Hip Arthroscopy, Not Just For Major Professional Athletes

As many people know, hip pain can be just that ... a pain. This type of pain can affect anyone in any walk of life from major professional athletes to weekend warriors and right down to the every day working person. In the past, people either just hoped that the pain would either subside, be treated with medicines, physical therapy, or eventually hip replacement surgery. But what if someone is diagnosed with a torn labrum in the hip? Fortunately, there is a fairly new and popular surgery that more orthopaedic surgeons are using to cure the pain and allow people to be active again without having hip replacement surgery..

Welcome to Hip Arthroscopy.

We know about this surgery performed on two high profile major league baseball players, New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez and Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox.. It has worked amazingly well for ARod and also quite well for Lowell. But what is hip arthroscopy? A doctor can describe the surgery much better than me. Therefore, I will take snippets from a press release passed on to me by Mr. Andrew Russell, for Ethos Marketing and Design in the Portland, Maine area.

The press release is about a golf professional in Portland, Maine that was diagnosed with a torn labrum in one of his hips. The operating doctor is Dr. Benjamin H. Huffard, an orthopaedic surgeon at the state of Maine's premier orthopaedic practice, OA Centers for Orthopaedics in Portland, Maine.

All in bullets are from the release.

***PORTLAND – Ron Bibeau first felt the pain in his groin last year. The pain made it difficult for him to swing a golf club – an alarming prospect since he’s the head pro at Portland’s Riverside Municipal Golf Course.

Bibeau thought he had a hernia. His primary care physician suspected nerve damage. Finally, Bibeau met with Dr. Benjamin H. Huffard, an orthopaedic surgeon at the state’s premier orthopaedic practice, OA Centers for Orthopaedics in Portland. Huffard diagnosed Bibeau with a torn labrum, and identified him as a prime candidate for a new type of hip surgery.***

***Bibeau underwent surgery on Jan. 5, 2009. Today the 48-year-old South Portland resident is pain free and playing the best golf of his career. He won the first two out of three tournaments he played in this year and has consistently ranked among the top six in all his contests this summer.

In Maine a growing number of people are taking advantage of Dr. Huffard’s skill in hip arthroscopy at OA Centers for Orthopaedics. Dr. Huffard studied the surgery with A-Rod’s doctor, Marc Philippon, at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo. He says the surgery offers hope to patients who historically had to live with the pain until they needed a hip replacement.***

A quote by Dr. Huffard,

***“For a long time there have been young people who have had hip pain, and the only thing we could do was wait until they were old enough to have their hip replaced,” said Dr. Huffard, a 2001 graduate of Yale University School of Medicine. “Now there are good, effective treatments that make it so we can get people back to athletics.”***

Here is a synopsis of what hip arthroscopies are:

***Hip arthroscopy allows surgeons to diagnose and repair the injuries through tiny incisions in the hip instead of larger incisions like those needed for replacement. This less invasive approach usually means less pain and a quicker recovery for the patient.

The best candidate for the surgery is someone who is relatively young, with no arthritis in the hip, and wants to return to heavy activity. And it’s more than just athletes who benefit: some people are bothered by sitting, or driving in a car. Sometimes the pain is so severe that simple things like climbing the stairs or bending to tie shoes are difficult.***

Some more information and a quote from Dr, Huffard:

***Since joining OA Centers for Orthopaedics in 2007, Huffard has done about 120 hip arthroscopies and now averages 1-2 surgeries a week, the most in Maine. Hip arthroscopy was recently featured in an article in USA Today. The injuries to Lowell and Rodriguez have also focused attention on the surgery. “It seems like there are more patients every month,”***

Since having hip arthroscopy, Bibeau has won 2 tournaments and has been in the top six in all his events. Bibeau quotes; ***“The surgery was the best thing I ever did,” he said. “I feel better now than I did when I was 25.”***

As you can see, hip arthroscopies can be a far better alternative to hip replacement surgery. For more information about Dr. Huffard and about OA Centers For Orthopaedics, follow the hyperlinks provided within the blog.

If you would like a copy of this press release, email me at the address provided a the end of the blog.

Again, I thank Mr. Andrew Russell, for Ethos Marketing and Design in the Portland, Maine area,for allowing me access to the press release.

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

High School Commencement Proceedings

While the calendar tells us we are in late Summer, we all know that fall is just around the corner and in some cases, fall has arrived. What I talk of is the beginning of the High School Fall sports season. Many sports begin before school actually commences … football, soccer, and field hockey practices to name a few and the fall golf season started today in Maine.

The most important aspect of high school sports are the student athletes that take time off from their summer vacations to ready themselves for the season ahead. I have a little story to tell about three such persons.

As I was playing a round of golf on Monday, I spoke to 3 male members of the Edward Little High School (Auburn, ME) varsity golf team. They were kind enough to allow me to play through, but I decided to ask them a few questions. I asked not about what how they thought the team would perform, but instead I asked the threesome about themselves.

I asked which of the three was an honor student. One member, a junior, answered that he was on the honor roll last school year. I could see that he was quite proud of himself. Hey, why not? Being an honor student is no small feat in today's world.

I asked the second team member, a senior, what he enjoyed about Edward Little High School. He told me he was looking forward to being a mentor to the upcoming freshman class. I asked what he was to do. He responded that he would help faculty in the freshman orientation process, to show the new class where each wing of the school was, and to assist freshmen whenever necessary. Quite ambitious, to say the least. What impressed me was that the confidence exuded by such a young man. No stops or stutters.

Finally I asked who was the rocket scientist of the group. Oddly enough, it was the third member of the team that answered, and the other two were quick to point out that indeed he liked science. We all had a good chuckle over that one.

I finally wished them well in their upcoming match and proceeded to hit a fade into the adjoining fairway to the right. A funny thing happened though … not one of them laughed. Very respectful towards the hacker they allowed to play through.

Let's all remember that young high school student athletes need our support not only on the playing fields but in life as well. Although my work schedule doesn't allow me to attend events as I once did, I still have respect for them. If you are able to show support by going to games, please do so. If you are unable, you could be fortunate enough to see a young high school athlete and say that you appreciate their efforts, not only for their play but in the classroom as well.


Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

Dear Brett, Please Retire

It has been reported that future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre has signed and reported to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2009 AND 2010 seasons. Yup, he's back with his rotator cuff hanging by a thread and a big wad of cash to boot. I realize the Vikes need a QB with the likes of Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels (see article) on their roster, but this is truly a desperate measure. My problem isn't with Minnesota but again Favre has claimed he is retired once and for all and “bingo” he's back in uniform.

What is it with Brett? I can't believe it's for the money. Could it be his friendship with Head Coach Brad Childress? Perhaps, but I think there's is one underlying reason why he's returned to the NFL. He just has to compete. As Favre stated when called by Childress yesterday, it was “... now or never.” In my view, this may tarnish a brilliant career, if the experience with the Jets hasn't begun to do that.

Gee Brett, why don't you just call it a career? I understand the competitive spirit inside of you, but now is the time to hang it up. You hold most of the NFL's passing records and are a Super Bowl champion. You repeatedly said that you are retired and I feel most football fans believed you this time because you chose not to go to Vikings camp 3 weeks ago. You risk injury and embarrassment not only to yourself but to the Vikings, who are gambling that you can bring them a long awaited Super Bowl championship.

I don't think I need say more... do yourself a “Favre”, just walk away and be satisfied with your accomplishments. Being a gamer is not either physically or mentally healthy for you any longer.

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

David Ortiz Presser (Or Pressure?)

On Saturday August,8th at 12:30 PM, David Ortiz held a press conference at Yankee Stadium to address the fact of his name being on the list of positive results from the “Sample Survey” taken in 2003. As you know, this testing was to see if the 5% threshold of Major League ballplayers tested positive for substances to aid in performance, known as PED's.

Ortiz was accompanied by the future Executive Director of the MLBPA Michael Weiner to clarify as to why “Big Papi's” name was leaked. I'm not going to elaborate on what Mr. Weiner said, just what Ortiz said and my opinion of his statement.

Ortiz appeared confident as he made his opening statement in which he said he was “a little bit careless” in buying over the counter supplements and vitamins from both the U.S. and from his home country of the Dominican Republic. He apologized to the fans and the Red Sox for the distraction and not being more careful and, in effect, uneducated of what he took.

He then quite emphatically claimed that he never purchased or used steroids. He then said he thinks of the fans every day and again apologized to them for the distraction.

During the Q & A period, Red Sox beat writer Sean McAdam asked Ortiz if he regretted not mentioning about taking supplements and vitamins prior to Saturday, Ortiz said he was busy trying to get information on how his name was on the list.

My thoughts ---

I was struck by that statement that Ortiz was “a little bit careless” in buying supplements and vitamins over the counter. Didn't he know what he was taking? I mean my God, did he just ask a friend or the person behind the counter what would be good to maintain stamina or add strength? That's not a little careless, that's either not caring at all or just plain stupid! As far as I'm concerned, Big Papi was not paying any attention to what he was taking... Looking out for #1.

His claim about thinking of the fans every day may be true NOW, but how about in 2003? I doubt he was thinking about anybody but himself. He had struggled with Minnesota before signing on with Boston. No way was he thinking of fans that he didn't have.

As far as not answering Sean McAdam's question directly, what information could Ortiz have gotten? All he had to say was that he hadn't thought about mentioning it because he was upset and perhaps bewildered. That would have sufficed, in my opinion.

My assessment of the David Ortiz presser is no different than others --- he skirted the issue of taking over the counter supplements by claiming he didn't know what he was taking, and sidestepped as to why he didn't say anything about taking these supplements days before the presser. I know he was given council not to, but I find that to be no excuse not to say anything. All in all, I was very disappointed with the process as I expected much more from such a “stand up” individual.

David Ortiz, you are no different than the rest.

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

The Gang of 104

Recently it has been reported and confirmed that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are included on the list of 104 Major League baseball players testing positive for steroids in 2003. Of course we know by now the Alex Rodriguez story and his “admission of guilt”, but how much do we really know, or for that matter, how much do we really care? I for one am sick and tired of what happened in 2003 but yet I am still curious about who is on that list.

With that said, there are two schools of thought --- either have the judge with the sealed list release the document or allow names to be leaked periodically, which seems to be the trend. I will present brief arguments for both. Oh wait, isn't this list confidential? Doesn't seem that way to me.

Releasing the list would put a quick end to much of the bickering behind the scenes between reporters, agents, and God knows who else. My goodness, at the rate of the names that are being leaked, it would take many years for all 104 to be learned. I could be cremated by then! I ask you, wouldn't we all be relieved that once and for all, this BS would finally come to an end? Or do we give a rats behind? It's up to the judge at this point. Let's just threaten to run over the courthouse with bats and look mean --- or not. Let's just get this mess behind us.

Then again...

Perhaps the list of names should be leaked slowly over time. In doing so, these players will have to sweat a bit more hoping their fans never find out that their favorite player was using a banned substance in 2003. The shock, the shame! How to explain! Listen Mister Big Shot (Mister Big Papi!), just admit that you took performance enhancing drugs and we will forgive you. A Rod has been forgiven and Manny has too. We are a forgiving lot we baseball fans and I think the players know that. But these guys are also egotistical for the most part. Tarnish their reputations and they kick and scream --- ask Roger Clemens.

So what do you think? I say release the document and put it behind us. We don't need any more of these leaks to filter into the public eye. Get on with it!

Remember, bring your bats.

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com