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NEW ARRIVALS ADD DEPTH TO WINTHROP-UNIVERSITY'S ORTHOPEDIC BENCH BRADLEY WASSERMAN, M.D. + Specializes in sports medicine orthopedic surgery + Medical training — SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine + Residency — New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases + Fellowship – Department of Sports Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center BRYAN DING, M.D. + Specializes in foot and ankle orthopedic surgery + Medical training — Baylor College of Medicine + Residency — New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases + Fellowship – Baylor University Medical Center orthopedic trauma. In September 2011, the Department of Orthopaedics added to its expert team of sports medicine doctors with the arrival of four new orthopedic physicians. Injuries to the Knee and Shoulder A specialist in orthopedic sports medicine, Dr. Grossman treats a large number of athletes with a host of injuries, including those to the knee and shoulder. "Perhaps the biggest culprit is anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL)," says Dr. Grossman. "Female athletes are more prone to tear their ACLs than males." A study recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of male and female athletes with noncontact ACL injuries to those of athletes who participated in similar, at-risk sports but did not have a his- tory of ligament injury. The research revealed that men who had sustained an ACL injury and most women, regardless of whether they had an ACL injury, shared a common geometry of the area outside the knee. The upper part of their shinbones at the tibial plateau was much shorter and more rounded — characteristics that researchers suggest may contribute to a greater risk of ACL injury.1 For patients who are susceptible to ACL tear, Dr. Grossman recommends preventive measures such as plyometrics, where athletes use jumps and other powerful, explosive moves to strengthen the muscles around the knee. This way, they can control their musculature more effectively and protect the ACL. When a patient does experience an ACL tear, Dr. Grossman may recommend surgery. ACL reconstruction involves transfer- ring tissue from one part of the knee — generally the patellar tendon — to another to create a new ligament. Hamstring tendons and quadriceps tendons may also be used, as well as cadaver grafts. The surgical procedure can be performed arthroscopically through small incisions, depending on graft choice, and is usually an outpatient surgery. In general, athletes can return to sports in approximately six months. Shoulder injuries are also common among the athletic popula- tion. For traumatic shoulder injuries such as dislocation — when MEREDITH LAZAR-ANTMAN, M.D. + Specializes in pediatric orthopedic surgery + Medical training — New York Medical College + Residency — New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases + Fellowship — The Johns Hopkins University JASON GOULD, M.D. + Specializes in orthopedic trauma surgery + Medical training — SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine + Residency — Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital + Fellowship — Orlando Regional Medical Center the ball separates from the socket — Dr. Grossman may address the likelihood of reoccurrence by tightening the shoulder. This same-day procedure utilizes three small arthroscopic incisions. The capsule or lining of the shoulder is tightened to prevent future dislocations. Noninvasive options are often reasonable solutions for players of low-demand sports. Additionally, overuse injuries of the shoulder may respond well to nonsurgical treatments. "Shoulder pain can occur in overuse throwing athletes, such as pitchers and volleyball players," Dr. Grossman explains. "In those cases, therapy can be very effective, along with maintaining appro- priate pitch counts, so a thrower doesn't overuse his or her arm." Sports Injuries of the Hand Glenn Teplitz, M.D., Vice Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Winthrop-University Hospital and Chief of the hospital's Hand Service, specializes in the diagnosis, management and surgical treatment of hand and upper extremity disorders. Dr. Teplitz employs the latest technologies and intricate techniques to treat all ailments of the hand, wrist and elbow, from common conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger fingers to complex fractures and sports-related injuries. "Sports injuries of the hand are very prevalent, and we are for- tunate to have a skilled specialist," Dr. Grossman says. "Dr. Teplitz Chris Breen, orthopedic physician assistant, Winthrop-University Hospital, prepares to perform an ultrasound guided injection. SPECIAL CLINICAL SECTION: ORTHOPEDICS