Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1109419
Focused Foot and Ankle Expertise at WellSpan Orthopedics BY JENNA HAINES SPECIALISTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS AT WELLSPAN ORTHOPEDICS AND WELLSPAN SURGERY & REHABILITATION HOSPITAL WORK TOGE THER TO PROVIDE INTEGR ATED CARE FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY. EIGHT IN 10 Americans will experience foot or ankle pain during their lifetimes — caused by arthritis, trauma, disease, poor circula- tion, genetics, general deterioration and ill-fitting footwear — often limiting mobility and restricting their daily lives. WellSpan Health offers an advanced foot and ankle program that provides treatment for a wide range of conditions — from common issues, such as bunions, arthritis or hammertoes, to more complex needs, such as fractures and flat foot reconstruction. FROM SURGERY TO PHYSICAL THERAPY: WORKING WITH EXPERTS The foot and ankle team at WellSpan Orthopedics and WellSpan Surgery & Rehabilitation Hospital is composed of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, nurses and physical therapists, all uniquely versed in treating foot and ankle injuries and complications. "We have an energetic staff that is solely dedicated to foot and ankle reconstruction," says Christian Hall, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of the Foot and Ankle Program at WellSpan Orthopedics. "We use a team approach both at the office as well as the hospital. Every staff member has a unique role in each patient's treatment plan, from cast technicians who can address acute injuries to physical therapists who guide patients through therapy after surgery. Trained experts are working with patients at each step of the process." Dr. Hall is no exception. He completed medical school and his residency in orthopedics at Michigan State University before receiving specialized foot and ankle training from legendary medical professors Sigvard T. Hansen, MD, Bruce Sangeorzan, MD, and Stephen Benirschke, MD, while completing his fellowship at Harborview Medical Center at the University of Washington. After his fellowship, Dr. Hall spent five years in Portsmouth, Virginia, on active duty in the U.S. Navy where he specialized in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery for wounded soldiers. "I've taken care of Marines, Navy SEALs and the Navy population coming back from war. We ran a very large clinic that addressed a wide range of medical conditions, from simple sports injuries to the reconstruction of complex fractures and injuries from explosive devices," Dr. Hall explains. "That experience helped instill in me the empathy and skill to put patients' lives back together. It also gave me a wide breadth of experience which prepared me well to manage the complex situations for the patients I see today." IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES If a patient experiences foot or ankle pain, he or she should first seek a primary evaluation from either a primary care provider or one 0 4❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y Dr. Hall points out the "hardware" used to help repair an injured ankle. Christian Hall, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of the Foot and Ankle Program at WellSpan Orthopedics 0 4