Venous Insufficiency & Chronic Wounds
If a wound is not healing or progressing after a few weeks, something could be wrong. Standing for long periods, sitting for long periods, pregnancy, and being overweight can contribute to venous insufficiency, which can result in venous wounds. These injuries and other types of chronic wounds can be identified and treated at Jefferson Surgical Clinic. Christin Elledge, Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in vascular surgery and wound care, explains the different types of wounds to be aware of and why early identification and treatment is paramount to healing. Chronic Wounds Chronic wounds include any wound lasting about four weeks or…
Caring for Carotid Arteries
Health screenings for patients 65 years of age and older often will include a carotid screening. Carotid screenings are included with “Welcome to Medicare” exam. The carotid arteries are located in the neck. The common carotid artery splits to serve two purposes in the body. The external carotid artery provides blood to the face, and the internal carotid artery provides blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, which blocks the blood from being transported and can cause symptoms of a mini-stroke or stroke. If carotid artery disease goes untreated, it could…
Facts about Facelifts (and other cosmetic procedures)
Facial rejuvenation consists of several different operations to help clients turn back the clock, allowing their facial appearance to potentially look decades younger. Facelifts, browlifts, and eyelifts will not make someone look like a celebrity or change their bone structure. They are simply ways to reverse the effects of gravity on the skin. People are taking better care of themselves nowadays, and they are living longer. Someone in their 60’s may feel inside like they’re 30, but their face may not appear that way. Modern surgical techniques allow us to change this. Overall, the goal of a facial rejuvenation procedure…
Tattoo Removal: What You Need to Know
Jefferson Surgical Clinic’s tattoo removal process is precise and personalized to your skin, your tattoo, and your needs. If you’re considering tattoo removal, now is a great time at the Interventional Center, where you can buy three sessions and get the fourth free. Before you sign up to get a clean slate on your skin, here’s what you should know. How it works The high-frequency precise Neopulse Cynosure laser works by penetrating the tattoo and bursting the ink pigments into microscopic particles, triggering your body’s inflammatory response. This response sends cells to the site of the tattoo to excrete the…
Answering Your Allergy Questions
If you think allergies are worse in Roanoke than other cities, you’re not alone. Moderate climates like Roanoke with a lush environment and lots of wet weather may have pollens or molds throughout most of the year. With all these pollens and mold particles trapped in the atmosphere, residents can experience year-round allergies to mold and fungi, grasses, and dust. It’s normal for allergies to wax and wane throughout your lifetime. Changes to your environment, moving to a new house or working in a new building can sometimes trigger these allergies to go haywire. Greg Zachmann, M.D., an accomplished Otolaryngologist…
Hearing Aids: What You Need to Listen and Learn
Spring is in the air, and as the weather warms and tax refunds are deposited, Jefferson Surgical Clinic audiologist Dr. Kim Lower starts to see more people who need hearing aids. Hearing aids can range in price by the thousands, but Jefferson Surgical Clinic gives patients the most bang for their buck. (Literally, they will hear more bangs.) These days, professional audiologists find themselves competing with online retailers advertising low-cost hearing aids for a few hundred dollars. However, these are on the lower spectrum of quality, and do not come with follow-up service from a specialist to fit a patient’s…
Marking a Decade of Treatment
Thousands of people are living better lives today due to the treatment they received over the past decade at the Jefferson Surgical Interventional Center in Roanoke, Virginia. The Center is marking its 10th anniversary of offering medical procedures for a variety of conditions performed by board-certified physicians. Our staff of ACLS-certified RNs, LPNs, and licensed radiologic technologists provides careful attention to patients’ needs and concerns. Procedures performed at the Interventional Center include those treating vascular disease, such as: Arteriogram/angiogram: A technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen of blood vessels.Balloon angioplasty: A small balloon attached to a catheter that…
Ask the Expert with Dr. Gregory C. Zachmann
How do I know whether my symptoms are related to chronic sinusitis or are caused from allergies? Chronic sinusitis is a relatively common condition involving recurrent episodes of inflammation of the sinuses (the cavities around your nasal passages.) Inflamed sinuses can cause blockages, pressure in your nasal cavity and trouble breathing. Cases vary from person to person, but if you are uncomfortable or bothered by your symptoms, it’s time to see an expert. Some cases are related to lingering infections due to a patient’s unique nasal anatomy, while others could be caused by allergies. In either case, speaking with a…
Robert Swanson, M.D., FACS, RPVI Joins Jefferson Surgical Clinic
Military veteran helps to grow JSC general and vascular surgery practice Roanoke, VA – August 2019. Jefferson Surgical Clinic (JSC) announces the addition of Robert Benjamin Swanson, M.D., FACS to its skilled surgical team. Swanson brings a varied background of surgical experience and expertise in modern techniques in both vascular and general surgery. “Dr. Swanson is a surgeon of the highest caliber,” says Beth Bankston, Chief Administrative Officer at JSC. “His strong reputation among the Roanoke medical community as an emerging leader began years ago as a local resident. His return to the area and his decision to choose Jefferson…
Varicose & Spider Vein Treatment Open House – 10/24/18
Relieve the pain caused by varicose veins and banish unsightly spider veins forever. Discover vein treatments that can improve the look and feel of your legs at our free Open House on October 24th at 6:00 pm at our main office in Roanoke, 1234 Franklin Road. You’ll have a chance to talk directly to our expert vascular surgeons and ask any questions you have. We appreciate your RSVP! Save your spot with this form, or call 540-283-6000 to make your reservation.
The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) affects more than just the ability to hear – it can lead to feelings of social isolation, depression and possibly cognitive decline. The connection between ARHI and cognitive decline has grown in recent years, with more studies finding associations between the two. A study of 639 senior citizens determined that the rate of cognitive decline grew linearly with the amount of hearing loss the person experienced. The research also showed that the presence of mild, moderate or severe hearing impairment respectively corresponded with a 2-, 3-, or 5-fold increase in the risk of developing dementia.
Raising Awareness About Prostate Cancer
Research into prostate cancer – the most common non-skin cancer in American men – has helped lower the U.S. death rate by more than 50%. Approximately 13 out of 100 American men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, with two to three dying from it. African-Americans and those with a family history of the disease are at a higher risk for the disease. Still, it remains a cancer that many men don’t want to think or talk about.
Jefferson Surgical Clinic Partners with Matthew’s Child
Matthew’s Child is a non-profit organization that provides support for foster and adoptive families in Roanoke, Virginia and surrounding areas. The mission of Matthew’s Child is to offer support to children, biological families, foster families and social workers. Jefferson Surgical Clinic will be contributing to multiple Matthew’s Child programs, including Kids Survival Kits, First Night Meals, and gifts for children this holiday season.
Facial Rejuvenation on Nov. 2, 2017
Looking older doesn’t have to be part of the aging process. Attend an informative event on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 6 p.m. to learn how facial rejuvenation can restore your youthful appearance. Jefferson Surgical Clinic’s Dr. Steven Harris will go over what facial rejuvenation is, what it involves and how it can make you look younger. The event will be held at Dr. Harris’ office at 1924 Braeburn Circle; Salem, VA 24153 Dr. Harris has been with Jefferson Surgical Clinic since 2006 and is a board-certified plastic surgeon who received his Doctor of Medicine degree at Duke University in…
Jefferson Surgical Echocardiography Lab Receives National Accreditation
Roanoke, VA – September 2017 Jefferson Surgical Clinic announces the accreditation of its echocardiography lab by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The lab officially received the note of achievement in July. The rigorous, three-year process requires a minimum number of studies to be conducted and is proof of JSC’s high level of patient care. “We opened in 2014 and immediately began our path to accreditation,” said Molly Rutherford, M.D., FACC, Cardiologist and Medical Director of Jefferson Surgical Clinic’s echocardiography laboratory. “We’re proud of this recognition, and our talented staff earned every bit of it.”