Complications in Knee and Shoulder Surgery: Management and Treatment Options for the Sports Medicine Orthopedist

“To Err is Human…” Alexander Pope Any surgical intervention has potential risks and complications. This book is designed as a reference tool and a roadmap for the sports medicine orthopedist to minimize the complications in knee and shoulder surgery. Some complications are avoidable; some are not. By understanding the functional anatomy at risk, proper surgical setup, proper equipment, and proper patient selection, a preventative approach to complications can be instituted. The authors of these chapters represent leaders in orthopedic sports medicine and have provided novel methods for dealing with intraoperative complications and si- ations that can occur in the midst of a “routine” arthroscopic reconstruction. In d- cussing these issues, we hope to raise the surgeon’s awareness of potential complications and to provide wisdom and advice to properly avoid and treat these problems should they arise. How one deals with complications truly tests the mettle of the surgeon. Keeping one’s “cool” in the midst of an intraoperative complication will be facilitated by h- ing an algorithmic approach. We hope that this book will improve your outcome should these problems occur. Some complications are unavoidable. Arthro brosis or stiffness may take place in the best of hands. Infection may surface postoperatively in the most sterile OR. We provide you with the background to confront these challenges. A list of ten “Pearls” are offered at the beginning of most chapters as a quick reference card.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Meislin has a keen interest in treating sports related injuries relating to the shoulder and elbow with the latest arthroscopic techniques. A member of the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the U.S. Olympic Sports Medicine Society, Dr. Meislin has been involved in teaching many of the current procedures relating to shoulder and elbow surgery and believes in a team approach to shoulder and elbow problems. A native New Yorker, Rob Meislin completed his B.A. degree at Columbia College and his M.D. degree at NYU School of Medicine. His orthopedic residency was performed at Hospital for Joint Diseases that included an additional fellowship year in Bioengineering. A Sports Medicine fellowship year was carried out in Salt Lake City. Dr. Meislin served as associate team physician for the Arizona Cardinals as well as an orthopedic consultant for the San Francisco Giants while in private practice for eight years in Arizona. He also worked with the U.S. Olympic team in Colorado Springs as well as the Pan American Games in Dominican Republic in 2003. Currently he is assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU School of Medicine as well as attending surgeon at NYU Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. Dr. Halbrecht, a board certified orthopedic surgeon, specializes in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. He is an active member of the learning-center committee, which teaches other orthopedic surgeons from around the world current techniques in arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Halbrecht is a member of AOSSM (American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine), the medical director for the Women's World Pro Ski Tour, a consultant for the Association of Volleyball Professionals, and US Soccer, and an Associate Professor at the University ofCalifornia at San Francisco in the Graduate Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Halbrecht obtained his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, where he graduated with honors, and did his medical school training at New York University, where he was president of the AOA honor society. He did his orthopedic training at the prestigious Hospital for Joint Disease in New York and has completed two fellowships, one in orthopedic biomechanics and research, and the other in sports medicine at the world-renowned Southern California Center for Sports Medicine.