Orthopedic Surgery

We provide the gamut of orthopedic surgery services from office care to complex reconstructive surgeries using state-of-the-art techniques.

What you can expect:

Correct, restore, and enhance the mobility and function of the body
Minimally invasive, resulting in less pain, post-operative swelling, and scar formation
Procedure results in a faster healing response and, in turn, a sooner date to begin physical therapy

Offered by

Walter O’Brien, MD
Thomas Grogan, MD
Babak Samimi, MD
Jerrold Sherman, MD
Jonathan Koenig, MD
Gary Brazina, MD, FACS
Rojeh Melikian, MD

Orthopedic surgery is a branch of surgery involved with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries, diseases, and disorders concerning the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. From sprains and strains to fractures and hip replacements, our orthopedic surgeons provide their services to correct, restore, and enhance the mobility and function of the body.

The history of orthopedics…

The word “orthopedic” is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning “to correct, to straighten” and paideion, meaning “child.” It was coined by the French physician, Nicholas Andry in 1741 as “orthopédie,” in which he stated, “Out of these two words I have compounded that of Orthopaedia, to express in one term the design I propose, which is to teach the different methods of preventing and correction of deformities of children.“

In 1743, the French word was translated to English as orthopaedia and later was changed to the American spelling we know now (orthopedic) and the British version (orthopaedic) (2). Today, however, we do not limit orthopedic surgery to children, but provide it to people of all ages. Orthopedic surgeons are highly trained and required to complete a residency program lasting five to six years after their eight years of undergraduate and medical schooling. Orthopedic Sports Medicine as well as Surgery of the Hand are two certified subspecialties that are unique to orthopedic surgeons (1).

Some other subspecialties include: spine, shoulder & elbow, foot & ankle, pediatric, trauma/fractures, joint replacement, and musculoskeletal oncology. The beginning of modern orthopedics can be attributed to Hugh Owen Thomas, a Welsh surgeon of the 1800s, whose techniques and procedures are still used today, such as the Thomas Splint (to stabilize a fractured femur) and the Thomas Test (to assess which hip muscles are tight). The field of orthopedic surgery has produced many innovative procedures that have been the marvel of doctors and the general public alike.

In the last 70 years, orthopedic surgeons from around the world have made groundbreaking strides, creating the procedures and techniques used by the surgeons of today.

Interesting examples include:

Gerhard Küntscher began the use of intramedullary rods to reinforce bone fractures by placing the rods inside the bone in 1939
Gavril Abramovich Ilizarov was inspired by a local bike shop to use external fixators to realign, reshape and lengthen bones in the 1950s
Sir John Charnley pioneered modern hip replacement by cementing joint implants in the bones of the hip in the 1960s (3)

Arthroscopic surgery aims to correct musculoskeletal conditions through minimally invasive procedures.

Compared to old surgical procedures which involved large, open techniques exposing the affected joints, arthroscopic surgeries utilize small incisions that result in less pain, post-operative swelling, and scar formation. This is done by inserting small telescopes into joints and operating with specialized instruments to minimize prolonged and complication-prone recovery. Minimally invasive procedures such as these allow patients to heal faster and, in turn, begin a physical therapy program sooner so normal activities of daily living can be achieved quickly. The most common arthroscopic surgeries include the knee, shoulder, and ankle (4). However, surgeons today are also performing arthroscopic procedures on elbows, wrists, and hips.

At Pacific Coast Sports Medicine, we pride ourselves in providing the latest, cutting-edge techniques in the field of orthopedic surgery.

Our doctors are highly respected by their peers both locally and nationally. With their expert training and years of clinical experience, our surgeons have a solid foundation and have also distinguished themselves by providing innovative treatments of their own. Through collaboration with other specialists in our clinic, both surgical and non-surgical options are available for the best clinical outcomes for our patients.

References:

Certification. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Web site. https://www.abos.org/certification/sports-subspecialty.aspx. Accessed September 2, 2014.
Nicolas Andry: Orthopaedia. Wikipedia. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Andry. Updated April 2014. Accessed September 2, 2014.
Orthopedic Surgery: Modern Orthopedics. Wikipedia. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgery. Updated August 24, 2013. Accessed September 2, 2014.
Treuting R. Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery: arthroscopy. The Oschner Journal. 2000;2:158-163.