New pilots train on flight simulators before flying their first 757. Scientists experiment on animals before giving their new drug to patients. And Fledgling surgeons perform theri first few operations on ... real people. Read about a new way surgeons are training here.
Dr Vail participated in a live WebEx on the topic of optimizing technique and outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty. The WebEx was broadcast internationally and featured video footage of surgical procedures.
Tom Scoville's arthritic body has more metal joints than Wall-E the robot's. No matter.
The patient, a 50-year-old female from Northern California with an arthritic hip, is very active and rows competitively. The pain in her hip, however, is making rowing and even walking difficult. She tried a number of therapies, such as arthroscopy, Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) injections and chiropractic care, but nothing helped. She walked with a limp for more than six months before coming to UCSF Medical Center. "I was trying to do everything short of surgery," she says. "But eventually, it became clear that nothing else was going to solve the problem."