<![CDATA[Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery]]> https://news.hss.edu/ en-us Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:33:17 +0200 Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:42 +0200 <![CDATA[Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_2373.png https://news.hss.edu/ 144 Cryo-pneumatic compression may reduce opioid use, improve function after shoulder surgery https://news.hss.edu/cryo-pneumatic-compression-may-reduce-opioid-use-improve-function-after-shoulder-surgery/ https://news.hss.edu/cryo-pneumatic-compression-may-reduce-opioid-use-improve-function-after-shoulder-surgery/673904Orthopedics Today featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>Theodore A. Blaine, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, discussed a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that assessed the effectiveness of a cryo-pneumatic compression device in reducing pain after shoulder surgery in 200 patients. One group received cryo-pneumatic compression therapy, while the control group used traditional methods, possibly including cryotherapy without pneumatic compression. The primary outcome was opioid use reduction, measured in oral morphine milligram equivalents (OMME), while secondary outcomes included patient-reported measures, such as the SF-36 and numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores. 

Results showed patients using the cryo-pneumatic compression device consumed significantly fewer opioids compared with the control group, and this was accompanied by an improvement in the SF-36 physical function score 2 weeks postoperatively (P < .05.) However, there was no significant difference in time to cessation of opioid use between the groups, nor were there significant differences in pain scores or other quality of life measures throughout the 12-week study period. 

While this is a well-designed randomized controlled trial and the results suggest that cryo-pneumatic compression may reduce opioid use in the early postoperative period after shoulder surgery, the strength of this conclusion is limited by the lack of statistically significant improvements in pain scores during the duration of the trial. 

Read the full article at healio.com. 

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 23:00:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Sports Medicine Surgeon Explains Spencer Strider's Surgery and What Comes Next https://news.hss.edu/sports-medicine-surgeon-explains-spencer-striders-surgery-and-what-comes-next/ https://news.hss.edu/sports-medicine-surgeon-explains-spencer-striders-surgery-and-what-comes-next/629759Sports Illustrated.com featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>The Atlanta Braves have lost strikeout artist Spencer Strider for the 2024 season, with the pitcher undergoing surgery on the damaged UCL in his throwing elbow.

Strider received an InternalBrace™ for his revision in lieu of the standard UCL repair process. Theodore A. Blaine, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS explains what this means for Strider and how the InternalBrace™ surgery is different from the standard "Tommy John" UCL reconstruction. 

“The decision to perform a UCL reconstruction ("Tommy John" surgery) or a UCL repair (with or without an internal brace) or both is based on many factors,” Dr. Blaine explained, with “each of these weighed to determine the best options for each individual.” It’s a significant list of factors, as well. “The age of the player, the location of the injury to the UCL, the desired activity level of the athlete moving forward, the quality of the tissue, and any prior elbow injury history are all factors that must be considered.”

Read the full article at si.com. 

]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:36:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 HSS Surgeon Performs World’s First Implant of a Stemmed Elliptical Head Prosthesis for Anatomic Shoulder Replacement https://news.hss.edu/hss-surgeon-performs-worlds-first-implant-of-a-stemmed-elliptical-head-prosthesis-for-anatomic-shoulder-replacement/ https://news.hss.edu/hss-surgeon-performs-worlds-first-implant-of-a-stemmed-elliptical-head-prosthesis-for-anatomic-shoulder-replacement/577959System Allows Conversion to Reverse Shoulder Replacement ProsthesisHSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 15th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2023-2024). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fourth consecutive year (2023). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.

]]>Theodore A. Blaine, MD, a shoulder and elbow surgeon at HSS has performed the world’s first implantations of a stemmed elliptical head prosthesis for anatomic shoulder replacement surgery. The breakthrough procedure provides the most anatomic solution for patients with arthritis, and was performed in May at HSS in Stamford, CT. HSS has a collaborative relationship with Stamford Health.

This innovative surgery revolutionizes conventional anatomical stemmed total shoulder replacement, using an elliptical-shaped head which is anatomically matched to the ovoid shape of the ball-and-socket joint in the human shoulder. The stemmed elliptical head enables surgeons to readily convert an anatomic total shoulder replacement prosthesis to a reverse shoulder replacement prosthesis, should a revision surgery ever be needed in the future. Dr. Blaine is the first surgeon in the world to use this advanced technology, placing an elliptical head on a stemmed implant.

Anatomic total shoulder replacement arthroplasty is often advised for patients with osteoarthritis. This surgery replaces the ball and socket with artificial components, allowing younger patients to stay active and play sports. Reverse shoulder replacement is advised when patients have both arthritis and a deficient rotator cuff. The natural positions of the ball and socket are switched. A metal ball implant is placed where the patient's own natural socket was, and a plastic socket implant is placed on the top of the humeral head.

For the past 50 years, since they were first introduced by Dr. Charles Neer in the 1970s, the heads of the prostheses used in shoulder replacement surgeries have been spherically shaped. In the last several years however, two manufacturers have introduced elliptical heads which may improve range of motion and healthy shoulder functionality over spherical heads, according to some biomechanical and clinical studies.

“The main reason for implanting a convertible prosthesis in a patient’s shoulder is that an anatomic shoulder replacement provides a more normal shoulder than a reverse prosthesis in active patients.  However, if a patient ever had an injury or tear of the rotator cuff in the future, we now have better options with a stemmed prosthesis,” explains Dr. Blaine. “Up until now, we haven’t had convertibility from a standard ball-and-socket prosthesis to a reverse prosthesis. The stemmed elliptical head prosthesis for anatomic replacement gives us the ability to make this conversion in a more expedient way without having to remove the stem.”

“One of our primary goals at HSS is to reproduce or recapitulate the human anatomy,” Dr. Blaine adds. “The normal anatomy of the shoulder joint is an egg-shaped head, not a sphere. This new approach allows us to get closer to replicating the normal function of the human shoulder so patients can remain active well into their later years.”

These first procedures using elliptical head prostheses at HSS Stamford have been successful, and the technology is now being used at multiple centers throughout the U.S. Dr. Blaine also reports that HSS will soon be conducting a motion analysis study in conjunction with other institutions to compare shoulder replacement patients who received oval-shaped heads versus those who received spherical heads.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/390d9569-e436-4fba-8469-c5e7317652c0/500_blainestemmedcsr.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/390d9569-e436-4fba-8469-c5e7317652c0/blainestemmedcsr.jpg?10000 Anatomic TSA still relevant as use of RSA increases https://news.hss.edu/anatomic-tsa-still-relevant-as-use-of-rsa-increases/ https://news.hss.edu/anatomic-tsa-still-relevant-as-use-of-rsa-increases/499611Orthopedics Today featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>Orthopedics Today reports on new research suggesting an increasing incidence of shoulder arthroplasty in the United States during the past decade may be due to expanded use and indications, as well as to an uptick in expertise with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

Theodore A. Blaine, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, who was not involved in the study, shared commentary on the clinical implications of the research.

Dr. Blaine noted that although the techniques for performing RSA and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) are similar, the subscapularis tendon and muscle needs to fully heal for good outcomes after an anatomic TSA, but not for RSA.

He explained, “There are some people who will do reverse replacements in a majority of people because they do not want to worry about the healing of the [subscapularis] muscle ... but I think anatomic designs are more normal. They reproduce more normal function in the shoulder with better motion.”

“I believe that if you can have an anatomic shoulder and your rotator cuff works well and heals well, then you are going to feel like it is more of a normal shoulder,” Dr. Blaine added.

Some complications are unique to RSA and not found with anatomic TSA, according to Dr. Blaine. He said these include stress fractures of the scapular spine, which can occur in 2% to 4% of RSA procedures, as well as scapular notching.

“There was some risk of a dislocation ... with reverse replacements when we first started doing them,” Dr. Blaine said. “The risk was as high as 30%. That has gone down quite a bit. The risk of dislocation now is less than 5%. But, again, that exists for reverse replacement and not as much as an issue with an anatomic replacement.”

“[There are] risks that are unique to a reverse replacement, so, because of those risks, it is not something that should be used in everybody,” Dr. Blaine noted. “If you can do an anatomic replacement, the patient will likely have more normal motion and do well.”

Read the full article at Healio.com/orthopedics.

]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:48:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Odds in Browns QB Baker Mayfield's favor to get back to same level after shoulder surgery https://news.hss.edu/odds-in-browns-qb-baker-mayfields-favor-to-get-back-to-same-level-after-shoulder-surgery/ https://news.hss.edu/odds-in-browns-qb-baker-mayfields-favor-to-get-back-to-same-level-after-shoulder-surgery/490395Akron Beacon Journal featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>Akron Beacon Journal reports Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will undergo surgery for a torn labrum and fraying in addition to a fractured humerus in his left shoulder.

HSS sports medicine surgeon, Theodore A. Blaine, MD, who did not treat Mayfield, explained, “The odds are in his favor in terms of getting back to playing, of getting back to the same level. They’re not 100%, but if you look at different studies, it ranges between 70 to 90% back to play at the same level. That’s looking at all different types of athletes.”

He continued, “Professional athletes are a different breed, they have better tissues, they heal better, they heal faster, they do better. I’m always more confident in their ability to recover than somebody else.”

For a typical recovery, according to Dr. Blaine, “Whether it’s done through a scope or whether it’s done open, the recovery should be four to six months. The average return to play is about six months for these kind of surgeries, but ... it’s possible he could be a little bit faster than that.”

“It’s a good thing it’s his non-throwing shoulder because the position of instability, what we call an at-risk position where the shoulder can slide out, is a position of abduction, external rotation where you kind of raise the arm and rotate it out. Obviously, you do that on every throw. But he doesn’t do that with his non-throwing shoulder. So the risk is lower for a non-throwing shoulder for recurring episodes of instability," he added.

According to Dr. Blaine, “The labrum is a lining tissue to the shoulder joint, so it goes all the way around, 360 degrees around the clock face. An anterior labral tear, which is also called a Bankart tear, is usually associated with instability. That’s the kind of tear that’s harder to play with, that you have to get fixed to get stability back in the shoulder.”

When asked about his optimism that Mayfield can get back to the level of performance that earned Mayfield the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and made him the first overall pick in 2018, Dr. Blaine said, “I’m a Browns fan, so I’m always hopeful.”

Read the full article at Beaconjournal.com.

]]> Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:20:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 E30: Is it safe to have surgery during COVID? with Dr. Ted Blaine https://news.hss.edu/e30-is-it-safe-to-have-surgery-during-covid-with-dr-ted-blaine/ https://news.hss.edu/e30-is-it-safe-to-have-surgery-during-covid-with-dr-ted-blaine/429576Optimal Health Uncovered podcast featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>In this Optimal Health Uncovered podcast, HSS sports medicine surgeon Theodore A. Blaine, MD, discussed the latest techniques being used to treat and repair various shoulder injuries.

“For tendon type injuries, I think what we’ve found is unfortunately in the shoulder, tendons don’t heal. If you tear your rotator cuff and it’s a full tear, a complete tear, that tear is not going to heal. That’s changed our approach. While physical therapy can be incredibly important for partial tears, labral tears, and a variety of different things, when it becomes a full tear we’re much more likely to talk about surgery at an earlier point. We also have some newer techniques to repair tendons. There are times when the tendon tear is so large that you can’t fully reconstruct it with the patient's own tissue. So there has been work with graft procedures and biologics to be able to try and reconstruct a tendon that doesn’t exist anymore. We’re not totally there yet, but I think we’re making some great advances and it does give us opportunities we didn’t have before.”

Dr. Blaine continued, “On the arthritis side, we also have been able to make a lot of advances in that area. Preservation – so trying to preserve the patient’s bone and as much of their anatomy as we can, so if they ever needed further procedures in the future, we would have the ability to do them.”

Listen to the podcast at podcasts.apple.com/us.

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:21:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 HSS Webinar: Throwing Athletes and Shoulder Injuries https://news.hss.edu/hss-webinar-throwing-athletes-and-shoulder-injuries/ https://news.hss.edu/hss-webinar-throwing-athletes-and-shoulder-injuries/392963Stamford Patch featuring Karen M. Sutton, MD, Theodore A. Blaine, MD, Samuel A. Taylor, MD and Debi Jones, PT, OCS, SCS

 

]]>Stamford Patch highlights the latest installment of the HSS "Thirty Minute Thursday" sports webinar series for student athletes, featuring sports medicine surgeons, Karen M. Sutton, MD, Theodore A. Blaine, MD, Samuel A. Taylor, MD, and physical therapist Debi Jones, PT, OCS, SCS, who addressed the topic of shoulder injuries in throwing athletes.

Participants discussed the six phases of throwing motions and the various forces and stresses associated with these movements; shoulder injuries for female athletes versus male; and the importance of a strengthening program focused on the entire kinetic chain to increase power and prevent injury.

Read the full article at Patch.com/Connecticut/Stamford.

]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2020 11:48:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 HSS Opens Physician Office in Hamden https://news.hss.edu/hss-opens-physician-office-in-hamden/ https://news.hss.edu/hss-opens-physician-office-in-hamden/374440Hamden Patch featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD and Steven J. McAnany, MD

]]>Hamden Patch reports HSS has opened a new physician office in Hamden, which expands the HSS Sports Medicine Institute and HSS Spine in Connecticut. The office is staffed by Theodore A. Blaine, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, and Steven J. McAnany, MD, spine surgeon at HSS.

Since early 2015, HSS has offered a full suite of medical and imaging services in Stamford encompassing sports medicine, spine services, hip and knee replacement, foot and ankle surgery, hand surgery, pain management rheumatology, pediatric orthopedics, sports rehabilitation and physical therapy. Since then, HSS has expanded its physical therapy programs to other locations in Stamford, Greenwich and New Canaan.

Read the article at Patch.com.

Additional coverage: NHRegister.com and in print on January 26, 2020, Beckersspine.com, Newhavenbiz.com

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:05:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Dr. Theodore Blaine joins Hospital for Special Surgery https://news.hss.edu/dr-theodore-blaine-joins-hospital-for-special-surgery/ https://news.hss.edu/dr-theodore-blaine-joins-hospital-for-special-surgery/364873Becker’s Spine Review featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

]]>Becker’s Spine Review reports sports medicine surgeon, Theodore A. Blaine, MD, has joined the HSS medical staff as of October 19, and is seeing patients at HSS Stamford.

Dr. Blaine specializes in minimally invasive shoulder and elbow surgery, and is co-editor-in-chief and found of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty.

Read the article at Beckersspine.com.

Additional coverage: Beckersspine.com. 

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2019 13:46:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000