Lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD) is not a true "disease" in the pathological sense, but a natural age-related process where the intervertebral disks in the lower spine lose hydration, height, and elasticity. These disks act as shock absorbers between vertebrae, enabling flexibility and cushioning loads. By age 40, most people show some degree of degeneration, with about ... Continue Reading

Children are not small adults. Because this statement seems so obvious, we often spend little time and energy thinking about their differences. The unique properties of the pediatric musculoskeletal system result in distinct patterns of injury and establish an alternative natural history. These variations are fundamental to the differing orthopedic care and treatment options ... Continue Reading

There are more than 1 million hip and knee replacement surgeries performed in the United States each year, primarily for patients experiencing debilitating arthritis pain in those joints. That number is expected to grow considerably as the population ages and looks to maintain an active lifestyle. However, despite being one of the most common elective orthopedic procedures ... Continue Reading

When a health condition affects your child’s quality of life or keeps them from doing what they love, your family can rely on Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. As your child grows, so do their bones and joints, and they need specialized expertise—whether they have broken a bone on the playground or have an orthopedic condition present ... Continue Reading

The history of orthopedic surgery is mankind’s attempt to make straight that which is crooked. The advent of anesthesia made it possible to use surgery to break bones and realign them without undue pain. But, the art of correcting deformities caused by abnormal growth or trauma has taken hundreds of years to advance to its current form. The most important observation—made ... Continue Reading

Hand surgery is a unique and intricate field that combines the precision of microsurgery with the compassion required to treat patients of all ages. My journey into this specialized area of medicine comes from a deep passion for helping individuals regain function and improve their quality of life. This article explores my dedication to pediatric hand surgery and minimally ... Continue Reading

A commitment to shaping the future In recent years, orthopedic healthcare in Georgia has made significant strides in both its approach and outcomes. Thanks to an emphasis on patient access, satisfaction and cutting-edge innovations, musculoskeletal specialists are not only addressing today’s orthopedic needs, but also preparing for a promising future. As the chief ... Continue Reading

Compassionate care tailored for your child When a health condition affects your child’s quality of life or keeps them from doing what they love, your family can rely on Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. As your child grows, so do their bones and joints, and they need specialized expertise—whether they have broken a bone on the ... Continue Reading

Understanding unique properties of children’s bones  Children are not small adults. Because this statement seems so obvious, we often spend little time and energy thinking about their differences. The unique properties of the pediatric musculoskeletal system result in distinct patterns of injury and establish an alternative natural history. These variations are fundamental to ... Continue Reading

Keys to successful joint replacement surgery  There are more than 1 million hip and knee replacement surgeries performed in the United States each year, primarily for patients experiencing debilitating arthritis pain in those joints. That number is expected to grow considerably as the population ages and looks to maintain an active lifestyle. However, despite being one of the ... Continue Reading

Mending the bent and broken  The history of orthopedic surgery is mankind’s attempt to make straight that which is crooked. The advent of anesthesia made it possible to use surgery to break bones and re-align them without undue pain. But the art of correcting deformities caused by abnormal growth or trauma has taken hundreds of years to advance to its current form. The most ... Continue Reading

Precision & Compassion My journey into the intricate specialty Hand surgery is a unique and intricate field that combines the precision of microsurgery with the compassion required to treat patients of all ages. My journey into this specialized area of medicine comes from a deep passion for helping individuals regain function and improve their quality of life. This article ... Continue Reading

Recognizing overuse injuries for specific sports The way sports are played in the United States has changed dramatically over the course of the last several decades. In the past, children and adolescents often changed from one sport to another as the seasons changed. However, recent trends reveal that kids are starting to specialize in a single sport at earlier ages, often ... Continue Reading

Emerging therapies in sports medicine. Orthobiologics is the field of medicine that harnesses the use of a patient’s own capacity to heal an injury. This innate capacity of healing comes from cells of one’s own body to repair and restore good health to damaged tissues. The field of orthobiologics has been in existence for several decades but has become more developed in ... Continue Reading