Congratulations to Dr. Evan Lederman!

Congratulations to Dr. Evan Lederman! Dr. Lederman’s work has earned him acceptance as an associate member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and is only the second surgeon in Arizona to receive this prestigious honor.  He has been awarded the distinction of Phoenix Magazine’s TopDoc and Phoenix SuperDoctors.

What is the ASES? Through educational programs and by encouraging research, the organization seeks to foster and advance the science and practice of shoulder and elbow care. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) is a society made up of leading national and international Orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in surgery of the shoulder and elbow. Through continuing medical education, the ASES Annual Meetings serve as a forum where persons involved in this field of medicine can meet, discuss new ideas and present scientific material. The membership, which is by invitation only, currently consists of 420 members. The ASES typically holds two meetings annually: The Open Meeting and Closed Meeting. The Open Meeting is held during the AAOS Annual Meeting, on Specialty Day. The Open Meeting is open to members and non-members while the Closed Meeting is for members only. The Society is an educational body responsible for development of scientific programs, for organization of current knowledge, for standardization of nomenclature and for publication of scientific materials.

http://www.ases-assn.org/


TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Dr. Carter speaks at the Arthroscopy Association of North America

Dr. Carter spoke on the topic of using allografts for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament at the annual fall meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America November 6th and 7th. 

What is the ACL? The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. It is often injured.

Ligaments are strong, dense structures made of connective tissue that stabilize a joint. They connect bone to bone across the joint.

The function of the ACL is to provide stability to the knee and minimize stress across the knee joint:

* It restrains excessive forward movement of the lower leg bone (the tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (the femur).

* It limits rotational movements of the knee.

A tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) results from overstretching of this ligament when certain movements of the knee put too great a strain on the ACL. It is usually due to a sudden stop and twisting motion of the knee, or a force or "blow" to the front of the knee.

Basically any athletic or non-athletic related activity in which the knee is forced into hyperextension and/or internal rotation may result in an ACL tear.

Often those are non-contact activities with the mechanism of injury usually involving:

* Planting and cutting - the foot is positioned firmly on the ground followed by the leg (and body for that matter) turning one direction or the other. Example: Football or base
ball player making a fast cut and changing direction.

* Straight-knee landing - results when the foot strikes the ground with the knee straight.Example: Basketball player coming down after a jump shot or the gymnast landing on a dismount.

* One-step-stop landing with the knee hyperextended - results when the leg abruptly stops while in an over-straightened position.Example: Baseball player sliding into a base with the knee hyperextended with additional force upon hyperextension.

* Pivoting and sudden deceleration resulting from a combination of rapid slowing down and a plant and twist of the foot placing extreme rotation at the knee. Example: Football or soccer player quickly slowing down followed by a quick turn in direction.

#ACL #RESULTS. #RECOVERY. #RELIEF #ILOVEMYORTHO


TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Do you have hip issues?

Do you have hip issues? Talk to Dr. Economopoulos…

TOCA (The Orthopedic Clinic Association) has been a leader in orthopedic care since 1949, led by nationally recognized, established orthopedic physicians like Dr. Economopoulos. He is a native of Arizona where he attended Brophy College Prep. He received his undergrad degree and medical degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He completed residencies in both general surgery and orthopedic surgery at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. He then spent a year as a sports medicine fellow at the University of Virginia specializing in shoulder and knee arthroscopy. He completed his training with a 6 month hip arthroscopy fellowship in Melbourne, Australia with John O’Donnell, a pioneer in hip arthroscopy and one of the highest volume hip arthroscopists in the world. Dr. Economopoulos is one of few orthopaedic surgeons in the United States to complete a concentrated fellowship in hip arthroscopy and the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). His specialties are on hip and knees, which directly affects golfers.

What made you go into this nitch?
“I have always wanted to become a doctor and I followed the path of sports medicine because of my passion for sports. So, it fit well to go into orthopedics. I have been with TOCA for 15 months. Few people do this procedure so that’s when I decided this would be where I would dedicate my studies. I found my nitch in hips. I still operate on other parts but 1/3 of my work is in hips and 2/3 is in rotator cups, knees etc.”

Do you see a lot of young athletes?
“Yes, the shape of their hip changes and a bump forms on the hip. This is caused by wear and tear from sports. When these kids start playing sports at a young age the hip slowly starts to reshape. Hip pain usually comes about around ages 18-21. I will go in and reshape the hip and get them corrected.”

You said kids start developing this hip bump when they are younger from sports. Is there a way to prevent it?
“Developmental issues are almost inevitable (soft plate moving up and remaining). The best thing you can do is watch it and treat it as it goes. Also, just because you have the bump does not mean you are going to have symptoms. When patients see the bump the next step is physical therapy. You can strengthen the hip to hopefully avoid surgery but you cannot prevent the bump.”

Do you see a lot of wear and tear issues from older members?“I see younger patients in their 40s and 50s now needing hip replacements. The bump bangs up cartilage and we are seeing younger people needing hip replacements earlier. Golfers engage their hips on their swing.

Do you see young/old patients from golf with hip issues?
“Golfers develop hip issues on their twist, when they are rotating it pinches the nerve the hip. This can be treated with scoping.”

Do you have a message for golfers?
“If you are having hip pain, get it checked out earlier rather than later. Then hopefully that will allow for us to help prevent hip replacement.”

Check out Bunker to Bunkers segment with Dr. Economopoulos on Saturday 15th on radio station 98.7 at 7-9am.

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com 

Wishing you all a Happy Veterans Day!

Wishing you all a Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all those in service, those who have served and to all of the families for your dedication and sacrifice.

In 1949, Dr. William Bishop and Dr. Alvin Swenson were orthopedic surgeons returning from service in World War II. Their mission was to provide the very best orthopedic care to the growing Phoenix community and the many Veterans returning from war with significant orthopedic injuries. That year they founded the Orthopedic Clinic (TOCA), the first medical practice specializing in orthopedic surgery in Arizona. Today, The Orthopedic Clinic (TOCA) has grown to 19 physicians with five locations across the Valley.

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Dr. Chhabra teaches 2nd graders all about bones!

These 2nd grade students had a fun morning with Dr. Chhabra learning about their bones and bone health! TOCA is proud of Dr. Anikar Chhabra's dedication and commitment to the community, and support/involvement with education from elementary school and on up!


#Results.Recovery.Relief.

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Dr. Chhabra was proud to speak at the Arizona Men's Halth & Wellness Expo!

Dr. Chhabra was proud to speak at the Arizona Men's Health & Wellness Expo Saturday November 1st. The topic was Exercise and Aging: The Top 10 Orthopedic Injuries in Active Adults.

Results. Recovery. Relief.
TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Current Concepts in Sports Medicine Dinner Event

A job well done to Dr. Evan Lederman, Dr. Tom Carter, Dr. Anikar Chhabra, Dr. Kostas Economopoulos, Dr. Amy Jo Overlin, and Dr. David Barba (Fellow) in their presentations at the Current Concepts in Sports Medicine dinner event! This event was a Peer to Peer educational seminar for Family Practice and Primary Care Physicians managing sports injuries and osteoarthritis.

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com