Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD is a pediatrician in Los Angeles, CA specializing in general pediatrics, pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery and pediatric sports medicine. She graduated from New York Medical College in 2001 and has 25 years of experience. Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD is affiliated with Providence, Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, Cedars-Sinai and CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CARE FOUNDATION.
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. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD graduated from New York Medical College in 2001. She completed residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She is certified by the Sports Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics and has a state license in California.
Medical School: New York Medical College (2001)
Residency: Children's Hospital Los Angeles (2004)
Board Certification: Sports Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics
Licensed In: California
Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Aetna HMO, Blue Shield of California, Anthem, Railroad Medicare, Health Net HMO, CIGNA HMO, Blue Shield California PPO and Medicare MCR.
According to our sources, Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 73 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Tracy L. Zaslow, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Tracy Zaslow's areas of specialization are pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery, pediatric sports medicine, and general pediatrics; she sees patients in Encino, CA, Santa Monica, CA, and Los Angeles, CA. Her average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Her areas of expertise include forearm fracture, femur (thigh bone) fracture, and psoriatic arthritis. Dr. Zaslow is affiliated with Providence and Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute. She usually is in-network for Anthem, Blue California, and Aetna, as well as other insurance carriers. Yext reports that Dr. Zaslow is accepting new patients at her office in Santa Monica, CA. She attended New York Medical College for medical school and subsequently trained at Children's Hospital Los Angeles for residency. Her distinctions include: Member- Los Angeles Pediatric Society (LAPS), Lifetime Member; Medical Consultant - Los Angeles Ballet Company L.A. s Top Doctor Sports Medicine; and Team Physician - Angel City FC (NWLS).