Orthopaedic Care

THE KNEE

Knee problems, in general, are very common. A google search produced the following quote, referenced below:

“…Frequent knee pain affects approximately 25% of adults, limits function and mobility, and impairs quality of life, with osteoarthritis as the most common cause of knee pain in people 50 years or

[Increasing Prevalence of Knee Pain and Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Dec 6; 155(11): 725–732.

Regardless of one’s age, prolonged knee pain is not normal, and warrants appropriate evaluation and management. Consider obtaining an evaluation in our office if you suffer from prolonged knee pain that has not responded to the care that you have received.

The website KNEEguru [https://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/about] is a valuable source of patient education about the knee. We have been able to be represented on the site, where the story of an alternative approach to treating this problem is outlined. To access this directly you can either go to the following url [https://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/courses/alternative-viewpoint-anterior-knee-pain], or, from the KNEEguru home page, click on LEARNING PORTFOLIO, which brings up a drop-down menu. In this, click on COURSES, and ours is the first one (https://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/courses/alternative-viewpoint-anterior-knee-pain).

LIMB RECONSTRUCTION

Orthopaedics is the branch of medicine involved in the correction of deformities. If you have a deformity, such problems can be evaluated at our office. Even more, it involves measures to resolves issues related to joints. Depending on the nature of the problem, the surgery that is involved may be done through small incisions using equipment designed so that the incision is small, and the use of fluid under a safe level of pressure to distend the joint so that instruments can be passed without damaging the joint surface, which is cartilage. If a limb needs to be re-aligned, then the approach uses a larger approach, and is termed open surgery. Regardless of the approach, the philosophy is to move the limb as quickly as possible, and even if immobilized, the muscle groups involved are activated. The body heals through activity and exercise.

SPORTS MEDICINE

Our office will see any person with a sports injury, arising from recreational activities or in a more organized sport regardless of level. Many of the injuries occurring in military medicine (my background) overlap in nature with those occurring in sports. This professional background in the military, as well as my life-long activities as an athlete and a treating physician for a variety of teams, allows me to evaluate your problem from an experienced viewpoint. An important subset of patients with sports-related injuries has been the adolescent athlete who developed anterior knee pain [AKP]. In many, this may lead to a devastating loss of their ability to perform in their sport at the same level. Our research suggests that some children who develop AKP simply do not get better, leading within weeks to months, to their developing avoidance behavior that may to lead to a chronic pain state, if not recognized. This problem can be addressed by a simple, safe operation that is performed arthroscopically and works in most. We recommend that your child be referred within 3 months if the pain is not resolving satisfactorily. Regardless of your age, consider seeing us if your sport-related injury or is not getting better adequately.

PREVIOUSLY TREATED PATIENTS

Since coming to Upstate New York State, my practice has been in Syracuse and surrounding communities (Oneonta, Oswego, and Auburn). Any previous patient is welcome for follow-up of a previous problem, or an evaluation of a new problem. As my scope of practice has changed, I may refer you to a trusted colleague if necessary.