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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Wednesday, November 9, 2011
MEDICAL INSIGHT Submitted by Contributing Community Author
Robert D. Dingeman, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon 751 Old Richardson Hwy, Suite 101 Fairbanks (907) 452-2663 Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopedic Surgery How do we come to need an orthopedic surgeon? It used to be said that 25% of people would break a bone during their lifetime. Now there are many more injuries of the extremities and spine that might require an orthopedic surgeon. In Fairbanks, most patients meet their orthopedic surgeon during an emergency care visit. Orthopedic surgeons are first and always “the broken bone doctors.” What else do orthopedic surgeons treat? We evaluate and treat fractures, dislocations, sprains, arthritis, ligament and cartilage conditions, wear and tear of tendons and discs and, fortunately rarely, infections and cancers of bones and joints, the musculo-skeletal system. How does an orthopedic surgeon become qualified to treat patients? It is still competitive. When I was in academics, we would have 40 applicants for every spot. We go through a minimum of five years of training after med school: Daily classes, volumes of reading, ward, clinic and operative work, and yearly written testing on progress of the field just to start the profession. Many take another 6 - 24 months of specialty training. We have four such in Fairbanks. Would you want one of your kids to become an orthopedic surgeon? Yes, if they can sustain a sense of calling and privilege of the medical profession, an acceptance and drive for lifelong learning, retain the integrity of the surgical specialties, and have true caring for, and acceptance of, all of mankind’s failures and strengths. All surgeons must have and gain dexterity and, as important, a four-dimensional sense of how the human body works. A trained orthopedic surgeon who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), or a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, will have been “vetted” (examined and evaluated) by superiors and peers three times. AAOS/ABOS requires re-evaluation every 10 years. Complete trust in the physician in all aspects of professional behavior is the standard of AAOS. This ongoing professionalism was one of the first attractions for me 39 years ago. “Doctor, is orthopedics fun?” Well, yes, it has all kinds of conditions, simple to complex, in all ages and both sexes. Our patients mostly get better, too. In Fairbanks, I’ve treated every member of some families over my 26 years. But, no, another inebriated, not seat-belted MVA with many fractures at 2 a.m. is not fun. “What was a best day for you in orthopedics?” There have been so many. Among the early best was a jam-packed family visit to the Los Angeles Shriner’s Hospital, when a little boy lifted his life-long paralyzed arm out of his cast and hugged his crying mother with both arms for the first time. We improve function and decrease pain.
Interior Alaska Green Star
Brace for al s Faces l
Practice Limited to Orthodontics 114 Minnie Street, Suite B Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 (907)457-7878 www.alaskabraces.com
reminds you to
13391507-11-9-11 H&W
Christopher H. Henry, D.M.D., M.S.
Interior Green Star is a non-profit organization that encourages businesses to practice waste reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention. Also, Interior Green Star is promoting electronic recycling in Fairbanks. www.iagreenstarinc.org E-mail: info@iagreenstar.org or Phone: 452-4152
Introducing Two New Practitioners to Fairbanks
13389045 11-9-11 HW
3039 Davis Rd • Fairbanks, AK (Between University Avenue & Peger Rd) 18388422-11-9-11H&W
Our thanks to Dr. Robert D. Dingeman for contributing this column. The article is intended to be strictly informational.
Tori Middelstadt/News-Miner intern
The Patient Navigation Room at the J. Michael Carroll Cancer Center helps guide newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through the treatment process.
907-452-3600 Suzette Mailloux, ND Naturopathic Doctor
Josh Costello, DC
www.alaskacenterfornaturalmedicine.com Doctor of Chiropractics