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Tiffany GuyThe Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is excited to recognize the commendable dedication of two long-standing employees, Tammy Williams and Tiffany Guy, who have been invaluable contributors to the UAB community for over 25 years. Both Tiffany Guy and Tammy Williams are Patient Encounter Specialists in the HSF- Orthopaedic Surgery Department at UAB Highlands.

To celebrate Tiffany and Tammy, we asked them about their years of service and what they enjoyed about UAB.

Tiffany Guy:

Throughout your tenure at UAB, which departments or areas have you gained experience working in?

I have gained experience in various roles across UAB, including working at the Radiology front desk, in the Cardiology Department–specifically in the Heart Failure Area under HSF–as well as part-time positions at the UAB Switchboard and EVS. Currently, I also dedicate my weekends to working at the North Pavilion gift shop.

What is it about the field of health care that captivates and motivates you?

The act of providing aid to others is always a rewarding experience, and I find it truly gratifying.

When you're not at work, what activities or hobbies do you find enjoyable?

Outside of work, I find pleasure in traveling and engaging in shopping activities.

What specifically attracts you to the orthopaedics sector and makes it fulfilling for you to work in that field?

Since the very beginning, the individuals within this department have always been like an extended family to me.

Tammy Williams (not pictured):

Throughout your tenure at UAB, which departments or areas have you gained experience working in?

Exclusively, my professional experience has been focused solely within the field of orthopaedics.

What is it about the field of health care that captivated you?

It was my faith that led me towards pursuing a career in health care.

When you're not at work, what activities or hobbies do you find enjoyable?

I find relaxation and leisure activities important outside of work, as we tend to spend a considerable amount of time at our workplace.

What specifically attracts you to orthopaedics and makes it fulfilling for you to work in that field?

In the orthopaedics department, we foster a strong sense of family. When one person is going through a difficult time, we all feel the impact and come together to support and assist one another.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Homewood residents gathered to celebrate We Love Homewood Day 2023 (WLHD) at Homewood Central Park.

The event occurred between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and was filled with various festivities highlighting the community’s love for Homewood.

A cherished highlight of WLHD was the inclusion of various inflatable structures, thrilling rides, and engaging activities suitable for individuals of all ages. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in these delightful attractions and celebrate in the festive spirit.

The presence of the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine team at the event was well-received, and a substantial number of people made sure to visit our booth.

We distributed an abundance of UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine merchandise while also providing valuable information about the comprehensive health services we extend to the entire greater Birmingham community.

“We had a great turnout from sports medicine employees, and a large number of people stopped by,” said Aaron Casp, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is honored to participate in events like WLHD that support our local Birmingham communities and its residents.

Matthew Hess, M.D., a PGY-5 in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, has won second place in the Chestley L. Yelton Resident Essay Competition for his paper, “Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Decreases Intraoperative Transfusion Requirements and Does Not Increase Incidence of Venous Thromboembolic Events in Musculoskeletal Sarcoma Surgery.”

Hess’ paper discusses using tranexamic acid to decrease blood transfusion requirements and decrease operative time in patients with bone or soft tissue sarcomas who undergo wide surgical resection. 

“We are one of the early studies to show that intravenous tranexamic acid can be safely used without increasing the risk of venous thromboembolic events in this specific oncologic population of patients,” said Hess. “We started using the medicine routinely in 2012 and thus have a long period of time in which we have examined its use. Dr. Siegel is the senior author on the study and we primarily examined his patients.” 

As a second-place winner of the Yelton award, Hess will receive $1,000 and present his paper during the Alabama Orthopaedic Society/Mississippi Orthopaedic Society (AOS/MOS) Joint Annual Meeting. The meeting will take place in Destin, Florida, May 18-20.

Congratulations to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery PGY-4 residents on their recent fellowship matches and post-graduation commitments! We are excited to announce where our residents plan to go next.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery hosted a luncheon catered by Jim N Nicks BBQ in appreciation of its staff on Wednesday, May 3, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the OSB 110 conference room. The luncheon was held in celebration of Administrative Professionals Day, Nurses Week, Occupational Therapy Month, Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Day.

The event was hosted by Steven M. Theiss, M.D., John D. Sherrill Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fred Horton, executive administrator, Orthopaedic faculty, and the Orthopaedic management team.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery welcomes opportunities to celebrate all members of the department. Our administrative professionals play a key role in supporting our faculty and trainees.

Likewise, our occupational therapists, nurses, APPs, and CMAs support faculty and trainees, in addition to providing unmatched care to our patients. Our staff is vital to the success of our department and our patients’ experience, and we are excited about opportunities to recognize them and their hard work!

The Birmingham Bulls professional hockey team is participating in the 2023 President’s Cup Finals and is being accompanied by members of the UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

UAB Medicine is the official medical partner for the Bulls, and the athletes and coaches benefit from the orthopedic and sports medicine programs. They have comprehensive access to providers to address orthopedic issues, concussions, sports cardiology, and primary care concerns.

The Bulls’ UAB Medicine team consists of Amit Momaya, M.D., Aaron Casp, M.D., Mike Johnson, M.D., Irfan Asif, M.D., Ian McKeag, M.D., and Thomas Evely, D.O., in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Family and Community Medicine.

The team provides pre-game evaluation and interventions as needed. During the games, they evaluate injuries, repair lacerations, and provide additional orthopaedic care both during and after the games.

“Sometimes we have just a few minutes to treat an injury and get them back in the game. It’s a fast-paced game, so the medical care has to keep up,” Said Casp, Chief Medical Officer for the Bulls and head orthopedic surgeon for the team.

“If their injury extends beyond what we do during the game, we will evaluate them in clinic, get X-rays, and provide in-season interventions for injuries,” said Casp. “Also, if players have a surgical injury during the season, I will perform the surgery and formulate a plan with the team athletic trainer for rehab and return. Overall, it’s a lot of coordination with the team athletic trainer, the primary care sports medicine providers, and the team physical therapist.”

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is excited to see the team’s success this year and is cheering them on during the championship games.

Ayonna Smith, a patient encounter specialist for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, has been named a 2023 Patient Experience Hero.

Each year during Patient Experience Week, the UAB Medicine Office of Patient Experience & Engagement recognizes UAB team members considered "Patient Experience Heroes." These individuals are nominated by their peers as heroes that always keep patients their top priority, enhance the patient experience, and exhibit UAB’s core values - do right, work together, always care, own it - on a consistent basis. 

A "shining star" in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ayonna consistently goes above and beyond to assist patients. She treats her patients like family, shows compassion, and embodies UAB's core values by taking the initiative to ensure patients are well taken care of and they know they are a top priority.

Sarah Kasprow, athletic trainer for Orthopaedic Surgery and the Sports Medicine Clinic at UAB Highlands, has been named one of the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award winners.

The Clinical Excellence in Nursing awards are the highest honors that can be achieved by staff nurses, nurse leaders, and nursing support staff. They are presented annually to those who demonstrate exceptional nursing knowledge, technical skills, and clinical leadership within UAB Medicine. Sarah won one of the 2023 Nursing Support Clinical Excellence Awards. There were 15 winners from all of Ambulatory as well as winners from the inpatient side.

Sarah’s positive attitude, medical knowledge, and leadership skills make her a valuable member of the clinical team. Her peers say she’s always willing and able to teach others and share knowledge for the betterment of the patient. With a focus on patient care, her professionalism and ability always go above and beyond. In addition to her clinical duties, she is also an active member in department community outreach. She assists with covering local sporting events and was very active in assisting with the World Games and the inaugural USFL football season. Sarah has volunteered her time to assist with sports physicals for multiple entities around Birmingham. She is always willing to serve her community and represent UAB.

Congratulations, Sarah!

For patients experiencing knee pain from osteoarthritis on just one side of the knee, a partial knee replacement may be the best option. Scott Mabry, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon, explains how a partial knee replacement has advantages over a total knee replacement for the right patient. Dr. Mabry discusses computer-assisted navigation, which allows him to customize how implants are fitted, aligning the new components mechanically in real time. Learn more about how a specialist can guide your patients through this outpatient procedure.

Listen to his latest episode. 

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Amit Momaya, M.D., was recently listed in Becker's Orthopedic Review's "10 Sports Medicine Leaders to Know."

Momaya is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries. He currently serves as a team physician for UAB Athletics, Legion FC, Birmingham Bulls Hockey, and other surrounding schools. Momaya also engages in clinical trials to help improve patient care and innovate in the growing field of sports medicine.

“It is an honor to be recognized in the 10 Sports Medicine Leaders to Know,” said Momaya. “It is a testament to the work that our team here at UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine has put in over the past several years. We hope to continue providing excellent and comprehensive care to athletes and active patients in order to get them back to their activity. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in clinical research that guides our treatment. We hope that we can elevate UAB not only on the regional level but also on the national level as a leader in sports medicine.”

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Amit Momaya, M.D., published a study evaluating if similar inflammatory gene patterns exist between the synovium, hyaline cartilage, and blood of patients with knee joint tissues, seeing if one precedes the other. The work could help researchers and providers better understand the progression of osteoarthritis, among other conditions.

Published in February in the peer-reviewed, musculoskeletal system journal Cartilage, the study is titled “Is the Synovium the First Responder to Posttraumatic Knee Joint Stress? The Molecular Pathogenesis of Traumatic Cartilage Degeneration.”

Traumatic cartilage degeneration occurs when a sudden traumatic event, such as a sports or fitness injury, disturbs the cartilage surface and causes a weak spot in the cartilage lining of the bone. Once a weak spot has developed, the cartilage can break down over time with the normal forces of daily physical activities.

Momaya and the research team reviewed 58 patients who underwent elective knee arthroscopy due to previously diagnosed knee injuries. Procedures were performed on 31 right and 27 left knees. Twenty-eight patients reported knee trauma, averaging 17 months before surgery. On arthroscopic evaluation, 35 patients were diagnosed with cartilage lesions, whereas the other 23 cases were described as normal cartilage. In addition, 34 patients were identified with a medial meniscus lesion, four had lateral menisci lesions, and another eight had ACL tears.

Full blood samples were collected preoperatively from the synovium and cartilage samples were collected intraoperatively. The total RNA of the blood samples was isolated and tested along with the different gene expressions that are found in tissue samples.

The results show a strong and significant correlation between gene expression in synovial fluid – fluid in the knee joint – and systemic blood cells in the body, indicating a more widespread inflammation response to injury or degeneration. The extent of cartilage damage from the patient’s injury also correlated with the specific blood cell expression found in their blood samples.

These results suggest that the synovial tissue is a first responder to knee joint stress factors, and its reaction correlates with the response of blood cells and overall inflammation. The chondrocyte’s genetic response should be further investigated to explain the genetic program of synovial joints, as an organ, during osteoarthritis development and progression.

To read more about the study and its results, click here.

UAB Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Sara Gould, M.D. will present at the 2023 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in May.

The AMSSM Annual Meetings cover many topics at the forefront of sports medicine, such as health equity, concussion, lifestyle medicine, mental health, the importance of physician support and wellness, and more. This year’s theme is “Rising to the Challenge”, challenging sports medicine providers to apply lessons learned about mentorship, leadership and professional development to their practices.

Gould will present an oral poster entitled “Equestrian Helmet Testing: MIPS Performance On A Novel Testing Approach.” The presentation focuses on her recent study with UAB researchers, examining a standard equestrian helmet made from a polycarbonate shell over expanded polystyrene foam.

The researchers tested and compared this helmet’s effectiveness to helmets designed with a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), which is a low-friction layer between the helmet shell and liner. The study specifically compared the amount of rotational velocity during head impact.

Results showed no reduction in rotational velocity with MIPS technology compared to traditional helmets. The team then tested the helmet on different terrain surfaces. Values for testing included rotational velocity and deceleration upon impact with three different surfaces: sod, sand and a sand/fiber mixture.

All surfaces tested similarly in deceleration values. However, sand and sand-plus-fiber surfaces had significantly lower rotational velocities upon contact with the helmet compared to sod.

This year’s meeting will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 27 to May 3. Dr. Gould will present on May 1 at 10:00 AM and 3:15 PM MST.

UAB Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Amit Momaya, M.D., represents UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine at the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies: Team Physician Course last month.

Arthrex is a multi-national medical device company that develops new medical equipment, along with providing medical education in orthopaedics. Their company specializes in the field of arthroscopy and develops more than 1,000 products and procedures each year.

The Arthrex Team Physician Controversies Meetings focus on leading sports medicine orthopedic surgeons in the United States who care for professional and collegiate teams. The meetings allow surgeons to learn about new innovative orthopaedic products and techniques to create a better, minimally invasive surgery experience for their team athletes and clinical patients.

The meeting was held on February 16-18, 2023 at the Arthrex Corporate Headquarters in Naples, Florida.

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Clay Spitler, M.D., alongside Assistant Professor Joey Johnson, M.D., and current Orthopaedic Surgery residents have published a study reevaluating the treatment outcomes for complex open pelvic ring injuries.

The study was published in February of 2023 in the Injury: International Journal of the Care of the Injured and is titled “Management of open pelvic ring injuries”.

Open pelvic ring injuries are traumatic injuries that majorly disrupt the pelvic ring – such as fractures. Motorcycle collisions, motor vehicle collisions, and pedestrians struck by motor vehicles have been reported to be the most frequent cause of these injuries. Due to the rarity of open ring fractures, these injuries do not provide well-defined treatment plans for orthopaedic surgeons and their patients. Previous studies have shown mortality reaching 50% in open pelvic ring injuries, nearly five times higher than in closed pelvic ring injuries.

Spitler and the research team reviewed 58 scientific studies related to traumatic open pelvic ring injuries and their analyzed outcomes. Literature reviewed from the 1970s and 1980s reported mortality rates as high as 50%, while more recent studies from the 1990s reported mortality rates as low as 4.8%. This is due to the fulfillment of thorough protocols and advancements in the early treatment of open pelvic fractures including pelvic binders, diverting colostomies and emerging angiography.

The results show that individuals with short-term outcomes of open pelvic ring injuries have reported in-hospital mortality rates of 14–23.7%. Individuals with long-term outcomes have been limited to a small number of investigations. Complications seen with open pelvic fractures can be categorized into acute and delayed complications. Severe blood loss and shock are the most common causes of acute mortality while sepsis and multiple organ failure have been associated with delayed mortality.

In conclusion, the study suggests that the immediate recognition of associated injuries, blood loss control and respect for the location of the soft tissue aids in the successful management of short-term open pelvic fractures.

To read more about the study and its results, click here.

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Residency Program Director Michael Johnson, M.D., moderated at the 2023 American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Winter Meeting in January.

The AOFAS winter meetings are designed to give orthopaedic medical staff and students the opportunity to engage in stimulating foot and ankle symposia, analyze critical cases and participate in collaborative discussions.

Johnson moderated the State of the Art in Calcaneus Fractures Symposium in which he facilitated topic-related discussions, reviewed debates and guided interactions between the audience and the presenters.

This year’s meeting was in Big Sky, Montana at the Big Sky Resort. The next AOFAS Winter Meeting will be in Tampa, Florida from January 25-28, 2024.

Patients of UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine and UAB Orthopaedic Services can now easily schedule their appointments online with many providers, adding to the convenience of our services. Our online scheduling system is available for appointments at various locations, including UAB Hospital-Highlands, UAB Medicine Gardendale Specialty Care, and UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine at St. Vincent’s 119.

As a pioneer in healthcare innovation, UAB Medicine is proud to be the first medical center in the state to offer online scheduling for orthopaedic and sports medicine services. New patients can schedule an appointment without a referral. For those who prefer to make an appointment over the phone, please call 205-930-8339.

To schedule an appointment directly from our providers’ profile pages, please visit UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine or UAB Orthopaedics.

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Amit Momaya, M.D., published a study comparing physical activity levels between individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and uninjured controls, determining correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Published in January in the Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, the study is titled “Demographic and Clinical Correlates of Device-Measured Physical Activity Levels in Individuals with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.”

Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is a condition where the bone along the femoral head of the hip has an improper shape. Due to the irregularity, the bone and joint will rub against each other during movement. This friction over time can cause damage and pain, limiting physical activity.

Momaya and the research team reviewed 25 femoroacetabular impingement patients, 15 with symptoms of 4 to 7 years and 9 with no symptoms. All individuals wore an accelerometer around the waist during daylight hours for 7 days. They compared demographic, clinical data, and physical activity levels between groups using independent sample tests.

The results show that individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome spent less time in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity, took fewer daily steps, and met recommended physical activity guideline cutoffs at lower proportions compared with uninjured controls.

The researchers suggest that interventions should be developed for individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome to increase physical activity and potentially lessen the risk of future comorbidities.

To read more about the study and its results, click here.

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Andrea Boohaker, CRNP, is invited to speak at the 2023 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses National Conference later this month.

The AAOHN National Conference offers occupational nurses relevant and timely education designed to help them adapt and contribute to the transformation of occupational health — all while earning education credits and growing their professional network.

Boohaker will be a guest speaker at the conference, giving a course lecture to occupational health nurses about common workplace injuries and how to properly recover from them.

This year’s meeting will take place in San Antonio, Texas, from Mar. 13-15, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel.

The VA Orthopaedic Surgery Joint Service recently added a new robotic surgery option for Birmingham VA Medical Center patients needing knee replacement surgery.

The ROSA Knee System, by Zimmer Biomet, is a surgical robot that assists surgeons and provides enhanced accuracy and efficiency of their current surgical approach and technique – while the surgeon maintains full control of the device.

The fairly new procedure known as robotic joint knee replacement allows a surgical robotic assistant, like the ROSA Knee System, to precisely cut away damaged bone and cartilage to the proper thickness, improving implant placement and reducing bleeding. Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Sameer Naranje, M.D., explains why staying abreast of the latest technological advancements is important.

“Robotic joint replacement surgery improves surgical accuracy and patient outcomes and in the future may become the gold standard,” says Naranje. “As science and technology evolve, future surgeons need to be trained and educated on these new technologies which are beneficial to our patients.”

Naranje says the new device benefits the UAB Orthopaedic Residency Program as it expands the educational experience for orthopaedic surgery residents at UAB.

UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor Kevin Williams, M.D., and Research Fellow Anthony Padgett, was awarded a one-year Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America $1,000 micro-grant for their project entitled “Return To Sport In Pediatric Upper Extremity Fractures.”

The purpose of the study is to validate pediatric PROMIS scores as a proxy to predict a safe return to sport following upper extremity fractures.

This study is composed of four online surveys consisting of an initial demographics survey and three subsequent surveys with PROMIS, psychological readiness, and return to sports sections. Patients are identified and enrolled via presentation to a dedicated orthopedic fracture clinic at a freestanding children’s hospital. Patients 8 to 16 years old with an upper extremity fracture who participate in athletics and present within 4 weeks of injury meet the proper criteria for the study.

There are currently 82 patients enrolled in the study. The investigators aim to analyze a cohort of at least 100 patients. All patients will receive standard care treatment for their fractures. Data will be analyzed to determine if an association exists between pediatric upper extremity PROMIS score and psychological and physical readiness to return to sport. The team hypothesizes that the PROMIS score will show good utility in indicating which patients are ready to return to play.