Geoffrey Westrich, MD

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fell in her office this week and fractured three ribs. She was hospitalized, but fortunately, is now back home now and doing well, according to news reports. Although the details of how the 85 year-old Supreme Court Justice fell have not been released, the mishap shines a spotlight on how serious a fall can be. It fact, a fall can be devastating for older adults in particular because their bones are more fragile. They often break a hip, sustain a severe head injury... or worse. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Justice Ginsburg well and remind everyone that measures can be taken to prevent falls indoors. In your own home, or in the home of a loved one, these strategies can help prevent an accident and keep people safe. Some of these measures can be applied to the work environment, as well: Ensure that the home is free of hazards such as slippery floors, rugs that are not secured and poorly lit areas. Install handra...

Hip replacement surgery is highly successful in relieving pain, restoring mobility and improving quality of life. More than 330,000 procedures are performed each year in the United States, and that number is expected to almost double by the year 2030.  As with all surgical procedures, the possibility of a complication exists, and dislocation is the most common problem. The risk of dislocation is higher in patients who have had a second hip replacement, known as revision surgery. Some people need a revision surgery many years after their first hip replacement when the original implant wears out. Hip instability after joint replacement is another reason a patient might need a revision surgery.     Research conducted at Hospital for Special Surgery, where I am director of research of the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service, and other joint replacement centers indicates that a newer type of artificial hip known as a “modular dual mobility” implant coul...

More than 330,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year. Overall, it is a highly successful procedure. However, as with all surgeries, a risk for complications exists.  Dislocation is one of the most common complications after hip replacement and the number one reason for revision surgery. A study we conducted at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that patients who received a newer implant known as a “dual mobility” hip replacement had zero dislocations.   In comparison, study patients who received a traditional fixed bearing hip implant had a dislocation rate of 5 percent. The research, which focused on patients under 55 years old, was presented last month at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in New Orleans.   We were especially interested in seeing how the younger patient population fared because they are generally more active and put more demands and stress on their hip after joint replaceme...

Many people experience hip pain from time to time, especially if they lead an active lifestyle. A good deal of walking and hiking while on vacation or rushing to finish chores over the holidays can lead to a sore hip. People experience pain from overdoing it. Known as an “overuse injury,” it results from repetitive stress on the muscles, joints and tendons. Usually, the best way to deal with pain from overuse is to take it easy for a while. We advise patients to rest their hip, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication as long as they don't have gastrointestinal issues, and apply ice or heat. If an aching hip doesn’t feel better in a week or so, a visit to a doctor for an orthopedic evaluation is usually in order.      Sometimes hip pain is a result of a something more serious than overuse, and the following symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor quickly or go to the emergency room:       ·     ...

  In the past year, four of my close friends or relatives have fallen in their home or at work. Two of them suffered broken bones. In the first instance, a friend of mine was getting ready for a trip to California and rushing around her apartment when she tripped over a pile of papers. She broke her wrist and needed surgery. She’s on the mend and doing well, but it could have been worse. Another friend was busy at work, and in her haste to get things done, she tripped on some steps and broke her foot. It’s been a long and difficult recovery. A relative who had back surgery about a year ago became distracted and fell in her walk-in closet. Luckily, she was OK. Finally, someone I know was adjusting her bath mat and slipped in the bathtub. Fortunately, she fell in such a way that she only sustained a bruise and some soreness. They all had something in common: they were either distracted or in a hurry. I can’t stress enough how dangerous a fall can be, especially for...

This month, I received a letter from a patient that just made me feel good. Most people have excellent outcomes after hip or knee replacement surgery, but it’s not every day that they write a letter to tell you about their experience.  Nancy, a teacher from Westchester, wrote a letter thanking me and the staff at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) for “a most successful and amazing experience.”   She had decided to have hip replacement due to intense pain that kept her up at night and made it difficult for her to do the job she loved. Nancy had tried physical therapy, but after 25 sessions and little pain relief, she thought it was time to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. She said three previous joint replacement patients had recommended me, so she felt very comfortable making an appointment. She was also aware of the excellent reputation of Hospital for Special Surgery. Her x-rays, medical history and exam showed that advanced arthritis was causing her pain. ...

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