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Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon Explains UFC Legend Anderson Silva’s Devastating Injury

On December 28, Brazilian icon and former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva faced American MMA fighter Chris Weidman in a Dec. 28 battle that ended with a gruesome injury, shattering his lower leg and possibly his career.

Silva, who is known as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, lost his nearly seven-year title reign at UFC 162 in July 2013 to Weidman. The rematch in December, at UFC 168, was Silva’s chance to reclaim his title belt.

Instead, the former champion lost with an upset only a little over a minute into the second round when his leg kick was checked by Weidman’s knee, fracturing his tibia and fibula. He was carried out of the UFC Octagon on a stretcher, screaming in agony.

Needless to say, Silva lost the fight against Weidman, and his knee.

The two bones that Silva fractured span between the knee and ankle. The tibia is larger and bears most of the weight while the thinner fibula acts as support on the outside of the leg.

Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Shelden L. Martin, MD of OrthoArizona, explained the repercussions of this type of injury.

“Typically, these are very severe injuries,” Dr. Martin detailed. “They can sometimes have other associated injuries to either the nerves or the arteries traveling through the leg.”

Dr. Martin further described how this type of injury can cause increase risk of infection and healing problems should the skin open, creating an open fracture. In this instance, sometimes soft tissue coverage with skin grafts or rotational or free flap muscle grafts is necessary.

Unless the fracture is minimally displaced, or in normal alignment, injuries of this kind are generally treated with surgery.

During surgery, a rod can be attached down through the middle of the tibia bone with interlocking screws at the ends of the fracture, to keep the fracture stabilized and to allow patients to bear light weight on the leg after the fracture is completely healed. Plates and screws can also be used, however this causes longer healing time as weight bearing must be limited.

In Silva’s case, he was taken into surgery at a local hospital in Las Vegas, where an intramedullary rod was inserted into his left tibia. Although Silva’s surgery was a successful one, there can be complications with these types of injuries.

According to Dr. Martin, in injuries with extensive fractures or multiple fracture pieces, nonunions can occur where the fractures do not heal. Nerve or vascular artery injuries can occur in open fractures, requiring additional repair from neurosurgeons or vascular surgeons, as well as extending healing time or requiring additional surgeries later on.

Recovery time for these injuries vary person-to-person. For all, extensive physical therapy is necessary to regain motion of the knee and ankle, as well as normal gait and strength of the leg. Some may require up to a year to fully recover, but athletes can typically return to sport within 6-9 months.

As for Anderson Silva, the UFC fanbase will be watching these next few months in his journey to recovery, awaiting a statement on his future plans.

Currently, Dr. Martin is the head team physician for the world champion Arizona Rattlers and team physician for Desert Vista High School. Previously, he served as part of the team medical staffs for the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Knights, Joe Gibbs Racing Team and the University of North Carolina.

Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon Speaks About Rotator Cuff Disease

Dr. Shelden Martin spoke to Sun Lakes, Arizona residents about rotator cuff disease on Nov. 1.

The Phoenix orthopedic surgeon, who treats patients in Chandler, spoke to a group of active adults at the Cottonwood Country Club at Sun Lakes.

Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Shelden Martin

In addition to discussing rotator cuff disease, the orthopedic surgeon also discussed the reverse total shoulder replacement he performs.

The team physician for the Arizona Rattlers, Dr. Martin will speaking throughout the Valley during the fall and winter months.

Dr. Martin’s office is located on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Warner Road at 2905 W. Warner Road, Suite 23 in Chandler, AZ 85224.

To schedule an appointment, call (480) 685-2850.

Chandler Orthopedic Surgeon Announces November Saturday Clinic

Chandler orthopedic surgeon Dr. Shelden Martin, part of one of the Valley’s leading orthopedic practices, OrthoArizona – Arizona Orthopaedic Associates, has announced his Saturday clinic hours for November.

Dr. Martin, who is fellowship trained in sports medicine and shoulder/elbow surgery, will perform physician duties on those who find themselves in a Phoenix orthopedic emergency on November 16.

According to Dr. Martin, who also serves as team physician for the Arena Football League World Champion Arizona Rattlers, one in six trips to the emergency room on the weekend results from a sports-related injury.

Dr. Martin’s office is located on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Warner Road at 2905 W. Warner Road, Suite 23 in Chandler, AZ 85224.

Instead of incurring the high cost of weekend ER bills and trips to the emergency room, schedule an appointment by calling (480) 685-2850.

Understanding Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

In certain patients with shoulder arthritis, a total shoulder replacement does not suffice. Conventional total shoulder replacements are adequate for patients with shoulder arthritis, but in cases where patients have shoulder arthritis with large rotator cuff tears, known as rotator cuff tear arthropathy, a reverse total shoulder replacement is necessary.

A reverse total shoulder replacement is a revolutionary new technology that was initially developed in Europe and FDA approved in the U.S. in 2004.  This device essentially switches the  internal components of a traditional shoulder replacement, which consists of a metal ball attached to a metal stem that is inserted into the humerus and a plastic liner implanted into the scapula which forms the socket of the shoulder ball and socket joint.  The rotator cuff tendons balance the ball against the socket during arm motion.

In patients that have large rotator cuff tears and therefore dysfunctional rotator cuff tendons, a standard shoulder replacement cannot be utilized.  The reverse shoulder replacement consists of a plastic liner on top of the metal stem in the humerus, and a metal hemisphere screwed to the socket.  This device relies on the deltoid muscle to compress the humerus against the hemispherical glenosphere, which acts as a fulcrum to provide arm motion.

Ideal candidates for this procedure are elderly patients who have had untreated rotator cuff tears or previous failed rotator cuff surgeries and developed arthritis, previous failed shoulder replacement surgeries, or patients that sustain severe shoulder fractures.

With appropriate postoperative physical therapy, the surgery successfully increases mobility and decreases pain.

Dr. Martin uses the latest nonoperative and surgical treatments for a wide range of shoulder, elbow, knee and sports related injuries. With the most advanced treatments, Dr. Martin is able to get you back to activity as soon as possible.

Schedule a visit with Dr. Shelden Martin today by calling (480) 685-2850.

Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Martin Featured on Debut “Health 2 Fit” TV Show

Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Shelden Martin was a guest on the debut episode of “Health 2 Fit” on AZTV on Oct. 5. If you missed it, here’s a chance to see it again.

 

Dr. Martin Announces October Saturday Clinic Hours

Dr. Shelden Martin, an orthopedic surgeon with one of the Valley’s leading orthopedic practices, OrthoArizona – Arizona Orthopaedic Associates, has announced his Saturday clinic hours for October, with his next Saturday clinic scheduled for Oct. 12.

Dr. Martin, who is fellowship trained in sports medicine and shoulder/elbow surgery, will perform physician duties on those who find themselves in an orthopedic emergency on specific Saturdays.

His office is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Warner Road at 2905 W. Warner Road, Suite 23 in Chandler, AZ 85224.

“We want to help keep people from paying the high cost of weekend ER bills, and give them the specialized care they need and deserve,” Dr. Martin said. “One in six visits to the ER is for a sports or exercise related injury.”

To schedule an appointment, please call (480) 685-2850.

Arizona High School Physicals Offered by Dr. Shelden Martin

With the beginning of high school fall and winter sports seasons comes the need for sports physicals. The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) requires physical for the state’s high school athletes in order for them to participate in their school’s sports seasons.

Shelden Martin M.D., of OrthoArizona – Arizona Orthopaedic Associates is the current team physician for the 2013 World Champion Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League, and Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee. Dr. Martin, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and shoulder/elbow surgery, offers physicals for athletes by appointment at his Chandler office on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Warner Road.Arizona Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Shelden Martin

The comprehensive sports physical includes a complete medical history review and comprehensive physical exam required by the AIA for clearance to participate in athletics.

To schedule an appointment for a physical with Dr. Martin, please call (480) 685-2850.

Arizona High School Fall Physicals

High school sports are right around the corner, and with football and other Fall and Winter sports, come the necessary sports physicals. Participants in Arizona high school athletics programs can receive their required sports physicals from Dr. Shelden Martin, M.D. of OrthoArizona – Arizona Orthopaedic Associates.Arizona Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Shelden Martin

Dr. Martin, who currently serves as team physician for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League as well as Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee, is fellowship trained in sports medicine and shoulder/elbow surgery. He will offer physicals by appointment at his Chandler office, conveniently located on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Warner Road at 2905 W. Warner Road, Suite 23 in Chandler, AZ 85224. Appointments should be made beforehand by calling (480) 685-2850.

“The goal of a sports physical is to make sure that student is physically able to play the sport for which he or she is pursuing,” Dr. Martin said. “It’s our job to make sure that every athlete takes the field with a clean bill of health.”

Physicals are required by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), the governing body of the state’s high school sports. AIA regulations dictate that student athletes undergo physical examinations in order to participate in the upcoming sports season.

The physical covers basic health conditions such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, lung and heart sounds, vision screening, form and function of the neck, spine and extremities as well as impairments of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

To schedule your appointment, please call (480) 685-2850.

Venus Williams – Athletes and Sjogren’s Syndrome

best orthopedic surgeon in phoenix

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams withdrew from this year’s Wimbledon Championships because of back injury directly associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome, and it has many in the orthopedic surgery field talking. Sjogrens’ Syndrome is essentially an autoimmune disorder, often accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It’s a difficult disorder to manage, especially if you’re a world-class athlete.

Rotator Cuff Injuries and Orthopedic Surgery

rotator cuff injury_phoenix orthopedic surgery

One of the most common orthopedic injuries that we operate on here in Phoenix is directly related to the rotator cuff in the shoulder. Phoenix orthopedic surgeons are  very familiar with rotator cuff repair, surgery and recovery, and Dr. Martin is highly trained to not only treat related injuries, but diagnose them properly as well.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff consists of the muscles and tendons that make up your shoulder. This region is not only intricate, it is extremely important in shoulder movement, range of motion, and strength. The rotator cuff quite literally is the cuff of ligaments holding the ball of your upper arm bone in your shoulder socket.

Injury to this area is quite common among athletes, specifically those in repetitive motion sports like tennis, and weekend warriors. Rotator cuff tears can be from a bad fall, lifting, or repetitive activities. Pitchers are quite often seen by Phoenix orthopedic surgeons for rotator cuff injuries due to the repetitiveness of that position.

In many cases, nearly 50% of all rotator cuff injuries, treatment involves some good, old R and R. However, there are instances with a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon is needed to repair a tendon or muscle tear.

Rotator Cuff Repairs

Conditions such as tendinitis and/or bursitis, left untreated, can lead to necessary orthopedic surgery, but in most cases you will need to see a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon for tears in the rotator cuff.

Orthopedic surgery on a rotator cuff involves either making more room for the irritated tendons and muscles or sewing torn edges of a ligament tear. Your Phoenix orthopedic surgeon will make an incision 2 inches to 3 inches in the shoulder. Any lose fragments of tendon will be removed and shaving or removing bone spurs might be executed, depending on the condition or injury.

Your Phoenix orthopedic surgeon will sew any torn tendons, repairing the injury.

Recovery involves a short stay in the hospital, followed by immobilization of the arm for a defined period of time to allow for healing. Many times, physical therapy is needed for a full recovery, especially for athletes. 

If you are suffering from chronic shoulder pain, Dr. Martin can help. If you’ve just experienced a recent injury to the shoulder, give Dr. Martin a call today to have the injury and shoulder examined by the best orthopedic surgeon in Arizona. Waiting to have pain in the shoulder properly examined can lead to greater complications and more pain down the road.

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