Get Prepared for the Game! Sports Physical Clinic

24 Jun 2016 General, Media , , , ,

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute is providing pre-activity physicals for all student athletes.

A team of sports medicine specialists and medical professional will provide a thorough exam and assess each athletes’ ability to participate in sports for the upcoming season.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

8:00am – 12:00pm

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute – Northwest office

6320 N. La Cholla Blvd, #200

Cost is $20 per athlete* (discounted rate is available for families with multiple athletes)

Exam includes:

– Vitals check
– Vision test
– Medical & Musculoskeletal exam
– AIA approved forms completed (athletes must bring form)

*Self-pay only. Cannot be combined with insurance.

See flyer for additional details

Do’s and don’ts for aging athletes

21 Jun 2016 General , ,

Image Source: BreakingMuscle.com

Being athletic will keep your body looking and feeling young for many years, but the natural process of aging will eventually catch up with you. When your body is 50 or 60 years old, it does not heal the same as your younger body could. If you want to stay athletic as you age, a little extra TLC can go a long way toward preventing injuries and recovering from workouts.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep you fit and active for many years to come.  

DO NOT assume you are immune to injury because you are physically fit. Even the most seasoned athletes still need to be careful. Your muscles and hormones change as you age, and these changes affect your strength and endurance. If you have concerns, a physical therapist or athletic trainer can evaluate your performance and recommend injury prevention strategies.

DO rest your muscles after a workout. Strength training is important for aging athletes, but don’t overdo it. Older athletes are more prone to overuse / repetitive motion injuries than are younger athletes. Take a little more time to recover, and your body will thank you for it. You may also want to increase antioxidants like vitamin C and E to reduce muscle soreness.

DO hydrate your body every day. Try to drink at least 64 ounces (2 L) of water daily. This is good for healthy muscles, healthy skin, and healthy cells.

DO NOT continue working out when your body hurts. Pain is your body’s way of telling you when to stop. One advantage of growing older is that you can recognize your body’s cues.

DO take injuries seriously. Even minor injuries can become major if they are not addressed properly. If you ever need an expert opinion, talk to one of our orthopedic specialists.

DO take time for a warm up and cool down, and stretch every day. Loss of flexibility is a natural part of aging.

DO NOT train hard all season. Follow a routine that focuses on different levels of intensity each week. One week on, one week off is a good strategy for aging athletes. And remember to balance intense muscle-building workouts (anaerobic exercise) with cardio and endurance (aerobic exercise).

DO get up early to train. Life gets busy as you get older. The last thing you feel like doing is a 30-minute work out before bedtime. Instead, go to bed early so you can rise earlier. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and workout.

Many of our patients lead an active, healthy lifestyle. You rely on us to keep your bones and muscles healthy, so you can enjoy hiking, cycling, kayaking, or rock climbing at any stage in life.

https://svcdn.simpleviewinc.com/v3/cache/default/443D471AC45A70D32009DAD06043FADC.jpg

Image Source: Visit Tucson

For personalized advice for staying athletic as you age, schedule a consultation at a Tucson Orthopaedic Institute office near you. We can customize a training plan to keep you feeling 10 years younger.

Want Healthy Joints? Hydrate!

3 Jun 2016 General, Joint Health ,

Each task you perform requires your brain to collaborate with the musculoskeletal system. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones – they must all be in good working order to allow for joints to move properly.Hydrate for healthy joints

What fuels your machine so that you have pain-free movement with a full range of motion? Water – among other things such as exercise and proper nutrition.

Water helps keep joints lubricated. A component of synovial fluid, water is necessary to help prevent joint friction. Synovial fluid lubricates and cushions the joints and cartilage surrounding them, keeping bones from rubbing together.

Water helps build muscle to further protect the joints. Muscle tissue consists of about 75 percent water, which helps to form protein in muscles, stabilizing and protecting joints. Dehydration can reduce muscle tone by preventing muscles from contracting.

Joint pain improves with hydration. Hydrated cartilage is soft and smooth. When dehydrated, however, it can cause friction, which leads to pain. Similar to a soft, flexible wet sponge, cartilage becomes stiff when it dries out. Water also helps to reduce swelling, thereby reducing pain.

How much water you need depends on your size, weight, activity level, and environment (temperature and humidity). In general, you should aim to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water (including beverages that contain water) for each pound you weigh, every day. You don’t just have to drink your water though. Many raw vegetables and fruits such as watermelon contain a high water content.

If you’re experiencing joint pain or dysfunction, contact one of our convenient Tucson locations near you or request an appointment online.

 

What Really Matters to Joint Replacement Patients

18 May 2016 Doctors, General, Media , ,

Written by: Ali Dalal, MD

view post on original source – LinkedIn

5/17/16 – Orthopaedic surgeons are often guilty of being “high tech” but “low touch.” Throughout our training we are taught that the best way to care for our patients is to do a good surgery. In joint replacement, surgeons quantify excellence by things we can measure: the efficiency with which the surgery was done, the length of the incision, the appearance of the x-rays after surgery. This however, neglects the patient’s perspective on their disease, and why they sought out care.

There can be a disconnect in results after joint replacement. Some patients achieve satisfaction without reaching what some surgeons consider routine post-operative goals. This is not as frustrating as the opposite scenario when patients are dissatisfied despite exceeding what many surgeons would consider an excellent result. The latter can occur anywhere from 10-15% of time after hip and knee replacement.

Patients in need of joint replacement surgery have a disability that affects their independence and can cause anxiety. This anxiety can be carried into the preoperative period as a fear of their disability becoming worse after surgery. Many of these fears can be addressed pre-operatively by giving patients high quality information on what to expect before and after surgery as many of the questions patients have are similar— “When can I drive?  How do I get my home ready? How long can I expect to be out of work?” The similarity of patient questions makes guides such as mine very helpful. Attending a joint replacement class like the one offered at Tucson Medical Center can also be a therapeutic in demonstrating to patients that they are not alone in the process and that other people have the same fears and questions as they do.

Addressing the similarities of the condition and the process however, is only one part of completely caring for a joint replacement patient. Finding out what individually matters to each person can go a long way.  A study found that satisfaction will not occur unless the patient achieves their most important reason for having the operation. This can mean something different to each person—not limping in public, being able to get on and off the floor with grandchildren, or being able to get back to taking walks or biking. By asking patient’s what their goals are after surgery, we can effectively counsel them on whether they have a realistic expectation of what the surgery has to offer. Being sensitive to people’s cultures or occupations can also be very important in helping set expectations. For example, patients that kneel during worship or work should be counseled that this activity could be difficult or painful after knee surgery.  Patients may not always know what questions to ask, it is our job to anticipate our patient’s needs.

Joint replacement surgery is offering patients longer lasting implants, new techniques in pain management, and accelerated rehabilitation. Patients are leaving the hospital and getting back to their homes and jobs sooner than they expected. Pairing these advances with effective surgeon-patient communication and good surgical technique can make joint replacement a positive experience for the vast majority of patients.

1. Dorr LD, Chao L.  The emotional state of the patient after total hip and knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007 Oct;463: 7-12

Important Notice: DME Fraud Warning – May 2016

6 May 2016 General , , ,

May, 2016

RE: Fraud Warning

Dear Patient:

We have been advised that some of our patients are receiving calls from organizations claiming to be working with Medicare and asking for your physician’s name. As always, please do not disclose any personal information via telephone calls of this nature. Once the information is received, the entity sends a prescription to your provider requesting signature for durable medical equipment (back braces, knee braces, etc.), claiming it is at the patient’s request and then bills Medicare for equipment you never receive.

Respectfully,

Your Tucson Orthopaedic Team

How Long Do Modern Joint Replacements Last?

31 Mar 2016 Doctors, General, Media , ,
Written by: Ali Dalal, MD

view post on original source – LinkedIn

3/31/2016 – Every patient that has bone-on-bone arthritis in the hip or knee has thought of this question when considering whether or not to have surgery.  All mechanical parts have a working life, but trying to answer this question for parts that are implanted into people is difficult because each person is different, and may put different demands on their artificial joints.  Nevertheless, it is important to give patients an idea of what they can expect out of their surgery.  The question becomes harder to answer as significant improvements are made in artificial joint design, but these advances also hold the promise of providing better longer lasting implants.

The biggest scientific advancement in total hip and knee replacement has been in the polyethylene or “plastic” liners. The majority of hip and knee replacements implanted in the United States consist of a metal and plastic articulation or bearing surface. This is the part of the joint replacement that actually moves.  One of the most common sources of failure is the metal or “hard” surface wearing away the plastic or “soft” surface. A recent article on the long term results of new plastic liners in hip replacement found that at 13 years after surgery in relatively young, high demand patients (age 45-65), 100% of the hip replacements done with new plastic had survived. Furthermore, none of those hips had any indication of plastic wear visible on x-rays.

The newer plastic technology was adopted later in total knee replacement, and long term data are not as clear. Mechanical simulator testing, however, has shown no wear in knee replacement plastic liners after one million cycles.  A recent study found that when including all risk factors for failure of knee replacement including those that are unforeseen such as infection, 95% of artificial knees lasted at least 10 years.

As doctors we must give our patients a thorough explanation of risks, benefits, and alternatives to joint replacement surgery.  That being said, delaying an effective and durable treatment that has been shown to improve quality of life because of a fear of implant failure may not be necessary for a large number of patients.

25 Physicians from Tucson Ortho Named to 2015-2016 Best Doctors List

1 Jan 2016 General, Media ,
Twenty-five physicians affiliated with Tucson Orthopaedic Institute appear on the Best Doctors in America® List for 2015-2016.  Only five percent of doctors in America earn this prestigious honor, decided by impartial peer review.

Tucson Orthopaedic physicians to make the list include:

Eric Anctil, MD Brian Nielsen, MD
Kevin Bowers, MD Michael Parseghian, MD
Russell Cohen, MD Edward Petrow, Jr., DO
 Stephen Curtin, MD William Prickett, MD
 Joel Goode, MD William Quinlan, MD
Stephen Hanks, MD Murray Robertson, MD
Lawrence Housman, MD Steven Shapiro, MD
 Gerard Jeong, MD Scott Slagis, MD
Jay Katz, MD Todd Tucker, MD
Geoffrey Landis, DO Jesse Wild, MD
 Andrew Mahoney, MD John Wild, Jr., MD
 John Maltry, MD Steven Zeiller, MD

Best Doctors has earned a sterling, worldwide reputation for reliable, impartial results by remaining totally independent. Doctors cannot pay to be included in the Best Doctors database, nor are they paid to provide their input. The List is a product of validated peer review, in which doctors who excel in their specialties are selected by their peers in the profession.

In bringing together the best medical minds in the world, Best Doctors works with expert physicians from its Best Doctors in America® List to help its 30 million members worldwide get the right diagnosis and right treatment.

The highly regarded Best Doctors in America® List, assembled by Best Doctors, Inc. and audited and certified by Gallup®, results from exhaustive polling of over 40,000 physicians in the United States. Doctors in over 40 specialties and 400 subspecialties of medicine appear on this year’s List.  In a confidential review, current physician listees answer the question, “If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, to whom would you refer?”  Best Doctors, Inc. evaluates the review results, and verifies all additional information to meet detailed inclusion criteria.

About Best Doctors, Inc.: 

Best Doctors works with the best five percent of doctors, ranked by impartial peer review, to help people get the right diagnosis and right treatment. Gallup has certified Best Doctors as using the highest industry standards survey methodology and processes in polling physicians to discover the doctors they would choose for their own care. Founded in 1989 by Harvard Medical School physicians, the global health solutions company, which has grown to over 30 million members worldwide, uses state-of-the-art technology capabilities to deliver improved health outcomes while reducing costs. Best Doctors seamlessly integrates its trusted health services with Fortune 1000 employers, insurers and other groups in every major region of the world. 

For further information, visit Best Doctors at www.bestdoctors.com.

After Hours Clinic Expands to Northwest

30 Nov 2015 General , , , ,

Not All Injuries Happen During Office Hours

Tucson Ortho Opens After Hours Clinic at Northwest Location

(12/1/2015 – Tucson, AZ)   Fractures, sports injuries, sprains, tears and other urgent bone and joint injuries can occur at any time of day. Tucson Orthopaedic Institute’s After Hours Clinic provides immediate treatment to patients – no appointment necessary – for acute orthopaedic injuries after regular office hours.

Starting December 1, 2015, patients can benefit from seeing a specialist at our Northwest location because Tucson Orthopaedic Institute understands the importance of receiving fast specialized care for urgent orthopaedic injuries.

Our specialists treat acute orthopaedic injuries, reducing the wait time for patients to receive care compared to an emergency room or traditional urgent care center. Patients are assured expert care with a trained orthopaedic Physician Assistant on staff, and a supervising Tucson Ortho doctor on-call.

Onsite x-ray and casting services provides all the orthopaedic care patients need in one visit.

The After Hours Clinic will continue to provide specialized treatment for acute orthopaedic injuries at our East office.

HOURS:

Open Monday – Thursday

5:00 – 9:00 PM

LOCATIONS:

Northwest Office (NOW OPEN)

6320 N. La Cholla Blvd. Suite 200

382-8117

East Office

1st floor of TMC’s Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower

5301 E. Grand Rd.

784-6441

Because We Care Foundation Annual Trip – 2015

12 Nov 2015 Doctors, General , , , , ,

11/12/2015 – The non-profit group, Because We Care Foundation (BWCF), is currently on its fourth annual trip to Quito, Ecuador to provide total knee replacements to people without financial resources for treatment. The organization was founded and lead by Tucson Orthopaedic Institute providers, Luis Piedrahita, MD and Lori Bryant, PT. Tucson Ortho physicians and staff, along with colleagues from Tucson Medical Center (TMC), donate their time and talent to provide these services to folks that would otherwise go without care.

This year, Luis Piedrahita, M.D., Tucson Ortho physician, Murray Robertson, M.D., BWCF President, and Russell Cohen, M.D., BWCF Board Member, will be traveling from Nov. 6th – Nov. 14th performing knee replacement surgeries to local residents.

Click the link to learn more about Because We Care Foundation and check back in a few weeks to see how the 2015 trip concluded!

Surgeons vs. Chefs 2015

30 Oct 2015 Christopher Stevens, Doctors, General, Joel Goode, Mark Braunstein, Stephen Curtin, Stephen Hanks , , , ,

Surgeons from Tucson Orthopaedic Institute joined Tucson Medical Center and Embassy Suites Tucson – Paloma Village for their 6th annual ‘Surgeons vs. Chefs’ Pumpkin Carving Contest to raise money for TMC for Children, Children’s Miracle Network.

Surgeons and chefs from local restaurants carved pumpkins in front of 200 attendees.

The night’s proceeds totaled over $6,800 from raffles and pumpkin auctions!

Attendees also voted for their favorite pumpkins in the following categories: Best Overall Pumpkin, Best Overall Surgeon, Best Overall Chef, Most Creative Pumpkin, Ugliest Pumpkin, and Scariest Pumpkin.

Check out how all the participating physicians carved their pumpkins and see who won each category.

 
  A. Mark Braunstein, MD Baby and the Giant Pumpkin
Stephen L. Curtin, MD
*BEST Overall Surgeon
 Scary Pumpkin Shell
Ali H. Dalal, MD Dia de los Muertos & Howling Wolf
Joel R. Goode, MD
*UGLIEST PUMPKIN
  “WiFi is Down’ & Candy Corn Face
Stephen E. Hanks, MD Frankenstein & Ninja Turtle
Chris G. Stevens, MD
*MOST CREATIVE		 Hippie

 

The additional winning pumpkins were voted for by attendees. The remaining winners by category are: 

Best Overall Chef: Dominic Jones, The Living Room

Scariest: Jan Osipowicz, Hilton El Conquistador

Best Overall Pumpkin: Ken Harvey, Loews Ventana Canyon

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