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.

Find Clavicle Fracture Surgeon for Cyclists in Orange County by Howard Marans MD

The clavicle, or collarbone, connects the breastbone (sternum) to the shoulder blade (scapula). Clavicle fractures are one of the most common sports injuries among cyclists, frequently occurring after a fall in which the shoulder breaks the fall.

Clavicle Fracture Identification & Intervention

Since clavicle fractures normally occur after a fall or some other type of trauma, it’s arthritis-pain-shoulder-casually immediately obvious that something is wrong. Clavicle fractures cause severe pain, and typically make it impossible to lift the arm. It’s usually possible to feel that the bone is broken by touching it. 

After falling off a bike, the immediate priority is to ensure the victim’s safety – checking for spinal cord injuries, moving away to a safe space if possible. If only the shoulder is affected, it is important to get to a hospital as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. A broken bone is a medical emergency, and it is always better to err on the side of having it looked at than on the side of not getting necessary treatment.

Even though doctors can feel that the clavicle is broken in the majority of cases, it will still be necessary to do an x-ray to see exactly how severe the break is.

Clavicle Fracture Surgery

Often, clavicle fractures can be treated without surgery. Keeping the shoulder in a sling allows the shoulder to heal, although there will still be a bump where the fracture occurred. Even without surgery, full function can often return to the surgery.

On the other hand, sometimes the shoulder fractures in multiple places or the fractured parts become widely separated. In addition, surgery is necessary if the bone breaks through the skin. During surgery, the clavicle fracture surgeon will set the bone into an appropriate position (open reduction), then fixate it using plates, rods, or screws (internal fixation). After surgery, the treatment process will be similar to any other clavicle fracture.

Surgery takes place in the hospital, usually on an emergency basis. After surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for at least a day, and up to several days. During the hospital stay, the nurses and doctors will carefully monitor the clavicle’s healing and the patient’s reaction to surgery. When discharged, the patient will receive detailed information about how to care for the collarbone.

Top Clavicle Fracture Surgeon

Dr. Howard Marans of OC Orthopedic is the top clavicle fracture surgeon in Orange County. Dr. Marans is a skilled sports medicine doctor with over 20 years of experience in the field. He has helped hundreds of patients recover from fractures.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your clavicle fracture or other sports injury. To schedule a consultation with Orange County’s top clavicle fracture surgeon, please click below and enter your information or call us at 714.979.8981.

Where is the Best Orthopedic Surgery Center in Tustin, CA? by Howard Marans MD

When facing the potential need for orthopedic surgery, every patient deserves the best quality of care. OC Orthopedic, run by Dr. Howard Marans, is the top orthopedic surgery center in Tustin.

OC Orthopedic will use the latest and most thorough diagnostic exams available to determine if surgery is the best answer for eachpatient, or if an issue or injury should be treated with more conservative non-surgical treatments. If it is determined that a patient needs surgical intervention in order to improve function, quality of life, or return to sports following an injury, OC Orthopedic specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques that return the patient to activity quickly and without breaking their bank.

OC Orthopedic Surgical Specialties

Arthroscopic Surgery - This is a minimally invasive surgery where small incisions are made near a joint for the purpose of a surgeon to insert a camera and instruments into the area for diagnosis and repair. When knee pain, for example, is due to an injury to the meniscus, ligaments, or other soft tissues, the tissues can be repaired or removed with arthroscopy. Other joints with complex soft tissue problems that respond well to arthroscopic surgery in addition to the knee include the hip, shoulder, spine,or wrist. Recovery happens more quickly than with major invasive surgeries, due to the smaller incisions and fewer side effects. It does not even require a hospital stay. In most cases, arthroscopic surgery is used when conservative treatment options such as physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or medications to decrease inflammation have failed to improve measureable pain or quality of life.

Open Reduction/Internal Fixation - When a bone is fractured, many times surgical intervention isn’t necessary. A simple fracture, where a bone is cracked but remains in place, will usually heal on its own with casting or bracing. When a bone is broken into several pieces or moves out of place upon breaking, internal fixation surgery is necessary in order to prevent future complications. During surgery, a device such as a rod, pin, screw, or plate will be fixated to the bone in order to hold the bone in place to promote healthy healing. All fractures, regardless of whether they need surgical intervention or not, are a medical emergency and need to be addressed immediately. X-rays and other imaging tests will be done to help a surgeon know how to best treat the injury.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Sometimes, after an initial examination, it will be determined by the doctor that surgery isn’t the first, best, or only option fora patient. At OC Orthopedic, non-surgical treatments are available forconditions including arthritis, injuries, and pain. Non-surgical treatments may include physical therapy, lifestyle changes, medication, steroid injections, and more.

OC Orthopedic is also the best orthopedic surgery center in Tustin for Sports Medicine. Understanding that athletes have the need to return to full function as soon as possible after an injury, surgical and non-surgical options are used to treat injuries quickly and effectively.

All patients receive comprehensive patient education as partof their treatment. Empowering patients with knowledge that they need to understand their injury or condition and how to avoid and prevent future injuryis always an important part of the goals and philosophy of patient care at OC Orthopedic.

Best Orthopedic Surgery Center in Tustin

When searching for the best orthopedic surgery center inTustin, you do not have to look further than Dr. Howard Marans’ OC Orthopedic. Dr. Marans’ expertise, extensive diagnostic exams, and use of minimally invasive surgical techniques are the winning ingredients that provide every patient with the highest quality care. The office is always happy to take your calls or answer your questions, so please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981

Dr Howard Marans MD on Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term that refers simply to inflammation of a joint, or a place at which two or more bones meet. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of arthritis cases can be managed non-surgically, and most people with arthritis are able to live full lives not limited by their condition.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It refers to the degeneration of a joint, and occurs most commonly in older adults. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage at the end of the bones breaks down, causing friction that leads to inflammation. Joints may also lose some of the fluid that keeps them lubricated.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis is inflammation of a joint that occurs after an injury to the joint. Post-traumatic arthritis is very common among athletes, but it can also occur in people who have been in a car accident or sustained a fall.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive condition that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and joint deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in the hands and feet and tends to affect the same joints on both sides of the body, one factor that distinguishes it from other forms of arthritis.. This condition is most common in women of childbearing age.

Other Forms of Arthritis

There are a variety of other forms of arthritis which are much more rare than the three described above. Examples include:

• Infectious arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Reactive arthritis

Non-Surgical Treatments

In most cases, osteoarthritis can be treated without resorting to surgery. It’s preferable to avoid surgery whenever possible, since surgery comes with its own set of risks and costs which should always be taken into account.

Some non-surgical treatments that Dr. Howard Marans uses for osteoarthritis include:

• Physical therapy – Physical therapy strengthens the muscles that support the joints and restores flexibility to stiff joints. Patients should keep doing the exercises they learn at physical therapy at home as often as recommended.
• Lifestyle changes – Remaining active, avoiding high-impact activities, and maintaining proper body alignment can all prevent flare-ups of symptoms.
• Weight loss – Excess weight places stress on the joints, which can exacerbate symptoms of osteoarthritis. For obese patients, losing as little as 10% of the body weight can produce a significant reduction in symptoms.
• Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common class of drugs used to treat osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are available over the counter, but you should only use them occasionally unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Taking NSAIDs on a regular basis increases the risk of bleeding and stomach ulcers.
• Steroid injections – Injections of steroid medication into the joint can reduce inflammation dramatically.

Surgery

In some cases, it is necessary to operate on a joint to restore function and control symptoms of arthritis. For example, if a large joint such as the knee or hip has sustained serious damage, it may be necessary to replace the damaged cartilage with a prosthesis.

Knee surgery and hip replacement surgery are invasive procedures, but Dr. Howard Marans recommends such procedures in cases where the condition is unlikely to respond to conservative treatments and the quality of life will be significantly increased by surgical treatment.

Finding the right treatment for your arthritis depends on the type of arthritis and its severity. OC Orthopedic can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Howard Marans MD: Common Orthopedic Knee Surgery Costs in California

Orthopedic Knee Surgery

Orthopedic knee surgery may be used to treat knee problems that do not respond to other treatments. If you have a condition that may require surgery, you may want to understand the potential costs so that you can plan for them. Below, we will take a look at what influences orthopedic knee surgery costs, as well as how insurance covers knee surgery.

Types of Orthopedic Knee Surgery

There are two main types of knee surgery: open knee surgery and arthroscopic knee surgery. Open knee surgery is most commonly used to treat more extensive knee problems, such as total knee replacement for arthritis. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that can be used to treat less extensive knee problems, like meniscus or ligament tears.

It is preferable to use arthroscopic knee surgery whenever possible. Arthroscopic surgery has lower risks and a shorter downtime, making it preferable from the patient's perspective. In addition, arthroscopic surgery usually costs less to perform than open knee surgery.

What Influences Cost

Each case is unique, and knee surgery can cost different amounts depending on the specifics surrounding an individual case. Some of the factors that influence orthopedic knee surgery costs include:

- How high the local cost of living is

- Whether or not open knee surgery is used

- Whether or not a hospital stay is required

- How long is takes to perform the surgery

- How many resources the surgery takes to perform

- What the individual surgeon's rates are

Insurance Coverage

Insurance covers orthopedic knee surgery costs, because knee surgery is only used in cases where it is medically necessary. Insurance policies vary widely in the terms of their coverage, so that patients may have very different out-of-pocket costs depending on their coverage. If you have a high deductible that you have not yet met, you may pay for a large portion of the surgery on your own. If you have a low deductible or no deductible, you may pay very little out-of-pocket.

Thanks to insurance coverage and the widespread availability of patient financing, the majority of patient are able to afford their orthopedic knee surgery costs without issue. If you're out-of-pocket costs are too high for you to handle all at once, you can use financing to spread out the cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some financing options include credit cards and third-party health care financing companies.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your knee health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call (714) 979-8981.

Howard Marans MD: Tustin, California Best Reviewed Orthopedic Surgeons

Dr. Howard Marans MD – Surgery of any kind can be a major decision. The way to feel confident about the decision is to find the best surgeon possible to aid in the health care treatment of the diseased or injured area. Finding the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin can be a step toward returning to normal activities. The search should begin with research on the surgeons in the area.

Referrals
 

The best way to find the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin is to ask for referrals from a variety of sources.
 

·         The best referrals can come from your primary care physician or health care provider. Your doctor understands your medical history and can make a sound recommendation.

·         Consider finding a surgeon within your current insurance provider’s network. Finding an orthopedic surgeon near Tustin within the insurance provider’s network will reduce your out of pocket expenses.

·         Consult with family, friends, and neighbors. Usually, everyone knows a person who has needed an orthopedic surgeon at some point. When a highly qualified surgeon’s name comes up in more than one conversation, consider contacting the orthopedic specialist.

·         Check online resources. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is a great resource to utilize. The database provides lists of qualified surgeons within specific geographical areas.

Surgeon’s Qualifications

Online reviews, databases, and websites allow a potential patient to check each surgeon’s qualifications and credentials.

·         Online resources allow for review of the surgeon’s education, medical degrees, credentials, and any specialized training. Checking the information can help provide peace of mind to the patient.

·         When picking out an orthopedic surgeon near Tustin, consider the number of years in the practice. An orthopedic surgeon who has been in the same area for a number of years will have an established consistent practice.

Time to Meet the Surgeon

After the compiling a list of qualified orthopedic surgeons near Tustin, start scheduling consultations. The face to face consultation can often be the biggest contributing factor when choosing a surgeon. As a potential patient, feeling comfortable with the surgeon and the staff is a priority for optimal health care.
 

·         Before the appointment, make a detailed list of medical history, pain level, and any questions that pertain to the surgery.

·         Ask questions about the surgeon’s experience with similar cases.

·         Get a detailed timeline of the surgery, follow up care, physical therapy, and recovery.

·         Discuss any pre-existing conditions that may affect the surgery. Diabetes or a trauma to the area may have specific impact on the healing process.

Best Reviewed Orthopedic Surgeon, Tustin, CA

The decision to move forward with an orthopedic surgeon should be made confidently. The right surgeon can make all the difference throughout the treatment and recovery process. Finding the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin is just a phone call away. Dr. Howard Marans has decades of experience treating patients with a wide variety of injuries and conditions. He would be happy to meet with you to discuss your treatment process. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.