bones & joints - mediaplanetdoc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/3550.pdf · bones & joints...
TRANSCRIPT
Bones & Jointsjune 2009 Your Guide to Musculoskeletal & orthopaedic health
Improving the Quality of Life for over 20 Years
Dr. Howard Freedberg specializes in sports medicine, minimally invasive surgery, and arthroscopy of all joints.Dr. Thomas McNally is an expert in comprehensive spinal orthopaedics.
www.suburbanortho.com1110 W. Schick Road, Bartlett Il 60103 • (630) 372-1100
bones & joints
special thanks to Major orthopaedic
Contributors
Reversing Orthopaedic Trauma By Harvesting Stem Cells by: kirk van hyning
CONTENTS 2 ReversingOrthopaedicTrauma
3 PreventingHipReplacments
3 NewLifeforOldJoints
4 WristFractures
4 AdvancesinArthroscopicSurgery
5 TheElectronicHealthRecord
6 SportsMedicine
7 HealingWoundedWarriors
8 Osteoporosis
9 ReturningtoIndependence
10 PanelofExperts
11 FutureofOrthopaedicResearch
11 AdvancesinAnteriorHipReplacment
bONES&JOINTSa special supplement produced by Mediaplanet and distributed by the chicago tribune.
Publisher:[email protected]
Contributors: SeanDougherty RichardLeonard KenNanus MarlenePiturro,PhD KirkVanHyning EmilyZyborowicz
Design:[email protected]
Printer:ChicagoTribune
Photos:©iStockPhoto.com
Mediaplanet is the leading publisher in providing high quality and in-depth analysis on topical industry and market issues, in print, online and broadcast.For more information about supplements in the daily press, please contact allan chiu, 1 312 222 5966 [email protected]
www.mediaplanet.com
Stem cells cultures may be
capable of reversing a patient’s
painful and debilitating ortho-
paedic conditions in the near future.
This method is already used to repair
fractures and bone defects at a small
number of orthopaedic surgical cent-
ers. but the healing potential of stem
cells is far greater. The full range of this
therapy’s applications has not been
determined, but is expected to include
improved tissue and muscle regenera-
tion and cartilage repair, which could
eliminate the need for artificial joints.
research scientists are also testing ef-
ficacy against osteoarthritis, osteosar-
coma and muscular dystrophy.
george F. Muschler, MD, director
of Cleveland Clinic’s Clinical Tissue
Engineering Center (CTEC) conducts
greatly effective and lasting surgery
using these methods. he has used the
therapy on at least two patients, both
of whom had chronic bone trauma
or nonunion (i.e., gapped bones not
joining). One of Dr. Muschler’s patients
was a 22 year-old college senior
injured from a motorcycle crash. her
compound fractures were treated with
conventional surgery immediately after
her crash, but she still experienced pain
and bone nonunion two years later.
She contacted Dr. Muschler, who set
the fractured areas with bone matrices,
scaffolds of sorts that act as a medium
for the stem cells and injected the gaps
with the patient’s own stem cells, which
are combined into a “matrix gel” from
harvested stem cells. She experienced
a full recovery.
Dr. Muschler also treated successfully
a full-time nurse, wife and mother with
lingering post-op pain who also recov-
ered fully. During a softball game she
dove to catch a line drive, tripped and
fell fully on her left shoulder. an x-ray
showed her collar bone had broken in
two places. a plate and five screws were
inserted to stabilize the clavicle, but she
found herself unable to perform most
of the activities as she had before. She
could not play the piano or work and
lost much mobility in her shoulder, and
suffered chronic pain. after the removal
of the shoulder screws and plates due
to the pain she suffered fracture non-
union. Dr. Muschler’s used his stem cell
intervention and after two surgeries
she had recovered and returned to
normal functioning.
While the total number of successful
stem cell treatments for orthopaedic
injuries is still small, pioneers in medicine,
using the science of healing with one’s
own cells, are expanding the use of
biotechnology to give patients with
serious injuries a better quality of life.
...expanding the useof biotechnology to give
patients with serious injuriesa better quality of life.
bones & joints
A New Approach in Joint Replacement Surgery
Joint University at Weiss Memorial Hospital has changed the paradigm of long, painful recoveries by offering patients the latest minimally invasive and rapid-recovery techniques in hip and knee replacement surgery.
To learn more, visit www.weisshospital.com, or call (800) 503-1234 to schedule an appointment with a physician.
by: kirk van hyning
by: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
Recognized by the aaOS on its
75th anniversary as one of the
greatest advances in ortho-
paedic surgery, joint replacements
have brought a higher quality of life
and independence to millions. henry
Finn, MD, Medical Director of the uni-
versity of Chicago bone and Joint re-
placement Center at Weiss Memorial
hospital and creator of the Finn knee
recalls his first case. “Mrs. hobart was
eight months pregnant with cancer of
her distal femur. i replaced her knee
and the diseased bone and she’s still
walking on it,”
in addition to primary joint replace-
ments many of the surgeries per-
formed by Dr. Finn and his colleagues
are complex, involving situations such
as failed joint replacements, infections,
deformities, and bone cancer. “These
cases require extreme pre-operative
planning and are labor intensive.
because we do a high volume of
surgeries that helps us anticipate and
avoid problems,” he says. planning
conferences are held every week to
discuss conditions that could impact
surgery and recovery and arrange for
special equipment if necessary.
More than 90 percent of individuals
who undergo total knee replacement
have much less knee pain and are able
to do the activities they enjoy. The first
knee replacement was performed in
1968. improvements in surgical materi-
als and techniques since then - such as
the Finn knee and many others - have
greatly increased its effectiveness.
Commenting on the growth of mini-
mally invasive joint surgery Dr. Finn
points to recent research (Journal of Ar-
thoplasty June 2009) that such surgery
had a high prevalence of failure within
24 months. The study’s author, Dr. rob-
ert barrack, concluded that “these fail-
ures are disturbing and warrant further
investigation.” another recent article in
Knee (Jan. 2009) comparing minimally
invasive to total knee replacement
showed identical accuracy, operating
time and blood loss, with less recovery
time for minimally invasive surgery. Six
months later, patients showed equal
knee functionality.
New Life For Old Joints
Traditional hip surgery replaces a
worn, arthritic joint with an artificial
hip, relieving chronic pain in older
patients and greatly improving mobil-
ity and quality of life. however, when
young or middle age people face hip
injuries, replacement may not be an
option. in that type of patient, a hip re-
placement is likely to wear out during
the patient’s lifetime, making an active
lifestyle impossible.
in contrast, hip arthroscopy is per-
formed using a camera and small in-
struments inserted through minimally
invasive incisions. This allows the sur-
geon to diagnose and repair injuries,
restoring function. hip arthroscopy
has emerged in the past few years as
a treatment for two common injuries,
the torn labrum and femoro-acetabular
impingement.
Dr. benjamin Domb, an arthroscopic
surgeon with hinsdale Orthopaedic
associates, notes that a torn labrum is
often misdiagnosed as sciatica, groin
pulls or early arthritis. “With the correct
diagnosis, we can now fix many injuries
that used to require hip replacements.”
baseball player alex rodriquez of the
new york yankees and football player
kurt Warner of the arizona Cardinals
both have had arthroscopic hip sur-
gery and were able to return to playing
professionally within months.
“The labrum is like a rubber seal
around the socket of the hip,” said
Dr. Domb. “When the seal is broken,
the hip loses lubrication and stabil-
ity, which leads to arthritis. The new
treatment can fix the seal, avoiding or
delaying the need for replacement. ”
Dr. Thomas byrd, team physician for
the Tennessee Titans, has published
data demonstrating long-term effec-
tiveness of arthroscopy in the hip for
patients who have not yet developed
arthritis. a handful of surgeons around
the country, including Dr. Domb,
continue to develop improvements in
technique and to study the long-term
success rate of these procedures.
although initially slow to accept this
new procedure, the medical profession
has now affirmed it as an essential op-
tion in treatment of hip injuries. “These
medical breakthroughs represent new
opportunities for athletes of all ages,”
Dr. Domb said. “now athletes and ac-
tive individuals can receive treatment
for major hip injuries and return to
playing the sports they love.”
Preventing Hip Replacements: Keeping A-Rod and Weekend Athletes Alive on the Field by: SEan DOughErTy
bones & joints
Chicagoland’s Premier Orthopaedic Group
Ask Anyoneand you ‘ll make us your
first choice
It’s true. Our doctors have built such a tremendous following, “word of mouth” is our best advertising. It’s helped us become the Chicago area’s largest orthopaedic group, with specialists with advanced training in the most clinical areas.
The point is, if you have a sports injury, require treatment for arthritis or back pain, are a candidate for joint replacement, or have any other bone- or joint-related problem, find out why generation after generation of families have made us their “go to guys.”
Arlington Heights1300 E. Central847-870-6100Bannockburn2101 Waukegan Rd.847-914-9096
Chicago2860 N. Broadway773-327-8300Chicago150 N. Michigan Ave.312-444-1145
Chicago4801 W. Peterson773-777-9900Chicago205 W. Randolph312-920-9805
Des Plaines900 Rand Rd.847-375-3000Glenview2350 Ravine Way847-998-5680
Glenview2401 Ravine Way847-998-5680Gurnee350 S. Greenleaf847-336-3335
Lake Forest 900 N. Westmoreland847-336-3335Lake Forest 1200 N. Westmoreland847-247-4000
Libertyville720 Florsheim Drive 847-247-4000Lincolnwood7126 N. Lincoln Ave.847-676-5979
Morton Grove 9000 Waukegan Rd.847-375-3000Wilmette1144 Wilmette Ave.847-998-5680
The ultimate Frisbee player ex-
tending his arm to break a fall
and the hurried homeowner
slipping on the ice and bracing for
impact have something in common.
They’ve got a distal radius fracture,
sometimes called a broken wrist, and
one of the most commonly broken
bones in the body. The radius is the
larger of two bones that make up the
forearm, located on the same side as
the thumb, and often breaks after a
patient falls on the hand while it is
stretched outward. There have been
major advances over the years in how
orthopaedists treat such fractures.
“The technology behind fixing these
fractures has evolved, making the
recovery simpler and allowing patients
to use their hand faster than they could
before,” says Dr. leon benson, MD, at-
tending orthopaedic surgeon, hand
and upper Extremity Surgery, at the
illinois bone and Joint institute. Casts
have traditionally been used to immo-
bilize the wrist while the radius fracture
healed. They continue to be prescribed
for patients with minor fractures. Exter-
nal fixation, which involves an ortho-
paedic surgeon placing pins on both
sides of the fracture and linking them
together with a rod along the outside
of the wrist, realigns fractured bones
more precisely than a cast because it
prevents wrist movement.
More recently, orthopaedists have
developed surgical techniques with
faster recovery times and better
outcomes. They use open reduction
internal fixation (OriF) surgery to treat
distal radius fractures by implanting
hardware such as plates and screws
to secure the broken bone in place
as it heals. The surgical implants are
available in a variety of sizes and
are designed to fit fractures more
accurately. OriF surgeries last approxi-
mately an hour and are performed on
an outpatient basis. Depending on the
recommendation of the orthopedic
surgeon, the hardware can remain
implanted or can be removed at a later
date. Dr. benson explains, “The rigid
fixation of the implant to the bone
allows the patient to regain mobility
faster when compared to wearing a
cast or an external fixation device and
thereby enables less “down time” from
work or activities of daily living.”
While orthopaedists have sophisti-
cated treatment options for healing
distal radius fractures, assessing which
treatments will improve the quality of
life for patients depends on a variety
of factors such as the extent of the
fracture as well as the age and activity
level of the patient.
Americans are living longer,
more active lives. While we
know the benefits of in-
creased exercise, joint problems have
also increased with the level of activ-
ity. Many corrective joint procedures
that would have required extensive
rest, pain medication, or rehabilitation
have been much improved. Dr. Freed-
berg of Suburban Orthopedics states,
“The arthroscope is one of the greatest
advances in the history of orthopaedic
technology.”
The arthroscope, a tiny instrument
inserted into a joint by an orthopaedic
surgeon, has changed the way joint
surgery is done. “We can give people
who are injured the quality of life they
are looking for,” states Dr. howard
Freedberg. arthroscopic intervention
has allowed doctors to get patients
back in the game with less pain. ar-
throscopic surgery can be performed
on joints, including knees, shoulders,
hips and ankles. The doctor examines
and can repair cartilage, ligament, and
the area around the joint with mini-
mum damage to surrounding tissue.
arthroscopic knee surgery fre-
quently involves repairing meniscus
cartilage. The meniscus, according to
Dr. Freedberg, who is affiliated with
alexian brothers Medical Center, St.
alexius Medical Center, Sherman hos-
pital, and Central Dupage, is the “load
transmitting shock absorber” for the
knee. We can now repair the meniscus
instead of just removing it. This helps
delay that arthritic process. in some
cases, Dr. Freedberg said, ‘Cartilage
from the knee can be grown in the
lab and implanted or a plug of bone
and cartilage can be transferred from
one part of the knee to the damaged
portion.”
Other joints benefit from joint sur-
gery advances. “loss of motion in the
shoulder is very painful,” Dr. Freedberg
observed. “With the arthroscope we
can take out loose bodies, contour the
shoulder socket better. The patient
experiences major pain relief.” in ad-
dition, he continued, “arthroscopically
fusing ankles that have arthritis is one
of the best things i do. by not being
invasive into a joint, rehab becomes
easier and there’s substantially less scar
tissue.” The hip joint is one of the latest
to be helped arthroscopically. The
cartilage can be repaired, loose bodies
removed, and the joint reshaped by
removing bone.
by not being invasive into a joint
there is substantially less scar tissue and
rehabilitation is quicker. “Many people
can go back to work in two days”, Dr.
Freedberg commented. “Some people
will hurt less, some slightly more, but
everyone can get into rehabilitation
quickly because there’s much less
discomfort than before arthroscopy.”
Wrist Fractures: new surgical options
Advances in Arthroscopic Surgery
by: EMily ZybOrOWiCZ
by: kEn nanuS
by: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
bones & joints
Chicagoland’s Premier Orthopaedic Group
Ask Anyoneand you ‘ll make us your
first choice
It’s true. Our doctors have built such a tremendous following, “word of mouth” is our best advertising. It’s helped us become the Chicago area’s largest orthopaedic group, with specialists with advanced training in the most clinical areas.
The point is, if you have a sports injury, require treatment for arthritis or back pain, are a candidate for joint replacement, or have any other bone- or joint-related problem, find out why generation after generation of families have made us their “go to guys.”
Arlington Heights1300 E. Central847-870-6100Bannockburn2101 Waukegan Rd.847-914-9096
Chicago2860 N. Broadway773-327-8300Chicago150 N. Michigan Ave.312-444-1145
Chicago4801 W. Peterson773-777-9900Chicago205 W. Randolph312-920-9805
Des Plaines900 Rand Rd.847-375-3000Glenview2350 Ravine Way847-998-5680
Glenview2401 Ravine Way847-998-5680Gurnee350 S. Greenleaf847-336-3335
Lake Forest 900 N. Westmoreland847-336-3335Lake Forest 1200 N. Westmoreland847-247-4000
Libertyville720 Florsheim Drive 847-247-4000Lincolnwood7126 N. Lincoln Ave.847-676-5979
Morton Grove 9000 Waukegan Rd.847-375-3000Wilmette1144 Wilmette Ave.847-998-5680
The Obama administration
allocated $19 billion of stimulus
funds to connect physicians,
hospitals, pharmacies, labs, imaging
centers, and other healthcare provid-
ers through Electronic health records
(Ehrs]. The carrot for physicians is
$44,000 to adopt an Ehr, a develop-
ment that is expected to improve
patient care and lower health care’s
staggering costs. glen Tullman, CEO of
Chicago based allscripts, the nation’s
largest publicly-traded Ehr provider,
reacts to the health care stimulus
spending: “Enabling a majority of
physicians to use electronic health
records is the single most important
thing we can do to improve the quality
and lower the cost of healthcare in
america.” but implementing Ehrs for
the u.S.’ 633,000 physicians and 5708
hospitals will be daunting. a New Eng-
land Journal of Medicine study (March,
2009) showed that only 1.5 percent of
hospital records are fully computerized,
while just four percent of physician
groups have “fully functional” Ehrs
(17% have some form of Ehr.)
To change that, allscripts, Cisco,
Citrix, Dell, inuit, Microsoft and nuance
have formed the Ehr Stimulus alliance
to educate america’ s doctors about
Ehrs. “The core issue in healthcare is
that it is not connected—functionally,
financially or technically. Connecting
to information from different care set-
tings and stakeholders is what physi-
cians need,” says Tullman, adding: “our
aim is to create the Microsoft Office of
health care—to develop a standard all
doctors can rely on.
For orthopaedic practices electronic
health records help by providing
extensive orthopaedic-specific clini-
cal content, capturing clinical images
directly into the patient’s chart where
they can be viewed remotely via the
Web when needed, generating auto-
matic referral letters, and eliminating
paper transmission of laboratory and
other diagnostic reports. The Ehr also
allows physicians to automate vital
clinical functions including writing and
refilling prescriptions, ordering tests,
viewing test results, documenting care,
and checking for harmful drug-allergy
interactions. Ehrs allow our physicians
to continue to practice medicine at
their pace while streamlining many
office functions,” said anthony pachelli,
M.D., of new Mexico Orthopaedics in al-
buquerque, nM. “With only a few clicks, i
can customize forms, patient education
information and prescriptions. Without
an Ehr, it would take several minutes
per patient to complete.”
using iT to connect america’s health
care stakeholders is a huge task with
huge potential payoffs. Tullman sums
up: “it’s likely we’re moving towards
uniform standards that enable con-
nectivity and interoperability of patient
information across multiple platforms,
but [as the Ehr becomes more wide-
spread] you’ll see far fewer platforms as
the industry consolidates.“
by: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
Stimulating The Electronic Health Record
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$44,000 $44,000 $4 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $39,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
$35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
Know how to get $44,000+ for using an EHR?The Stimulus Plan provides physicians an unprecedented opportunity to adopt Electronic Health Records to improve healthcare in America.
“Now is the right time to implement a state of the art EHR and Practice Management system to create a superior quality environment for patient care. Allscripts is an exceptional leader in this industry for performance excellence and will make a substantial impact in the success of any organization. ” - Jay L. Levin, M.D., Adult & Pediatric Orthopedics, Vernon Hills, IL
The Time is Now. The Choice is Allscripts.
Call877-EHR-NOW1
Join the Tourwww.ehrstimulustour.com
$44,000
...improve the quality and lower
the cost of healthcare in
America.
bones & joints
Buford Acklin and his teammates were doing a routine punt drill during football practice in Chicago when the defense came at him full force. His leg got caught in the middle, twisting it and dislocating his knee. “I thought I’d just be out for a couple of months, and then I’d be back to practice,” 18-year-old Buford says. When Buford was examined by Martin Leland III, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center, advanced diagnostic imaging revealed a much more serious injury.
An MRI showed that Buford had ruptured three of the four ligaments in the knee — the ACL, PCL and MCL — and had a torn medial meniscus, one of the knee’s two shock absorbers. Dr. Leland knew that if Buford didn’t receive immediate treatment, the injury could be devastating — he might never be able to bend his knee, run or play sports again.
Under Dr. Leland’s care, Buford was in surgery the next morning for the first of two operations to complete a complex multi-ligament knee reconstruction. With state-of-the-art
technology, Dr. Leland was able to prevent scarring of the tissue, fix the meniscus and reconstruct the ligaments with arthroscopic surgery.
Injuries of this type are rare. But Dr. Leland and his orthopaedic team were able to craft a treatment plan that would not only give Buford the full use of his knee, but get him back in the game.
After four months and aggressive physical therapy, Buford has regained full range of motion in his leg. “I’m back to doing everyday things,” he says. “Dr. Leland helped me understand what they were doing and made me feel comfortable. They really cared.”
For more information about our Orthopaedic Sports Medicine program, visit uchospitals.edu or call 773-834-3531.
sports medicine surgeon gets athlete back in the game
J. Martin Leland III, MDOrthopaedic Sports MedicineUniversity of Chicago Medical Center
Martin leland, MD, of the uni-
versity of Chicago Medical
Center’s Orthopaedic Sur-
gery/Sports Medicine department,
sees all kinds of sports injuries. “The
most common sports injuries are to
the knees, for meniscus and aCl (ante-
rior cruciate ligament) tears; and for the
shoulder, rotator cuff and labral tears“
he says.
Dr. leland explains that athletes
usually injure the meniscus through
cutting or pivoting motions common
in most sports, from golf and tennis
to soccer and football. aCl injuries
are usually caused by a direct blow to
the knee or abnormal rotation of the
knee over a planted foot. “recreational
in-line (straight) running, on the other
hand, usually doesn’t cause these
injuries,” he adds.
rotator cuff injuries to the shoulder
are common in individuals over age
40, particularly athletes that receive
a sharp blow to the arm. Tennis and
swimming more often cause chronic
problems, such as tendinitis, rather
than a torn rotator cuff. in adolescent
athletes in the 12-22 year old range,
many labrum (soft tissue disc in the
shoulder) injuries are common. “in
these cases, shoulder dislocations or
repetitive high-speed motions, such as
pitcher throwing fastballs, can cause
the labrum in the shoulder to tear,” Dr.
leland says.
To get athletes with injured knees
and shoulders back to their sports
quickly and safely, minimally invasive
arthroscopic outpatient surgery is an
option. “patients receive nerve blocks
and are numb so they don’t experience
much pain after surgery. recovery
time is surgery specific. a patient with
meniscus surgery can walk the same
day and function fully in one to two
weeks, while an aCl reconstruction
means no aggressive sports for five to
six months,” Dr. leland explains.
The best treatment for injury is
prevention and Dr. leland offers this
advice about decreasing the risk of
injury:
• Stay in shape
• Stretch frequently to avoid tight
muscles
• Stay well hydrated during activity by
drinking plenty of fluids
Sports Medicineby: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
Most Common Musculoskeletal Reasons People Visit their Doctors: 2006
The top five reasons for the office
visit are pain, ache, soreness
or discomfort
• back 12,846,000
• knee 12,315,000
• lower back 8,608,000
• Shoulder 7,550,000
• neck 4,968,000
Total musculoskeletal/orthopaedic
surgeries-2006
• 7.4 million surgeries
Sources: american academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, national Center for health Statistics, 2009
americans love their sports, both indoors and out. according to american Sports Data, inc. 50.6 million of us exercise regularly, 39.9 million participate in recreational sports teams, and 15.3 million regularly hike and bike. Overall, 68% of us, nearly 200 million people from ages four to 100 participate occasionally in sports. The downside is that all this activity results in over four million trips to the E.r annually, of which children ages 5-14 account for 1.6 million visits.
orthopaedics Fast FactsRecovery time is surgery
specific. A patient with meniscus surgery can walk the same day and function fully in one to two weeks...the best
treatment for injury is prevention.
bones & joints
Buford Acklin and his teammates were doing a routine punt drill during football practice in Chicago when the defense came at him full force. His leg got caught in the middle, twisting it and dislocating his knee. “I thought I’d just be out for a couple of months, and then I’d be back to practice,” 18-year-old Buford says. When Buford was examined by Martin Leland III, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center, advanced diagnostic imaging revealed a much more serious injury.
An MRI showed that Buford had ruptured three of the four ligaments in the knee — the ACL, PCL and MCL — and had a torn medial meniscus, one of the knee’s two shock absorbers. Dr. Leland knew that if Buford didn’t receive immediate treatment, the injury could be devastating — he might never be able to bend his knee, run or play sports again.
Under Dr. Leland’s care, Buford was in surgery the next morning for the first of two operations to complete a complex multi-ligament knee reconstruction. With state-of-the-art
technology, Dr. Leland was able to prevent scarring of the tissue, fix the meniscus and reconstruct the ligaments with arthroscopic surgery.
Injuries of this type are rare. But Dr. Leland and his orthopaedic team were able to craft a treatment plan that would not only give Buford the full use of his knee, but get him back in the game.
After four months and aggressive physical therapy, Buford has regained full range of motion in his leg. “I’m back to doing everyday things,” he says. “Dr. Leland helped me understand what they were doing and made me feel comfortable. They really cared.”
For more information about our Orthopaedic Sports Medicine program, visit uchospitals.edu or call 773-834-3531.
sports medicine surgeon gets athlete back in the game
J. Martin Leland III, MDOrthopaedic Sports MedicineUniversity of Chicago Medical Center
THE STRENGTH TO HEAL
and learn lessons in courage.We’ll pay you more than $1,900 a month while you are in a residency program. This monthly stipend will help you gain the Strength to Heal. In addition, you’ll gain experience with top medical professionals and the most advanced technology. You’ll be able to practice in your community and serve when needed. You’ll be helping our Soldiers, your country and your career.
To learn more about the U.S. Army Reserve Health Care Team, call Sgt. 1st Class David Ryan at 877-655-6529, email [email protected], or visit healthcare.goarmy.com/info/mcstrap1.©2008. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
© 2009 NAS(Media: delete copyright notice)
Mary/AR10.1 x 4.54 color
If you are an american service mem-
ber, his or her spouse, or child, your
shattered hip or fractured ulna will
probably be reconstructed by one of
our nation’s finest orthopaedic sur-
geons. The army orthopaedists’ skills
are fostered and challenged by see-
ing patients such as a 20-year old with
burns over 90 percent of his body and
an arm and a leg lost to a roadside
bomb in iraq. That soldier was treated
by Todd Feathers, MD, third year ortho-
paedic surgical resident and Captain in
the uSa Medical Corps at brooke army
Medical Center (baMC). “i felt so close
to him,” explains Dr. Feathers. “it’s al-
most impossible to survive that much
burn, but he did and recovered well
enough to get around in a motorized
wheelchair. he’d play basketball and fall
out of his wheelchair, break a bone and
i’d fix him up. a day before another sur-
gery, out of the blue, he died. it shocked
me.” a not uncommon story for valiant
soldiers and their doctors.
“We have to think outside the box
to devise unconventional treatments
to save mangled limbs and lives,”
says Captain Joanna branstetter, MD.
Citing a young soldier with a large
lower leg wound that would ordinarily
require amputation because of the
gap between leg bones, she describes
applying a Taylor spatial frame for 9-12
months, which gives “six degrees of
freedom to straighten the leg.” a com-
puter program directs the patient to
adjust the frame’s six struts every day
until the bone mends.
it’s not all heart-stopping orthopae-
dic care at baMC and Madigan army
Medical Center in Tacoma, where
Dr. branstetter deploys next. army
orthopaedic surgeons treat service
members’ dependents and retired
personnel as well as active duty sol-
diers, sailors and airmen. That brings
countless elective hip, knee, bunion
and carpal tunnel surgeries. “in some
ways we have a normal orthopaedic
surgical practice with an added subset
of wounded soldiers,” adds Dr. brans-
tetter, who recently completed a sixth
year of residency researching advanced
wound care.
although some deploy to the bat-
tlefield, all of the army’s orthopaedic
surgeons learn war medicine. Through
the Defense Medical readiness Train-
ing institute (DMrTi), physicians from
the services receive combat casualty
training, preparing them to provide
basic field medical and survival skills,
to work in battalion aide stations,
advanced trauma training, and medi-
cal forward support. Col alan Moloff,
DMrTi’s former director, now retired,
said “the course is the first echelon
of care for physicians, physician as-
sistants, nurses, dentists and medical
service corps officers to be combat
casualty ready.”
Dr. Feathers explains how combat
training works in a war zone: “Some-
one on the battlefield stops any
bleeding and transfers the soldier to a
combat support hospital for stabiliza-
tion. Then it’s on to landstuhl aFb in
germany where they’re treated more
comprehensively, then sent to baMC
or another u.S. facility within three
days of their injury.”
army orthopaedic surgeons have
chosen a rigorous path. Dr. Feathers
says he would choose the same route
again. “Working with these disfigured
soldiers every day, it’s amazing they re-
main so positive. They have been dealt
terrible hands by war and life, but they
fight hard to recover. We are exposed
to extreme and complicated cases and
are highly sought after for civilian prac-
tice. but to work with young soldiers
who lose a leg and want to go back to
the battlefield to serve their country
yet again is a powerful reward,” he
says. Dr. branstetter claims she’s got
the best job in the world. “i expected
my soldiers to be horrible and mean
because of what they have suffered
but they are so upbeat. They are the
best of the best” she concludes.
Healing Wounded Warriors: the Army’s orthopaedic surgeonsby: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
The american academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons will host an art show in new
Orleans in March 2010 to honor wounded warriors and their medical teams. For more
information and submission guidelines, visit www.woundedinactionart.org.
We are exposed to extreme and
complicated cases and are highly sought after for civilian practice.
bones & joints
Experience the Differencein Rehabilitation
More than 40 sites of care throughout Chicago, suburbs, Rockford and southern WisconsinFor more information, call 1-800-351-3130 or visit us at www.thealdennetwork.com
Short-Term RehabilitationOrthopedic, Cardiac and Stroke Recovery
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies
HEALTH CARE & SENIOR LIVING
Mark gonzalez, MD, professor
and chairman of orthopae-
dic surgery at university
of illinois Medical Center, stresses the
importance of screening women over
the age of 65 and men over the age of
70 for osteoporosis. Early detection can
help prevent devastating fractures that
can result in a loss of independence,
a lower quality of life and even pre-
mature death. Dr. gonzalez says that
screenings should also be performed
at even earlier ages for people with
certain risk factors including having a
very thin frame, a family history of oste-
oporosis and fractures, and smoking.
although bone loss is a naturally
occurring process that begins when
patients enter their thirties, a life-long
diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can
help maintain bone density, says Dr.
Subhash C. kukreja, MD, professor of
medicine and co-director of the bone
health program at the university of
illinois Medical Center. The national
Osteoporosis Foundation recom-
mends that adults under the age of 50
take 1,000 mg of calcium and 400-800
iu of vitamin D daily, while adults over
the age of 50 take 1,200 mg of calcium
and 800-1,000 iu of vitamin D daily.
Exercise such as weight training is also
an important component of helping
sustain bone density.
Dr. kukreja adds that once a patient
is diagnosed with osteoporosis, various
medicines with anti-fracture properties
can be prescribed to decrease and
even reverse the bone loss. Two such
examples include bisphosphonates
and teriparatide, both of which can be
used by women and men. bisphospho-
nates, including boniva, Fosamax and
reclast, are a class of drugs that inhibit
bone loss by destroying osteoclasts,
the cells responsible for eating away
at the bone. Teriparatide, a type of
parathyroid hormone, is used for treat-
ing severe cases of osteoporosis and
induces new bone growth by stimulat-
ing osteoblasts, the cells that form new
bone. postmenopausal women should
ask their doctors whether hormone
replacement therapy or selective
estrogen receptor modulators (SErMs)
are right for them to prevent osteopo-
rosis.
Osteoporosis: early Prevention Reduces Fractures by: EMily ZybOrOWiCZ
Osteoporosis is widespread among aging popula-tions. it reduces bone density and heightens the risk of serious, life-altering bone fractures. The disease is asymptomatic, frequently detected after a fracture occurs when bones have already become weak. according to the american academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaOS), osteoporosis affects approximately 28 million americans and contributes to an estimated 1.5 million bone fractures each year, particularly in the hip, spine and wrist.
Although bone loss is a naturally occurring process that begins when
patients enter their thirties, a life-long diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone density
Advanced science for real living.™
800.581.8169
www.oxfordknee.com/IL
©
®
®
®
Mary Lou Retton1984 Olympic Gold MedalistBiomet Joint Replacement Patient
®
®
®
bones & joints
While a fractured hip or worn
out knee are inconvenient
for the young, these condi-
tions can be life threatening for older
adults. according to hip Fractures: a
practical guide to Management, be-
tween 14 to 36 percent of individuals
die within one year of a hip fracture;
many others suffer a diminished qual-
ity of life. people of all ages with joint
repair or replacement need a reha-
bilitation program to return to the
best functioning they can. For bob
Tripicchio, pT, DSc, president of Com-
munity physical Therapy & associates
(CpT), whose physical, occupational
and speech therapists provide reha-
bilitation services to more than 8,000
individuals each year at 22 alden re-
habilitation and health Care Centers
throughout Chicago and the suburbs,
each patient has a different mindset
and goals that shape the course of
their rehabilitation.
“We have some patients, with the
support of a caregiver, who complete
their therapy program at the SnF
(skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility)
as quickly as possible so they can be
discharged home, while others stay
longer because they want to achieve
the highest level of independent
functioning possible. before treatment
all patients receive functional perfor-
mance tests to determine the most ef-
fective course of treatment. Therapists
perform a falls risk assessment to see
what environmental adaptations that
person needs to be safe at home,”
explains Dr. Tripicchio. For hip fracture
and knee replacement surgery, much
depends on whether the patient can
bear weight on the limb, and their
ability to withstand rehab’s intensity
and duration. “For patients who are
fast tracked to return home in seven to
10 days after surgery, they may have
physical therapy two to three hours a
day, seven days a week,” he adds.
regardless of whether or not a
person chooses a fast-track rehabilita-
tion program or increases their stay
to achieve maximum function, it is
important to know what is necessary
in order to function safely at home and
reintegrate successfully into the com-
munity. The minimal requirements to
be independent in the community are
as follows:
• Walk a minimum of 1,000 ft per
errand for 2-3 errands per trip
• Carry packages averaging 6-7 pounds
(a gallon of milk) while walking
• Safely negotiate stairs, curbs, slopes;
walk and look in all directions in a
reasonable amount of time
• Safely engage in frequent postural
transitions, including changing
directions, reaching, looking up and
moving backwards
• Walk at a minimum speed of 160 ft
per minute (or about 2.6 ft/sec)
• rise from a chair without using your
arms and with minimum effort
While helping a patient with joint
involvement overcome pain and
swelling and regain range of motion
and muscle strength are important to
rehabilitation, other factors need to
be taken into consideration. “Meeting
each patient’s goals associated with
their preferred lifestyles, whether it’s
putting on their shirt independently or
being able to negotiate stairs to go to
work, is what motivates them and us,” concludes Dr. Tripicchio.
Experience the Differencein Rehabilitation
More than 40 sites of care throughout Chicago, suburbs, Rockford and southern WisconsinFor more information, call 1-800-351-3130 or visit us at www.thealdennetwork.com
Short-Term RehabilitationOrthopedic, Cardiac and Stroke Recovery
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies
HEALTH CARE & SENIOR LIVING
Returning to Independence: one step At A timeby: MarlEnE piTurrO, phD
Advanced science for real living.™
800.581.8169
www.oxfordknee.com/IL
©
®
®
®
Mary Lou Retton1984 Olympic Gold MedalistBiomet Joint Replacement Patient
®
®
®
bones & joints
Q: What could be the cause of the
dull and aching pain that radiates
down my inner thigh?
A: you are likely experiencing osteo-
arthritis, or degenerative arthritis of
the hip, which is the breakdown of car-
tilage in the joints. it usually develops
as we age, with symptoms commonly
presenting in the groin area and pain
radiating down the inner thigh and
even the buttocks.
an X-ray of the hip area will deter-
mine the severity of the osteoarthritis.
if there’s little cartilage deterioration,
the first course of treatment we recom-
mend is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications. prior to considering sur-
gery, a patient may also consider a cor-
ticosteroid injection in the hip. because
of the sensitivity of the area, patients
are sedated as a needle is guided into
the affected hip during a flouroscopic
X-ray-controlled procedure. When
the patient awakes, they experience
complete pain relief for about one year
before another injection is needed.
if the osteoarthritis has progressed
to a point where little cartilage remains
in the hip joint, surgery is advised.
When we perform a total hip replace-
ment, we utilize minimally invasive
techniques, high-demand bearings
and uncemented technology. The
implant may last indefinitely, absent of
any complications. Within three weeks,
patients should be back to life as they
knew it, without the pain.
risks are minimal—there’s a 1
percent chance of infection (3 to 5 per-
cent for diabetics or patients who are
immunosurpressed)—and include the
possibility of blood clots, sciatic nerve
damage, fracture of the bone, bleeding
and wound complications.
Q: how do you separate hype from
reality in Orthopaedic Surgery?
A: america faces a crisis of rising
health care costs and a troubled
economy. patients are reading or hear-
ing of new ways to grow or transplant
cartilage in damages joints and are
shown a few patients which have
experienced good results. The past
decade told patients about minimally
invasive surgeries which “do not cut
any muscles” and use shorter incisions.
it is appealing due to the potential of
avoiding pain or recovering faster. Doc-
tors must always embrace the ethics
and morality in our life’s work. We need
to filter out the media noise that exists
in internet, print media, and broadcast
media. Though we treat a patient for
the here and now, we must care for
their long term result. The choice for a
patient might be a procedure proven
in the literature for long term success.
The other choice is unproven recon-
structions that seem to be less invasive
or seem to preserve more of their
anatomy. This might cause a patient to
spend precious healthcare dollars for a
consultation to find out they have been
simply attracted to hype and not the
reality. One of the best recommenda-
tions to a patient is simply to ask their
doctors if there are long term studies
in the literature to show whether their
reconstruction will serve them over a
period of decades. if they cannot, then
they must realize they are now a part
of an unofficial study which may lead
them to a larger and more dangerous
operation in the near future
Q: i’m a baseball player and with a
torn labrum in my shoulder. What is the
labrum and how is it treated?
A: The labrum is a soft, ring of tissue
that encircles the shoulder joint and
adds stability to the shoulder. labral
injuries in athletes usually occur in
one of two locations: the front of the
labrum, called a bankart lesion, or the
top of the labrum, called a Slap tear.
bankart lesions are usually caused by
traumatic injuries, such as shoulder dis-
locations. young athletes with bankart
lesions are at a high risk of repeated
shoulder dislocations unless they seek
treatment. While physical therapy can
help strengthen the shoulder and de-
crease the risk, the most reliable way
of preventing future dislocations is by
fixing the torn labrum. The labrum can
be fixed using a minimally invasive,
arthroscopic technique which allows
for less pain and less scarring. rehabili-
tation after surgery normally takes 4 to
6 months to allow for healing of the
labrum but most patients can expect a
full return to all sports.
Slap tears can also occur from a
traumatic injury but are more com-
monly the result of repeated forceful
motions, such as pitching. Often, these
injuries will improve using conserva-
tive therapies, such as rest, ice, anti-
inflammatory medications (ibuprofen,
naproxen, etc.), and physical therapy. if
these options do not help resolve the
pain, Slap tears can also be repaired
using arthroscopic techniques.
if you have problems with shoulder
pain or instability, see an Orthopaedic
Sports Medicine surgeon who can help
make the diagnosis using physical
exams and an Mri and get you on the
road to recovery!
Q: What should i know about reha-
bilitation?
A: When recovering from hip or
knee surgery, you often have a choice
between recovering at home or in a
skilled nursing facility such as an alden
rehabilitation and health Care Center.
Though there are benefits to both,
those who choose to receive rehabilita-
tive care at an alden rehabilitation and
health Care Center benefit from the
24/7 attention of a multidisciplinary
team of health care professionals that
includes on-staff physicians, therapists,
nurses and other caregivers. What is
important to know about any reha-
bilitation program, whether at an alden
facility or elsewhere, is that it should be
designed to restore functional abilities
so you can return to leading the life-
style you desire as quickly and safely
as possible.
alden rehabilitation and health
Care Centers can offer a wide range
of services including physical, oc-
cupational, speech and respiratory
therapy services up to seven days a
week. in addition to applying the most
current treatment interventions for
your condition, you can expect alden
therapists to focus on you as a person,
addressing your needs, your concerns
and your goals. research shows that
when patients play an active role in
their own recovery and participate in
their treatment goals, clinical outcomes
and satisfaction are both significantly
higher. involving yourself in your treat-
ment plan by voicing your needs and
goals will ensure that each therapy
session is productive and meaningful
to you, and that your recovery will be
just as you want it to be.
Panel of Experts
Henry finn, MDMedical Director, University of Chicago Bone and Joint replacment Center at Weiss Memorial Hospital
Wayne M golDstein, MDClinical Professor or orthopaedics, University of illinois at Chicago; President illinois Bone and Joint institute
Martin lelanD, MDassistant Professor of surgery University of Chicago Medical Center
BoB triPiCCHio, Pt, DsC President, Community Physical therapy & associates (CPt)
Q: What is bone density scanning
and should i have it done?
A: bone density screening, often
referred to as bone densitometry or
dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
(DXa), can be a vital tool to determine
bone loss. if you are at risk for osteopo-
rosis, a weakening of the bone, which
often effects post-menopausal women,
and can occur in men, then you should
definitely ask your physician about
measuring your bone mineral density.
This non-invasive, low-radiation test
can help predict your risk for bone
fractures, especially in the hip and
spine. The DXa machine emits two
low-dose x-ray beams through the
bones of the hip and lower back. The
test is quick, painless, and similar to
a regular x-ray; however, if you are
at risk, it could help prevent painful,
debilitating bone fractures by alerting
you and your physician to decreasing
bone density. risk factors include
post-menopausal age, history of hip
fractures for you or women in your
family, type 1 diabetes, kidney or liver
disease, and smoking. you should make
sure that the american board of radiol-
ogy certifies your radiologist, and the
location you select for your DXa test
is accredited by the american College
of radiology—do not be afraid to ask.
These credentials assure you that the
physician who interprets your results,
and the technologist who conducts
the test, and the equipment used, all
meet the highest level of training and
performance. Once you have a baseline
measurement, you will get the best
indication of changes if you go to the
same facility for future tests.
Peter CorMier, MD northwest Community Hospital Board Certified american Board of radiology
bones & joints
708.429.3455 • www.integrityorthopedics.com6850 W. Centennial Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477
A Premiere Orthopedics Practice
Dr. Daniel Weber
Specializing in knee and hip replacement, knee and shoulder arthroscopy, and sports related injuries.
>> Join Dr Weber for a talk on Anterior Hip Replacement July 16 at 6pm. call 708.429.3455 for details.
According to Dr. Joshua J. Jacobs,
MD, professor and Chairman of
the Department of Orthopae-
dic Surgery at rush university Medi-
cal Center, evidence-based medicine
will help shape the future of muscu-
loskeletal surgery by providing ortho-
paedists with a solid understanding
of which patients will respond best to
which treatments. This evidence will be
provided by high-quality randomized
controlled clinical trials that compare
the efficacy and cost efficiency of dif-
ferent types of surgical and non-sur-
gical treatments, as well as the use of
various materials and biological agents
in implants. The american academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaOS) is ad-
vocating the launch of a national joint
registry, which would track the results
of joint replacement surgeries across
the u.S. giving surgeons access to such
a registry would allow them to assess
procedures and types of implants
based on their performance across
populations. This will help to reduce
the number of failed prostheses and
lead to better patient outcomes and
lower health care costs.
according to Dr. Jacob, early inter-
vention can greatly curtail the effects
of musculoskeletal diseases on patients
in many cases. biotechnology research
is playing a key role in developing
advanced detection and diagnostic
tools to help. The development of ge-
netic tests that can predict a patient’s
likelihood of ever developing an ortho-
paedic disorder will lead to better pre-
vention strategies, and evaluating the
genetic composition of patients’ tissue
will one day help surgeons predict how
patients will react to different surger-
ies. in addition, establishing biomarkers
for orthopaedic diseases will allow
doctors to pinpoint the disorder more
accurately than by interpreting x-rays
or evaluating clinical symptoms.
Orthopaedic tissue engineering
is a growing area of study that uses
engineering principles to regenerate
tissues that are vital to the musculo-
skeletal system, including cartilage,
bone, tendons and ligaments. The goal
of researchers is for patients whose
joints have become damaged due to
worn cartilage to eventually receive
implants made from new cartilage and
bone constructs grown in a lab rather
than from the artificial materials cur-
rently being used.
in an effort to minimize pain and
invasiveness while increasing success
rates, computer- and robot-assisted
orthopaedic surgeries will also become
more commonplace.
by: EMily ZybOrOWiCZ
The Future of Orthopaedic Research
Recovery time, four-six weeks
of limited movement following
the surgery, is one of the major
drawbacks of traditional hip surgery.
it can be addressed by an innovative
but less commonly performed version
of the treatment, anterior approach
hip replacement.
The anterior approach to hip
replacement surgery allows the
surgeon to reach the hip joint from
the front of the hip as opposed to the
side or back, which is the approach
used in the traditional version of the
procedure. The anterior approach
allows the surgeon to replace the hip
without cutting or splitting muscle
tissue, a source of pain and time to heal
following traditional surgery.
Daniel Weber, M.D., of integrity
Orthopedics and board-certified or-
thopaedic surgeon at ingalls Memorial
hospital in harvey, il says that patients
who undergo the minimally invasive
procedure leave the hospital with no
precautions, allowing them to immedi-
ately try to resume normal activity.
he notes that a common misconcep-
tion is that this procedure is a recent
or radical development.
“anterior hip replacement has been
performed regularly by specialists in
the u.S. for at least 15-20 years,” he says,
“it is still uncommon because of the
investment in training and equipment
required of the surgeon and treatment
facility. There are surgeons who resist
training on the procedure because the
traditional approach works well and
three-six months out, there really are
no differences in patient outcomes.”
Dr. Weber believes the accelerated
rehabilitation potential makes the
investment worthwhile.
The procedure is made easier by
a modified surgical table that holds
the patient on his or her back with
an enhanced support for moving and
aligning the leg during surgery. This
allows the surgeon to see all angles of
the patient’s hip. X-rays taken during
surgery ensure correct positioning,
sizing and fit of the artificial hip com-
ponents, as well as correct leg length.
Dr. Weber observes that the table
makes the procedure much easier
to perform. patients who have had
previous hip surgery, particularly inser-
tion of a plate and screw, are generally
poor candidates for the anterior proce-
dure but most others can discuss the
option with their surgeons.
Advances in Anterior Hip Replacement by: SEan DOughErTy
Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries including osteoporosis, arthritis, and bone fractures account for a majority of disabilities in the u.S., particularly among the growing population of patients over the age of 50. This impels orthopaedic researchers to accelerate the rate at which more precise diagnostic tools and cost-effective, reliable treatment options become available.
hip replacement surgery is a wonder of modern surgical practice. The surgery corrects hip problems that lead to crippling pain in arthritic patients and restores them nearly to full function following surgery. More than 235,000 procedures are performed annu-ally, according to a study in the December 2007 issue of The Journal of bone and Joint Surgery.
Image is Everything
It matters who takes the image, reads, and interprets it. At NCH, you can count on experienced, board-certified-radiologists and
highly trained technologists to make sure your diagnostic image is the
best possible tool to help get you better. We produced more than 1
million diagnostic images last year.
You can count on NCH for state-of-the-art technology, precision, safety,
comfort, and speed. For the most accurate and detailed images, our
advanced technology includes a dual-source CT scanner, high-field open
MRI, full-field digital mammography, digital X-rays and more.
We can get the reports—and your image—sent directly to your physician
within just hours. With NCH’s digital technology and electronic archiving,
multiple users can even look at the image, simultaneously, and manipulate it
online for results that are more accurate. We offer locations and times that
make it easy for your diagnostic imaging needs. Learn more at
www.nch.org/image. Or call 847.618.4YOU (4968).