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Foot and Ankle Care - Blue Ridge Surgery Center

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Founded 1982<br />

www.broa.com<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics Associates, PA<br />

10630 Clemson Blvd., Ste. 100<br />

Seneca, SC 29678<br />

Phone: (864) 482-6000<br />

Fax: (864) 482-7000<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Surgery</strong> <strong>Center</strong><br />

10630 Clemson Blvd., Ste. 200<br />

Seneca, SC 29678<br />

Phone: (864) 482-5100<br />

Fax: (864) 482-9100<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics Associates, PA<br />

AnMed Cardiology & Orthopaedic <strong>Center</strong><br />

100 Healthy Way, Ste. 1200<br />

Anderson, SC 29621<br />

Phone: (864) 260-9910<br />

Fax: (864) 328-1451<br />

Founder<br />

Larry S. Bowman, MD<br />

President<br />

Sean McCallum, MD<br />

Secretary/Treasurer<br />

John H. Murray, MD<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics is an educational <strong>and</strong><br />

informative resource for physicians, health care<br />

professionals, employer groups, <strong>and</strong> the general<br />

public. <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics’ goal for this<br />

publication is to introduce its staff <strong>and</strong> facilities<br />

<strong>and</strong> provide a forum for communicating news <strong>and</strong><br />

trends involving orthopaedic-related injuries <strong>and</strong><br />

treatments, as well as other health-related topics<br />

of interest.<br />

Opening Remarks<br />

Welcome to the new fall edition of the <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedic<br />

Journal. We welcome fall with the beginning of a new<br />

school year <strong>and</strong> all the excitement <strong>and</strong> anticipation of a new<br />

season for our high school <strong>and</strong> college athletes.<br />

We hope this season is a healthy <strong>and</strong> successful one for all the athletes in the upstate<br />

area, <strong>and</strong> we at <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics remain firmly committed to ensure their<br />

safety at all levels of play.<br />

Please join us in supporting all our athletes, b<strong>and</strong> members, cheerleaders, <strong>and</strong> volunteers<br />

who put in countless hours of hard work to make this area a very special place<br />

every fall.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

P. Sean McCallum, MD<br />

The information contained in this publication is not<br />

intended to replace a physician’s professional consultation<br />

<strong>and</strong> assessment. Please consult your physician<br />

on matters related to your personal health.<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics is published by Quest-<br />

Corp Media Group, Inc., 885 E. Collins Blvd., Ste.<br />

102, Richardson, TX 75081. Phone (972) 447-0910<br />

or (888) 860-2442, fax (972) 447-0911, qcmedia.<br />

com. QuestCorp specializes in creating <strong>and</strong> publishing<br />

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com. Please call or fax for a new subscription,<br />

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of QuestCorp Media Group, Inc. To advertise<br />

in an upcoming issue of this publication, please<br />

contact us at (888) 860-2442 or visit us on the Web<br />

at qcmedia.com. November 2007<br />

4<br />

6<br />

10<br />

13<br />

In This Issue<br />

<strong>Foot</strong> <strong>and</strong> ankle care<br />

Solutions to common orthopaedic conditions<br />

Treating knee osteoarthritis<br />

Options include drugs <strong>and</strong> varied surgical procedures<br />

Healing at home<br />

Home health services after your total joint replacement<br />

Two medical professionals join <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthpaedics<br />

Photo credit: Cover photograph by Drew Jeffries<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 3


<strong>Foot</strong> <strong>and</strong> ankle care<br />

Solutions to common orthopaedic conditions By W. Bruce Richmond II, MD<br />

Our feet <strong>and</strong> ankles average more than<br />

1,000 miles a year <strong>and</strong> withst<strong>and</strong><br />

forces equal to several tons during<br />

an average day of st<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> walking.<br />

So it is no wonder most of us experience<br />

significant foot <strong>and</strong> ankle pain during<br />

some point of our lives. Orthopaedic care<br />

of worn out joints, torn tendons, broken<br />

bones, <strong>and</strong> overuse injuries of athletes at<br />

all levels gets more complex each year.<br />

To address these complex problems some<br />

orthopaedic surgeons spend an extra year<br />

of training, called a fellowship, to learn<br />

how to identify <strong>and</strong> treat these challenging<br />

disorders.<br />

This report highlights a few of the many<br />

types of patients <strong>and</strong> problems that an<br />

orthopaedic specialist practicing foot <strong>and</strong><br />

ankle care typically treats.<br />

4 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

The foot <strong>and</strong> ankle are common sites of<br />

overuse injuries in athletes, including sprains,<br />

broken bones, <strong>and</strong> tendinitis.<br />

The athlete<br />

For athletes from weekend warriors to<br />

elite college players, the foot <strong>and</strong> ankle<br />

are the most often injured parts of the<br />

body. Broken bones, tendinitis, stress<br />

fractures, sprains, ankle instability, shin<br />

splints, plantar fasciitis, <strong>and</strong> exercise-induced<br />

leg pain (also known by the term<br />

exertional compartment syndrome) can<br />

halt athletes in their tracks.<br />

Rapid return to sports participation with<br />

an emphasis on preventing recurrent<br />

problems is the primary goal of an orthopaedic<br />

surgeon specializing in foot <strong>and</strong><br />

ankle care. Combinations of medications,<br />

physical therapy, <strong>and</strong>, when appropriate,<br />

minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery<br />

help promote the body’s natural healing.


Traumatic injury to bones in the foot or ankle<br />

requires immediate attention <strong>and</strong> extended<br />

follow-up care.<br />

The trauma victim<br />

Acute injuries to the foot <strong>and</strong> ankle with<br />

open wounds are surgical emergencies<br />

that need urgent attention in the operating<br />

room. For injuries without open<br />

wounds, recent medical research demonstrates<br />

that waiting a week or two <strong>and</strong><br />

allowing swelling to decrease first leads<br />

to fewer problems <strong>and</strong> better overall<br />

healing. Displaced fractures (the medical<br />

term for a broken bone) are treated with<br />

open reduction <strong>and</strong> internal fixation. The<br />

orthopaedic surgeon makes an incision in<br />

the skin to visualize the fracture. Then he<br />

manipulates <strong>and</strong> reduces the fracture by<br />

putting the broken fragments in normal<br />

alignment. Next, metal screws, wires, <strong>and</strong><br />

plates stabilize the bones until the body<br />

restores the bone to its normal state.<br />

Too much st<strong>and</strong>ing can contribute to fallen<br />

arches or flat feet, a painful <strong>and</strong> disabling<br />

orthopaedic condition.<br />

Flat feet on middle-aged patient<br />

The posterior tibial tendon begins as a<br />

muscle in the lower leg <strong>and</strong> passes behind<br />

the bony prominence on the inside of<br />

our ankles. Long periods of st<strong>and</strong>ing,<br />

sometimes combined with inherited disorders,<br />

can cause the tendon to weaken<br />

<strong>and</strong> stretch out over time. The end result<br />

is pain, frequently debilitating, <strong>and</strong> flattening<br />

of the arch. As the problem progresses,<br />

the person may actually start to<br />

walk on the inside of the foot <strong>and</strong> develop<br />

pain on the outside of the foot from the<br />

ankle bone bumping up against the heel<br />

bone. Early intervention with medication,<br />

orthotics (or arch supports), <strong>and</strong> physical<br />

therapy reduce pain <strong>and</strong> improve function.<br />

However, late stages of the disease<br />

require surgical reconstruction.<br />

<strong>Surgery</strong> for toe deformities such as hammertoes,<br />

corns, <strong>and</strong> bunions (shown here) can<br />

resolve pain <strong>and</strong> restore mobility.<br />

Toe deformities<br />

Bunions, hammertoes, claw toes, corns,<br />

<strong>and</strong> calluses can merely be cosmetic problems,<br />

but for most people these disorders<br />

significantly limit their daily activities <strong>and</strong><br />

affect their quality of life. Neuromas near<br />

the toes are also quite disabling. Many<br />

nonoperative techniques also are available<br />

to straighten the toes, thus relieving<br />

pain <strong>and</strong> allowing people to increase their<br />

overall daily activity level.<br />

There are hundreds of different ways<br />

to correct these deformities with surgery,<br />

but performing the wrong surgery<br />

can make the problem worse.<br />

Summary<br />

The foot <strong>and</strong> ankle encompass 30<br />

bones. Holding these bones together<br />

are ligaments, which allow normal<br />

motion but prevent excessive motion.<br />

Many muscles attach to these bones<br />

with tendons to move the bones <strong>and</strong><br />

propel us as we walk <strong>and</strong> run.<br />

An intricate pattern of blood vessels<br />

<strong>and</strong> nerves supply the bones, ligaments,<br />

muscles, <strong>and</strong> tendons. Injury, overuse, or<br />

general wear <strong>and</strong> tear to any one of<br />

these parts of the foot <strong>and</strong> ankle can<br />

lead to pain <strong>and</strong> disability.<br />

The physicians <strong>and</strong> staff of <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong><br />

Orthopaedics are committed to relieving<br />

pain <strong>and</strong> improving people’s ability<br />

to resume normal activities. The office<br />

is proud to offer specialized care in<br />

the treatment of foot <strong>and</strong> ankle problems<br />

by an orthopaedic surgeon with<br />

fellowship training in foot <strong>and</strong> ankle<br />

surgery. BR<br />

A native of Greenville, South<br />

Carolina, W. Bruce Richmond<br />

II, MD, joined <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong><br />

Orthopaedics in 1999. He<br />

earned a Bachelor of Science<br />

degree in biology from<br />

Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina,<br />

<strong>and</strong> received his medical degree from<br />

the Medical University of South Carolina in<br />

Charleston. After his internship, Dr. Richmond<br />

served in the United States Army for<br />

four years <strong>and</strong> completed his medical training<br />

at Erlanger Medical <strong>Center</strong> of the University of<br />

Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga<br />

Unit, with residency in Orthpaedic <strong>Surgery</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> a fellowship in Orthpaedic Trauma. He<br />

completed an additional fellowship in <strong>Foot</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>Ankle</strong> surgery in August of 2007. Dr.<br />

Richmond is board certified by the American<br />

Board of Orthopaedic <strong>Surgery</strong>. Dr. Richmond<br />

is a member of the American Academy<br />

of Orthopaedic <strong>Surgery</strong> <strong>and</strong> the American<br />

Orthopaedic <strong>Foot</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ankle</strong> Society.<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 5


Treating knee<br />

osteoarthritis<br />

Options include drugs <strong>and</strong> varied<br />

surgical procedures<br />

By James C. Mills III, MD<br />

6 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics


Osteoarthritis is the most common<br />

joint disease in humans. It is generally<br />

referred to as “wear <strong>and</strong> tear”<br />

arthritis, unlike rheumatoid arthritis,<br />

which is hereditary. Osteoarthritis is<br />

generally age related, affecting about 80<br />

percent of people over age 55. It correlates<br />

closely with high body mass index,<br />

a measurement of obesity. As the baby<br />

boomers age <strong>and</strong> obesity increases, the<br />

rate of osteoarthritis will continue to<br />

increase in the weight bearing joints. In<br />

osteoarthritis, the rate of cartilage (or<br />

joint lining) repair <strong>and</strong> cartilage breakdown<br />

is out of balance. The result is progressive<br />

cartilage deterioration that leads<br />

to osteoarthritis.<br />

Clinical presentation<br />

Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee<br />

generally present with pain. The pain<br />

usually worsens with activity <strong>and</strong> gets<br />

better with rest. In addition, there is<br />

pain when going up <strong>and</strong> down stairs<br />

<strong>and</strong> rising from the sitting position. In<br />

more advanced cases, there maybe pain<br />

at night. Examination of an arthritic<br />

knee generally reveals a decrease in the<br />

motion or bending ability of the knee,<br />

pain with bending, <strong>and</strong> swelling <strong>and</strong><br />

popping sounds with motion. One may<br />

also feel the bony overgrowths, called<br />

osteophytes, that are associated with<br />

more advanced cases.<br />

The wear that typically occurs with<br />

osteoarthritis involves the inner part of<br />

the knee, called the medial compartment,<br />

which results in a “bowlegged” deformity<br />

called varus (see Figure 1). Occasionally,<br />

the outer part of the knee wears<br />

out, resulting in a “knock-kneed” deformity<br />

called valgus (see Figure 2). One<br />

does not see such deformity with rheumatoid<br />

arthritis, which generally results<br />

in a worse uniform collapse of the knee<br />

without the associated bony spurs.<br />

Treatment options include nonoperative<br />

measures such as activity modifications,<br />

over-the-counter <strong>and</strong> prescription nonsteroidal<br />

anti-inflammatory medications,<br />

dietary supplements, cortisone injections,<br />

<strong>and</strong> hyaluronic acid injections. Operative<br />

treatment includes arthroscopic treatment,<br />

unicompartment replacement, <strong>and</strong><br />

total knee replacement.<br />

Lab findings<br />

There are no abnormal lab studies<br />

with osteoarthritis.<br />

Nonoperative treatments<br />

Nonoperative measures attempt to<br />

decrease pain as well as slow the rate of<br />

further joint wear. This includes weight<br />

reduction in cases of obesity coupled<br />

with low impact activities such as water<br />

aerobics <strong>and</strong> swimming. It is important<br />

to keep active so that muscle strength<br />

<strong>and</strong> joint motion do not decrease as well.<br />

During times of excessive pain, patients<br />

may have to decrease activity temporarily<br />

to control the pain. For the most part,<br />

a moderate exercise regimen is recommended<br />

to maintain strength <strong>and</strong> preserve<br />

the quality of life in patients with<br />

mild to moderate osteoarthritis.<br />

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs<br />

(NSAIDs) are the mainstay of treatment<br />

for pain associated with osteoarthritis.<br />

Narcotics are seldom used<br />

to treat acute pain associated with<br />

Figure 1. Varus, bowlegged deformity.<br />

Figure 2. Valgus, Knock-kneed deformity.<br />

osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are used to<br />

decrease the inflammation <strong>and</strong> pain<br />

associated with osteoarthritis, but they<br />

do not affect the progressive deterioration<br />

of the joint. Over-the-counter<br />

(OTC) acetaminophen is widely used to<br />

treat osteoarthritis pain. It is inexpensive<br />

<strong>and</strong> well tolerated, but high doses<br />

(4 grams a day) are associated with liver<br />

<strong>and</strong> kidney damage.<br />

Other OTC medications would<br />

include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) <strong>and</strong><br />

naproxen (Aleve). For pain not relieved<br />

with OTC medications, the physician<br />

may specify a prescription medication.<br />

However, one must be cautious of<br />

potential side effects including gastritis,<br />

reflux disease, <strong>and</strong> possible development<br />

of gastric ulcers.<br />

Glucosamine, a dietary supplement, has<br />

also been identified as an oral agent to<br />

treat osteoarthritis. Studies have shown<br />

some benefit in treating osteoarthritis<br />

pain <strong>and</strong> decreasing the need for use of<br />

NSAIDS. It has to be taken at least two<br />

months continually to see if there will<br />

be any therapeutic benefit. Glucosamine<br />

is generally well tolerated by all patients<br />

except those with shellfish allergies.<br />

For those who do not obtain adequate<br />

benefit from oral medications, a cortisone<br />

injection or hyaluronic acid injection<br />

may be an alternative. Cortisone<br />

is a potent anti-inflammatory agent,<br />

which can be injected two to three times<br />

per joint per year. It generally decreases<br />

the acute inflammation associated with<br />

osteoarthritis. If cortisone is not effective<br />

or if the patient needs treatment after<br />

two to three injections, the hyaluronic<br />

acid injections are another option. These<br />

shots, which range from three to five<br />

administered weekly, work by increasing<br />

the joint viscosity. Hyaluronic acid<br />

injections have been shown to be<br />

effective in patients with mild to moderate<br />

arthritis.<br />

Operative treatments<br />

Surgical treatment is reserved for<br />

patients having pain on a daily basis that<br />

interferes with activities of daily living.<br />

In addition, surgical treatment is<br />

continued >><br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 7


Knee Osteoarthritis<br />

necessary for patients where conservative<br />

nonoperative techniques have been<br />

unsuccessful. Surgical options include<br />

arthroscopic debridement, unicompartment<br />

replacement, <strong>and</strong> the more common,<br />

traditional total knee replacement.<br />

Arthroscopic debridement – the surgical<br />

removal of loose debris inside the<br />

knee through a small incision – has very<br />

limited indications in the treatment of<br />

osteoarthritis of the knee. At best, it is<br />

a temporizing measure but will not alter<br />

the natural history of the disease.<br />

Unicompartment knee replacement has<br />

gained interest as a treatment option for<br />

patients who have osteoarthritis generally<br />

limited to essentially one compartment<br />

of the knee. In this process, the<br />

doctor must functionally divide the knee<br />

into three compartments. Most patients<br />

who present with moderate to severe<br />

arthritis have two or all three compartments<br />

involved, which necessitates total<br />

knee replacement. At least 250,000<br />

total knee replacements are done annually<br />

in the United States, a number<br />

expected to increase dramatically over<br />

the next 20 years as the baby boomers<br />

age <strong>and</strong> continue to live longer, more<br />

productive lives.<br />

Total knee replacement (TKR) is the<br />

most common operation done for moderate<br />

to severe osteoarthritis after nonoperative<br />

treatment has failed (see Figure<br />

3). The operation effectively removes<br />

all of the arthritis from the knee joint.<br />

The surgery can be done for all types of<br />

arthritis <strong>and</strong> is very successful in relieving<br />

pain <strong>and</strong> changing<br />

the quality<br />

of life. Postoperatively,<br />

the key<br />

is to achieve the<br />

proper rehabilitation<br />

or physical<br />

therapy required<br />

to obtain mo-<br />

tion <strong>and</strong> strength<br />

that is needed to<br />

return the patient<br />

to activities of<br />

daily living. Motion is usually obtained<br />

within six weeks postoperatively. Full,<br />

maximum recovery, however, can take<br />

up to nine to 12 months. To achieve such<br />

8 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

FIgure 3. Total knee<br />

replacement.<br />

a recovery, patients must be committed<br />

to their rehabilitation program because<br />

they play a major part in reaching their<br />

ultimate outcomes.<br />

New advances<br />

What factors<br />

increase my<br />

chances of<br />

developing<br />

knee<br />

osteoarthritis?<br />

The American<br />

Academy of Orthopaedic<br />

Surgeons (www.orthoinfo.<br />

org) cites these factors:<br />

Heredity: Your genetics may make<br />

you more susceptible.<br />

Weight: Overweight adds pressure<br />

on your knee <strong>and</strong> other joints.<br />

Age: The ability of knee cartilage to<br />

heal itself decreases as you age.<br />

Gender: Women older than 50 years<br />

of age are more likely than men to<br />

develop knee osteoarthritis.<br />

Trauma: Previous sports or other<br />

injury to your knee.<br />

Repetitive stress injuries: Certain<br />

occupations that involve kneeling,<br />

squatting, walking more than two<br />

miles a day, or lifting at least 55<br />

pounds can increase your risk.<br />

High impact sports: Elite players<br />

in soccer, long-distance running,<br />

<strong>and</strong> tennis face increased risk.<br />

Recent techniques such as minimally<br />

invasive (smaller incisions) surgery<br />

continue to evolve, working toward<br />

achieving less pain, less blood loss, <strong>and</strong><br />

a quicker return to activity. The latest<br />

technique in knee replacement surgery<br />

involves the use of computer assisted<br />

technology to help make more precise<br />

bone cuts <strong>and</strong> to correct preoperative<br />

deformities (see Figure 4). With more<br />

precise cuts <strong>and</strong> better overall final<br />

Figure 4. Computer assisted surgery.<br />

alignment of the components, computer<br />

navigated TKR holds the promise of a<br />

longer lasting total knee replacement.<br />

This technique will continue to evolve<br />

<strong>and</strong>, most likely, will become the st<strong>and</strong>ard<br />

for knee replacement surgery in<br />

the future.<br />

Overall, the treatment of osteoarthritis<br />

continues to evolve with nonoperative<br />

<strong>and</strong> operative measures. Total knee<br />

replacement will continue to be the<br />

mainstay of treatment for moderate to<br />

severe arthritis that has failed conservative<br />

treatment. With proper surgical<br />

techniques that continue to evolve <strong>and</strong><br />

appropriate postoperative physcal<br />

therapy, one can expect good to excellent<br />

results from an uncomplicated total<br />

knee replacement. BR<br />

A native of New Orleans, James<br />

C. Mills III, MD, joined <strong>Blue</strong><br />

<strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics in 2005.<br />

He received his medical degree<br />

from Tulane Medical School in<br />

New Orleans, where he completed<br />

an Orthopaedics <strong>Surgery</strong> Residency in<br />

the Department of Orthopaedics. Dr. Mills also<br />

completed a Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, <strong>and</strong><br />

Joint Replacement Fellowship at the Hughston<br />

Orthopaedic Hospital in Columbus, Georgia.<br />

He is Board Certified by the American Board of<br />

Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Mills is a member of<br />

the Arthroscopy Association of North America,<br />

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons,<br />

Southern Medical Association, South Carolina<br />

Medical Association, Eastern Orthopaedic<br />

Association, American College of Surgeons, <strong>and</strong><br />

Southern Orthopaedic Association.


<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 9


Healing at home<br />

By Shannon Pierce, RN, BSN<br />

Home health services after your total joint replacement<br />

10 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

Congratulations! You have decided<br />

to climb the mountain. You have<br />

decided to act. Most total joint<br />

replacement patients endure the hardships<br />

of a degenerated hip or knee for a<br />

period of time, before eventually making<br />

the decision to have surgery. It is crucial<br />

that you choose the right surgeon, the<br />

right procedure, <strong>and</strong> the right follow-up<br />

care. I compare total joint surgery to<br />

climbing a mountain. As I tell my sons,<br />

“Anything that is worth doing is rarely<br />

easy, but it is much more beneficial to be<br />

proactive <strong>and</strong> decide to act than it is to be<br />

passive <strong>and</strong> see what happens.”<br />

Preparing for climbing the mountain is<br />

imperative. Likewise, it is crucial that<br />

you be prepared for your surgery. Prior<br />

to your hospitalization is the time to<br />

ask multiple questions. Your doctor will<br />

detail the procedure <strong>and</strong> allot time for<br />

you to ask questions.<br />

In addition to your surgeon, ask his/her<br />

nurse, the office staff, friends <strong>and</strong> family<br />

that have had previous experience with<br />

joint replacement. I would also advise<br />

that you conduct research on the internet<br />

<strong>and</strong> read all that you can.<br />

The more you know, the better prepared<br />

you will be. Pat yourself on the back! You<br />

are learning <strong>and</strong> being proactive now.<br />

Passive folks don’t read articles on “Healing<br />

at Home.”<br />

In addition to asking multiple questions,<br />

you will need to make numerous arrangements.<br />

Many patients go straight home<br />

from the hospital; others choose an inpatient<br />

rehab immediately after hospital<br />

discharge. Should the decision be made to<br />

go home, it is vital that you have adequate<br />

assistance. Recovery is not something<br />

that you should experience alone. Assistance<br />

from family members <strong>and</strong> friends,<br />

supplemented by home health <strong>and</strong>/or private<br />

duty services prove invaluable. The<br />

more resources, the better!


<strong>Surgery</strong> is over<br />

You have reached the summit. Imagine<br />

it. The day has come. You have a shiny<br />

new joint. All over, right? Well, no, not<br />

quite. True, you have a new joint. However,<br />

your journey is not over. To use my<br />

analogy, you decided to climb a mountain.<br />

You made it to the top, <strong>and</strong> yet you<br />

still have a long journey down the other<br />

side toward your destination.<br />

You must recover <strong>and</strong> rehabilitate to<br />

get to the place you have been dreaming<br />

of. Proper help while healing can make<br />

recovery a positive time. It helps to be<br />

encouraged by your progress <strong>and</strong> not<br />

discouraged by the road ahead. Home<br />

health services play a vital role in getting<br />

you to your destination. Consider us your<br />

experienced guide. I’ll give you a brief<br />

description of who we are <strong>and</strong> what we<br />

do so you will know what to expect.<br />

Usually within 24 to 48 hours after<br />

your discharge or referral notification<br />

from your doctor, a home health professional<br />

will meet you in your home<br />

to make a thorough safety assessment<br />

of your home, your condition, your<br />

history, <strong>and</strong> medication regimen. Your<br />

therapist will do a comprehensive<br />

assessment of your abilities <strong>and</strong> limitations<br />

during this first visit. We communicate<br />

our findings to your doctor.<br />

Orders from your physician will be the<br />

basis for your specific rehabilitation<br />

goals <strong>and</strong> therapy plan.<br />

“The great thing about home care is that<br />

we can adapt the individual exercises<br />

<strong>and</strong> mobility training to the patient’s<br />

home setting,” says Alan James, Interim<br />

Healthcare Physical Therapist for more<br />

than 20 years. “Our goal is to ensure that<br />

the patient is safe in all areas where they<br />

actually live every day.”<br />

with you for the duration of your care. It<br />

is beneficial for your guides to know you<br />

<strong>and</strong> for you to be comfortable with them.<br />

They are not just there for your joint but<br />

for all of you. “We treat the entire patient,<br />

not just the joint,” says Cheryl Banister,<br />

Anderson director of health services <strong>and</strong><br />

Interim team member since 1992.<br />

Most often, you can expect each home<br />

health discipline to visit you two to three<br />

times during that first week. You may<br />

also require assistance from friends, family<br />

members, <strong>and</strong> possibly private duty<br />

care during this initial recovery phase.<br />

Second week until discharge<br />

Navigating the hills <strong>and</strong> valleys. You are<br />

making great progress. Imagine that you<br />

are down the mountain. This is where<br />

you need perseverance. We will continue<br />

to monitor <strong>and</strong> teach safety. However,<br />

we are now shifting our focus to your<br />

independence. “Our goal is to foster<br />

independence by assisting you <strong>and</strong> providing<br />

information so that you can independently<br />

care for yourself at home,”<br />

says Connie McCammond, executive<br />

Ordered by your physician, home health services provide qualified<br />

nurses, therapists (physical, occupational, <strong>and</strong> speech), aides, <strong>and</strong><br />

medical social workers to support your recovery – all in the comfort<br />

of your home. continued >><br />

Ordered by your physician, home health<br />

services provide qualified nurses, therapists<br />

(physical, occupational, <strong>and</strong> speech),<br />

aides, <strong>and</strong> medical social workers to support<br />

your recovery – all in the comfort<br />

of your home, whether you live in a<br />

private home, independent- or assistedliving<br />

community. Home health services<br />

are covered as part of your benefits for<br />

Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, workers’<br />

compensation, <strong>and</strong> most private<br />

insurance policies. The good news is that<br />

your coverage is verified before your<br />

admission to home care.<br />

Your first week home<br />

Going down the mountain. Finally, your<br />

surgery is over <strong>and</strong> you are at home after<br />

your hospital <strong>and</strong>, possibly, rehabilitation<br />

stay. This is where we come in. You have<br />

reached the pinnacle of the mountain.<br />

Your new joint is in place. Your first week<br />

home is like the trek down the mountain.<br />

Your home care nurse <strong>and</strong> therapist are<br />

your experienced guides.<br />

Safety is crucial during this trying time.<br />

You will most likely be on a blood thinner.<br />

Your nurse will draw your blood<br />

regularly to monitor your prothombin<br />

times – a measure of blood clotting. We<br />

communicate these levels to your doctor.<br />

Your nurse or therapist also will assess<br />

your surgical wound <strong>and</strong> change your<br />

dressing as ordered.<br />

“Of course we are constantly assessing<br />

the surgical site <strong>and</strong> the patient’s comfort,”<br />

says Donna Wetherell, RN, a Seneca<br />

home health <strong>and</strong> Interim team member<br />

since 1990. “However, I want patients to<br />

know that they can <strong>and</strong> should discuss<br />

any concerns with us. We can help with a<br />

lot while providing care in the home.”<br />

In the beginning, our goals for you focus<br />

on safety. There are certain precautions<br />

after a joint replacement. We assess <strong>and</strong><br />

teach you how to avoid potential complications.<br />

In addition, we educate you<br />

about what you should report. Your<br />

assigned nurse <strong>and</strong> therapist will work<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 11


HEALING AT HOME<br />

director of Patient Services <strong>and</strong> Interim<br />

team member since 1989.<br />

It is important here that you focus on<br />

your destination – recovery <strong>and</strong> wellness.<br />

Comfort will follow. We strive to<br />

comfort <strong>and</strong> strengthen, but not coddle.<br />

Should the patient or family members<br />

get discouraged, we will remind you of<br />

your progress. Diligently following the<br />

instructions your physician <strong>and</strong> home<br />

health staff communicate will shorten<br />

your recovery time. Giving up now may<br />

hinder your recovery.<br />

In addition, we will caution you not to<br />

attempt to do too much too soon. Good<br />

days will come. You may feel great <strong>and</strong><br />

think you are home free. Some patients<br />

do more than what their physicians<br />

advise. A “bad day” often follows overactivity.<br />

Experienced guides will help you<br />

avoid the pitfalls. Your surgical wound is<br />

healing. You are getting stronger.<br />

Time passes. You are recovering <strong>and</strong><br />

resuming your presurgery activities <strong>and</strong><br />

lifestyle. The home health goals that you,<br />

your physician, <strong>and</strong> your home health<br />

professionals set at the beginning of your<br />

care are met. It is now time for us to discharge<br />

you from our care. Our services<br />

are available to homebound patients. As<br />

much as we hate to say good bye, we are<br />

happy to see you get out <strong>and</strong> go places.<br />

Your destination is in sight. Your physician<br />

will determine whether you will<br />

require follow up therapy or continue<br />

independently with your individualized<br />

home exercise program.<br />

Mission accomplished<br />

We may no longer see you as a patient,<br />

but we consider you a friend. Our clinicians<br />

often see our previous total joint<br />

patients out <strong>and</strong> about. They all seem<br />

to say the same thing: “My only regret<br />

is that I did not do it sooner.” Perhaps<br />

you have heard that before from a friend<br />

or a loved one. We see our patients out<br />

at little league games, church picnics,<br />

or sometimes doing yard work. The list<br />

goes on. It takes about a year until it is<br />

all a distant memory <strong>and</strong> the occasional<br />

twinges of pain seem to vanish. To paraphrase<br />

C.S. Lewis, “It is like the dream is<br />

over <strong>and</strong> it is morning.” BR<br />

Home Health <strong>Care</strong> Consultant<br />

Shannon Pierce, RN, BSN,<br />

works with Interim Healthcare.<br />

The magna cum laude graduate<br />

of Clemson University has<br />

been a nurse for more than<br />

14 years. She is a firm believer in the benefits<br />

of Home <strong>Care</strong> <strong>and</strong> is committed to seeing<br />

in-home services used to improve patient<br />

outcomes across the Upstate. “I was amazed<br />

when I learned of the services available for<br />

homebound patients – I now have a sense of<br />

urgency to share the impact of home health,<br />

private duty, <strong>and</strong> hospice care in our community.”<br />

Pierce spent more than 10 years as<br />

an RN at St. Francis Bon Secours Hospital in<br />

Greenville, South Carolina, where she received<br />

awards <strong>and</strong> recognition by peers, patients, <strong>and</strong><br />

physicians for consistent <strong>and</strong> compassionate<br />

care. She lives in Greenville with her husb<strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> two sons. She considers it a privilege to<br />

serve the upstate area.<br />

For any home health questions, call Interim Healthcare:<br />

Anderson County...........................................................................................225-2007<br />

Oconee County..............................................................................................855-4421<br />

Pickens County..............................................................................................885-0461<br />

Greenville County...........................................................................................627-1200<br />

Spartanburg County.......................................................................................587-6129<br />

Cherokee County...........................................................................................487-3401<br />

Private Duty/HomeStyles...............................................................................225-2007<br />

Should you need home health services, you have the right to choose the agency of<br />

your choice. If you have questions about who can best meet your needs, ask your<br />

physician for a recommendation.<br />

Two medical professionals<br />

join <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

Anthony L. Alexa<br />

n d e r, PA - C ,<br />

joined <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong><br />

Orthopaedics in<br />

August 2007. In<br />

1996 he graduated<br />

from the<br />

United States Air<br />

Force Physician Assistant Training<br />

Program with a BS degree from the<br />

University of Nebraska, where he<br />

earned a master’s degree in Physician<br />

Assistant Studies in 1998.<br />

In 2002 he graduated from the Air<br />

Force’s Orthopaedic <strong>Surgery</strong> Fellowship<br />

Program at Wright Patterson<br />

Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.<br />

Mr. Alex<strong>and</strong>er served the past three<br />

years at Misawa Air Base, Japan,<br />

where he was staff orthopaedic physician<br />

assistant. He retired from the<br />

Air Force with 23 years of service.<br />

Mr. Alex<strong>and</strong>er is board certified by<br />

the National Commission on Certification<br />

of Physician Assistants. He<br />

is a fellow member of the American<br />

Academy of Physician Assistants,<br />

Society of Air Force Physician Assistants,<br />

<strong>and</strong> Physician Assistants in<br />

Orthopaedic <strong>Surgery</strong>. Mr. Alex<strong>and</strong>er<br />

is married to Jacqueline <strong>and</strong> has<br />

four children.<br />

Mark A. Pierce,<br />

MD, joined <strong>Blue</strong><br />

<strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

in 2007. The<br />

native of Lincoln,<br />

Illinois, completed<br />

his premedical<br />

education with<br />

a BS degree in Biology from Illinois<br />

State University <strong>and</strong> obtained his<br />

medical degree at Rush Medical<br />

College in Chicago. He completed<br />

his orthopaedic surgery residency<br />

program at The Campbell Clinic at<br />

the University of Tennessee in Memphis.<br />

He is in the process of becoming<br />

board certified by the American<br />

Board of Orthopaedic <strong>Surgery</strong>.<br />

12 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics


<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics 13


14 <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics


Directory<br />

AnMed Health<br />

see page 9<br />

Biomet, Inc.<br />

see inside back cover<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Eye <strong>Center</strong><br />

see inside back cover<br />

Carolina Home Health <strong>Care</strong><br />

see page 9<br />

Clemson Sports Medicine<br />

& Rehabilitation<br />

see back cover<br />

CMS Imaging<br />

104 Richborough Dr.<br />

Spartanburg, SC 29307<br />

(800) 867-1821<br />

(843) 571-5996 Fax<br />

www.cmsimaging.com<br />

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.<br />

see page 14<br />

Erwin & Duncan CPA Firm, PA<br />

see page 13<br />

Hubbard-Young<br />

Pharmacy, Inc.<br />

see inside back cover<br />

<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics<br />

thanks the following companies:<br />

Interim Health<strong>Care</strong> Inc.<br />

see inside front cover<br />

Lake <strong>Ridge</strong> Neurological, PA<br />

see page 14<br />

Mountainview<br />

Medical Imaging<br />

see page 14<br />

On-Site Solutions, Inc.<br />

see page 13<br />

OrthoPro, Inc.<br />

see page 13<br />

Palmetto Vital <strong>Care</strong>, Inc.<br />

see page 13<br />

Pazdan-Smith<br />

Group Architects<br />

200 E. Broad St., Ste. 300<br />

Greenville, SC 29601<br />

(864) 242-2033<br />

(864) 242-2034 Fax<br />

www.pazdan-smith.com<br />

SRS Software<br />

see page 14<br />

Zimmer, Inc.<br />

see inside back cover


<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> Orthopaedics Associates, PA<br />

10630 Clemson Blvd., Ste. 100<br />

Seneca, SC 29678

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