ACL tears, in which the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee is ruptured, are on the rise in youth athletes. In children and adolescents with this injury, there are special considerations for having surgery to repair it. In this episode, Dr. Shevaun Doyle is joined by fellow HSS pediatric orthopedic surgeons Dr. Peter Fabricant and Dr. Daniel Green. Together, they discuss why ACL tears are happening more and more often in younger athletes, what parents should know about the injury and choosing a surgeon, and how quickly kids can return to sports. They also share why choosing a specialty hospital can make a big difference in a child’s outcome.

Timecodes:

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

02:20 why ACL tears are happening more often in young athletes

04:50 what is a growth plate and why does it matter

06:33 whether ACL surgery is safe for children

07:40 considerations specific to ACL surgery in younger patients

09:50 about the effectiveness of the surgery

12:45 what type of grafts are used for pediatric ACL surgery

14:34 nonsurgical options for treatment

17:27 the importance of finding a specialty hospital

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An ACL tear, which is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, is a common injury among athletes. Repairing it often involves an ACL reconstruction surgery, in which a new ACL is created from a tissue graft. In this episode, Dr. David Altchek is joined by fellow HSS orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas Wickiewicz and Dr. Moira McCarthy. Together, they discuss what goes into choosing the best type of graft for each patient, as well as the role of donor grafts. They also explain recovery times after an ACL reconstruction surgery and when to expect getting back to playing sports.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With increased competitiveness and greater demand on athletes of all ages, physicians are seeing an uptick in injuries affecting the UCL, or ulnar collateral ligament, which is inside the elbow and helps to stabilize the elbow joint. In this episode, Dr. David Altchek is joined by fellow HSS orthopedic surgeons Dr. Joshua Dines and Dr. James “Beamer” Carr, who are both experts in shoulder and elbow surgery and have experience caring for professional athletes. Together, they discuss Tommy John surgery, which repairs the UCL and is often needed by baseball players and other athletes who play sports that require throwing. This episode also delves into best practices to consider for athletes at every level – high school, collegiate and professional – and provides case study examples as part of the discussion.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

01:53 case study of a high school baseball pitcher

04:14 when to consider a repair

04:41 difference between repair versus reconstruction

06:07 rehabilitation time after repair or reconstruction

07:37 explaining the biology of repair and reconstruction

08:43 case study of a college baseball pitcher

11:54 adding a brace to stabilize elbow 

13:20 recovery time before returning to sports

14:57 case study of a professional baseball pitcher

18:19 role of PRP injections

18:42 weighted balls and increased injury risk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to hip replacement, there are two ways to approach the surgery: from the front (anterior) or rear (posterior). So which is best? Does the approach even matter, or is it all about the skill of the surgeon? In this episode, Dr. David Altchek is joined by fellow HSS orthopedic surgeons Dr. Jonathan Vigdorchik and Dr. Jose Rodriguez, who are experts in hip replacement surgery. Together, they discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches for hip replacement surgery, including the anterior and posterior approach. They explain the benefits and recovery time of each approach and how to know which procedure is best for you.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

00:55 understanding how the hip can be accessed during hip replacement surgery

01:41 main differences between anterior and posterior approach 

02:55 the importance of the surgeon’s expertise in one approach versus another

04:09 which approach can best fit with robotics

05:34 recovery times

07:56 goals for surgery and minimizing trauma

09:34 long-term outcome differences between approaches

13:58 the importance of finding a physician and institution you trust

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, you’re having knee pain and considering surgery—now what? What type of procedure is best for you, and what will the recovery look like? Listen up—this episode is for you! Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has the world’s leading experts in this field, who perform about 8,000 knee replacements annually. In this episode, Dr. David Altchek is joined by fellow HSS orthopedic surgeons Dr. Mathias Bostrom and Dr. David Mayman. Together, they discuss who is a candidate for a total knee replacement versus a partial knee replacement; the role one’s age, activity level and genetics play in the decision; and how technology has improved recovery times.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

02:07 the differences between a total knee replacement and a partial knee replacement

02:57 recovery times for each procedure

03:52 how recovery times have improved in the past decade 

06:20 the role of age and activity level in determining which procedure is best

15:52 converting a partial knee replacement to a total knee replacement

17:39 the impact of technology advancement on both procedures

19:03 how genetics determine best procedure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.