Brad Brautigan M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville (OAZ), is riding in the third annual Pelotonia: Ride for a Cure event, August 19-21. Pelotonia is a 102-mile cycling event starting in Columbus and ending in Athens.

Dr. Brautigan is riding in memory of Rita Church, a former employee at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville. Church served as a bookkeeper for OAZ starting in 1981 and sadly lost her battle with cancer in January 2010.

“Participating in Pelotonia is one way I can help join the fight against cancer and honor a lost friend,” Dr. Brautigan said. “For people who have either been directly or indirectly affected by cancer and want to support a great cause, this is an excellent grassroots campaign.”

Dr. Brautigan’s rider number is BB0034 and his fundraising goal is $1,800. For those wishing to support Dr. Brautigan’s ride, click here.

Arthoscopy is a term you may have heard but don’t fully understand. The Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ explain this diagnostic procedure:

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. In an arthroscopic examination, an orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint.

By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature television camera, the surgeon is able to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than a large incision needed for surgery. The television camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look, for example, throughout the knee. This lets the surgeon see the cartilage, ligaments, and under the kneecap. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem, if it is necessary.

Arthroscopy is an extremely valuable tool for all orthopaedic patients and is generally easier on the patient than “open” surgery. Most patients have their arthroscopic surgery as outpatients and are home several hours after the surgery.

If you have questions about arthroscopy, contact the Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ.

Congratulations to Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville’s own Dr. William Allen, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, for finishing the Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010. Dr. Allen clocked in at 3:24:47, good for 373rd in his age group! Read more at the Zanesville Times-Recorder.

The Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ can offer help for elderly patients suffering from knee arthritis and impaired balance.

A study presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shows total knee replacement can successfully relieve pain and improve function in patients with advanced knee arthritis.

The study measured accurately static and dynamic balance with a new computerized system called the Balance Master. The study found:

• Significant improvement in dynamic balance one year after surgery
• Significant progress in balance-determined motor tests
• Strong statistical correlation between the balance and the Oxford Knee Score functional questionnaire and the quality of life questionnaire SF-36

One year after surgery, the correlation between patients’ improved balance and their ability to walk and perform daily activities was stronger than the correlation between their reduced pain and their ability to walk and do daily activities.

Elderly individuals considering knee replacement should talk to their Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ about the rehabilitation process and ways to improve balance following surgery.

The Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ have potential good news to share about knee replacements.

It’s generally recommended that total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients avoid activities that cause high stress loads on the implant and may increase the risk of early failure. Such activities include high-impact aerobics, football, soccer, baseball, basketball, jogging and power lifting, among others.

However, according to a new study presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, TKA patients may be able to participate in high-impact sports without increasing risk of early implant failure.

It’s best to talk with the Ohio orthopaedic surgeons at OAZ about your personal knee replacement recovery.