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Dr. Craig W. Goodhart

Orthopedist

<p>Craig W. Goodhart, MD, works with OrthoTexas Physicians and Surgeons PLLC located in Flower Mound, Texas. His current practice includes sports medicine, complex joint replacement and reconstruction of the shoulder and knee specializing in use of the arthroscope, as well as general Orthopedic Surgery. For all of his success and acheivements in the past 23 years, Dr. Goodhart was named a Texas Super Doctor in 2004 by Texas Monthly magazine and currently serves on the Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine Physician Panel. Always dedicated to the field, during his time of residency at Ohio State University he was chief resident in orthopedic surgery and winner of several research awards. He remains active in orthopedic surgery by maintaining his certification with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a member to various medical associations such as the American College of Sports Medicine.</p>
Learn More About Me
Dr. Craig W. Goodhart
  • CARROLLTON, TX
  • Ohio State University
  • Accepting new patients

How do you treat a lower back injury?

Hello. Sorry your back hurts. First try to figure out what caused injury and avoid this activity as much as possible. No lifting, pushing or even sitting to long. Light moist heat, READ MORE
Hello. Sorry your back hurts. First try to figure out what caused injury and avoid this activity as much as possible. No lifting, pushing or even sitting to long. Light moist heat, massage to back. Anti inflammatory medication taken routinely with food for several days. Tylenol for pain. Check google out for light stretching exercises. When pain free perform back stretching and strengthening routinely so it doesn’t continue to be problem. If pain persists or pain in butt, legs then should see a physician for further evaluation. Good luck.

What is causing my leg cramps?

Good evening. Cramps can occur for many reasons. Most common are being out of shape, claudication which is pressure on nerves ( most likely back) or vascular (arteries in leg). READ MORE
Good evening. Cramps can occur for many reasons. Most common are being out of shape, claudication which is pressure on nerves ( most likely back) or vascular (arteries in leg). You should discuss this with your doctor and pretty easy to work through possible causes. Good luck.

What causes knee swelling?

Hello. Your problem is very common. Your knee is inflamed and you have mildly excess fluid present. This occurs when the knee is inflamed. Usually this occurs due to activities READ MORE
Hello. Your problem is very common. Your knee is inflamed and you have mildly excess fluid present. This occurs when the knee is inflamed. Usually this occurs due to activities which elevate the force across the knee cap. This includes squatting, kneeling, stairs, bike and many other activities. It also aggravated with tightness of your hamstrings and calf muscles, lifting, increased weight. So in your case you are doing an excellent job with icing, anti inflammatory meds. Try stretching the muscles several times daily. Do not sit with knees bent to long. Avoid stairs and squatting until inflammation resolves. If swelling does not improve, pain worse then see an Orthopedic surgeon. The noise only is significant if pain an swelling are getting worse. Good luck

I have foot pain?

Hello, Looks like you bruised soft tissues or have a small fracture of bone. If you can walk with little pain, then ice, elevate, projected for 5-7 days. If still painful after READ MORE
Hello,

Looks like you bruised soft tissues or have a small fracture of bone. If you can walk with little pain, then ice, elevate, projected for 5-7 days. If still painful after this time, have radiograph taken. If cannot walk without significant pain, have radiograph now.
Good luck.

Why does my body ache and crack like I am 40?

Hello. Generally cracking or noice in a joint does not indicate any abnormalities unless there is associated pain. With all your joints involved and generalized laxity of the joints READ MORE
Hello. Generally cracking or noice in a joint does not indicate any abnormalities unless there is associated pain. With all your joints involved and generalized laxity of the joints as indicated by shoulder dislocations this would indicated you have what is called a connector tissue abnormality. This means all ligaments, tendons, joint attachments are involved. Certain joints certainly can be more involved due to you activities. The best way to address this complicated problem is to see a general orthopedic doctor or rheumatologist who treats musculoskeletal problems. Most of the time a good physical therapy program or specific exercises can help you. Generally there is no single pill or shot that will help you except with some early arthritic problems. Good luck

Can I be puting more weight on my right leg?

Hello. Yes this can be normal after a rapid walk. It can also be what is called exertions compartment syndrome. In short when you overdo it the calf can swell, become painful and READ MORE
Hello. Yes this can be normal after a rapid walk. It can also be what is called exertions compartment syndrome. In short when you overdo it the calf can swell, become painful and also irritate the nerve. In diabetes, especially if poorly controlled you can develop neuropathy. If this is causing you to walk less and less then I would discuss with your doctor. Good luck.

Abscess treatment?

Hello. Sorry to hear your having a problem. My first thought is why is a young healthy person getting an abscess? If you have diabetes, kidney issues, cancer or anything else READ MORE
Hello. Sorry to hear your having a problem. My first thought is why is a young healthy person getting an abscess? If you have diabetes, kidney issues, cancer or anything else that might cause this then definitely get to your doctor. The pictures you show also show some cellulitis in addition to open area. A trip to urgent care and antibiotics will assist in healing. Close observation and monitoring by your doctor should prevent this from getting worse. Good luck.

Should I take my son to the ER?

Afternoon, Boxer's fractures or injury to joint, growth plate are common after fights. If it looks deformed, is very tender to touch even if not swollen, then the safest treatment READ MORE
Afternoon,

Boxer's fractures or injury to joint, growth plate are common after fights. If it looks deformed, is very tender to touch even if not swollen, then the safest treatment is to have an exam and radiograph.
Good luck.

Leg pain?

Hello, This type of pain sounds like nerve pain since it come and goes even without activity. Likely causes are irritation to nerve from clothing that irritates the nerve (too READ MORE
Hello,

This type of pain sounds like nerve pain since it come and goes even without activity. Likely causes are irritation to nerve from clothing that irritates the nerve (too tight or loose). It also can be a pinched nerve from the lumbar spine irritating this nerve. Make sure clothing is not issue, light stretching for lumbar spine, good posture, etc. maybe try anti-inflammatory for short time. If no improvement or getting worse, follow up with your physical for a thorough exam.
Good luck.

I may have a meniscus injury, do I need to go in to the office?

Good morning. The meniscus has several important functions in the knee. These include stability, cartilage nourishment, lubrication. With the symptoms you describe I would recommend READ MORE
Good morning. The meniscus has several important functions in the knee. These include stability, cartilage nourishment, lubrication. With the symptoms you describe I would recommend seeing your Orthopedic surgeon, perhaps after exam having an MRI to better determine type of tear. Some peripheral tears can heal on there own and others require surgery. We know that the longer the meniscus tears cause symptoms the more likely you are to develop arthritic changes. Especially at your young age early definition of tear type and appropriate treatment is the best care. Good luck.

Knee stiffness and burning?

Good morning. Your symptoms are those of an inflamed joint. This can occur for many reasons. Anything from sitting to long to have early stage arthritis. It can be related to an READ MORE
Good morning. Your symptoms are those of an inflamed joint. This can occur for many reasons. Anything from sitting to long to have early stage arthritis. It can be related to an old injury just showing itself now. Unless it is so swollen and painful you cannot walk then for now treat it symptomatically. Cut down on any activity that seems to irritate it. Ice several times a day go 15-20 min. Light compression (sleeve or ace wrap). Stretch knee lightly and perhaps Advil or Aleve regularly fo several days. If still no improvement or getting worse then have it evaluated by an Orthopedic surgeon. Good luck

Can shin splints cause scar tissue build up and how would you get rid of that scar tissue?

Good morning. Shin splints are not a result of scar tissue build up but rather due to chronic inflammation. This can be a result of mechanical issues such as limb alignment, arch READ MORE
Good morning. Shin splints are not a result of scar tissue build up but rather due to chronic inflammation. This can be a result of mechanical issues such as limb alignment, arch geometry l, CORE strength to name a few. It can also result from external cause such as shoe type, type of ground, training errors etc. The bottom line is the cause may be simple or complex. This is best treated by going yo a physician who has a special interest in runners and is willing to work with you on finding the cause. This may take time, trial and error until the cause is found. Good luck.

Could this be necrosis?

Hello. It is hard to tell from picture but appears more likely to be what is known as a fracture blister. These are blood blisters that look like necrosis but are not full thickness READ MORE
Hello. It is hard to tell from picture but appears more likely to be what is known as a fracture blister. These are blood blisters that look like necrosis but are not full thickness skin involvement. They are usually softer then necrotic tissue. For your piece of mind should probably discuss with the physician who performed the surgery. These are pretty common after this type of severe fracture. Good luck.

I have shoulder/forearm pain?

Good morning. You likely have a rotator cuff injury with associated bursitis. Following 4 months of rest, medications and continued pain you should be evaluated by an Orthopedic READ MORE
Good morning. You likely have a rotator cuff injury with associated bursitis. Following 4 months of rest, medications and continued pain you should be evaluated by an Orthopedic surgeon and have x-rays taken. Unless evidence of previous fracture they will likely start you on some therapy and then if no improvement consider MRI of the shoulder. Surgery would be last resort if indicated. Good luck.

Could it be a torn tendon?

Good Afternoon. Unless you had some form of traumatic event very unlikely that you have torn a tendon. More likely a strain which is a stretch from contact or over use. Can occur READ MORE
Good Afternoon. Unless you had some form of traumatic event very unlikely that you have torn a tendon. More likely a strain which is a stretch from contact or over use. Can occur from sports, lifting, gripping, typing etc. should try to rest by decreasing activities which may cause overuse. Brace Wrist/ hand if necessary to rest. Apply ice several times daily and light controlled stretching. Can also try a topical anti inflammatory. If not improving almost daily see an orthopedic surgeon. Good luck.

What is causing my daughters leg pain?

Good afternoon. You did a great job with describing symptoms but would have been helpful to know initial injury and type of pain. By the limited history and exam it sounds like READ MORE
Good afternoon. You did a great job with describing symptoms but would have been helpful to know initial injury and type of pain. By the limited history and exam it sounds like your daughter has a complex problem called a complex regional pain syndrome. In short this is where the nerves in the extremity are affected leading to pain which is worse yeh expected due to injury. It can lead to pain, color and temperature changes in the extremity. They generally resolve or improve with time, can reoccur and medication can be helpful. They are difficult problems always frustrating to patients family and doctors. They are not emergencies but I would try a different doctor and see if you can have your daughter seen earlier. Good luck.

What is causing sharp knee pain?

Hello. Whether you should see a doctor depends on many factors. Any trauma, swelling,catching or giving way. How long had it occurred? One week no. 6-8 weeks probably. In general READ MORE
Hello. Whether you should see a doctor depends on many factors. Any trauma, swelling,catching or giving way. How long had it occurred? One week no. 6-8 weeks probably. In general try to figure out cause and discontinue it this activity for several weeks. Stretch and ice several times daily. Maybe an anti inflammatory daily for 7-10 days. If have waited and tried other treatment or have locking, catching, swelling and giving way then you should see an orthopedic surgeon. Good luck

Can I use an inversion table after knee replacement?

You can use an inversion table at 6 weeks from surgery if the incision healed well. Really no contraindications, but your surgeon's opinion is what counts. Every knee is different. READ MORE
You can use an inversion table at 6 weeks from surgery if the incision healed well. Really no contraindications, but your surgeon's opinion is what counts. Every knee is different.
Good luck.

Does bursitis go away on its own?

Most true bursitis will go away on its own. However how quickly depends on age, location, cause. Treatment is decreasing aggravating activity, routine icing, light stretching and READ MORE
Most true bursitis will go away on its own. However how quickly depends on age, location, cause. Treatment is decreasing aggravating activity, routine icing, light stretching and a short course of routine anti inflammatory. Sometime using a topical such as bio freeze, icy hot May be helpful. If not resolving over 3-6 weeks you should have it evaluated and other options reviewed. Good luck.

Gymnastics foot injury?

Hello. Sounds like you have a bone bruise or tendon strain. There also a little accessory bone called the os navicular that could be bruised or cracked. Two weeks is really not READ MORE
Hello. Sounds like you have a bone bruise or tendon strain. There also a little accessory bone called the os navicular that could be bruised or cracked. Two weeks is really not that long. If you only have pain with stretching and light beam/ floor exercise then modify how much of these you do. Tape foot/ ankle, ice afterward and give it more time to heal. If it hurts with regular walking and gymnastics probably best to have it evaluated and x-ray taken. If important meets coming up quickly and you are not seeing almost daily improvement better to have it evaluated sooner than later. Good luck.