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 

Congratulations to Dr. Kostas Economopoulos!

Congratulations to Dr. Kostas Economopoulos! He was asked by US Rugby to be the overseeing physician for their under 19 national team tryouts that took place from December 26th until Dec 31st.  The tryouts included 200 under 19 year old males attempting to make the US National Rugby team that competes all over the world.  Dr. Economopoulos and several other trainers and physical therapists were in charge of taking care of the bumps, bruises, breaks and concussions that go with rugby. Luckily, there were no major injuries during our week of tryouts.  He was asked to be the team doctor for the event because of his background of taking care of teams and young athletes in addition to His love for rugby. Dr. Economopoulos will have a chance to travel with the team to their international meets in the upcoming year.

TOCA

602-277-6211

www.tocamd.com

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos: Final Thoughts on Australia

“I have spent the last 6 months learning about hip arthroscopy and hip injuries in athletes.  It has been an amazing experience in many ways.  I have had the honor of working with one of the true pioneers in hip arthroscopy, Dr. John O’Donnell in Melbourne, Australia.  In addition to performing over 250 hip arthroscopies during my time here, I have learned how to deal with many complicated hip issues including femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).  In addition, my family and I have had a wonderful experience learning about Australian culture.  We have been fortunate enough to travel to many wonderful places in Australia including the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.  Although I have loved my time in Australia, I look forward to returning to my family and friends and using the skills and knowledge I have gained when I start with TOCA in Phoenix.”

Dr. Economopoulos will begin seeing patients in Mesa, Phoenix & Scottsdale August 1st, 2013.

TOCA

602-277-6211

www.tocamd.com

Hip Arthroscopy - Dr. Kostas Economopoulos

Hip Arthroscopy

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos

“Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat several disorders by placing a small camera into the hip and using instruments the size of a pen.  The procedure can be performed through 2 or 3 poke holes in the skin rather than making a large incision.  The surgery can be done on an outpatient basis and due to its minimally invasive nature, allows patients to return to sport and other activities quickly. Hip arthroscopy is a relatively new procedure and only a few people in Arizona are performing the surgery.  Currently, I am the only orthopaedic surgeon in Arizona to have completed a concentrated fellowship in hip arthroscopy.

The most common disorders treated with hip arthroscopy are femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and tears of the hip labrum.  FAI is a condition where the hip is misshaped which can lead to injuries inside the hip and possibly early arthritis.  The labrum acts like an “O” ring around the hip socket and can be injured or torn due to FAI or other traumatic events to the hip.  Tears of the labrum may lead to disabling groin pain in athletes.

FAI is a common issue in young athletes causing them to miss playing time.  There is a high prevalence of FAI in athletes participating in sports such as soccer, football, hockey and rugby.  Other activities such as running and ballet can also lead to injuries inside the hip such as labral tears which can be treated with hip arthroscopy.  Due to the minimal invasive nature of hip arthroscopy, athletes can return to action earlier than if they were treated with open surgery.

My interest in hip arthroscopy stems from my background in general surgery, sports hernias and groin injuries in athletes.  Groin pain in athletes is becoming a more common problem, and to be an effective sports medicine surgeon, I felt I needed to be able to treat FAI appropriately.  I have spent the past 6 months in a fellowship focusing on hip arthroscopy and FAI.  I look forward to returning to Phoenix and focusing on sports hip injuries in addition to other aspects of sports medicine.”

TOCA

602-277-6211

www.tocamd.com

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos, Dr. John O'Donnell, and Dr. Tom Carter

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos is honored to be working with one of the pioneers of hip arthroscopy, Dr. John O’Donnell.

John O’Donnell, MBBS, FRCS

Dr. O’Donnell has been performing hip arthroscopy since 1990 and was one of the earliest developers of arthroscopic FAI surgery in 2002. He is one of the early pioneers in the field and is one of a handful of high volume hip arthroscopists in the world having performed over 5000 hip arthroscopies. He is the president-elect for the International Society of Hip Arthroscopists and will take office in October 2013. He practices in Melbourne, Australia and takes care of many high-level athletes including Australian Rules Football players and Australian Olympic athletes.

Featured in the photo:  Dr. Tom Carter (TOCA) was asked to be a visiting professor in Australia,
Dr. Kostas Economopoulos (TOCA), and Dr. John O’Donnell.



TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Sneak peak at Dr. Kostas Economopoulos!

Sneak peak at Dr. Kostas Economopoulos who will be joining TOCA at the end of this summer.

He is currently in Melbourne, Australia working with one of the pioneers of hip arthroscopy.

“Although I have spent nearly my entire life in Arizona, my family and I have traveled over 8000 miles to train with one of the true pioneers of hip arthroscopy, John O’Donnell in Melbourne, Australia.  Hip arthroscopy is surgery of the hip done through a camera instead of a big incision.  It is most often used in treating young adults with hip pain caused by femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip labral tears and articular cartilage injures inside the hip. There are few opportunities for concentrated training in hip arthroscopy around the United States since so few people do lots of this surgery.  When the offer to work with Dr. O’Donnell one-on-one for 6 months was made, I jumped at the chance.  The experience has been amazing.  I am getting hands on training with one of the best hip arthroscopists in the world.  In addition, my family and I are experiencing Australia, a truly amazing place to be.  I am looking forward to bringing back what I am learning in Australia back to Phoenix.”

-          - Dr. Kostas Economopoulos