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Dr. Vonda Wright, MD

Bio

Dr. Vonda Wright, a Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board member and practicing Orthopaedic Surgeon, has gained national prominence as an expert in active aging. One of only a few female Orthopaedic surgeons in the country, she specializes in fitness and sports medicine and is the creator and director of the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA); a first of its kind medical and performance based program for recreational and elite athletes alike.  Frequently quoted by the popular press and prime time, TV Dr. Wright has published two books “Fitness After 40” and “Dr. Wright’s Guide to THRIVE: 4 steps to Body, Brains and Bliss” and created numerous training programs to maximize performance and minimize injury.  www.vondawright.com. Follow @DrVondaWright


An academic surgeon, Dr. Wright performs more than 250 musculoskeletal surgeries per year and her award winning basic science and clinical research has resulting in multiple grants, presentations and peer -reviewed publications.


An over 40 athlete herself, Vonda Wright was a competitive ballroom dancer and currently runs road races from the 5K distance up. She  recently joined her 70 year old father in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, three Chicago marathons and recently crossed the 5k finish-line carrying her daughter.



Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Director of the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA)

Location:

Activity

  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How do I monitor my heart rate during exercise?
    During your workouts, periodically check your heart rate. If you have a heart rate monitor (a device worn on your chest and wrist that can detect and track your heart rate while you are being active), you can set the alarm limits around your target heart range.

    If you do not have a monitor,...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    Why does the body need carbohydrates?
    Contrary to popular diets, carbohydrates (carbs) are not the enemy. The cells of your body use circulating glucose to make energy at rest and during exercise. Not only do your cells need carbohydrates but your brain is entirely dependent on carbs for energy. Carbs help maintain blood glucose...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What happens to my cells as I age?
    As you age, the regeneration capacity of your cells slows down; your tissues become stiffer and perform less efficiently. There are many examples in nature, from insects to humans, of decreased performance with increased age. Because of this overall slowdown, your physical prowess changes...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How can I keep my joints healthy if I have arthritis?
    Arthritis tends to make joints even stiffer than what would occur in one's body due to the effects of aging alone. Aerobic exercise is key for maintaining overall musculoskeletal health. With arthritis, you may need to modify what you do to keep active. For instance, swim in a warm pool,...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What is the difference between portions and servings?

    A "portion" can be thought of as the amount of a specific food you choose to eat for dinner, a snack, or another eating occasion. Portions, of course, can be bigger or smaller than the recommended food servings.

    A "serving" is a unit of measure used to describe the amount of food recommended

    ...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What nutrients are good for bone health?
    Besides calcium, there are a few other nutrients needed for bones:
    • Phosphorus: dairy, yogurt
    • Protein: meat, diary, yogurt
    • Vitamin A: fish, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit, cheese, eggs
    • Vitamin B12: meat, fish, eggs, fortified cereal
    • Vitamin C: essential for collagen formation.
    ...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How does having parents who are overweight affect a child's weight?
    The sad truth is that in this country we have an epidemic of overweight and sedentary children. Their bodies are old before their time, and they are living with chronic metabolic diseases previously seen in old age. Our children are overweight and immobile largely because we teach them to...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What is knee replacement?

    I call total knee replacement, "healing with steel."  Total knee replacement is one of Orthopaedic Surgery's most successful procedures.  We have been replacing knees for more than 30 years and have a huge body of literature documenting the best ways to diagnose, implant as well as the  outcomes

    ...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    Can I have osteoarthritis even after total knee replacement?
    Not in the same joint. Total joint replacement removes the arthritic ends of long bones and replaces them with metal caps.  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How is shoulder instability caused?
    Shoulder instability comes in two "flavors", instability caused by traumatic dislocation (as in football, MVA, falling down on an outstretched arm) or atraumatic instability (as with hyperlax individuals, swimmers, gymnasts). Acute traumatic dislocations usually have to be reduced in the emergency...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    When should a person consider having a hip replacement?
    Total hip replacement is one of Orthopaedic Surgery's most successful procedures relieving patients from pain and returning quality of life. The indications for hip replacement include osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hip joint, significant pain and inability to perform your normal job or...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What is the role of oxygen in my body?
    Oxygen is important to every cell in your body. Without it, your cells can’t make energy, and their metabolism is less effective. You switch from a highly efficient energy-making machine to being 16 times less efficient and generating a lot of lactic acid (which is what builds up in your...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
    Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of a nerve, called the median nerve, as it travels through the wrist.  Diagnosis is based on a combination of patient history, physical exam and nerve testing.  Typical symptoms include numbness and tingling  in the thumb, index and middle fingers.  More severe forms include weakness...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    What exercises for my core can help prevent lower back pain?
    Core exercises that can help prevent lower back pain include:

    McGill Curl: core stability, lower back pain prevention
    1. Lay flat on the floor with your left knee bent and right knee straight.
    2. Support your lower back with your palms under the small of your back.
    3. Keep your chin pointing...  Full Post
  • Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD answered:
    How can I lose weight successfully?
    Unless you have a real medical problem such as thyroid dysfunction or diabetes, to lose weight, you just have to take in fewer calories than you expend. Did I hear the crowd say "Duh?" It sounds simple, and it is, yet more than two-thirds of us don't have a handle on how to consume only...  Full Post