Ask the Doctor: Avoid shoulder pain
with moderation and stretching

We present a monthly question-and-answer session with a Henry Ford Cottage Hospital physician on a specific health issue. This month, Dr. Terrence Lock, on the senior staff at Henry Ford Cottage Hospital, talks about shoulder injuries. These injuries affect young, middle-aged and older people, whether active or sedentary.

First off, what are some common shoulder injuries?

Shoulder injuries can often be divided by age. Younger people and young athletes frequently have instability of the shoulder. Dislocation of the shoulder in young patients often requires surgery. Young athletes, such as pitchers, sometimes tear their labrum, which is the rim of cartilage around the shoulder socket. Those in their 40s and 50s are mostly affected by rotator cuff problems, including tendinitis and tears. The rotator cuff is the group of four muscles with tendons that surround the upper arm or ball of the shoulder. When the tendons are inflamed or torn, they cannot function properly and cause pain.

What causes these injuries?

Younger and older people get these injuries because of overuse and general wear and tear. Young people often develop pain from overuse or specific traumatic episodes. Wear and tear plays a greater role in people over 50. Arthritis can develop in the shoulder joint, usually in older patients, but can form at the end of the clavicle or collarbone in much younger athletes, often related to weightlifting. read more...

Metry takes oath as Woods muni judge

Ted Metry was the last of the November election victors to take the oath of office, officially swearing his duty to the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court before Monday's (Dec. 21) city council meeting. Metry's wife, children, parents and friends came to watch him be sworn in by Wayne Circuit Court Judge Michael Hathaway, as Mayor Robert Novitke and others witnessed. Metry assumes his duties New Year's Day. read more...

Bledsoe backs anti-smoking bill as
Michigan joins national movement

State Rep. Tim Bledsoe (D-1st) joins Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), left, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Rep. Lesia Liss (D-Warren) at the signing of Michigan's smoking legislation Dec. 18 at Michigan Brewing Company in Lansing. The new law takes effect May 1 and makes Michigan the 38th state to ban smoking in most indoor places, including bars and restaurants. Bledsoe said: "Banning smoking in public places ensures that all Michigan residents can breathe clean air when they are working or enjoying a night out with their families – and that's a right to which everyone is entitled. Science has told us for years that secondhand smoke is a killer. I'm glad that Michigan is acting now, before more children and people who have no choice but to breathe the dangerous air around them fall ill or die. Today is a big victory for the health of our workers, our families, our communities and our state. This truly is a great Christmas present to the people of Michigan." read more...

Shores councilman asks public for
input, involvement in new year

The Grosse Pointe Shores City Council kept with the spirit of the holiday season Tuesday night (Dec. 15) and encouraged more involvement from residents in the coming year.

“I’d like to talk about perhaps adding one or two people to each of the community’s key committees,” said Councilman Ted Kedzierski. “I think it’s important to be more inclusive, to be more open with city business.” read more...