Foot and Ankle Care - Blue Ridge Surgery Center
Foot and Ankle Care - Blue Ridge Surgery Center
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 />
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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