Sponsored by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
The cooler weather presents more opportunities for outdoor fun and exercise. And that’s great for anyone who wants to move their fitness routine or spend their leisure time outside. However, it’s important to take precautions. Many common injuries occur during this season. Daniel Hampton, M.D., a specialist with the Sentara OrthoJoint Center® at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, wants to make sure people know how to avoid them.
Dr. Hampton focuses on sports-related injuries, but also treats general orthopedic problems. “Especially in today’s COVID climate, my patients really value time outside,” Hampton says. “The types of activities range. Certainly, my more mature patients generally walk or do easy hikes, but the younger patients tend to be more aggressive in their outdoor activities, everything from hiking, running, and biking to mountain climbing. What’s great about all of them is that it gets people outside and active.”
The downside, of course, is that patients do wind up in his office. According to Hampton, the number one symptom that brings them to an orthopedic doctor is pain, specifically pain that limits their ability to do the activities they want.
“The injuries tend to be an overuse or a degenerative type problem,” he says. “Often times people can be too aggressive or bite off more than they can chew.”
So how can you avoid injuries and still enjoy the great outdoors? “It’s very important that as we start a new activity, we slowly ramp up our activity level,” says Hampton. “We can’t jump in to 10-mile hikes right away. We have to build up to get there.”
Hampton further suggests your activity is appropriate for your fitness level. Don’t jump into an 8-mile run if you haven’t run in a year. Gradually work your way up to that level. Also, recognize for different people it will take different lengths of time to get there. Be patient with yourself. Play the long game with exercise.
“In addition, especially as we age, some strength training is very important to preserve muscle mass. Don’t neglect working on strength, either with weights or even just using body weight exercises.”
While pain is the most common reason patients seek Hampton’s care, he encourages the public to consult a doctor if any concerns arise. “Pain is the biggest indicator that something could be wrong,” he says, but sometimes-decreased mobility can be the issue that triggers a visit. “We aren’t always able to fix everything, but we are committed to working with you in order to keep you as active as possible.”
Orthopedic Expertise from Experience
Hampton knows all about sports and injuries. And he knows what it’s like to stay active. He spends much of his free time in the outdoors. He is an avid runner and enjoys rock climbing. He also tries to surf whenever he is near the ocean.
Throughout his extensive career, Hampton has treated athletes at the professional, collegiate, high school and amateur levels. He addresses complex problems of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle. He performs all types of ligament reconstruction, arthroplasty of the hip, knee and shoulder, and a complete array of arthroscopic surgeries. Hampton’s special interest areas include shoulder surgery, cartilage restoration/transplant surgery, adolescent and adult sports medicine, primary and revision arthroscopic surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
Originally from Southern California, Hampton was drawn to the field of orthopedics by the opportunity to help people regain function and get back to activities they enjoy. He earned his medical degree at Georgetown University and completed his orthopedic residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Hampton then went on to complete a fellowship specializing in sports medicine/knee and shoulder surgery at Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. There he was also involved in teaching Harvard orthopedic residents and medical students.
For more information on the Sentara OrthoJoint Center® or to make an appointment with Dr. Hampton or another physician, call 1-855-2ORTHOJT (1-855-267-8465).
About Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communities. Our medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hospital. SNVMC offers quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, a highly qualified medical and clinical staff, and state-of-the-art technology. Clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer services, diabetes management, emergency care, heart and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more.
