Welcome to MD-UPDATE, the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine issue, where you’ll meet Kentucky orthopedic surgeons and providers who are practicing innovative therapies and life-altering procedures with positive outcomes for patients of all ages.
Here are a few examples of new technologies that are improving orthopedic care in Kentucky that we highlight in this issue. Ultra low-dose, stand-up or sit down, 3D X-ray for children; spine-straightening for pediatric patients with scoliosis via lengthening rods that are controlled by magnets and don’t require invasive procedures; robotic-smart hand tools that stop cutting when the blade goes beyond the prescribed perimeter; and new joint replacement materials with longer life spans that can be implanted sooner to relieve pain and restore function for a wider, younger patient population.
We also discuss new approaches to orthopedic care and sports medicine such as biologics, aggressive physical therapy, and arthroscopy for the elite athlete and the weekend warrior. As always, we talk to the Kentucky physicians and providers who bring their expertise to the workplace daily so others can get back to work and living.
Summer is Baseball Season
All this talk about joint repair and sports medicine brings me to my favorite topic, baseball. I grew up in Maryland rooting for the Baltimore Orioles, and I check the standings almost every day during the summer months. That’s a pleasant experience this summer because at this writing, my team is in first place in the AL East. I know we have a wide variety of readers who follow other teams of their childhood: the Reds, Pirates, Cubs, Cardinals, Braves, and so on.
I believe there are two records in baseball that will never be broken: Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and Cal Ripken Jr. playing in 2,632 consecutive games. They both exemplify consistency and grace under pressure. Qualities we all need to embrace.
My son Chandler met Cal Ripken Jr. in 2011 while playing in the Cal Ripken World Series. Chandler is still playing baseball. Some things haven’t changed but have gotten better.
All the Best,Gil DunnPublisher, MD-UPDATE
Send your letters to the editor to: jnewton@md-update.com, or (502) 541-2666 mobile
Gil Dunn, publisher: gdunn@md-update.com or (859) 309-0720 phone and fax