Laurel Orthopaedists Group Offers Advanced Technology Close to Home
Established in 1956, the
Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic,
PA, is one of the oldest orthopaedic
practices in the state of
Mississippi. Doctors Thomas
H. Blake, Jr., William Morrison,
Steven Nowicki, and Ross Ward
are available to treat all orthopaedic
needs.
Orthopaedics: Focused on Helping You to Move, Work, Be Active
Orthopaedics is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body’s musculoskeletal system. This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, and allows you to move, work, and be active. Musculoskeletal conditions are the number one reason why patients visit doctors. In the United States, musculoskeletal conditions cost society up to $254 billion per year in medical care and lost productivity.State-of-the-Art Services
“The technology that we have at South Central Regional Medical Center is second to none,” says Thomas H. Blake, Jr., MD. “The hospital is well-equipped and staffed, allowing us to provide stateof- the-art orthopaedic services.”The physicians of the Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic manage special problems associated with the musculoskeletal system. They are skilled in:
- the diagnosis of injuries and disorders
- treatment with medication, exercise, surgery, or other treatment plans
- rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function
- prevention with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of diseases.
Orthopaedic Group One of the First to Provide
M2 Magnum Hip System The orthopaedic surgeons at Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic were some of the first surgeons in south Mississippi to perform total hip replacement surgery using the M2 Magnum hip system, which provides the potential for approximately 40 degrees more range of motion over traditional replacements.“The benefits are twofold,” states Steven Nowicki, MD. “First, it allows for the greatest possible hip arc of motion. The bigger the ball, the greater the range of motion, and the Magnum has the biggest ball possible. Second, it can make the hip much more stable, helping to prevent painful dislocations, which could require additional surgery. This latest generation of hip replacement will become the standard of care for hip joint replacement. I am pleased that we led the way in providing this technology in this region.”
Hundreds of thousands of people undergo total hip replacement (THR) every year in the United States. Successful results often are influenced by how closely the artificial joint can mimic a healthy joint’s range of motion and stability. Restoring hip joint range with a metalon- metal surface eliminates the potential for wear and increases the range of motion and joint stability for the patient.
Another First—Oxford Unicompartmental Knee System
Another first for the Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic was the use of the Oxford unicompartmental knee system. Approximately 20 million visits annually to physician’s offices are due to knee problems.Unlike total knee replacement involving removal of all the knee joint surfaces, a unicompartmental knee replacement replaces only one side of the knee joint. Knee osteoarthritis usually occurs first in the inside compartment, as this side of the knee bears most of the weight of the body. In knees that are otherwise healthy, a unicompartmental approach allows the outer compartment and all ligaments to remain intact. By retaining all of the undamaged parts, the joint may function more naturally.
“In a healthy knee, the meniscal cartilage serves as a shock absorber between the ends of the bones. The Oxford knee is the first unicompartmental implant with an artificial meniscal bearing designed to glide freely throughout the knee’s range of motion to more closely replicate normal movement. The free-floating nature of the device also greatly improves durability of the implant. This knee system offers a precisely instrumented system designed to balance the soft tissues and to accurately reproduce normal knee motion. The Oxford knee also allows for a more rapid recovery due to the use of minimally invasive instrumentation and techniques,” states William Morrison, MD.
Local Orthopaedic Surgeons Treat the Whole Person
More than two years ago, Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic was the first in the Pine Belt to offer minimally invasive surgery for hips and knees. “This attention to the latest techniques has not distracted from the individual attention we offer all of our patients,” states Ross Ward, MD. “We are proud to be able to continue to offer a high level of care for a variety of orthopaedic diseases on a personal basis. Because we treat the whole person and not just specific aspects of what our specialty is, I feel as though we are better able to understand the patient and thus be able to tailor a specific treatment plan for each patient,” Dr. Ward continues.Treatment may involve medical counseling, medications, casts, splints, surgery, or therapies such as exercise. For most orthopaedic diseases and injuries, there is more than one form of treatment. The orthopaedists discuss treatment options with each patient, to help each individual select the best treatment plan that will enable him or her to live an active and functional life.
New Surgeon Joins Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic
Orthopaedic surgeon Daniel W. Michael, MD, joined the physicians at Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic in April. Dr. Michael has years of experience in the field of orthopaedic surgery. “Like most orthopaedic surgeons, I had the opportunity to practice anywhere. I chose Laurel because I was impressed with the progressiveness of the medical community, and its commitment to excellence. I also was impressed with the construction of South Central’s new surgical facility,” Dr. Michael says.Dr. Michael provides the same type of surgery and care provided by other surgeons in the group. He also provides nonoperative and operative treatment for conditions of the spine.
Dr. Michael is a graduate of Auburn University. He completed medical school at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Alabama Medical Center. He is a member of the American Medical Association and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Michael is a nice addition to Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic. He has the same dedication to the field of medicine as other members of the group. “I look forward to serving the residents of South Central Mississippi,” Dr. Michael says.
Exercise Programs May Improve Bone Health
Exercise is important for women at any age, but may have specific benefits for postmenopausal women. Accumulating medical evidence suggests that exercise may offset the loss of bone mass.A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports the benefits of an exercise program consisting of four sessions per week in postmenopausal women with osteopenia—low bone mass—in the spine or hip. The program included endurance exercises, jumping, strength training, and stretching, with slowly increasing intensity over the first seven months.
Results from the study show that the exercise group experienced a relatively large bone mineral density increase compared to the nontraining control group who had a significant decrease in bone mineral density.
It’s never too late to start an exercise program to improve your bone health. Talk to your doctor to learn which exercises are safe for you.
