By Susan Miele

Sept. 17, 2018: ColumbiaDoctors Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital is rapidly evolving, with dramatic advances in capabilities that allow for sophisticated orthopedic care here in Bronxville. Especially for orthopedic patients with limited mobility, this close proximity may be particularly welcome news.

Since last year, the department has expanded its services, hired new fellowship trained subspecialists, and come under new leadership. An entire spectrum of full musculoskeletal care is now offered, including both non-operative and operative treatments for everything from arthritis pain to sports injuries.  NYP Lawrence’s physical therapy services are also available to support patients who need it.

At the helm since spring 2017 is Jeffrey A. Geller, MD, Nas S. Eftekar Professor of Orthopedic Surgery; Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, NYP Lawrence Hospital; Chief of Hip and Knee Reconstruction, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUMC); Vice Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CUMC. Dr. Geller specializes in hip and knee reconstruction, including advanced minimally invasive joint replacement surgery, hip fracture care, and complex reconstructions and revisions of painful and failing joint replacements. 

The new hires, who boast national and international reputations, have helped ratchet up the department’s credentials. This has resulted in considerable expansion of orthopedic and sports medicine services including hip and knee reconstruction, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, elbow, shoulder, spine, and trauma. Additional physicians are scheduled to join the team this fall, further expanding the NYP Columbia presence in Westchester.

“We know through research that quality and outcomes are significantly improved when specially trained surgeons perform a high volume of surgeries within a more narrow scope of care – leading to faster recoveries and fewer complications,” Dr. Geller explained.

As part of NYP Lawrence’s global musculoskeletal care, Dr. Elan Goldwaser, a specialist in primary care sports medicine and orthopedics, recently joined the NYP Lawrence team. With his holistic approach to non-operative musculoskeletal care, Dr. Goldwaser is able to augment a traditional plan of care with a skilled and targeted use of ultrasound-guided injections. These may include more advanced techniques of stem-cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-type injections, which use the body’s own biologics to improve healing and recuperation. Those who are candidates for this procedure may be able to avoid surgery.

Minimally invasive joint replacement has been a focus of Dr. Geller’s clinical practice and research. Newer, more sophisticated technology can allow for same-day discharge, a rarity in not only the county but even the Tri-State area, according to Dr. Geller.  This is more common for patients undergoing partial knee replacement, as well as with many anterior hip replacements, the newer method for this procedure. This has been enabled by the hospital’s Joint Commission-certified joint replacement program, a multi-disciplinary effort involving pre-op education, pain management, care coordination, and the physical therapy and rehabilitation team.

The hip and knee replacement program was recently re-certified with the highest marks by the Joint Commission, a regulatory body that bestows certification on centers demonstrating the highest level of care, including a strong multi-disciplinary team. To earn this certification, a center must demonstrate not only surgical expertise, but also high-quality care from the beginning of the care episode to a successful outcome beyond 12 months post-surgery.  The hospital is required to track the essential metrics of surgical outcome, complications, infection rates, readmissions to the hospital, and overall quality of care.

NYP Lawrence’s partnership with ColumbiaDoctors Orthopedics represents a strong commitment to provide world-class musculoskeletal care in a regional setting: improving the patient experience, providing individualized care utilizing the latest technology, and delivering quality outcomes.  The practice has two Westchester offices in Bronxville and Tarrytown, with a third location is slated to open in Eastchester in early 2019.

A Westchester resident, Dr. Geller is committed to advancing orthopedics care the way Bronxville-area residents have craved: close to home. “We continue to make a big commitment to Westchester, and we are the only NYC orthopedic department providing patients with full-service non-op and operative treatment close to home, in Westchester.”

For further information:

NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
55 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-750-4650

www.nyp.org/lawrence-ortho

NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital Be Well Bash

In collaboration with the Village of Bronxville, NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital is hosting this free program for K-12 student athletes, weekend warriors and seniors on Saturday, September 29th from 11am to 3pm on the front lawn of the Bronxville School.

The community can meet clinicians from the Columbia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program, and specialists from primary care, cardiology and other departments to learn how to stay healthy and achieve your goals.  It will be an afternoon filled with activities from the NFL PLAY 60 Skills and Drills program and the New York City Football Club Street Team program; injury prevention workshops; music; food; entertainment; face painting and much more. This exciting interactive program will offer activities and health information to keep you active from kindergarten into your 90’s! Registration is not required and the event will take place rain or shine. For more information, please call 914-787-5000.

Photograph:  Dr. Geller; Photo provided by NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital

Note:  This content is sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital