Should Thomas Davis play in Super Bowl with broken forearm?

https://youtu.be/APrhQFSbz2I

Reposted from Duke Medicine

When Carolina Panthers’ linebacker Thomas Davis broke his forearm during the NFC Championship game, speculation surrounded his decision to play in the upcoming Super Bowl, and whether he could play at the same level. Duke orthopaedic surgeon Ned Amendola, MD, said playing football with a broken forearm is definitely possible; whether he can perform to his potential will be unknown until closer to game day.

Can Thomas Davis play in the Super Bowl with broken forearm?

Doctors can only speculate about which bone or bones Thomas Davis broke when the Carolina Panthers linebacker injured his right forearm during a tackle in last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Surgery to repair the break may have included plates and/or screws to stabilize the bone, said Ned Amendola, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine at Duke. A hard, durable splint that’s appropriately padded per NFL rules can help protect the bone during the game as it heals.

“Theoretically he can play because the bone is stable and because of the hardware,” Amendola said. “If the player is able to tolerate the discomfort, it’s definitely feasible for him to play” as long as he understands the risks and ramifications of playing with a broken bone two weeks after his injury.

Watch the above video to hear Amendola talk more about the risks of Davis playing on Super Bowl Sunday.

Anand B. Joshi, MD, MHA, featured in Family Circle Magazine

In the most recent issue of Family Circle, interventional spine specialist Anand B. Joshi, MD, MHA, talks about “How to Defeat Back Pain.”anand-b.joshi-md-mha_3

Excerpt:
Myth: You should only see an orthopedic surgeon. Most people won’t need surgery. In other words, consulting an orthopedic surgeon is often unnecessary. “See your family physician first,” says Anand B. Joshi, MD, MHA, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center. He or she is your first line of defense and can refer you to a specialist. When deciding on next steps, consider your level of pain. Chiropractors , for example, are great for those suffering from severe discomfort because they work on your body for you, whereas physical therapists design a program of stretches, strength training and other treatments you perform yourself.

Read the full article here.

Carolina Hurricanes forward, Erik Cole; William Richardson, MD; and the 10-year Anniversary of the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Victory

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As the Carolina Hurricanes approach their 10-year anniversary of winning the Stanley Cup, Tripp Tracy sat down with 9-season (2001-2011) Hurricanes forward, Erik Cole, to discuss his time with the Hurricanes and his remarkable comeback after suffering a fractured vertebra in his neck after getting hit by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman, Brooks Opik.

While the injury kept Erik out of the Hurricanes’ lineup until Game 6 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, he was able to make a quick return in Game 7 due to the exceptional care and treatment from Duke Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, William Richardson, MD. The Hurricanes went on to win the Stanley Cup in Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers.

Click here to see all of the Stanley Cup Anniversary celebrations.

 

@DukeOrtho Twitter at #AAOS2016 and #ORS2016

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Calling all Tweeters! This year at AAOS and ORS, you will be able to find updates on presentations, awards, and everything else you need to know via the @DukeOrtho Twitter feed!

We also encourage everyone to share their photos, their experiences, etc. by tagging:Unknown

AAOS: @DukeOrtho #AAOS2016
ORS: @DukeOrtho #ORS2016

AAOS has also come out with a “My Academy” App, which allows you to plan, navigate, and enjoy total control of your Academy meeting. Build your complete educational and social program and receive automatic reminders and maps to help you manage your time and opportunities. It is free in the App Store or Google Play.

Duke Rehab 2 Performance and Duke Recreation providing FREE movement physicals

Duke Rehab 2 Performance and Duke Recreation are providing FREE movement physicals for all students, faculty and staff. A yearly movement physical is essential to assess movement qualities and screen for pain in specific patterns that are deteriorating due to poor body habits or stressful work environments. Following the screening, individualized exercises will be provided through an online platform to help optimize your movement.
When: January 27th, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Wilson Recreation Center
Questions, contact: justin.losciale@duke.edu
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Spinal implant improves quality of life for little girl with early onset scoliosis

(Reposted from www.dukemedicine.org)
January 20, 2016 \ Karen Doss Bowman

Aubrey Parks’ parents thought their 7-year-old daughter would need at least eight surgeries over the next three years to treat her early onset scoliosis. Instead, the newly FDA-approved MAGEC rod was implanted in her back to lengthen her spine in tiny increments via remote control. This innovative technology is one of the best treatment options available for scoliosis.

Born with spina bifida; living with scoliosis

A vivacious, quick-witted first grader, Aubrey Parks is a “girly girl” who loves to dress like a princess, said her mother, Laura Parks. Unfortunately, wearing frilly dresses hasn’t been possible for the past four years. Instead, Aubrey has worn a corset-style brace around her torso to treat early onset scoliosis.

Aubrey was born at Duke with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair for mobility. The birth defect occurs when a section of a developing fetus’ spinal column fails to close properly. Early onset scoliosis is a common complication. Bracing can minimize the progressive curve of the spine, but by early 2015, it was clear that Aubrey’s brace was no longer effective.  Her spinal curve had progressed to more than 100 degrees. Her pelvis had tilted and her vertebrae were twisted like a spiral staircase.

When Laura and her husband Brian realized Aubrey would need multiple spinal surgeries, the family relocated from Chesapeake, VA, to Willow Springs, NC, to be closer to Duke and Aubrey’s pediatric spine surgeon, Robert Lark, MD. “Dr. Lark is an amazing doctor and really instills confidence in us as parents,” said Parks, who also has a son, Carson.

Watch the video below to hear Aubrey share her story.

Duke Hand Surgery in Honduras

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself; the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn

The THP team included (numbered from left to right): 1- Marcy Tucker, MD; 4 – Chelsea Leversedge; 6 – Scott Kozin, MD; 7 – Fraser Leversedge, MD; 9 – Jeremy Miles, MD

The THP team included (numbered from left to right): 1- Marcy Tucker, MD; 4 – Chelsea Leversedge; 6 – Scott Kozin, MD; 7 – Fraser Leversedge, MD; 9 – Jeremy Miles, MD

This past September, Duke hand surgeon and Vice Chair of Education, Fraser Leversedge, MD; Scott Kozin, MD (Duke Class of 1982); current Duke hand fellow, Jeremy Miles, MD; and Marcy Tucker, MD, PhD, a Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center anesthesiologist, along with physicians and nurses from around the country, travelled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, for six days as part of the Touching Hands Project (THP). The Touching Hands Project was the vision of Dr. Kozin and was developed during his presidency of the ASSH in 2014. THP is coordinated by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and its Foundation and currently sponsors 8-10 mission trips per year to underserved regions around the world.

The Honduras brigade was based at the Ruth Paz Hospital and Clinic where they treated both adults and children and participated in several community events.

The THP team provided care for adults and children involving microsurgical skills to basic fracture care, and from complex wound reconstruction to the treatment of tendonitis and arthritis related conditions.

The THP team provided care for adults and children involving microsurgical skills to basic fracture care, and from complex wound reconstruction to the treatment of tendonitis and arthritis related conditions

Day 1 began with a pre-mission planning conference, where the THP team went over the week’s itinerary and safety precautions. Later that day, the team saw 65 patients at the inaugural Ruth Paz foundation THP clinic. Eighteen pediatric surgical cases and 28 adult cases were performed over the week; many cases involving chronic and disabling injuries such as burn injuries, machete injuries, gunshot wounds, nerve and tendon injuries, fracture malunions, and congenital deformities. Two operating rooms, with two operating tables per room, were utilized full time throughout the week.

On Day 2, the THP team treated an 8-year-old boy with substantial healed burn scars over most of his body from a house fire. They later performed web space reconstruction surgery (using local flaps) in a subsequent procedure to address the web-creep restricting the motion of his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th web spaces. Several open wounds and chronic flexor tendon injuries required reconstruction.

The caseload on Day 3 ranged from a trigger finger on a two-year-old, to median nerve grafting, arm fractures, and machete injuries to the hand.

Jeremy Miles, MD (left), a current Duke Hand Surgery fellow was able to gain invaluable pediatric/congenital hand surgery experience working with Scott Kozin, MD (right)

Jeremy Miles, MD (left), a current Duke Hand Surgery fellow was able to gain invaluable pediatric/congenital hand surgery experience working with Scott Kozin, MD (right)

On Day 4, the THP team visited a local orphanage. Upon arrival, the team was excitedly greeted by children ranging in age from 4 to 13 years. After playing a competitive soccer match with the children, the team enjoyed dinner with the founder of the Ruth Paz Clinic and daughter of Ruth Paz, Mary Ann.

On Day 5, the team performed 8 surgeries, including two brachial plexus palsy cases. The first was a 3-year-old boy with a neglected, upper-trunk birth palsy who lacked shoulder external rotation. He had marked
improvement in functional arc of motion after a humeral osteotomy. The second patient was a 45-year-old male with a traumatic injury involving nerves C5 thru C7 that required nerve transfers.

Dr. Leversedge provided care for numerous patients with chronic tendon and nerve injuries during the THP visit to Honduras

Dr. Leversedge provided care for numerous patients with chronic tendon and nerve injuries during the THP visit to Honduras

On the final day, the THP team performed eight cases in two rooms. During the day, various items were packed and tallied. The team rounded one last time, making sure post-operative plans were well-detailed for the local orthopaedic surgeons, who perform follow-up visits with patients treated by the THP. A strategy for communication between the local surgeons and clinic and the senior THP surgeons was established.

During the THP’s trip, 42 cases were performed and 73 patients were evaluated.

Dr. Leversedge will be returning to Honduras as team leader for the THP in Spring 2016and is eager to continue helping those less fortunate and to make a positive impact on the global community. Six members of the Duke medical community are committed to the multi-institution trip already!

To read more about the THP and their trip to Honduras, please visit the Touching Hands Project in Honduras website.