Wellstar Ortho Care
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Your favorite activities make everyday life your own, and bone or joint pain can keep you sidelined. At Wellstar, our skilled and caring team is ready to help you find relief and get back to life with less pain and more freedom.
Orthopedic specialists here offer complete care for all types of bone, joint and soft tissue injuries and conditions. From diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation and recovery, we’ve got your back.
Specialty Ortho Care
Sports Medicine
Our sports medicine team specializes in working with sports-related injuries in athletes of all ages and ability levels. In addition to providing expert diagnosis and treatment, the team offers advice on proper technique and conditioning, body mechanics and overall injury prevention. They also help athletes with sports nutrition and performance enhancement.
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Hand & Wrist Care
Wellstar’s skilled hand surgeons perform a broad range of procedures aimed at restoring quality of life. Whether you were born with your condition or it’s a result of injury or aging, we can help. Our hand specialists have extensive experience with non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical options for issues like Dupuytren’s Contracture, carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, De Quervain’s Release, arthroscopic surgery, fracture surgery, thumb UCL repair, ganglion cyst removal, joint fusion, joint replacement, microsurgical repair for fingertip injuries, nerve decompression, tendon repair and trigger finger release.
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Total Joints
At Wellstar, we know that painful bone or joint symptoms can prevent you from living your fullest life. That’s why we deliver orthopedic care that’s tailored for your individual needs. Whether a total joint replacement could help you keep up with your grandchildren or a minimally invasive procedure might get you back on the sports field, our care is designed to help you live the life you want to lead.Learn more
Pediatric Ortho
Our pediatric orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive, compassionate bone and joint care for children and teens. We know that kids are not just little adults. Their bones and joints are still growing, and they need specialized expertise when an injury or disease slows them down.Orthopedic challenges can stem from many causes, including overuse, injury and genetics. From common setbacks, like a broken bone, to more complex orthopedic conditions, we use the latest technology and treatments to provide care, including minimally invasive surgical techniques which typically help reduce discomfort and recovery time. We look at the whole child to assess how an orthopedic condition affects their overall health and wellness.
Finding an effective approach to care that’s right for each individual is always our priority. When clinical expertise is needed, our fellowship-trained Wellstar specialists meet kids right at their level to help them begin moving well again.
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Foot & Ankle Care
Many foot and ankle conditions may require surgery, from bunions to tendon tears and severe arthritis. Usually, foot and ankle surgery is only considered only after nonsurgical treatments have failed. Certain conditions, especially acute injuries such as ankle fractures, may require immediate intervention. There are many surgical and non-surgical treatments that can be used to treat foot and ankle conditions. It is our goal to restore movement and alleviate pain.
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Make an Appointment
Our team of experienced orthopedic specialists is here to help. Booking your orthopedic appointment is quick and easy!
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News
Orthopedic Advice for the Weekend Warrior
Wellstar orthopedic surgeon Dr. D. Hodari Brooks shares information about common orthopedic injuries.
Learn moreTable of experts: Advancements in ortho care
Wellstar and the Atlanta Business Chronicle discuss the changing landscape of orthopedic care.
Learn moreMore Articles
PeopleCare
Patient Returns to Work Just One Month After Brain Surgery at Wellstar MCG Health
Three weeks after having brain surgery to remove a rare type of tumor at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Shawn Neal was astounded at how quickly her life was returning to normal.
“It’s crazy!” she said. “I’ll be walking around my house and I’m like, ‘I just had brain surgery.’ It’s hard to believe.”
Despite an eight-hour surgery, Shawn only leaned on painkillers twice to manage her pain afterward, when it became significant. Otherwise, her regimen simply consisted of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
“That’s unheard of. I mean, just incredible. Here I’ve had an eight-hour brain surgery, and I’m only using Tylenol and ibuprofen,” she said.
Within a month, Shawn returned to her job as a dental hygienist at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University—completely cancer free.
Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Salman Ali, also pointed out that Shawn was able to stay local for her care.
“She didn’t have to travel somewhere to get treatment. We can do this ‘in-house,’” he said.
That was very important to Shawn, who is a 49-year-old single mother of two and foster mom to several rescue animals.
Shawn had no symptoms of cancer. She was, however, having symptoms from a concussion she sustained in an accident, including memory issues and headaches. She went to a neurologist, who ordered an MRI. That’s when the tumor was discovered growing out of a nerve in her brain.
It is a very rare type of brain tumor, and surgery is complicated because it requires carefully separating the good nerves from the damaged nerves in order to remove the tumor, said Dr. Ali, a neurosurgeon at Wellstar MCG Health and assistant professor of neurosurgery and director of skull base and pituitary at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
When Shawn first received the diagnosis from another physician, it was recommended that she be monitored every six months to see if the tumor grew. However, Dr. Ali said he felt confident he could remove the whole tumor, at which point Shawn would be cured and not need additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
This type of nerve tumor is very rare. Only one person in about 4 million will have it, according to Dr. Ali. It arises from the nerve that provides sensation to the face. Damage to it would hinder a patient’s ability to feel a gentle touch to their face.
In developing a plan to remove it, Dr. Ali considered factors beyond merely saving Shawn’s life. For him, the impact of surgery on a patient’s quality of life after brain surgery is equally as important. His philosophy exemplifies Wellstar’s dedication to fostering a culture of care that goes beyond treatment.
“I think a lot of times that aspect of the cosmetic results for these patients can be overlooked,” he said.
In many cases, both the surgeon and the patient are focused only on getting the tumor out in the short term, and neither tend to think about the impact on quality of life afterward.
Dr. Ali tries to keep incisions small to minimize both pain and scarring. To look at Shawn, you would never know she had a complex surgery on a rare brain tumor. Dr. Ali kept the incision small, hidden behind Shawn’s left ear.
He said the bigger the incision, the more pain you’re going to have and the more muscle atrophy you’re going to get. That makes the surgery more noticeable because it creates a depression. A shorter incision hides really well behind the ear. That means less muscle you have to take out, it heals better, and there is less pain.
“My goal is that if you go to the mall next week, nobody should be able to tell you had brain surgery,” Dr. Ali said.
He gave examples of many of his patients where he avoided making incisions on the skin. He went through the nose instead to remove tumors that usually are removed with more traditional open approaches. This prevents the patients from having visible scars, which can be constant reminders that they had brain surgery and can have significant social and career impacts.
“I think you have to have a toolset and you have to offer different things. My goal is that we want to offer a variety of options for different patients, and we want to do something that is well suited for them,” he said.
Dr. Ali said his philosophy was shaped by a negative experience in the care of his son, who was born with a cyst. Being on the other side of the treatment plan and being unhappy with the outcome impacted his own approach to the patient experience. He tailors his treatment plans by considering what he would do if he were treating his own wife or son.
Shawn and Dr. Ali both emphasized that while she is healing well with minimal pain, her case was not a simple surgery. It was a deep, complicated tumor. “The entire situation was scary,” Shawn said. “After all, I knew they had to drill through my skull and navigate through my brain. It wasn’t pleasant by any means. But Dr. Ali and his care team went above and beyond to make the process run as smoothly and painlessly as possible.”
Shawn’s surgery was performed on a Thursday, and she went home on Saturday able to move around and care for herself almost independently. Her headaches and vertigo have improved. She is still experiencing numbness in her left eye and double vision, which is to be expected given the proximity of the tumor to the nerves that operate the eye. She is also experiencing numbness in other areas on the left side of her face.
Dr. Ali noted that all of this was expected, and Shawn is looking forward to making a full recovery.
Overall, she couldn’t be happier about the outcome, which is exactly what Dr. Ali was aiming for.
“I think the message here is this: Even if you have a complex tumor, you just have to find the right people, and we can do this safely with great outcomes. You don’t need to go anywhere else. We have all the expertise we need right here,” Dr. Ali said.
Highlights
Marking Milestones with Wellstar Pediatricians
Because you and your child share the same goal—staying healthy and happy—your Wellstar pediatrician will partner with you both. Regular pediatric check-ups are beneficial for the whole family. Your family’s pediatrician will serve as a knowledgeable, trustworthy contact for all your health questions.
As children prepare for the new school year, one step families can take to stay healthy is to head to the pediatrician for an annual check-up.
“Children grow and change so much in their first few years of life,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle. “Therefore, it is very important they see their pediatrician every few months during this time.”
In early childhood, your family should see a pediatrician regularly, with check-ups at these ages:
- The first week (3 to 5 days old)
- 1 month old
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 9 months old
- 12 months old
- 15 months old
- 18 months old
- 2 years old (24 months)
- 2 ½ years old (30 months)
Starting at age 3, children and adolescents should see their pediatrician once a year through age 21, when they can switch to an adult primary care physician to continue their care.
Healthy kids at every age
Your family’s pediatrician will get to know you and your child, personalizing care as they grow. Check with their doctor to ensure your kids are up to date on their immunizations and protected from disease. Flu shots are also recommended every year for everyone at least six months old.
- Ages 3 to 5. Preschool-age children stay busy conquering milestones like climbing, taking turns, showing affection for others and learning shapes and colors. The pediatrician will ask if you have any concerns and discuss your child’s health, including eating habits and activity levels.
- Ages 5 to 12. At this age, your child is growing quickly—a little more than 2 inches a year—but your Wellstar clinician will help you and your child keep up with the changes. Nutrition is especially important at this age as your child goes through their growth spurts. Sometime between the ages of 7 and 11 in girls, and 9½ to 13½ in boys, children start experiencing hormonal changes, and your family’s pediatrician can help your child stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
- Teens. At this age, patients may have their own questions about their health and will have the opportunity to speak with their pediatrician alone. A check-up will include a physical exam, hearing and vision tests, and lab work like blood tests. The exam will likely include several screenings such as checking for scoliosis, measuring blood pressure and listening to the heart with a stethoscope.
To get your child all set for a healthy school year, visit wellstar.org/kidcare to learn more about our expert pediatricians and book an appointment online.
Highlights
Fueling Up for Sports this School Year
Wellstar knows that the beginning of the school year is often accompanied by getting back to extracurricular activities. With the return to the classroom and competition arenas, we know parents, coaches and teachers alike are concerned that their student athletes are fueling their bodies and brains for optimal performance.
Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics recommends getting the correct amount of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, iron, calcium and vitamin D, as well as fluids. Dietary supplements are not needed for youth athletes unless recommended by a healthcare professional. It is more important to meet the body’s caloric needs.
For hydration, it’s recommended that student athletes consume up to 20 ounces of fluid one hour before an activity and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity.
“Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for all students, but particularly for athletes who are more active and burning more calories,” said Dr. Lindsay Stephenson, Wellstar pediatric orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. “I recommend using the nutritional guide released by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. This information makes it easier for students and their parents to understand the nutritional needs of the body to perform in the classroom and during competition.”
Access the recommended nutritional guide.
To learn more or make an appointment with Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics, visit wellstar.org/pedsortho.
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