Musculoskeletal Disorders

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Emily Carroll, JD, MSW

The No Surprises Act aims to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. But how exactly does it go about doing that, and what’s the current status of its implementation? Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share progress and challenges associated with the No Surprises Act is Ms. Emily Carroll, a senior legislative attorney for the American Medical Association's Advocacy Resource Center.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Catherine Apicella, MPT, PYT-C, PRPC

With less and less primary care physicians partnering with physical therapists, it’s time we ask: are we doing ourselves—and our patients—a disservice by not taking advantage of this option? To find out, Dr. Jennifer Caudle sits down with physical therapist Catherine Apicella to discuss the often-overlooked benefits of physical therapy and how primary care physicians and physical therapists can work together to benefit their patients.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Catherine Apicella, MPT, PYT-C, PRPC

Frustrating multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms like urinary frequency and incontinence can be detrimental to a patient’s quality of life, but there are resources available to help. To explore the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy for MS, Dr. Jennifer Caudle sits down with two special guests: physical therapist Catherine Apicella from CORE 3 Physical Therapy and her patient—and ReachMD’s very own employee—Crystal Gouldey.

Host: Barnett Mennen, MD
Guest: Comron Saifi, MD

Spinal deformity places strain on the vertebrae and supporting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissues supporting the spinal column. The treatment and management of this condition becomes centrally important to maintain patient quality of life through functional mobility and activity levels.

Host, Dr. Barry Mennen and Dr. Comron Saifi discuss the leading assessment and treatment options for spinal deformity. Dr. Saifi is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Division of Spine Surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Out of the approximately 340,000 hip fractures that occur in the US each year, 9 out of 10 of them happen to people older than 65. Hip fractures in an older population can result in significant complications including pneumonia and blood clots, among others.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough sits down with Dr. Derek Donegan, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in the Division of Orthopedic Trauma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to talk about some of the challenges physicians face when treating hip fractures in elderly patients.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Patrick J. Connolly, MD

Back and neck pain is extremely common, with 80-90% of people experiencing some pain within their lifetime. About 90% of cases resolve within six weeks, but for those patients whose pain persists, questions arise as to who should be referred next for further consultation. While patients often see a spine specialist at first, the care journey sometimes leads to a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic spine surgeon. Can this pathway from primary care to neurosurgery or orthopaedic surgery ever be expedited?

Dr. Patrick Connolly, neurosurgeon at Penn Medicine joins host Dr. Matt Birnholz to discuss when primary care physicians should consider referring patients to neurosurgeons for neck and back pain. Dr. Connolly will also discuss the different types of surgical options for patients seeking prolonged back and neck pain relief.

[Read the Article]

Among a group of patients with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery, a large percentage experienced improvement in pain, physical function, and walking capacity over 3 years, according to a new study.

Severe obesity can be associated with joint pain and impaired physical function, like the ability to bend, lift, carry, and walk.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied more than 2,200 patients from 10 U.S. hospitals. Patients filled out questionnaires about their pain and physical function before surgery and each year, for 3 years after surgery. Patients also participated in a 400 meter walking test.

The results found that 50 to 70 percent of patients experienced significant improvements in body pain and physical function and in the walking test. In addition, they found three-fourths of participants with severe knee and hip pain experienced improvements in arthritis symptoms.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

Why is it important to understand what our body looks like when we are completing tasks, otherwise known as the study of ergonomics? How do we best counsel our patients, as well as clinicians, to notice changes in posture when sedentary? And how can achieve the more optimal "neutral posture" even when inactive? In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Rubina Tahir, chiropractor, author, and host of The Rx on My New Philly. Dr. Tahir will discuss the importance of posture given the challenges of technology and other factors driving sedentary lifestyles.

Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Osteosarcoma is a relatively rare but feared disease. What exactly is an osteosarcoma and how should it be worked up and treated? Host Dr. Lee Freedman discusses this diagnosis with Dr. Kristy Weber, Abramson Family Professor in Sarcoma Care Excellence and Professor, Vice-Chair of Faculty Affairs, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Director of the Sarcoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center; Chief, Orthopaedic Oncology.

Host: Prathima Setty, MD

Dr. Prathima Setty welcomes Dr. Ethel Siris, the Madeline C. Stabile Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and the Director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center of the Columbia University Medical Center. Their discussion focuses on updated indications and assessments for confirming diagnoses of osteoporosis and recommended approaches to treatment in mild to severe cases.

About NAMS

The interview was conducted live at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) meeting. Founded in 1989, NAMS is North America's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. Its multidisciplinary membership of 2,000 leaders in the field-including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, nutrition, anthropology, epidemiology, pharmacy, and education-makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause and healthy aging To learn more about NAMS, visit www.menopause.org.

Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Presentation of lumps and bumps are common in the primary care setting, but the appropriate approach is vital to determine whether there may be a deeper problem. A better understanding can lead to more effective treatment. Expert guest Dr. Kristy Weber discusses musculoskeletal tumors during her discussion with host Dr. Lee Freedman. Dr. Weber is the Abramson Family Professor in Sarcoma Care Excellence as well as Professor, Vice-Chair of Faculty Affairs, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; and Director of the Sarcoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center; and Chief, Orthopaedic Oncology.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

This session of Grand Rounds Nation is provided by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), and features Dr. Susan Zito, DO, MPH. Dr. Zito is a faculty physician at the Largo Medical Center in Largo, Florida.

This is Part 2 of a lecture in two parts.

Part 1 >>

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

This session of Grand Rounds Nation is provided by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), and features Dr. Susan Zito, DO, MPH. Dr. Zito is a faculty physician at the Largo Medical Center in Largo, Florida.

This is Part 1 of a lecture in two parts.

Part 2 >>

Guest: Rachel Kim, MD
Host: Steven Edelman, MD

Diabetes may affect the musculoskeletal system in a variety of ways. The metabolic perturbations in diabetes result in changes in the connective tissue. What are current recommendations for healthcare providers as an overall strategy in the treatment of patients living with diabetes? Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, rheumatologist at the Scripps Clinic, Dr. Rachel Kim, as they discuss musculoskeletal complications, intervention and treatment.

Guest: Lawrence Hurst, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Dupuytren's disease can cause severe joint contracture in the hands, and surgery is often recommended for these patients most affected by the condition. But Dr. Lawrence Hurst, professor, chairman and chief of the division of hand surgery in the department of orthopaedics at Stony Brook School of Medicine Health Sciences Center, tells us about another new, non-surgical option that may soon be available for treating Dupuytren's contracture, using injectable collagenase. What types of patients are most susceptible to developing this condition? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Guest: Sharlene Teefey, MD
Host: Beverly Hashimoto, MD

Ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system provides pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue throughout the body. Dr. Sherry Teefey, associate professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, discusses with host Dr. Beverly Hashimoto some of the common uses for this procedure. Dr. Teefey also discusses the application of musculoskeletal ultrasound in conjunction with aspiration or injection. Tune in to hear the benefits and limitations of diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Guest: Judith Florendo
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Chronic pelvic pain, incontinence and dyspareunia prompt many women to seek the help of their gynecologist. What most women don't know is that the next step in their treatment may be a visit to a physical therapist, for pelvic floor physical therapy. Ms. Judith Florendo, the Midwest regional representative in the women's section of the American Physical Therapy Association, joins host Dr. Lauren Streicher to talk about this growing area of women's health. Ms. Florendo explains how therapists go about evaluating their patients for treatment and who can benefit from this type of therapy.

Guest: Timothy Coetzee, PhD
Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Through a venture philanthropy called Fast Forward, LLC the National Multiple Sclerosis Society plans to deploy 1.5 to 2 million dollars in the next 18 months as seed funding to biotech companies on the path towards cures for Multiple Sclerosis.  Our guest, Timothy Coetzee executive director of Fast Forward, LLC joins host Dr. Bruce Bloom to talk about genomics, novel immune system therapies and other hopeful possibilities leading towards cures for multiple sclerosis.  Interesting also is the process by which the biotech companies are evaluated and followed after an investment is made.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD
Guest: Timothy Coetzee, PhD

Speeding up the translation process for MS patients is the mission of Fast Forward, LLC, a venture philanthropy of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Our guest today, Dr. Timothy Coetzee executive director of Fast Forward, LLC tells us how they are taking a business venture approach to find cures. Funded by private donations, the Fast Forward team makes investments in promising science backed by companies with a plan and strategy in place. Says Coetzee, "Its pivotal that charities think about using their capital towards commercial development. We are not sure where the next cure will come from."

Guest: Col. Geoffrey Ling, MD, PhD
Host: John Armstrong, MD

Col. Dr. Geoffrey Ling, program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and former professor and chair of neurology at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, joins host Dr. John Armstrong for an inspiring conversation about the future of revolutionary prosthetic limbs. At the crossroads of biology and artificial technology, from ‘strap-and-go' devices to cortical interface tools, we hold the power to revitalize the human spirit.