk
Focused Conditioning:
- Core stability development
- Balance and proprioception training
- Appropriate flexibility programming
- Functional power development
Aging and Women’s Orthopedic Health
Our team demonstrates how we help women maintain mobility and independence as they age.
Comprehensive Bone Health:
- Regular bone density screening and monitoring
- Appropriate weight-bearing exercise prescription
- Calcium and vitamin D guidance
- Fall prevention strategies
Joint Preservation:
- Low-impact activity recommendations
- Strength maintenance programs
- Balance and coordination exercises
- Advanced pain management options
Specialized Care at Conway Medical Center
Dr. Shannon M. Philipps, one of our orthopedic specialists, provides comprehensive support specifically designed for women:
Individualized Care Approach:
- Gender-specific biomechanical assessments
- Personalized treatment planning
- Regular progress monitoring
- Lifestyle and activity guidance
Prevention-Focused Philosophy:
- Early screening for risk factors
- Comprehensive risk assessment
- Exercise prescription based on your unique needs
- Nutritional support for optimal musculoskeletal health
Don’t let orthopedic pain limit your activities. Our orthopedic specialists understand your unique needs and can develop a personalized treatment plan. Call us today at (843) 347-8041.
When to Seek Help
Contact our orthopedic specialists if you experience:
- Joint pain affecting your daily activities or sleep
- Sports or exercise-related injuries
- Pregnancy or postpartum discomfort
- Age-related joint or bone concerns
Schedule with Our Orthopedic Specialists
Serving the Conway community and surrounding areas with specialized orthopedic care. Our team now sees patients at convenient locations in Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Aynor and Surfside Beach, in addition to our main Conway facility.
New Walk-In Hours Available: We now offer walk-in hours for our established patients, making it easier to receive timely care when you need it most.
Ready to address your unique orthopedic needs? Contact Conway Medical Center’s Orthopedic Department to schedule your appointment today.
