ONS on Valley Drive in Greenwich, CT.

12 Specialists from ONS included in New York Area Medical Guide Book

Twelve physicians from Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) on Valley Drive are included in the latest edition of Castle Connolly Top Doctors, New York Metro Area guidebook. The resource directory, which is in its fifteenth edition, is a guide to finding the top primary care and specialty care doctors in the tri-state metropolitan New York area. It details information on over 5500 physicians in 65 specialties. Physicians profiled in the guide were nominated by their peers and screened by a research team at Castle Connolly.

ONS physicians included in the 15^th edition of the guide are neurosurgeons Paul Apostolides, MD; Mark Camel, MD; Amory Fiore, MD and Scott Simon, MD; orthopedic surgeons Michael Clain, MD; John Crowe, MD; James Cunningham, MD; Steven Hindman, MD; Brian Kavanagh, MD; Seth Miller, MD; and Paul Sethi, MD; and physiatrist Jeffrey Heftler, MD.

“We congratulate our physicians who have been recognized as ‘Top Doctors’ in the most recent edition of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors: New York Metro Area,” said hand and wrist specialist Dr. Crowe. “Having twelve of our fine doctors included in this authoritative guide is a reflection of the commitment and quality of all our physicians and on the entire staff at ONS. The multidisciplinary nature of ONS makes it possible to provide patients with access to the most advanced care available in orthopedics, neurosurgery and physiatry.”

Castle Connolly sends nomination forms to medical professionals in throughout the New York metropolitan region including physicians and hospital executives. Survey recipients are asked to nominate those doctors who, in their judgment, are the best in their field and related fields– especially those to whom they would refer their own patients and family members.

Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS) is an advanced multi-specialty orthopedic and neurosurgery practice in Greenwich, CT. ONS physicians provide expertise in sports medicine, minimally invasive orthopaedic, spine and brain surgery, joint replacement and trauma. For more information, please visit www.onsmd.com.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming seminars by
ONS physicians!

Low Back Pain and Spine Disorders

Neurosurgeon Scott Simon, MD

Tuesday, February 7, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Greenwich Hospital, Noble Conference Center

Join neurosurgeon, Scott Simon, MD as he dispels myths about what works and what doesn’t work to treat low back pain. He will talk about prevention of low back injury, the importance of proper diagnostics and review “what’s new” in treatments.

Dr. Simon specializes in the treatment of spinal disorders. He is one of a few physicians nationwide who is trained in both neurological surgery and orthopedic techniques to treat scoliosis in adolescents and adults and is an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Simon graduated from UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School. He performed his residency at The University of Pennsylvania and did Fellowship training in spine surgery and scoliosis at The Schriners Hospital for Children, in Philadelphia.

To register, call 203-863-4277 or 888-305-9253.

A health education seminar, Exercise Safely During Pregnancy and After, will take place on Thursday, January 12 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Noble Conference Center at Greenwich Hospital at 5 Perryridge Road.  Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Katie Vadasdi of ONS, OBGYN Catherine Berzolla, MD of Putnam Gynecology and Obstetrics of Greenwich, and physical therapist Alicia Hirscht of ONS Physical Therapy will talk about the importance of exercise for pregnant women and address common concerns and safety guidelines for physical activity while pregnant.  The free seminar is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, call 203-863-4277 or 888-305-9253.

The Greenwich Hospital Community Health seminar will cover information on why exercise is recommended during pregnancy, what musculoskeletal injuries are common in pregnant women, exercises that should be avoided and some that should be a priority while pregnant.  Dr. Vadasdi; who is a triathlete and alpine climber and is expecting her second child in February, will focus her talk on changes to the body during pregnancy that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, orthopedic injuries that may occur during pregnancy and which activities are generally safe and comfortable during pregnancy. Dr. Berzola will present recommendations for safe guidelines for exercising during pregnancy from the obstetrics side.  Alicia Hirscht, DPT will talk about and demonstrate some specific exercise recommendations.

“In my orthopedics practice, I meet many women who are concerned about exercise safety and pregnancy,” says Dr. Vadasdi. “They want to know if- and how- they should modify your routine, how long they can work out, and how much exertion is safe. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t exercise, but it is important to know how to exercise safely.”

Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS) is an advanced multi-specialty orthopedic and neurosurgery practice in Greenwich, CT.  ONS physicians provide expertise in the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, sports medicine, minimally invasive orthopedic, spine and brain surgery, joint replacement and trauma. The main office is located at 6 Greenwich Office Park on Valley Drive in Greenwich. For more information, visit http://www.onsmd.com/e  or call (203) 869-1145.

Osteoporosis, a disease that deteriorates bone and leads to fractures, affects 28 million Americans and contributes to an estimated 1.5 million bone fractures every year.  Half of all women older than 65 and one in five men is affected by osteoporosis.  On Wednesday, November 16 at 7 p.m., orthopedic surgeon Steven Hindman, MD, endocrinologist Yi-Hao Yu, MD and physical therapist Betsy Kreuter, PT of ONS (Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists, PC) will present Osteoporosis: Prevention, Treatment and Management in the Noble Conference Center at Greenwich Hospital located at 5 Perryridge Road. Topics to be covered include bone anatomy, osteoporosis risk factors and exercise to promote strong bones. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. To register, call 203-863-3627 or register online at www.greenhosp.org.  For more information on topics related to orthopedics, sports medicine and neurosurgery, visit www.onsmd.com.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, with a range of motion of nearly 360 degrees.

Orthopedic Surgeon Tim Greene, MD of ONS on Valley Drive

The complex mechanics of the shoulder make it vulnerable to certain injuries.  Sports medicine specialist Tim Greene, MD, will discuss shoulder injuries, the common causes of shoulder pain and the most effective treatments from physical therapy to minimally invasive surgeries.

DETAILS

Speaker:  Tim Greene , MD, Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
Date:  Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Time:       6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location:  Noble Conference Center
Contact phone number:  203-863-4277 or 888-305-9253 or register online atwww.greenwichhospital.org
Fee:  None

Most injuries in dancers, for both students and professionals, are not the result of a sudden or traumatic event but  usually occur over a period of time, and are often preventable.  With that in mind, on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m., The Ballet School of Stamford and the ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education will team up to present a FREE injury prevention workshop for parents of dancers. Parenting a Healthy Dancer will feature a panel of experts who will discuss how to keep young dancers healthy in mind and body.  The panel will include Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Gloria Cohen, Dance Physical Therapist Samara DiMattia MSPT and Psychotherapist Becca Gaines, MS PC.

Because dance training involves repetitive movements done in classes, rehearsals, and performances, a lot of stress is put on dancers’ ligaments and muscles. Over time, this repetitive activity can lead to a number of overuse injuries.

The program, which is hosted by The Ballet School of Stamford at 175 Atlantic Street, will highlight the importance of understanding the signs and symptoms of the most common dance injuries including tendinitis, snapping hip, foot stress injuries, sprained ankles, and low back pain. “The panel will discuss the physical and emotional challenges for the young dancer,” said Dr. Cohen. “We will talk about the importance of proper technique and of identifying any muscle imbalances in the young dancer that might lead to an injury. There will also be discussion on proper strengthening and stretching exercises that can prevent injuries, basic rehabilitation exercises for dancers recovering from an injury, and how to know when to see a professional about a condition.” The FREE workshop will be conducted in an open forum. The public is invited, however advance registration is requested. For information, or to register, please send an email to info@Balletschoolofstamford.org, or call 203-358-8853. For directions go to www.balletschoolofstamford.org.

The Ballet School of Stamford is a not-for-profit school that provides professional dance training for children and adults from Fairfield and Westchester counties. The school is entering its thirteenth year and has moved into its new home at Old Town Hall. Through its relationship with Stamford Center for the Arts, the Ballet School is able to provide unique performance opportunities for its students, with a varied repertoire of original productions and classical ballets.

With fall sports getting underway, area athletic trainers (ATs) will soon be busy tending to the health care needs of student athletes.  In addition to the everyday sports medicine responsibilities of treating injuries and managing rehab, recognition and care of concussions has become an important focus of healthcare professionals on the field.  Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that are the result of rapid deceleration of the brain within the skull.  The injury is characterized by alteration in brain function.  It often takes several weeks to recover from a concussion and the process may negatively affect the student athlete both socially and academically.  However, the addition of ImPACT testing has taken some of the guesswork out of concussion management.

ImPACT (Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a neurocognitive test that is now routinely given to contact-sport athletes during the beginning of the season to establish a baseline.  The 25-minute test has been researched extensively and validated for use in high school athletes and is widely used in collegiate and professional sports.

As head athletic trainer for Greenwich High School, I have overseen 1500 baseline tests and seen the benefits of neurocognitive testing first hand.  A recent injury of a football player gave me an opportunity to demonstrate why ImPACT is such a useful aid in the neurological evaluation.  In this case, despite clearance by the student’s pediatrician and his own insistence that he was feeling “100 percent better,” his post-injury test scores were significantly lower than his baseline, indicating that he was not fully recovered.  At a critical point in the season, the pressure to return to the field was immense.  I suggested to the family that they hold the player out of sports and serial test him with ImPACT until his numbers improved.  Five days later, his scores were almost identical to his baseline and we began a supervised, gradual return-to-play protocol over five days, while closely monitoring his condition.  Three weeks passed before healing was complete but he made it back in time to play in the final game of the season.

It is important to remember that ImPACT neurocognitive testing is “one tool in the belt” of those treating concussions and should not alone be used as the deciding factor in return or not-to-return to sports decisions.  There is no substitute for a good neurological examination and proper evaluation done by a medical professional who specializes in head injuries.

-Pete Falla

For more information on the Management of Concussion, see this link to the ONS Foundation website.

For

ONS Collaborates with Greenwich Hospital in Joint Venture
Greenwich Time, June 7, 2011

Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Paul Sethi at the Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Center on Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, CT

Orthopaedic surgeon and hand specialist Dr. John Crowe of ONS in Greenwich.

One of the most common summer sports injuries is a torn meniscus (knee cartilage). Although an injury that happens year-round in high energy and contact sports athletes, many people increase their risk for knee injuries during the summer when their involvement in sports intensifies.

The meniscus is a C-shaped rubbery cushion that serves as a shock absorber between the bottom of the thigh bone and the top of the shin bone. The meniscus helps to evenly distribute the body’s weight over the knee joint and allows the joint to move and turn smoothly.

With so much emphasis on staying healthy and keeping active, meniscal tears are on the rise and often occur in combination with other injuries such as a ligament tear to the ACL or MCL. Tennis players commonly run, twist and pivot as they play. Likewise, a golfer’s swing relies heavily on a twisting motion through the body.  A sudden twist too far or a stumble can strain the knee beyond its normal range, causing injury to the cartilage.  However, you don’t have to be involved in sports to tear your meniscus. Even day to day activities like getting out of a car have been known to cause a meniscus tear.

The most common symptoms of a torn meniscus are pain and swelling, persistent soreness on one side of the knee and sometimes a tendency for the knee to lock or have difficulty straightening. A diagnosis is made by x-ray and MRI. Unfortunately, the meniscus cannot heal itself due to the lack of blood supply in that area. Fortunately, a simple 20 to 30 minute surgery can be done that will allow the knee to function normally again. (more…)

10 Specialists from ONS included in New York Area Medical Guide Book

ONS on Valley Drive in Greenwich, CT.

Ten physicians from ONS are included in the latest edition of Castle Connolly Top Doctors, New York Metro Area guidebook. The 2011 resource directory, which is in its fourteenth edition, is a guide to finding the top primary care and specialty care doctors in the tri-state metropolitan New York area. It details information on over 6000 physicians in 65 specialties. Physicians profiled in the guide were nominated by their peers and screened by a research team at Castle Connolly.

ONS physicians included in the guide are neurosurgeons Paul Apostolides, MD and Amory Fiore, MD; orthopedic surgeons Michael Clain, MD; John Crowe, MD; James Cunningham, MD; Steven Hindman, MD; Brian Kavanagh, MD; Seth Miller, MD; and Paul Sethi, MD; and physiatrist Jeffrey Heftler, MD.

“We are honored to be part of this distinguished group of physicians and to be recognized by our peers as among the region’s most trusted physicians,” said hand and wrist specialist Dr. Crowe. “Our practice takes pride in working as a team to offer patients the highest standard of care. The multidisciplinary nature of ONS makes it possible to provide patients with access to the most advanced techniques and treatments available in orthopedics, neurosurgery and physiatry.”

Castle Connolly sends 12,000 nomination forms to medical professionals in throughout the New York metropolitan region including physicians and hospital executives. Survey recipients are asked to nominate those doctors who, in their judgment, are the best in their field and related fields– especially those to whom they would refer their own patients and family members.
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. provides researched and screened information through consumer guides including America’s Top Doctors® and Top Doctors New York Metro Area and partnerships with leading regional and national magazines, such as New York, Connecticut and Greenwich Magazines.