Orthopedic Surgery: Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine, and Other Orthopedic Specialists

Phelps has long been recognized for excellence in orthopedics - especially joint replacement surgery for hips and knees. Orthopedic surgeons on Phelps' staff offer a wealth of expertise in not only joint replacement surgery but also sports medicine, complex spine surgery, and injuries of the ankles, shoulders, hands and lower back.

Anterior Approach Hip Replacement

Phelps orthopedic surgeons offer patients the latest techniques and technology, including Anterior Approach Hip Replacement. With Anterior Approach Hip Replacement, surgical entry is from the front. The surgeon is able to work within the natural space between the muscles and does not have to cut any muscles or tendons to reach the hip. The most important muscles for hip function – the gluteal muscles, which attach to the pelvis and femur – are left undisturbed and therefore do not require a healing process. Compared to standard and mini-incision hip replacement surgeries, the anterior approach is proven to have fewer postoperative complications, considerably less pain, and quicker recovery. It produces a more fixed hip, less likely to “pop out of the joint” with rigorous exercise or sudden movements. Once reserved for less active adults over the age of 60, the more stable hip resulting from the anterior approach is appropriate for younger patients as well.

Corey Burak, MD was the first physician to perform Anterior Approach Hip Replacement in the northeast and has accomplished more than 600 Anterior Appoach Hip Replacements to date (Feb 2010). Dr. Burak is considered an expert in the anterior approach technicque, having given courses to other surgeons across the United States. (Dr. Burak may be reached at 914-631-7777)

When is joint replacement surgery the right choice?

Hip or knee pain is often caused by arthritis, but it can also be the result of injury or other medical conditions. The first therapies for pain are anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and physical therapy. If pain becomes severe to a point where medication no longer provides relief and leads to lack of sleep or difficulty climbing stairs. . . or if it hurts just to go for a walk, surgically replacing the joint can bring back enjoyment of everyday activities.

Rehabilitation

At Phelps, post-surgical rehabilitation takes place in the Hospital's Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, adjacent to the surgical floor, enabling continued monitoring by the surgeon throughout rehabilitation. The Rehab Unit's Board Certified Physical Medicine physicians, therapists, and nurses design specifically tailored therapy programs for each individual patient. A benefit of having rehab in a hospital as opposed to a distant rehab facility is that medical specialists are readily available if a medical problem unrelated to the orthopedic surgery occurs.

Dr. J. Robert Seebacher, a recognized expert in replacing hips and knees, has performed more than 2,500 joint replacements. (914-631-7777)

Among the devoted patients of Dr. Seebacher are the Maryknoll Missionaries, whose world headquarters are in Ossining. The missionaries go out to work in remote regions for up to five years at a time, walking for miles, climbing steep mountains, and crossing through deserts and jungles. They put more wear and tear on their joints than the average American; as a result they have a greater need for hip and knee replacement. Some 50 missionaries have had hip or knee surgery performed by Dr. Seebacher, and all of them have returned to their field work."The missionaries are remarkable," says Dr. Seebacher. "They never retire."

Dr. Seebacher attributes much of his success in treating the missionaries and all of his patients to the Phelps hospital staff - the skilled operating room team, the dedicated nurses who care for the patients after surgery in a special wing of the hospital, and the superb rehabilitation specialists responsible for bringing patients back to normal activities in record time.

Orthopedics at Phelps

In 2009, Phelps increased its range of expertise in orthopedics even further when two new orthopedic practices opened offices on the campus, more than doubling the number of orthopedic surgeons on staff.

The two new practices joined several orthopedists who have been on Phelps' staff for many years and are members of Hudson Valley Bone and Joint Associates of Hawthorne. Anthony Maddallo, who leads the group, specializes in sports injuries, as does Gregg Cavaliere, MD. Other members of the group are J. Robert Seebacher, MD,who specializes in joint replacements; Corey Burak, MD,specializing in joint replacements, including anterior approach hip replacement; George Burak, MD, general orthopedist who performed the first total hip replacement in Westchester in 1969; Samuel Hoisington, MD, a fellowship trained foot and ankle orthopedist and a trauma surgeon (as well as director of the Phelps Wound Healing Institute); and George Pianka, MD, who specializes in hand surgery. Nicole Solomos, MD, treats patients with musculo-skeletal problems who do not need surgery. (914-631-7777)

One of the two new practices, University Orthopaedics, PC, of Hawthorne, established an office in Phelps' new 755 Medical Services Building . The members of the group specialize in trauma treatment, spine, hand, foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, arthroscopy, microvascular surgery, pediatric orthopedics and general orthopedic care. David Asprinio, MD, who heads the practice, is one of the top trauma surgeons in NYS. Other physicians in the group are Damon DelBello, MD, pediatric orthopedics, spine and scoliosis surgery; John Galeno, MD, orthopedic surgery, spine and scoliosis surgery; Howard Luks, MD, sports medicine, arthroscopy and computer-navigated knee replacement; Richard Magill, MD, hand and upper extremity surgery, microvascular surgery; Andrew Moulton, MD, spine surgery; Iris Schlesinger, MD, pediatric orthopedics; and Daniel Zelazny, MD, orthopedic trauma and sports medicine. ( 914-703-6001)

The second orthopedics practice that joined Phelps in 2009 is Bone & Joint Associates, based in North White Plains, which opened an office on campus in the 777 Medical Office Building. Dr. Robert Small, a general orthopedist who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery, started the practice in 1983.The other members of Bone & Joint Associates are William Buschmann, MD, who specializes in foot and ankle surgery and general orthopedics; Paul Fragner, MD, who specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery; and two sports medicine specialists, Michael Schwartz, with shoulder and knee specialty; and Richard Weinstein, MD, with knee, shoulder and ankle specialty. (914-684-0300)

Richard Peress, MD, performs complex spine surgeries at Phelps that are typically seen only inmajor university teaching hospitals. He has accomplished many "firsts in Westchester County," including the first artificial lumbar disc replacement in 2005 and the first artificial cervical disc replacement in 2008. (914-762-9300)

Rudolph Taddonio, MD, Professor of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at NY Medical College is a spine specialist who does sophisticated spinal surgery. He notes that Phelps is one of the few community hospitals equipped to handle cases requiring sterotactic guided surgery.(914-288-0045)

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