Zimmer AAOS Daily Highlights - February 16, 2007
Improving the Surgeon's Quality of Life Through Efficiencies
Feb
16, 2007 04:31 PM
| What are the key factors in improving the surgeon's quality of life through efficiencies? This question was answered by Mark Hartzband, M.D. and Paul Duwelius, M.D. in the final 2007 Zimmer Theater presentation. One important factor, according to Dr. Hartzband, is to know your strong points and hone those skills. From there, it is a matter of creating and developing a talented and committed team, and setting up an efficient and professional office. |
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Building a winning team involves working with everyone connected with your practice, and everyone involved at the hospital. Training this team is a two-way operation; the surgeon must train others, but must also accept training from them.
Dr. Duwelius discussed the details of establishing a collaborative effort among the surgeon, office staff, and hospital. He stressed that all sides must have a willingness to change. He then discussed MIS surgery and the accompanying economic implications, as well as the factors contributing to a short hospital stay. Both surgeons agreed that efficient management of the practice and the hospital is part of the pathway to not only improving patient outcomes, but also improving the quality of the surgeon's life.
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The Zimmer Booth Feb 16, 2007 02:36 PM |
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THA/MISsion: Possible
Feb 16, 2007 02:13 PM
Clive Duncan, M.D. moderated a panel discussion at the Zimmer Theater about
MIS total hip arthroplasty. Joining him on the panel were Jack
Bowling, Jr., M.D., Russell
Cohen, M.D., Lawrence
Dorr, M.D., and Steven
Myers, M.D. The general consensus was that all approaches work well, and
that the specific approach used depends mostly on surgeon preference and
comfort level.
Dr. Cohen stressed that surgeons should not be overly
concerned about incision length. It is more important, he explained, to
focus on minimal disruption of ligaments and other soft tissues. Dr. Myers
agreed, adding that minimal disruption of function is very important.
Dr.
Dorr discussed how surgeons must deal with soft tissue differently when
performing MIS surgery. He designed a series of retractors that help improve
visualization, protect soft tissues, and allow assistants to control the
exposure throughout the procedure.
Dr. Bowling talked about the
importance of component positioning and tips were provided by all the
participants about methods of ensuring proper positioning. Dr. Dorr uses
computer-assisted component positioning to help eliminate outliers.
The
surgeons also discussed the safety of MIS surgery, concluding that proper
surgeon training, appropriate patient selection, and the use of appropriate
instrumentation are important to avoiding complications.
All the
surgeons agreed that their patients tend to do better with MIS procedures,
and that part of the reason is that patients feel better knowing that an MIS
procedure is used. According to the group, about 40% of patients who need
THA do not get it because they fear a long recovery time. Knowing that there
is a potential for quicker recovery has given many patients the confidence
to proceed with THA. Dr. Duncan concluded by saying that MIS THA has now
become a standard of care.
Zimmer Funds Career Development Awards
Feb 16, 2007 02:06 PM
Zimmer announced today that it has funded a total of more than $300,000 in unrestricted grants to seven orthopaedic surgeons who are early in their careers and are pursuing further training or investigation. The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) administered the selection process. Two of the awards were targeted for minority and female applicants, with recommendations made by the J. Robert Gladden and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Societies. The Zimmer Orthopaedic Career Development Awards are designed to help develop the next generation of orthopaedic leaders by supporting surgeons who have a clinical or scientific interest in total joint surgery and trauma-related fracture treatment. Grants have been made in each of the past seven years and the amount awarded by Zimmer now totals approximately $2.5 million. The winners were recognized today at this ceremony in the Zimmer AAOS exhibit. A full press release on the grants can be viewed on the Zimmer corporate web site atwww.zimmer.com.
Zimmer Presents Research Awards Focused on Women's Health Issues
Feb
16, 2007 02:01 PM
| Zimmer announced today that it has presented two $30,000 research awards specifically focused on women's musculoskeletal health issues. The awards were announced in a ceremony in the Zimmer AAOS Exhibit Booth and at the annual luncheon of The Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS), an organization of orthopaedic surgeons dedicated to advancing women's health issues. The RJOS luncheon is held in conjunction with the annual AAOS meeting. Sheryl Conley, Zimmer Group President, Americas and Global Marketing, and Chief Marketing Officer, here addresses the luncheon |
Sheryl Conley, Zimmer Group President, Americas and Global Marketing, and
Chief Marketing Officer
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. The Zimmer Research Award winners were selected by a committee of RJOS
members. A full press release on the awards can be viewed on the Zimmer
corporate web site atwww.zimmer.com.
MIS TKA - Changing Your Practice
Feb 16, 2007 01:32 PM
Three pioneers of MIS knee surgery discussed the current state of the
procedure at the Zimmer Theater. Thomas
Coon, M.D. opened the presentation with a discussion of the Best
Practice Solution, which includes anesthesia, pain management,
intraoperative management, and rehabilitation. Dr. Coon discussed the use of
pre-emptive analgesics and anti-emetics, as well as intracapsular
anesthesia. He also discussed discharge goals and postoperative management.
Finally, Dr. Coon talked about the indications for a quad-sparing approach,
and reviewed the latest clinical studies using the approach.
Mark
Hartzband, M.D. continued the discussion by explaining how to choose an
appropriate approach. The primary considerations, according to Dr.
Hartzband, are to reduce muscle trauma, violate less soft tissue, and avoid
excessive tension on the extensor mechanism. He then reviewed some of the
typical approaches, including the medial parapatellar approach, the
midvastus approach, the subvastus approach, and the quad-sparing approach.
Richard
Berger, M.D. discussed recovery after MIS TKA, providing tips and
statistics about reducing hospitalization and overall recovery time. One of
the determining factors in successful MIS TKA, according to Dr. Berger, is
how well the surgeon mobilizes the patella. He explained that quick recovery
depends on technique, pain management, patient education, and rehabilitation.
To Reverse or Not to Reverse: The Anatomical Shoulder System
Feb
16, 2007 10:42 AM
| "The future of shoulder arthroplasty is now," according to John Warner, M.D. who, along with Lawrence Higgins, M.D. and Christian Gerber, M.D., opened the Zimmer Theater Friday with a presentation on the current state of total shoulder arthroplasty. Dr. Warner began by reviewing the challenges of shoulder arthroplasty and reconstruction. He stressed the importance of recognizing the anatomy, developing your skills, and selecting the proper implants. |
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Dr. Warner then introduced theAnatomical Shoulder™ System, which is designed to replicate the anatomy that is unique to each patient. He particularly stressed the importance of humeral reconstruction, and how it affects glenoid survival.
Dr. Higgins then discussed the use of the system for inverse-reverse
applications. He explained that the same stem is used for all applications
of the system. Dr. Higgins stressed the importance of restoring the lever
arm to optimize function. He then reviewed a case history involving a
patient who underwent a conversion of a primary arthroplasty to a reverse
arthroplasty without revising the stem component.
Dr. Gerber then
explained the use of the system for fracture indications. He explained how
the system is designed to address the issues of stability of tuberosity
fixation, tuberosity positioning, and poor bone quality.
