Dr. Richard S. Glosser of Miami, Florida, U.S.A. is Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Glosser's practice primarily concentrates on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal problems of the knees, hips, and shoulders.
Although my surgical practice encompasses a variety of Arthritis and Sports Medicine conditions, my area of special interest is in developing a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE in the emerging field of Biological Orthopedic Reconstruction. This potentially represents a whole new field of orthopedic endeavor not specifically fully addressed by either traditional "sports medicine docs" or by those mostly interested in addressing arthritis with "artificial joint replacements". Significant impetus has been gained with the publicity surrounding the introduction of the Swedish techniques for biological cartilage regeneration into this country in March 1995. Although essentially in its early stages, I believe the techniques of cartilage regeneration represent the most significant potential advance in clinical orthopedics in the last ten years.
These new methods are not without controversy, and receive considerable attention at meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. These controversies in many ways revolve around the fact that considerable attention is being given to this technique without it having met the rigors of long-term investigation. The most significant published data comes from one group of Swedish investigators (Petersen et al) and their results over about 10 years. For this new technique to truely come into its own as an accepted procedure, then many other surgeons will need to see the benefits and impute similar good to excellent results. Only then does a new surgical technique, drug, or other advancement pass the threshhold of become viewed as a generally accepted treatment.
I feel the long bone reconstructive techniques of the Russian surgeon Ilizarov represent the last unique clinical orthopedic advance to come to the United States prior to the new Swedish techniques.
"Biological Orthopedics" is being ushered in on many different fronts, some very new and others not so new. Increasing attention is focusing on implants needed for shorter periods of time being biologically capable of being absorbed by the body after their work is done. Many of these implants that have traditionally been fabricated from stainless steel are now being manufactured with the same materials as are used in absorbable suture material which continues to benefit from technological advances. Many new absorbable screws and pins to be used about the knee, shoulder, and even in fractures highlight the advances taking place.
Other more long-standing areas of focus and specialization include Arthroscopically-Aided Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction of the Knee as well as more traditional methods of knee and shoulder arthroscopic surgical techniques.
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Last updated 6/24/00