"An Overview of Skeletal Dysplasias: Surgical, Genetic and Medical Management" News Media Tip Sheet

As part of its educational commitment to health professionals and the public at large, the Kathryn and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias, Hospital for Special Surgery, will host a conference Friday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hospital for Special Surgery.
 
Below are select highlights of presentations from among 14 talks that will be delivered. To attend the event, interview a speaker or to develop news stories from any of the presentations, contact Phyllis Fisher at fisherp@hss.edu or Tracy Hickenbottom at hickenbottomt@hss.edu, or call 212-606-1197.

The Holistic, Interdisciplinary Approach to Treating Skeletal Dysplasias

Not just a skeletal problem and not always a surgical matter, skeletal dysplasia involves treatment of the entire person - both in body and mind - plus consideration of family members as well. Perhaps only 13 percent of patients, regardless of whether they are adults or children, will need surgery initially, estimates Cathleen Raggio, M.D., co-director of the Kathryn and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias at Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Raggio can discuss the Center's paradigm shifting approach and the importance of having a variety of experts in one central, holistic treatment program dedicated to treating a person from infancy to old age.

Advances in Genetic Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling for People with Skeletal Dysplasia

How does a genetic inheritance pattern influence a diagnosis on abnormal bone growth? For parents of a child with skeletal dysplasia, what is the chance it might occur in another child they might produce? For adults with skeletal dysplasia, what is the chance the condition will develop in an offspring? Jessica Davis, M.D., a geneticist and co-director of the Kathryn and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias at Hospital for Special Surgery, and Erin M. Carter, M.S., a genetic counselor, can discuss these issues. They can also offer insights into the special challenges faced by parents of children with skeletal dysplasia and the successful results gained from both surgical and nonsurgical interventions.

Beyond The Doctor's Office: What Needs to Happen to Skeletal Dysplasia Patients After They Leave the Hospital?

What happens in a doctor's office or treatment center is only a small portion of what goes on in the lives of patients with skeletal dysplasia. For some patients, simply getting up in the morning is a challenge. For others, sitting at a dinner table may be daunting until the right combination of treatment and counseling is made available.  Mentoring programs, translation services, job skills training, psychosocial counseling and other outreach efforts have played a major role in improving outcomes for skeletal dysplasia patients.  Lorraine Montuori, a social worker at the Kathryn and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias at Hospital for Special Surgery, can address questions in this area.

Cerebral Spine Fluid Studies Help Doctors Diagnose Pain

Many skeletal dysplasia patients have concerns about pain and decreased mobility related to spine problems. While x-rays and MRIs are a standard part of the diagnostic workup, a new feature in spinal MRIs can shed additional light on the cause of what's causing pain. Cerebral spine fluid is a clear, colorless fluid that travels between the brain and the spine. It acts as a shock absorber between the two. Understanding how that fluid moves can give doctors an important clue in making a diagnosis. And, the procedure is painless. Jessica G. Davis, M.D., a co-director of the Kathryn and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias at Hospital for Special Surgery, can discuss advances in pain treatment for patients with skeletal dysplasia.

For more information, contact Phyllis Fisher at fisherp@hss.edu or Tracy Hickenbottom at hickenbottom@hss.edu, or call 212.606.1197.
 
Web Site: http://www.hss.edu/skeletal-dysplasias.asp

About Hospital for Special Surgery
Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2007), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In the 2006 edition of HealthGrades' Hospital Quality in America Study, HSS received five-star ratings for clinical excellence in its specialties. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Medical College of Cornell University. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.