CORE Ink - Summer 2018

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E C O R E I N S T I T U T E

®

SUMMER 2018

Child receives a Stormtrooper’s Helping Hand, thanks to MORE Foundation Treatment pays off; patient back on the golf course after shoulder injury CORE physicians travel to Philippines to offer medical treatment

‘I am doing fantastic’ The CORE Institute helps accident victim overcome disaster

A hip fix with less risk.

Minimally invasive techniques enable surgeons to replace your hip and get you back to life.

About 25-30% of patients FULL PAGE 7.25 X 9.875

More than 50% of patients delay joint replacement

BECAUSE OF THE ANTERIOR APPROACH.

Direct anterior approach is a viable option for more than

Direct anterior approach

FIND AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR NEAR YOU CALL

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BannerCORECenter.com Sources: Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995 Nov;50 Spec No:5-8, American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise and the Older Adult, US Department of Health and Human Services, Osteoporosis Research, Education and Health Promotion, Annals of internal medicine (Impact Factor: 16.1). 04/1996; 124(6):568-72, J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Jul;43(7):756-60, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 May;52(5):657-65, Health Day March 11, 2014, Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: October 2012, Volume 26, Issue 10, p 2806-2811, Archives of Internal Medicine August 6, 2012, Nutrition & Metabolism May 17, 2012

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WELCOME VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 – SUMMER 2018

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Keeping Life in Motion The heat is on. Summer has returned, bringing with it youthful memories of long, sun-drenched days filled with freedom, motion, and fun. And that leads to our Summer Edition of “CORE Ink,” which is filled with inspiring stories of how The CORE Institute is helping patients overcome the injuries and illnesses that could otherwise make fun and freedom seem like things of the past.

Our cover story features the gut-wrenching tale of Laura Triem, a young woman who spent two weeks in a coma after being hit by a light-rail train in Denver. She somehow survived her massive internal injuries, but was left with a badly mangled foot and ankle. That’s what brought her home to Phoenix, and to The CORE Institute, where Dr. Jeffrey McAlister and his team rebuilt her damaged limb, and her life in the process. Laura says she’s ‘over the moon’ with the results, and you’ll see why.

Then there’s Anthony Tocco, a Michigan resident who was wracked with pain by what turned out to be a torn rotator cuff. Working was uncomfortable, playing golf became impossible. He couldn’t even lift his arm. But then he found Dr. William Kesto and The CORE Institute team in Michigan, and now Anthony says he’s 100 percent pain free and doing activities he hasn’t done in years. Turn to page 12 to see how that happened.

On page 7, you’ll read about a new way to ‘zap’ away pain with electrical pulses. It’s called DRG stimulation, and The CORE Institute’s Dr. Anuj Daftari says it’s proving to be a highly effective and life-altering therapy for many burdened with chronic pain.

Is your summer fun being hampered by pain on the outside of your knee? You might have IT Band Syndrome.

On page 22, we’ll explain what IT Syndrome is, and what you can do about it.

The impact of The CORE Institute was felt internationally this year, when Drs. Jefferey Michaelson and Victor Nwosu traveled to the Philippines, along with their families and medical residents, donating their time and expertise to provide much needed medical services. You’ll read how they changed the lives of patients, but also how it changed their own lives as well. You can find this story starting on page 16.

Plus, the amazing story that put the MORE Foundation, The CORE Institute’s preferred charity and research partner, on the front page of newspapers around the country and television screens around the world. Turn to page 20 to see how MORE’s Helping Hands program is rebuilding big hopes in little patients by building prosthetic hands for children in need.

Finally, summer wouldn’t be summer without picnics and backyard barbeques, and we’ve got some great healthy recipes to keep you fueled up and ready to go.

So, have fun reading this issue of CORE Ink, feel free to spread the word about The CORE Institute’s commitment to delivering best-in-class care, and know that, even though we’re in those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer”, we are always here ready to serve our treasured patients.

Keep Life in Motion!®

David J. Jacofsky, MD Chairman & CEO

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E C O R E I N S T I T U T E

CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING FOR THE CORE INSTITUTE

General Manager: Cami Kaiser/ cami.kaiser@pni.com Creative Development Director: Isaac Moya/ imoya@republicmedia.com

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Editor: Jim Williams/JLWilliams@republicmedia.com Editorial Coordinator: Nick Kostenko/nkostenko@republicmedia.com Design: Rachel Tullio Advertising Coordinator: Dominick Galluzzo/dgalluzzo@republicmedia.com

Contents

8

COVER STORY

Best Foot Forward Laura Triem barely survived being hit by a train. She turned to the CORE Institute to get back on her feet. See page 8.

16

PATIENT CARE

No Limits Patient Back on the Course After Shoulder Injury. See page 12.

D E PART M E N T S What’s New? 6

20 connect with us 1.866.974.2673

The CORE Institute Proudly Adds Drs. Sandhu and Sherman to the Provider Team

Specialty Spotlight 7

Zapping Pain: New Treatment Blocks Pain with Electrical Pulses

Nutrition 18 Taste the Summer: 3 Recipes that Embody the Flavors of the Season

Research 20 MORE Foundation’s Helping Hands Program Makes News Around the World

Giving Back

Ask the Expert

16 CORE physicians Travel to Philippines to Offer Medical Care

22 IT-Band Syndrome Affects Amateur and Elite Athletes

www.thecoreinstitute.com

5

delay joint replacement WHAT’S NEW

BECAUSE OF THE ANTERIOR AP

t anterior approach is a e option forNEW more than PROVIDERS

TAJDIP SANDHU, MD Tajdip Sandhu, MD is a fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon, specializing in all aspects of spine care including trauma, degenerative, both open and minimally invasive, tumor, deformity and disc replacement. He cares for patients in our Peoria and North Phoenix locations.

Direct anterior approa

The CORE Institute is pleased to announce additions to our Arizona provider team:

JASON R. SHERMAN, MD Jason R. Sherman, MD is a board-certified physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as fellowship-trained in pain management and spine intervention. He uses a variety of minimally invasive spine techniques, treating painful conditions of the low back and neck in addition to other musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. He specializes in electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction testing for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and non-surgical treatment options. He cares for patients in our North Phoenix location.

FIND AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR NEA CALL

602.346.9827 OR VIS

BannerCORECenter.c

l Sci Med Sci. 1995 Nov;50 Spec No:5-8, American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise and the Older Adult, US Department of Health and Human Services, Osteoporosis Resea Annals of internal medicine (Impact Factor: 16.1). 04/1996; 124(6):568-72, J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Jul;43(7):756-60, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 May;52(5):657-65, Health Day March 11 ing Research: October 2012, Volume 26, Issue 10, p 2806-2811, Archives of Internal Medicine August 6, 2012, Nutrition & Metabolism May 17, 2012

Less Pain.

More Glory.

That’s ATI For more than 20 years, ATI Physical Therapy has been a trusted leader for millions of patients nationwide.

For a complimentary injury screening or to find a location near you, call 855-MY-ATIPT or visit ATIpt.com

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SPECIALTY SPOTLIGHT

Zapping Pain New technique blocks pain with electrical pulses

By Leigh Farr Sometimes the pain following an injury or surgical procedure simply won’t go away. You may try everything your doctor recommends and the discomfort only seems to get worse. This may be caused by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), originating in your foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower abdomen and progress to the point where you can no longer do the activities you enjoy.

CRPS can now be controlled with a unique, new approach called dorsal root ganglion (DRG) Spinal Cord Stimulation. The FDA-approved treatment blocks pain signals as they travel through the DRG, a nerve cluster in FOR MORE INFORMATION To Learn more about treatment the spine that regulates pain signals heading toward the options for your pain, visit brain. The therapy has proven effective in eight out of ten www.thecoreinstitute.com. patients twelve months after treatment.

“DRG stimulation helps patients regain their functionalpy or pain-relieving medications with limited or no success. ity, reduce their pain and get their life back. It makes a big differThe DRG neurostimulator system consists of a tiny batteryence for these patients in terms of enjoying their life and being operated generator that produces electrical pulses, ultraproductive in society,” says Anuj Daftari, MD, a physician at The CORE Institute who is board-certified in interventional spine and thin wire leads for transmitting the currents and the patient controller that allows you to adjust the strength and location of pain medicine as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Similar to traditional spinal cord stimulation (SCS) where elec- stimulation.

“One of the benefits of DRG stimulation is the patient gets to trodes are placed over the spinal cord to modulate pain, DRG try the device out at home and see if it works with their lifestyle stimulation reduces pain in the spinal nerves. The approach and helps with their pain reduction prior to having it implanted serves as an effective alternative for patients whose conditions surgically,” says Dr. Daftari. “By going through a trial, patients are not easily targeted by conventional SCS. are able to make an informed decision on whether this innovative modality is beneficial.”

LASTING RELIEF Surgically implanting the device takes approximately two DRG therapy is recommended for patients with chronic severe hours and is done under sedation, not general anesthesia. pain in the lower extremities accompanied by such symptoms “With any type of neurotransmitter stimulation there is the risk as severe pain, swelling in the affected area, skin color or temof infection, bleeding or nerve injury, but overall, it is considered perature changes and reduced range of motion. The approach a low-risk procedure that is well-tolerated by the majority of is geared toward patients who have tried conservative treatment options such as sympathetic nerve blocks, physical thera- patients,” says Dr. Daftari.

7

COVER STORY

Best Foot Forward Accident victim gets vital help from Dr. Jeffrey McAlister, DPM at The CORE Institute Story by Debra Gelbart | Photos by Rick D’Elia

8

www.thecoreinstitute.com

L

aura Triem of Surprise, Arizona has gone through remarkable recoveries from a devastating accident nearly seven years ago.

In November 2011, Laura was hit by a light rail train while walking through downtown Denver. Her first milestone was surviving this horrific incident and learning how to walk and talk again. Laura’s next significant milestone was regaining her normal mobility, thanks to Dr. Jeffrey McAlister, a foot and ankle surgeon at The CORE Institute.

Her journey has taken her from near death to planning to run in a long-distance race.

Triem’s accident occurred because of a simple but nearly fatal mistake. She had ear buds in and was listening to music as she was about to cross a street.

She looked to her right to make sure the path was clear. But she forgot to look to her left and stepped right in front of an oncoming train.

She suffered a traumatic brain injury and fractured her ribs, pelvis, collar bone, spine and endured a stroke shortly after the accident. Laura was in a coma for 13 days and “couldn’t even stick her tongue out when she regained consciousness,” said her mother, Mary Chadwick.

ROAD TO RECOVERY Triem, a 2008 graduate of Westview High School in Avondale, remained in the hospital in Denver for four months and then was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Denver for several more months to begin her process of recovery. In the rehab facility, she had no memory

of the accident or being in acute care.

Although she was helped in rehab to a life-changing degree, she was still contending with a debilitating drop-foot on her left side (she couldn’t flex her foot or lift it off the floor almost at all) and an abnormal gait.

Nearly six months later, Triem still had a lot of recovering to do as she left the rehab hospital to live with her mother in suburban Denver. Chadwick, who had relocated from the Valley in Arizona to be with her daughter, arranged for a physical therapist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist to visit Triem almost every day at their residence.

“She still couldn’t swallow anything,” Chadwick said. “She had to be tube-fed and we had to crush her medications for her to be able to take them.”

9

FOCUS ON HER FOOT More than a year after her accident, Triem was able to return to her hometown in Arizona. She consulted with a couple of foot and ankle surgeons about her dropfoot because it became so severe that she “kept tripping over it,” she said. Triem had been very active before her accident, so her lack of mobility was quite frustrating. The doctors she consulted regarding her foot told her there was little if anything that could be done for her.

Triem had almost given up hope until she was referred to Jeffrey McAlister, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon at The CORE Institute in the West Valley. She first met him in June of 2017.

“She was wearing a foot and ankle brace and had been dealing with this problem for so long,” Dr. McAlister said, “that it had started to affect her knee and her hip as well.”

He proposed a foot and ankle reconstruction and tendon transfers, advising her that a full recovery from the surgery would take between six and 12 months.

Triem was eager to have the reconstruction and grateful to Dr. McAlister who was

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“I was drawn to her optimism. Her strong desire to functionally improve helped the entire surgical and recovery process, because she was willing to take on what was necessary post-operatively.”

—Dr. Jeffrey McAlister, The CORE Institute willing to help her when other doctors had told her almost nothing could be done.

She underwent the surgery in September of last year.

MUTUAL ADMIRATION Dr. McAlister was impressed with Triem’s determination to get better. “Her desire to recover and her inner strength were quite evident,” he said. “I was drawn to her optimism. Her strong desire to functionally improve helped the entire surgical and recovery process, because she was willing to take on what was nec-

essary post-operatively.” Triem had to go through more physical therapy to ensure her recovery from the surgery.

Below is Laura’s online review she left for Dr. McAlister due to her excellent experience: “As a patient of Dr. Jeffrey McAlister, I was over the moon with … surgery/ reconstruction with my ankle … His bedside manner was very comfortable and polite…His staff was caring and polite at every appointment … Pain management a day after the surgery blew my mind! I only needed (a small amount) of pain medicine. I am healing very fast.”

Today, she has a normal gait, can fully flex her foot, has a normal range of motion and no longer wears a brace.

“I am doing fantastic,” Triem said. “I’m looking for a job and I’m living in my own quarters in a house I share with my mom in Surprise,” she said. “I’m regaining my independence and I’ve gotten to know some of our new neighbors who happen to be avid runners. Thanks to Dr. McAlister, my goal is to do a 5K with them some day.”

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PATIENT CARE

NO LIMITS TREATMENT PAYS OFF; PATIENT BACK ON THE COURSE AFTER SHOULDER INJURY By TJ Gibson 12

www.thecoreinstitute.com

Anthony Tocco couldn’t lift his arm.

Any movement that pulled his arm from his chest sent pain shooting through his body. His right rotator cuff was nearly completely torn.

the hot summer months, but Anthony couldn’t enjoy it — not only because of the pain, but if something were to happen, he was afraid to swim without the full use of this arm.

It was time to do something about it.

“I am an active golfer and my shoulder had gotten to the point where I could not even lift my arm about chest high,” said Tocco. “The last two years, the pain was so bad that I could not golf. And when I tried, I was out of commission for days.”

The pain and limitations cut into other areas of Anthony’s life as well. His family owns a vacation home in Northern DR. WILLIAM KESTO Michigan where they liked to go boating in

THE TENDON PROBLEM Dr. William Kesto, a shoulder and knee sports medicine surgeon for The CORE Institute, sees these types of injuries every day. “About 50 percent of my patients have shoulder tendon injuries. Especially as people age, the tendons become thinner and weaker, making them more prone to injury.”

He also sees patients who have damaged their shoulder during a fall, sports trauma, or >>>

13

PATIENT CARE

“A year later, my shoulder is better than new. I am doing activities that I hadn’t done in years and am 100 percent pain free.” —Anthony Tocco

DIY project gone awry.

“Working in healthcare myself, I know how important it is to do your homework, and I had heard nothing but good things about The CORE institute,” Tocco said.

“I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Kesto, who was terrific. He explained everything in detail.”

Anthony knew diligence in following doctor’s and therapist’s orders, pays off. “The hardest part for me was having to sleep sitting up. I started physical therapy about a week after — which was not pain free — but it was a different type of pain. I knew it would hurt, but it was a hurt with a purpose ... a goal!”

FEELING GREAT By the one-month mark he was itching to golf because his shoulder already felt great. He played his first game of golf a few months later and felt great.

“By September, six months after my surgery, it was like I never even had the surgery. Now, a year later, my

14

shoulder is better than new. I am doing activities that I hadn’t done in years and am 100 percent pain free.”

Dr. Kesto most often repairs complete tears, where the tendon has completely separated from the bone or high-grade tears where more than 50 percent of the fibers are torn. “Surgery is the last step when the conservative treatments we’ve tried, like therapy or injections, have failed.”

Shoulder surgery has evolved quite a bit over the last 15 years. Much of what was performed previously through larger incisions is now done as Dr. Kesto does, arthroscopically, using much smaller incisions.

“I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Kesto and The CORE Institute. I have directed several of my staff to Dr. Kesto as well. They have surpassed all my expectations,” said Tocco.

To learn more about treatment options of the shoulder, visit thecoreinstitute.com.

www.thecoreinstitute.com

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GIVING BACK

‘Pay it Forward’ CORE physicians travel to Philippines to offer medical care

By Julie Maurer In the Philippines, it can take months or even years for patients to save money needed for their orthopedic surgeries, but two CORE physicians eased that burden for many families earlier this year.

In February, Dr.’s Jefferey Michaelson, MD and Victor Nwosu, DPM traveled to the Philippines with residents and some of their family members to offer medical treatment in a local hospital. They not only donated their services, but also brought much-needed implants for patients, which were donated by several organizations.

“It’s a unique, challenging, and exhausting experience,” Dr. Michaelson said. “It felt really good to do something good for the sake of doing good!”

FAMILY MISSION Dr. Michaelson brought his father and two teenage children, who volunteered in the children’s ward and dental clinic.

“The kids did a toy drive in preparation for the mission

16

www.thecoreinstitute.com

“It’s a unique, challenging, and exhausting experience. It felt really good to do something good for the sake of doing good!” —Jefferey Michaelson, MD

trip. Every day they would go to the pediatric and oncology floors and give away everything from Barbie dolls to coloring books,” Dr. Michaelson said.

Dr. Michaelson and Dr. Nwosu each performed several surgeries utilizing the donated implants they brought along with them for this mission trip.

“I was performing between 3 to 5 surgeries a day, plus overseeing the residents,” Dr. Michaelson said.

The hospital in the Philippines serves a broad area, but most of the orthopedic cases seen by the residents are trauma.

“They were able to watch the surgeries,” Dr. Michaelson said. “They usually have somewhat limited access to the OR.” LEARNING TO CARE And it wasn’t just the residents in that hospital that benefited. Dr. Nwosu brought his residents from the United States along for his annual mission mission trip. Plus, his mother, who is an ER nurse from Dallas.

“There are a lot of people in the world who aren’t privileged enough to have the medical care and resources that we have in the U.S. sometimes taken for granted,” Dr. Nwosu said. “I took my residents with me this last time and it made a world of difference in them.” He noted that the patients there were welcoming and joyful.

“One young girl had a bad foot that we corrected, and when asked if she had any questions, she just wanted to take a ‘selfie’ with me,” he said.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES One of the biggest challenges for the physicians was working with the equipment on hand. “There were a couple of

‘MacGyver’ moments — if you didn’t bring it, and they don’t have what you need — you still have to fix the problem in front of you,” Dr. Michaelson said, but added that this has made him a better surgeon now that he has returned.

“Every time something starts to go a little bit differently, I can take a step and know I can fix this.”

Dr. Nwosu had similar sentiments. “It’s made me a better surgeon, I’m able to do more with less,” he said.

Both surgeons hope to return and bring others back with them.

“I wasn’t born a surgeon, I was trained and taught to do what I do,” Dr. Michaelson said. “Now it’s time I pay it forward.”

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NUTRITION

Taste the

SUMMER 3 recipes that embody the flavors of the season

By Michelle Jacoby As the weather warms, it’s time to embrace summer and all the delicious things that come with it: backyard barbecues, lovely picnics and dining al fresco under a blanket of stars.

This time of year, provides a bounty of fresh juicy fruit to vibrant and flavorful produce.

Take advantage of all that summer has to offer by whipping up a few bright, colorful, and healthy meals made with the freshest ingredients. Aim for high-protein, low-carb meals that can help with weight loss, boost energy levels, and improve overall health.

These diets can also benefit cardiovascular health and protect against heart disease.

If you’re looking to ramp up your summer cooking repertoire, here are a few recipes to help make your meals lighter, brighter, and most importantly, healthier.

Source: Delish (all recipes)

CILANTRO LIME SALMON BOWLS 3 red peppers, sliced into strips 2/3 cup olive oil, plus 1 tbsp.

Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper 1/3 cup lime juice 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro, plus more for serving 2 tsp. honey 1 garlic clove, minced 4 salmon filets 4 cups cooked brown rice 1 avocado, thinly sliced Lime wedges, for serving Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bell peppers onto baking sheet and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make cilantro lime marinade: combine olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, honey and garlic, and whisk to combine. Place salmon in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pour half the marinade over filets. Toss until fully coated. Set aside remaining marinade.

When peppers have baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven and place filets on top of peppers. Bake until peppers are tender and salmon is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Assemble bowls: divide rice into four bowls and top with salmon, peppers, avocado and a wedge of lime.

Garnish with cilantro and serve with extra marinade on the side.

CAPRESE ZOODLES 4 large zucchini 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup mozzarella balls, quartered if large 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar Using a spiralizer, create zoodles out of zucchini. Add zoodles to a large bowl, toss with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Let marinate 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, mozzarella and basil to zoodles and toss until combined. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve.

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GRILLED HONEY-LIME CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA Juice of 4 limes, divided 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 2 tsp. honey Kosher salt 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 cups chopped pineapple 1 avocado, diced 1/4 red onion, diced Freshly ground black pepper Make marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together juice of 3 limes, olive oil and 1/4 cup cilantro and honey; season with salt. Add chicken to a large Ziploc bag or baking dish and pour over marinade.

Let marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 hours, or overnight.

When ready to grill: heat grill to high, oil grates, and add chicken. Grill chicken until charred, about 8 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together pineapple, avocado, red onion,

remaining lime juice, and remaining tablespoon cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon salsa over chicken and serve.

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RESEARCH

Child receives a Stormtrooper’s Helping Hand

By Brian Sodoma Like millions of children, Jacob Taggart loves “Star Wars.” So, for Christmas last year, the adorable 5-year old would probably have been happy with “Star Wars” action figures.

Little did he know he’d be getting a gift that would make him look like an action hero, and change his life forever.

Jacob was born with a ‘hand difference’. His right-handed has only a portion of his thumb and first finger, making it impossible to do things like ride a bike or throw a ball. (Jacob is naturally right handed.) However, everything began to change in December, when Jacob marched into The CORE Institute’s headquarters, and received a new prosthetic hand, modeled after the hand of a “Star Wars” Stormtrooper. The prosthetic was created by the MORE Foundation, using advanced 3D printer technology, and it didn’t take long for Jacob to put it to the test. Grabbing, grasping, and throwing, Jacob eagerly explored the possibilities. And the idea of joining a t-ball league suddenly didn’t seem far-fetched after all.

“It’s opening the world for him, it really is,” Linda Taggart, Jacob’s grandmother, told azcentral.com reporters in December.

100 MORE STORIES LIKE JACOB’S Since then, Jacob’s new hand has undergone slight modifications for comfort and a new pencil holder was engineered in The MORE Foundation lab, allowing Jacob to write and draw.

“He’s doing well. He’s grabbing objects, riding a bike and a scooter,” added Marc Jacofsky, PhD, Executive Director of the MORE Foundation, an independent non-profit established by senior leadership from The CORE Institute.

Jacob’s new hand, which was donated with no charge to his family, is designed with small cables running within the plastic fingers and across the back of the wrist. When he flexes his wrist, the cables activate fingers on

the prosthetic hand so they can close, grab and hold items. All this was made possible by donations from The CORE Institute physicians and staff that allowed the MORE Foundation team to purchase a 3D printer to create the prototype hand.

“I really must give credit to the staff of The CORE Institute for helping us fundraise. We didn’t have this program at the beginning of 2017,” Jacofsky added. “Now, our goal is to be able to expand the program to deliver 100 hands.”

Each part of the hand requires between five and 15 hours to print, after which the MORE Foundation team assembles it, making custom modifications and adding straps and padding where the device comes into contact with skin.

“The biggest thing we learned was how to do the strapping and secure the device to the child’s hand. And we designed the pencil holder from scratch. To the best of my knowledge, no one has created one of those yet,” Jacofsky added. “We couldn’t have asked for a more cooperative family to work with.”

Back in December, Jacob’s story made headlines around the world, and inspired a prime-time TV special on The Learning Channel, which featured the MORE Foundation team engineering a hand and arm prosthetic for a 7-year old Arizona girl named Rumi. The result: More families are now reaching out to The MORE Foundation for help. 17 hand requests are currently being evaluated, and fundraising efforts are underway to make sure all qualified children get the helping hand they need. Donors, large and small, will have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve changed a child’s life forever. And, when it comes to action

Your donation to The MORE Foundation will change a child’s life. If you would like to learn more visit www.more-foundation.org.

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ASK THE EXPERT

IT-Band Syndrome Affects Amateur and Elite Athletes Body balance important factor

By Joan Westlake Whether you are an amateur or elite athlete, knee popping or pain along the outside of your leg could be harbingers of IT-Band Syndrome. Its cause is a good thing — exercise — but being overdone.

Or it could be a sign that there is an underlying physical problem. Elise Harris, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, a licensed physical therapist specializing in the treatment of orthopedic musculoskeletal injuries at The CORE Institute, explains symptoms, why this injury happens and ways to heal and prevent it.

Q: I’ve been feeling tightness and soreness along the outside of my leg, could this be IT-band syndrome?

A: Tightness and soreness as well as a popping on the outside of the knee are signs of this problem. It is common among endurance athletes, causing

22

about 15 percent of running and 25 percent of cycling injuries. The iliotibial band is dense, fibrous connective tissue that runs from the outside of the pelvis, down your thigh to the bottom of your knee. It blends into the muscles on the front and the back of the pelvis and the front and back of the thigh. The syndrome occurs when the IT band rubs on a bony knee prominence, causing inflammation and pain.

Q: What can I do to treat the injury?

A: Rest and ice. Do not power through the pain. Take a few days off and decrease your mileage. Cross train with a sport such as swimming. If there is still pain after a few weeks, go see a physician who specializes in sports injuries. Because so often FOR MORE INFORMATION For Direct Access to The CORE Institute Physical Therapy Department, call 877-206-0661

there is a referral to a physical therapist, The CORE Institute has established Direct Access so you can immediately receive an evaluation from a physical therapist who will customize a treatment plan and send it to your physician for approval. Underlying causes are often muscle strength imbalances as well as the way you are performing the exercise. A weak core combined with weak hips and foot pronation is frequently at the root of IT-Band Syndrome.

Q: How can I prevent this from occurring again?

A: If you’ve gone to a physical therapist, continue with your plan. Be certain you have the proper footwear, possibly orthopedic shoes. Also, you can use a foam roller. This is a ligament so you can’t stretch it but the pressure of foam rollers can reduce sensitivity to pain and ease inflammation.

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