Modern Orthopaedics

Welcome to the premier episode of the Modern Orthopaedics podcast, a show about how advancements in technology have transformed the field of orthopaedics. Hosted by Shannon Peterson, director of Marketing at the Orthopaedic Specialist of Dallas, this podcast explores how technology has improved patient outcomes, streamlined surgical procedures, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.

Each episode features interviews with leading orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and technology innovators who share their insights and experiences. Through engaging conversations and real-life case studies, the podcast highlights how technology has enabled orthopaedic surgeons to provide more precise and personalized patient care, leading to faster recovery times, reduced hospital stays, and improved quality of life.

In this episode, Shannon talks with Dr. Bruno Gross. Specializing in the anterior hip, robotic total and partial knee replacement, and revision hip and knee replacement, Dr. Gross talks about how robotics improves knee replacement and patient experience. 

Dr. Bruno Gross grew up in Denton, Texas. He graduated from the University of North Texas, earning his undergraduate degree. He then went on to earn his medical degree at Texas A&M College of Medicine in College Station, Texas and Round Rock, Texas. Dr. Gross completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. Having a particular interest in joint replacement, Dr. Gross elected to complete a fellowship year specializing in joint replacement at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida. 

Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

00:14 - Backstory of Dr. Bruno Gross

00:57 - What motivated Dr. Gross to become a physician

02:28 - Why Dr. Gross chose orthopaedics as a specialty

03:37 - What motivated Dr. Gross to serve the Dallas community

06:08 - One of the robotic knee replacement experience Dr. Gross had with patients

07:42 - Dr. Gross' definition of a complex total knee replacement

08:56 - Some of the reasons why surgery may be delayed

10:38 - The difference between robotic partial knee surgery and robotic total knee surgery

14:27 - How robotics improves knee replacement

18:17 - Reasons why joint replacement components fail

20:02 - What Dr. Gross hopes to accomplish in the future

Favorite Quotes

04:35 - "Coming from a background of doing non-robotic surgery, I saw the big difference robotics has made not only from a technical aspect as a surgeon but also from seeing patients do better and recover quicker." - Br. Bruno Gross

14:36 - "You can do knee replacement surgery without the robot, which is manual instrumentation. Now, the robot is a precision tool. What the robot affords you as a surgeon is more information. It allows you to position the components any way you want." - Dr. Bruno Gross

16:24 - "If someone comes to me with a really bad deformity, I can tailor how I put their knee replacement in with the robot. That allows me to make each knee replacement specific to the patient. And that translates to less pain, faster recovery for the patient, gaining their range of motion faster, and the knee feels more balanced." - Dr. Bruno Gross 

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As people age or experience injuries, the cartilage in their joints can become worn down or damaged, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While treatment options for cartilage injury or damage were limited in the past, advancements in technology and medical techniques have enabled doctors to restore and replace cartilage more innovatively. How can cartilage damage be treated less invasively and provide patients with faster recovery?

In this episode, Shannon talks to Dr. Kushal Patel, one of the orthopedic surgeons at Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas. With a professional interest in sports medicine, ACL tears, cartilage repair, and preservation and reconstruction of the shoulder and knee, Dr. Patel speaks about how cartilage preservation works, what OATS (Osteoarticular Transfer System) cartilage repair surgery involves, and how he determines which type of cartilage preservation is best for a patient.

Dr. Kushal Patel performed his undergraduate studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, majoring in the University Scholars Program. He then matriculated to Texas A&M College of Medicine, graduating with honors, earning acceptance into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and was awarded the James A. Knight Leadership in Medicine award. His career path took him to Denver, Colorado, for additional specialization in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Colorado. After his fellowship, Dr. Patel moved back to Texas and settled in the Dallas area.

Professionally, Dr. Patel's goal as an orthopedic surgeon is to quickly return patients to their active lifestyle by utilizing the latest technology while providing a great experience. His expertise includes minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, limb realignment, cartilage restoration, ligament/tendon tears, and joint replacement. He views surgery as the final treatment option.

Enjoy!

In This Episode

01:07 - Dr. Kushal Patel's reasons for becoming a physician

04:01 - How cartilage preservation works

06:39 - What OATS (Osteoarticular Transfer System) cartilage repair surgery involves

08:53 - The expected downtime for someone who underwent OATS repair surgery

09:35 - Dr. Patel's approach to treating knee pain

12:25 - How Dr. Patel determines which type of cartilage preservation is best for a patient

14:22 - Dr. Patel's preoperative and postoperative surgery processes

17:42 - Dr. Patel's approach to accessing care

18:58 - The OATS procedure for the knee

Favorite Quotes

04:10 - "Cartilage pathology is one of the top three things we see as orthopedic sports doctors. The more you are active and function, the more you are exposed to cartilage injury or damage." - Dr. Kushal Patel

15:23 - "As a surgeon and a sports medicine doctor, I want all my patients to understand why we're doing the surgery and what we're doing exactly." - Dr. Kushal Patel

18:42 - "Having a quick diagnosis, quick intervention, and a treatment path helps our clients mentally and physically." - Dr. Kushal Patel

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The human foot is an incredible biological marvel, containing 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Despite its strength and resilience, the foot is also incredibly vulnerable to injury and discomfort. Whether due to ill-fitting shoes, overuse, or simply neglect, foot problems are all too common and can seriously impact a person's quality of life.

In this episode, Shannon sits with Dr. Brandon Mecham. Specializing in the treatment of common to complex foot and ankle disorders, Dr. Mecham talks about what a podiatrist actually does, what causes the majority of foot problems, and why the foot requires special care.

Dr. Brandon Mecham is Board Qualified in Foot Surgery as well as Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Born and raised in Mesa, he completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University and then went on to attend the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed a 3-year surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he served as chief resident and received advanced training in trauma and reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, arthroscopy, external fixation and diabetic care, and limb salvage. 

Dr. Brandon Mecham is committed to achieving the best outcomes for his patients by exploring all treatment options, including non-surgical and minimally invasive approaches. He is well-regarded by patients for his expertise, approachable style, and personalized care and treatment plans.

Enjoy!

In This Episode

00:57 - Backstory of Dr. Brandon Mecham

01:34 - What led Dr. Mecham to join Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas

02:32 - What inspired Dr. Mecham to become a physician

03:59 - What a podiatrist actually does

05:04 - The most common issues Dr. Mecham encounters on a daily basis

05:43 - Dr. Mecham's approach to treating plantar fasciitis and bunions

08:54 - What causes the majority of foot problems

10:39 - How to care for diabetic foot

12:44 - Why custom orthotics are a huge help for many foot conditions

14:01 - What sets podiatrists apart from other orthopedic surgeons

17:24 - Why the foot requires special care

18:06 - What the ankle joint replacement looks like

Favorite Quotes

02:30 - "I was always that kid who was fascinated with how the body healed and how the body could repair itself." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

09:07 - "There are so many misconceptions about shoes. The single biggest one is that expensive shoes are good shoes. Good shoes are typically more expensive, but just because they cost a lot of money does not make them good." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

09:29 - "Our feet, just like the rest of us, change their size and shape over time. They can get bigger, or they can get smaller. The tendency is that as we age, our feet will get larger and a little bit longer. The arch will flatten, and they'll get a little bit longer and wider." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

10:22 - "You should not be able to fold a shoe in half like a taco. You shouldn't be able to wring it out like a sponge. You need something where the shoe's shank is fairly rigid. It gives a ton of support to those metatarsals and the midfoot, and your feet will thank you for it." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

19:29 - "One of my favorite procedures is ankle joint replacement because you take someone who's just in a lot of pain and suffering, and you can make them pain-free. It's a massive turnaround." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

Learn more about Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas