COA Annual Meeting

According statistics presented by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), orthopedic problems are the most common reason for people to look for medical services. Over seven million people in the US require hospitalization because of orthopedic conditions.

These significant figures determine the future of the US orthopedics market and turn it into a truly promising economic sector that has the potential to grow in the future.

Apart from the fact that orthopedic services are in high demand, technologies are changing. This enables innovations in the sector and the creation of more efficient orthopedic supplies. The number of products used in orthopedic treatments is significant: post-surgery shoes, splints, braces, orthosis products, cushions, guards and many others.

Over the past 10 years, the US orthopedics market has experienced steady growth and modernization. Economists believe that the growth will continue for many years to come. Today, modern innovations have created opportunities for the creation of high quality implants that may improve the lifestyle of patients.

This sector is to get even more innovative, especially when it comes to the introduction of ‘smart’ implants made of technologically-advanced materials. Though it sounds like something taken out of a science fiction movie, the creation of implants controlled by microprocessors is expected to take place in the very near future.

Apart from serving the needs of the local market, US orthopedic supplies producers are also responsible for a major portion of the export to other countries. Nearly 60 percent of the global market for such medical supplies is generated by American companies.

Its dominant position will be strengthened in the period from 2011 to 2016, especially when it comes to consumption and demand in developing countries. According to predictions by the Millennium Research Group, the US orthopedics market for braces will expand to the significant 1.4 billion dollars by 2015.

Various additional developments will affect the state of the market. Competition coming from orthopedics producers from other parts of the world has the potential to seriously diminish the prices of such products and services. As a result, these will become more affordable and readily accessible.

It’s all about minimizing invasive procedures when it comes to orthopedic surgery today. Fittingly, some of the biggest breakthroughs in orthopedic surgery equipment are involved with making equipment smaller, more portable and easier to use. Take spinal procedures for example, as nearly 600,000 Americans annually require some form of back surgery. The latest breakthroughs in equipment come through improved visualization so surgeons can see what they’re doing clearly. Advances are being made in the ability to reduce glare and increase illumination inside incisions. New spinal instruments feature low-profile ergonomic hand-held devices with integrated suction. Smaller incisions are the new standard of care, so seeing better inside the procedures are key to successful outcomes and cost savings.

Just as better sight is all-important in the new orthopedic surgeries, sound is important, too. Advances are being made in creating intelligent orthopedic surgical platforms that rely on ultrasonic sensing of position and mechanical alignments. Sensors, microelectronics and wireless communications are being incorporated into orthopedic operating systems to reduce the invasive nature of procedures, save time and ultimately money. New surgical platforms transform joint and spine procedures through the use of sensors to balance soft tissue, conduct mechanical alignments, implant intelligently and solve issues through evidence-based analytics. Getting the procedures right the first time cuts back dramatically the need for revision surgery, costs of which are expected to amount to $8.6 billion.

Sophisticated surgical scopes and instrumentation are part of the new breakthroughs in the orthopedic field. Because the surgery is less invasive, athletes and everyone for that matter are able to return to playing fields or working worlds much more quickly. Operating rooms are featuring custom-designed technologies and integrated smart rooms. Laser back treatment is revolutionizing orthopedics. Laser equipment used in endoscopic surgery means less chance of infection, less invasion and less tissue damage, faster recovery and more precision. Computer-assisted navigation for hip replacement and the use of robotic systems allows surgeons to make small incisions. Previous surgery required incisions as large as the problem area, while breakthroughs in miniaturization and visualization allows for small incisions like keyholes.

What if there was a cure for back pain or injuries due to weak bones? Well, it seems there just may be a way to prevent these problems, but the discipline required may seem insurmountable for young athletes and exercise enthusiasts.

The take-away from this year’s conference of the North American Spine Society is that two key variables are leading to back pain. The guest orthopedic surgeons shared their research with industry professionals concluding that squats with weights and Vitamin D deficiency are the culprits of spinal stress fractures resulting in back pain.

While one may believe they are helping their body by exercising with weighted squats, the exact opposite is happening without them realizing they could be creating stress fractures in their spine. This is especially a problem with youngsters involved in sports, and even the assistance of a physical trainer keeping the child in perfect form will not prevent these injuries. Regardless of form, teenage bodies are made up of bones too weak to handle the weight on the shoulders.

For parents of children involved in sports that are experiencing back pain, it is important to get a diagnosis from doctors that have no personal interests in the sport the child is playing. Far too often spinal fractures are overlooked for the sake of the town losing the most valuable player. This has been a serious problem in college football where teams will give the athlete a pain reliever and then put them back out on the field.

Although a substantial amount of spinal fractures happen in younger years, adults are at significant risk especially between the ages of forty and fifty. This age group has yet to begin taking supplements for Osteoporosis but their bones are prone to weakness, and to top it off their fragile bones are most likely to be Vitamin D deficient. Deficiency in Vitamin D causes slower bone growth, which leaves patients susceptible to injury.
With back problems prevention is the key, so make sure to take supplements, get Vitamin D, and stay away from weighted squats!

Raritan Bay Medical Center is known far and wide for its innovative Human Motions Institute at Perth Amboy, N.J. Add to this world class facility a leading orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Kenneth G. Swan, Jr. and you make the best even better. Dr. Swan is adding a brand new office of his Brunswick Orthopedic Services practice to the Raritan Bay Medical Center so he can help more people in his specialties which include sports medicine, shoulders and general orthopedic trauma care. Dr. Swan is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College with a residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry at Newark, N.J. He also has attained the highest medical rung of his specialty through a fellowship in shoulder surgery and sports medicine at the University of Colorado.

Excitement is what it’s all about at Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Human Motion Institute. Dr. Swan said he was excited to bring his office into the medical pavilion family. RBMC has a considerate magnet nursing staff that is expert and nationally recognized for excellence, he said, adding he was happy to be a part of it. The feeling is mutual as Dr. Swan is renowned for his knowledge and skill. A clinical assistant professor at nearby Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Swan was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school where he first became acquainted with orthopedic care, or the need for it. He suffered several orthopedic injuries but, nevertheless, went on to play varsity football at Cornell University, including a spot on the school’s most recent Ivy League championship in 1990. Dr. Swan also has been an assistant team physician for both the University of Denver and University of Colorado.

The Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center at Perth Amboy is one of a kind, providing total orthopedic treatment intended to return patients to their everyday lives and normal functions as quickly as possible. The Institute employs leading edge techniques to prevent, assess, treat and rehabilitate orthopedic injuries. Clinical expertise combines with compassion and specialty care specifically targeted for the individual patient.

A woman showing up to an orthopedic appointment wearing high heels is asking for a lecture from her doctor. Orthopedic surgeons say that increased high heel wearing can lead to bunions, a condition where the largest toe points toward the second largest toe and causes a bump on the outside edge of the foot. High heels contribute to the problem by being tight on the foot and not conforming to the foot’s natural shape. These shoes often have a sloping foot bed and narrow toe box, squishing toes together and out of shape.

It’s easy to diagnose a bunion because it’s obvious by looking at the toe. It makes the toe look deformed and out of shape. Bunions may be a common sight gag in movies and television but they’re no laughing matter. Bunions are associated with sharp pains in the foot, even when not walking. Severe cases can make it difficult to fit regular shoes and walk around at all.

Bunions are also permanent, requiring the help of an orthopedic surgeon to correct. Surgery can be both expensive and painful. The process involves removing swollen tissue, removing bones from the foot and permanently joining the joints in the big toe. Without surgery, they just get bigger and more painful. If ignored, bunions can cause inflammation and swelling in the joints associated with the big toe.

Although high heel shoes aren’t the only cause of bunions, it’s one of the avoidable ones. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s best to avoid shoes with a heel over two and a quarter inches and to avoid tight shoes altogether. If bunions do occur, use a non-medicated pad over the bump to avoid further trauma to the foot. For situations where the foot is inflamed or in pain, try an ice pack two or three times a day to reduce swelling. Overall, it’s far easier to avoid bunions than to deal with the consequences of them. So instead of wearing yet another pair of uncomfortable, foot deforming high heels, remember that high fashion has consequences.

Orthopedics is the branch of medicine specializing in the musculoskeletal system. Common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons include carpal tunnel repair, knee replacement, hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, and spinal fusion. Like most branches of medicine, orthopedics has many sub-specialties including pediatrics, foot and ankle and spinal surgery. Athletes with sport-related injuries often require the services of orthopedic surgeons, but many non-athletes who have injured themselves in their daily lives also require this medical specialty as well. Fortunately, the United States has several quality hospitals specializing in orthopedics with a concentration in spinal surgery.

Rated one of the top two orthopedic hospitals in the U.S., the Hospital for Specialty Surgery in New York City is a 165-bed facility that performs more than 20,000 orthopedic procedures annually. Not only is HSS recognized for its physicians, but it also has received accolades for providing outstanding nursing care.

Located in Wichita, Kansas, the Kansas Spine Hospital focuses specifically on spinal diagnosis, treatment, and surgery. This facility houses 30 surgeons who are known to have the most positive spinal surgery outcomes in the Midwest. Patients experience hotel-like accommodations with private rooms, valet parking, and menus that are comparable to those offered by hotel room service.

Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago specializes in spinal oncology as well as sports medicine and joint replacement. The 85-bed facility is currently rated the best hospital in Illinois for spinal care with over 2,000 spinal surgeries done annually.

The Oklahoma Spine Hospital in Oklahoma City focuses on spinal treatment, surgery, and pain management. Featuring an education program for pre-surgery patients designed to reduce anxiety as well as an off-site rehabilitation center, the Oklahoma Spine Hospital is truly a comprehensive facility caring for its patients prior to, during, and after their surgeries.

The United States is home to many quality hospitals specializing in Orthopedics with a specialty in spinal care. Due to the number of facilities located throughout the country, patients in need of specialized care will be able to be treated at a quality facility without having to travel across the country.

A new bone graft substitute from Orthofix provides more hope for patients with bone injuries. The recent innovation is another step forward for the medical community and the growing orthopedics company.

Bone grafts are necessary when patients have lost bone tissue. Sample uses for bone grafts include repairing fractures, helping injured bones heal and preventing movement of joints by fusing them with bone tissue. Bone grafting has a high success rate, and full recovery usually occurs within weeks or months.

Both natural and synthetic bone grafts are common. In an autograft, the surgeon takes bone tissue from a healthy bone in the patient’s own body and places it on the injured bone. An alternative natural bone graft is an allograft, in which a healthy donor supplies bone tissue for the patient. The best synthetic bone grafts are strong and durable substitutes for human tissue. Orthofix developed its new bone graft substitute to improve medical care.

Usually, orthopedic surgeons perform bone grafting operations. The surgeon must first obtain bone tissue from the patient or donor if the bone graft is natural. If the bone graft is a synthetic substitute, the procedure begins with a cut over the injured bone. The surgeon places the bone graft over the damaged bone and holds it in place with screws or plates. Finally, the surgeon stitches the wound to close it and prevent bleeding. Over time, the bone graft becomes part of the natural bone. A good synthetic bone graft substitute must be hypoallergenic to prevent infections. To become an orthopedic surgeon, an individual must graduate from medical school before completing a residency with a focus on orthopedics.

Orthofix International has its roots in Verona, Italy, where orthopedic researcher Giovanni de Bastiani developed novel techniques for healing bones. The company now distributes products around the world, including in Italy, the United States, France, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom. Annual sales have grown from a total of $132 million in 2000 to $564 in 2010. The company continues to emphasize innovative products for sports medicine, the spine and orthopedic applications.

Now that the National Football League season is in full swing, the Portage Health Hospital gets to reap a windfall with Dr. Christopher Peer free to join the staff. Dr. Peer specializes in sports medicine and had to wrap up a few shoulders and knees first at the training camp of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dr. Peer believes all athletes are created equal, at least when it comes to receiving the best possible sports medicine care. While he specializes in knee and shoulder care, he also is highly practiced in arthroscopic procedures and sports medicine. He is a Georgetown University Medical School graduate with orthopedic surgery training at the University of New Mexico. That led to a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine- the top training in the profession- at Kansas City and work with the Chiefs. He even kept working with the Chiefs when he took a position at North County Hospital in Newport, Vt.

Portage Health is a leading Michigan health provider with a main campus at Hancock, Mi. Many services and specialties are available including family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, OB/GYN with a visiting specialty clinic, rehab, inpatient, emergency, audiology and much more. Other Portage Health facilities are at Houghton, which features express care and a totally equipped fitness center, and at Michigan Tech. A Lake Linden medical group serves that community with a full-service clinic. Ontonagon has a community health center providing specialty physicians in conjunction with the Marquette General Health System.

Transitioning to Portage Health is a natural for Dr. Peer, a board certified- the highest level- orthopedic surgeon who believes in being a team player. Accidents, overuse,and long-term wear and tear happen. Dr. Peer joins the great Portage Health orthopedic team that includes Dr. Jennifer Bow and Dr. Larry Carroll. These two specialize in every type of orthopedic procedure and sports medicine treatment, so Dr. Peer fits in perfectly. Dr. Peer will add even more expertise to the Portage sports medicine team and to the general orthopedics excellence of the health network, according to Jim Bogan, president and CEO of Portage Health.

Apparently, our skeletons need plenty of reinforcing, because a new report by MarketsandMarkets.com claims that the global orthopedics market will be worth $57.9 billion US Dollars by 1016.

While all forms of orthopedic devices are growing rapidly, spinal devices stand out from the pack, growing 9.3% year over year. This helps contribute to the overall growth rate of the orthopedics industry, which is expected to grow 6.5% year over year. While total revenue is expected to rise, the numbers are mitigated somewhat by the decreasing cost of the hardware.

Orthobiologics growth falls behind that of spinal devices, but it is still impressive at 6.9% year over year. Orthobiologics, despite being a fairly new field, are very much in demand to fix damage that was previously untreatable. The bone grafts and growth factors used can repair pitted and chipped bones to a less painful condition.

Joint reconstruction remains the largest segment of orthopedic revenue, and it will continue to grow, albeit slightly slower than the rest of the industry, at 5.8%. This segment alone is worth $13.6 billion US Dollars, or nearly a quarter of the entire industry’s projected value. This growth is thanks to the growing demand for replacement joints, which have improved dramatically since they were first developed in 1925. Modern replacement joints wear slowly and have nearly the same range of motion as their natural counterparts, and the surgeries have gotten significantly safer. This has led to those who previously would have just suffered through joint pain to seek medical intervention.

Arthroscopic devices and trauma fixation devices are roughly average in both revenue and growth.

Orthopedic accessories and Brace devices are the big losers in the industry, both growing slowly and contributing very little to overall revenue.

The growth of the orthopedic market is good for people everywhere, as competition and demand will drive down prices and simplify surgeries. Orthopedic surgeries could one day be seen as medically necessary as immunizations, thanks to a decreasingly low barrier to entry. Who knows? The proliferation of skeletal technologies could one day drive up our life span.

Orthopedics is one of the most exciting medical fields today as innovations in surgical techniques and instruments have brought less invasive and better relief to the hundreds of thousands of orthopedic patients annually. Consider the work of 12 well-known spine and neurosurgeons on the move today.

Dr. Joshua Landa is now with Atlantic Spine Care of Edison, N.J. He is on the cutting edge of the new minimally invasive and open procedures. He finished fellowships at Cleveland Clinic in neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery. Dr. Joel Norman recently took a position at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville. Following completion of a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Minnesota, Dr. John Olsewski joined the NYU Langone Orthopedics at Westchester, N.Y. He is assistant professor in the orthopedic surgery department at NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. George Picetti joined the Sutter Medical Group at Sacramento, Calif.

Dr. Anthony Scaduto is the new president and CEO of Los Angeles Orthopedic Hospital. He has been medical director there as well as chief of pediatric orthopedics at Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital. Dr. Joshua Ellwitz joined Bronson Healthcare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine following his fellowship at UC Davis in adult and pediatric spinal deformity. Dr. Alan Cohen was named neurosurgeon-in-chief and chair of Children’s Hospital Boston. He hopes to create a new minimally invasive neurosurgery laboratory at the hospital. Dr. Alice Cherqui joined the West Tennessee Neurosciences-Spine Center. She recently completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery.

Joining NorthShore University HealthSystem as chair of the department of neurosurgery, Dr. Julian Bailes also was named co-director of NorthShore Neurological Institute. Dr. Christian Zimmerman is the new man in charge of the Idaho Neurological Institute. He is a member of the North American Spine Society. His medical degree is from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Dr. Michael Neuwirth is director of the Spine Institute of New York at Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Kerry Bernardo joined the Wesley Medical Center at Wichita, Kan. He is a member of the Society of Neuroscience and American College of Surgeons.