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What's New
Advanced Knee Replacement Techniques Benefit Female Patients
Thomas S. Muzzonigro, M.D., William D. Abraham, M.D., and Michael W. Weiss, M.D., orthopedic surgeons with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates, are using a new knee implant specifically engineered for a woman’s joint."Orthopedics has made significant progress in the last decade with improvements in pain management and less invasive surgery that help patients get back to their lives sooner," Dr. Muzzonigro said. "Now we can also offer some of our female patients an implant that feels more like their own knee. There’s really no reason for women to live with arthritic knee pain." Nearly two-thirds of more than 400,000 annual knee replacement patients are women, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, and the numbers continue to increase each year. Yet a common complaint among women following knee replacement surgery is that the implant feels bulky and unnatural. The Zimmer® Gender SolutionsTM Knee is designed to feel more natural and offer improved movement when bending or walking. In addition to a more refined implant, Tri Rivers’ physicians use less invasive surgical techniques, which can mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster return to daily activities. Donna, a 65-year-old Butler resident, recently underwent minimally invasive knee replacement and received a gender specific implant. "It’s absolutely wonderful," she said. Prior to surgery, Stewart was in too much pain to enjoy gardening, go grocery shopping or walk at any length. "It got to a point where I didn’t have a life at all," she said. Now she plans to have her other arthritic knee replaced within the next year. Dr. Muzzonigro is board certified in orthopedic surgery. He currently sees patients in Tri Rivers’ Cranberry/Mars and Butler locations. Dr. Abraham is fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery. He treats patients in Tri Rivers’ North Hills office, located on the campus of UPMC Passavant hospital. Dr. Weiss is board certified in orthopedic surgery. He also sees patients at Tri Rivers’ North Hills office. - Management of joint pain, including total joint replacement
- Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle
- Sports medicine
- Fracture care
- Diagnosis and treatment of other orthopedic concerns
For more information on the advancements in knee replacement surgery, call Tri Rivers toll-free at 1-866-874-7483. To learn more about the Zimmer® Gender SolutionsTM Knee, visit www.genderknee.com.
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists Join Tri Rivers Surgical Associates
The orthopedic surgeons of Tri Rivers Surgical Associates are pleased to announce the addition of James L. Cosgrove, M.D., Judith H. Esman, M.D., and Edward D. Reidy, M.D., three board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, to their practice. As a result of this merger, Tri Rivers is able to offer expanded musculoskeletal care to patients.Dr. Cosgrove received his medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He completed his internship and residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Health and Sciences Center. Dr. Cosgrove has a subspecialization in pain medicine and a certification in electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Esman received her medical training from Cornell University Medical College. She completed her internship in internal medicine and her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Health and Sciences Center. Dr. Esman has a subspecialization in pain medicine and certifications in electrodiagnostic medicine. She is also a licensed acupuncturist. Dr. Reidy received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he also completed his internship in internal medicine. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. Drs. Cosgrove, Esman and Reidy will see patients in the North Hills, Cranberry/Mars, Butler and Aspinwall. They provide a full scope of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, including the management of chronic pain associated with: - Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurological disorders
- Spinal cord injuries
- Arthritis
- Myofascial
- Amputations
Additionally, Tri Rivers Surgical continues to offer a full scope of sports medicine and orthopedic care including arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle; management of arthritis and joint pain; fracture care and diagnosis; and treatment of other orthopedic and pain management concerns. For more information or to make an appointment, call Tri Rivers Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation toll free at 1-866-874-7483.
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Robert L. Waltrip, M.D., Named a Top Doctor for Second Time
Tri Rivers Surgical Associates is pleased to announce that Robert L. Waltrip, M.D., has been named a top doctor in both the Pittsburgh region and the country for the second consecutive year. Dr. Waltrip is currently featured in Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2007 Top Doctors listing and the America’s Top Doctors guide published annually by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Dr. Waltrip, a sports medicine and shoulder specialist, is one of the few orthopedic surgeons in the area performing arthroscopic double-layer rotator cuff repair and mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement surgery. Dr. Waltrip sees patients at Tri Rivers’ Butler office and their new office in the Cranberry/Mars corridor, just off of Route 228. He provides a full scope of sports medicine and shoulder-related services. Patients interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about Tri Rivers’ services may call toll free 1-866-874-7483 or e-mail mail@tririversortho.com.
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Arthroscopic Surgery Proves as Effective as Open Surgery for Treating Elbow Tendonitis
For patients who require tennis elbow surgery, a newer arthroscopic approach may mean less post-operative pain and a more rapid recovery. In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery concludes that arthroscopic release surgery is as effective as open surgery in the treatment of elbow tendonitis, a common orthopedic complaint.Tennis elbow is a degenerative condition affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow joint. It can affect as many as half of the athletes involved in racquet sports and many more individuals involved in work or recreation activities that require repetitive use of the forearm muscles. S. Joshua Szabo, M.D., a shoulder and sports medicine specialist with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates, served as the lead researcher for the study and is one of a few local surgeons who performs arthroscopic elbow release surgery for tennis elbow. The article, “Tendonitis of the extensor capri radialis brevis: An evaluation of three methods of operative treatment,” is published in the December issue of the journal. The research involved a 7-year comparison study of 109 patients who underwent one of three different operative treatments for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis (elbow tendonitis). The surgical methods in comparison were traditional, arthroscopic, and percutaneous surgical repair approaches. Dr. Szabo and the other researchers found that arthroscopic release is as effective as open surgery for the repair of elbow tendonitis. And because minimally invasive arthroscopy causes less trauma to the muscles, ligaments and other tissues than traditional surgery, patients may experience less post-operative pain and accelerated rehabilitation. Dr. Szabo received his medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia where he also completed his internship in general surgery. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Drexel University’s College of Medicine and an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at the prestigious Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Jackson, Miss. Dr. Szabo also lectures nationally and teaches other orthopedic surgeons advanced shoulder and elbow procedures as an instructor at the Orthopaedic Learning Center in Rosemont, Ill. Additionally, he has served as team physician for athletes at various competitive levels.
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Tri Rivers Surgical Opens New Office in Cranberry/Mars Corridor
Tri Rivers Surgical Associates will open its third office Monday, November 20 in the Cranberry/Mars corridor. The office is located on Crider Road just off of Route 228 in Mars Borough and will offer convenience of care to patients in Cranberry/Mars and surrounding communities.Tri Rivers physicians D. Kelly Agnew, M.D., Robert L. Waltrip, M.D., and S. Joshua Szabo, M.D., will see patients in the new office and provide a full scope of sports medicine and orthopedic care including: - Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle
- Complex shoulder and elbow reconstruction, including rotator cuff repairs
- Treatment of knee conditions, including ACL injuries
- Management of joint pain including, total joint replacement
- Fracture care
- Diagnosis and treatment of other orthopedic concerns
Tri Rivers has been in practice for more than 30 years and has offices in the North Hills at the UPMC Passavant Professional Building and in Butler at the Butler Bone and Joint Center. To schedule an appointment at any Tri Rivers location, call toll free at 1-866-874-7483 or click on "Request an Appointment" from the homepage.
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Sports Medicine Specialist Joins Tri Rivers Surgical Associates
The orthopedic surgeons of Tri Rivers Surgical Associates are pleased to announce the addition of S. Joshua Szabo, M.D., a sports medicine specialist, to the staff of their office at the Butler Bone and Joint Center, New Castle Road, Butler.Dr. Szabo will also work from Tri Rivers’ new Route-228/Mars office, which is scheduled to open in late October. Dr. Szabo received his medical degree from Hahnemann University, in Philadelphia, where he also completed his internship in general surgery. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Drexel University’s College of Medicine and an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at the prestigious Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Jackson, Miss. Dr. Szabo also lectures nationally and teaches other orthopedic surgeons advanced shoulder and elbow procedures as an instructor at the Orthopaedic Learning Center in Rosemont, Ill. Additionally, he has served as team physician for athletes at various competitive levels. Dr. Szabo brings world-renowned sports medicine training to local athletes. While caring for patients at Tri Rivers’ Butler Bone and Joint Center, he will provide a full scope of orthopedic services, including: - Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle
- Complex shoulder and elbow reconstructions, including rotator cuff repairs
- Treatment of knee conditions, including complex ligament injuries (ACL)
- Hand and upper extremity specialty care
- Fracture care
- Diagnosis and treatment of other orthopedic concerns
Dr. Szabo and his family now reside in Pine Township.
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Robert L. Waltrip , M.D., Inducted into Academy
Butler, April 10, 2006 - Robert L. Waltrip, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates, was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons during the Academy’s 73rd annual meeting in Chicago.Dr. Waltrip, a sports medicine and shoulder specialist, attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Waltrip then completed a sports medicine fellowship at the internationally renowned American Sports Medicine Institute in Alabama, where he trained with Drs. James Andrews and Bill Clancy. There he refined his skills in sports medicine and arthroscopic and joint replacement surgery. Dr. Waltrip has written numerous articles about orthopedic surgery techniques and performed several clinical studies. He has also lectured on health education and served as team physician for athletes at various competitive levels. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Waltrip provides a full scope of sports medicine and shoulder-related services to patients at Tri Rivers’ office at Butler Bone and Joint Center, including: - Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
- ACL reconstruction
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Hand and upper extremity specialty care
- Fracture care
- Diagnosis and treatment of other orthopedic concerns
Patients interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about Tri Rivers’ services may call toll free 1-866-874-7483 or e-mail mail@tririversortho.com.
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Robert L. Waltrip , M.D., Named a Top Doctor
Butler, April 29, 2006 — Tri Rivers Surgical Associates is pleased to announce that Dr. Robert L. Waltrip has been named a top doctor in both the Pittsburgh region and the country. Dr. Waltrip is currently featured in Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2006 Top Doctors listing and the America’s Top Doctors guide published annually by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Castle Connolly a physician-led team of researchers, follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Using mail and telephone surveys, and electronic ballots, they ask physicians and the medical leadership of leading hospitals to identify highly skilled, exceptional doctors. Careful screening of the doctors’ education and professional experience is essential before final selection is made among those physicians most highly regarded by their peers. Patients interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about Tri Rivers’ services may call toll free 1-866-874-7483 or e-mail mail@tririversortho.com.
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Important News About BEXTRA (valdecoxib)
On April 7, the Food and Drug Administration requested that Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Inc. issue a withdrawal of its arthritis medication, Bextra, from the market. This request is a result of findings that indicated both increased cardiovascular risks, as well as the increased rate of rare, yet serious skin reactions in patients taking Bextra.If I’m taking Bextra, what should I do? If you are taking Bextra, prescribed by a Tri Rivers doctor, discontinue use of the medication and promptly contact our office using our toll-free number, 1-866-874-7483, or contact your family doctor. Our clinical staff will review your medical records and recommend an alternative therapy that is appropriate for you and covered under your insurance plan. Will I get a refund for my unused medication? Pfizer will reimburse patients for unused supplies of Bextra. Please retain, not discard, any unused medication. You may return the unused prescription to your local pharmacy to receive a refund or apply for reimbursement by calling Pfizer toll free at 1-866-608-3935. You can also visit the Pfizer website at http://www.bextra.com. How safe are other prescription arthritis medicines? This notice applies only to our patients taking Bextra. There are other medications currently available to help relieve arthritis pain. Please be assured that your Tri Rivers physician will continue to consider your medical history as well as a particular medication’s risks and potential benefits before writing a prescription. Where can I find more information about the Bextra recall? For more information, call the Bextra Customer Support Center toll free at 1-866-623-9872. Or visit the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/new01171.html.
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Tri Rivers Surgeons Offer Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
What holds some knee arthritis patients back from having joint replacement surgery isn’t the joint replacement. It’s the surgery. Traditional knee replacement procedures typically require a nine- or 10-inch incision. The associated discomfort, along with a gradual recovery process, may make some patients reluctant to seek surgical treatment. Two newer procedures offered by Tri Rivers Surgical’s orthopedic physicians now offer many arthritis patients both the advantages of joint surgery and the benefits of a smaller incision. This can mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay, accelerated physical therapy, better joint motion and a faster return to activity. Minimally invasive total knee replacement has the same goal as traditional total knee replacement - to remove the damaged joint and replace it with a prosthetic joint made of materials such as ceramic, metal and plastic. Because a smaller incision is used — only four to five inches in length — surrounding tissue is spared. Partial knee replacement differs from standard knee replacement surgery because only a portion of the knee, rather than the total joint is replaced. This also is a tissue-sparing approach for patients with arthritis confined to the inner, or medial, portion of the joint. To learn more, click here to download a fact sheet. To have your knee pain evaluated by a Tri Rivers physician, request an appointment here.
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