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Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD is a pediatric orthopedist in Issaquah, WA specializing in pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. She graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1992 and has 34 years of experience. Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD is affiliated with Providence, Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Issaquah Campus, Swedish Cherry Hill Campus and Swedish First Hill Campus.
Joint Injections
A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.
Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.
In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.
Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.
In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.
Musculoskeletal Problems
The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.
Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.
Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.
Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.
Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.
Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.
Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis is a very common condition that causes pain, stiffness, or a grinding sensation in the shoulder. Some patients may hear a clicking or popping noise, and all symptoms are more noticeable when moving. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints becomes damaged.
Normally, when two bones come together inside a joint, they are separated by a layer of tough, smooth cartilage. The cartilage allows the bones to glide across each other, which makes movement easier. Cartilage can be damaged by an injury, by an illness such as rheumatoid arthritis, or by simple wear and tear (osteoarthritis). In the shoulder, the two joints most commonly affected are the AC joint (where the shoulder blade and collarbone connect at the outside edge of the shoulder), and the glenohumeral joint (where the arm bone meets the shoulder blade).
Treatment for shoulder arthritis may include:
Surgical treatments include the removal of inflamed tissue and joint reconstruction. The type of arthritis and severity of the damage will determine which treatment is most appropriate.
Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1992. She completed residency at University of Tennessee Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has a state license in New Hampshire.
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School (1992)
Residency: University of Tennessee Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Licensed In: New Hampshire
Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Humana PPO, CIGNA PPO, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Interplan PPO, TriWest, TRICARE, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare Medicaid, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), United Healthcare PPO, Providence, Humana HMO, First Health, WellPoint, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, Aetna Medicare PPO, Carelon PPO, Ambetter Cascade Select, Ambetter Cascade Care, Premera, Evernorth PPO, Seven Corners, First Choice PPO and Regence BlueShield of Washington PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 44 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Issaquah, WA.
To see all 44 reviews for Dr. Kathleen Y. Moen, MD, view their full profile.
Dr. Kathleen Moen is a specialist in pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. These areas are among Dr. Moen's clinical interests: forearm fracture, frozen shoulder, and knee arthritis. Patient reviews placed her at an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). She appears to be in-network for HealthSmart, Coventry, and CIGNA Plans, in addition to other insurance carriers. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with Medical College of Wisconsin and a hospital affiliated with the University of Tennessee. Dr. Moen is affiliated with Providence, Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, and Swedish Issaquah Campus. According to Doctor.com, Dr. Moen is currently accepting new patients at her office in Issaquah, WA.
