MDNews - San Antonio

COVER FEATURE they need, and each physician is able to focus on his or her personal specialty." Dr. Murray, who graduated from the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center, went on to complete a sports medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Murray special- izes in shoulder surgery, including arthroscopic rotator cuff procedures, as well as knee surgery. He also performs UT Medicine orthopaedic surgeons Bernard Morrey, M.D., and Anil Dutta, M.D., with the new the Focused Aspiration of Scar Tissue (FAST) ablation device advanced cartilage transplants for menis- cal and anterior cruciate ligament repairs. The Latest Technology In addition to a wide breadth of expertise, physicians at UT Medicine have access to cutting-edge technology and materials. Many procedures are now performed arthroscopically rather than with traditional open surgical methods. Newer materials used include advanced suture anchors and bioabsorbable screws that break down inside the body. "These technological advances allow us to increase what we can do with limited invasiveness for the patient," says Jesse DeLee, M.D., another UT Medicine orthopaedic surgeon. "This translates into less pain and a shorter rehabilitation time period for patients." Dr. DeLee, who graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch– Galveston and completed his residency at the UT School of Medicine at San Antonio, specializes in sports medicine and reconstructive knee surgery. He FAST RELIEF FROM TENDONITIS UT MEDICINE SAN ANTONIO introduces the latest advance in orthopaedic care for tendon conditions — the FAST procedure by Tenex Health. The Focused Aspiration of Scar Tissue (FAST) procedure is a minimally invasive surgery that allows tendon scar tissue to be removed without causing damage to surrounding tissue. The technique allows orthopaedic surgeons at UT Medicine to perform the procedure in fewer than 15 minutes while promoting quick recovery. The procedure is ideal for patients suffer- ing from tendon issues, including: + Achilles tendonitis + Jumper's knee + Plantar fascia + Swimmer's shoulder + Tennis and golfer's elbow Using ultrasound imaging, FAST incorporates a TX1 tissue removal system that allows surgeons to remove bone spurs and scar tissue from tendons and muscles. 8 | San Antonio MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM After applying local anesthetic to the surgi- cal area, an orthopaedic surgeon uses the FAST instrument, which is about the size and thickness of a toothpick, to remove the tissue, all while being guided by ultrasound imaging. The instrument emits sound waves that target brittle or hardened tis- sue, breaking the tissue up and removing it simultaneously. Because of its more supple texture, surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected during the procedure. The FAST procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and patients leave with a small bandage instead of stitches. UT Medicine's clinical home, the Medical Arts & Research Center, is one of only three facilities in Texas to offer this specialized procedure, which is performed by UT Medicine surgeons Anil Dutta, M.D., and Bernard Morrey, M.D. "By removing unhealthy tissue, the FAST procedure speeds up the natural process of tissue regrowth to help patients get back to normal life," says Dr. Dutta. "The FAST procedure is just one element of our world-class shoulder and elbow program. UT Medicine is one of the only practices in the southern part of the country with subspecialists in complex shoulder and elbow procedures, and professionals come here from all over the world to study in these specialties." A FASTER RECOVERY Patients who undergo the FAST procedure can return home immediately and are advised to take over-the-counter- pain medication if needed. The recovery period does not typically impact normal daily activities, but patients should not participate in exercises that cause the affected tendon to bear weight for at least two weeks. Patients do not require any physical therapy after the procedure and typically report experiencing no pain and a full recovery. UT MEDICINE ORTHOPAEDICS provides the community with a comprehensive range of orthopaedic specialties, including: + General orthopaedics + Hand and plastic surgery + Orthopaedic oncology + Orthopaedic trauma and post- traumatic reconstruction + Pediatric orthopaedics + Podiatric medicine and surgery + Shoulder surgery + Spine surgery + Sports medicine + Total joint arthroplasty completed a fellowship in reconstructive surgery at the Wrightington Hospital Center in Great Britain and has practiced medicine for more than 40 years. Many UT physicians are also involved with local high school athletics, and the department has a long-standing history with Brooke Army Medical Center.

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