My clinical practice consists of hip and knee replacement surgery, both primary and revision or re-do of such cases. As well I do osteotomies of mostly knees, but occasionally hips. Osteotomies are operations which alter the position of the joint surfaces with respect to the bone and do so to “dodge” the bad area and use the smooth, better areas. In addition, I participate in revision or re-do of hip and knee replacements. I also handle other orthopaedists’ complications. My specialty helps diminish patients’ pain, increases mobility, and generally improves the patient’s quality of life.
I am a fulltime professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and department head of Orthopaedics at Buffalo General Hospital. I teach residents, fellows and medical students. These house staff participates in my surgeries as well as patient visits while in hospital and in an outpatient setting. They assist and perform at my surgery with supervision.
My research activity has involved clinical reports of hip and knee techniques in particular cases and assessment of levels of quality improvement. I devised an activity scale, which is really quite important in assessing levels of improvement and severity of the patient’s condition, pre- and postop. I also invented the first computerized total knee replacement apparatus, as well as the creation of the Krackow suture, which is recognized by nearly all orthopedists. I believe my type of work enhances the life quality for the patient. And, in addition, we educate important young doctors – the residents and fellows.
I joined UBMD Orthopaedics in 1992 when I resigned from John’s Hopkins. Our SUNY at Buffalo Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is magnificent with its faculty and residents who are trained in all of the subspecialties of orthopaedic surgery. It has been a great run, and I am still running with it!