Expanding Spine Care and Sports Injury Care at AOSMI Belmar with Dr. Ali Valimahomed

We are excited to announce the expansion of our spine care and pain management services at our AOSMI Belmar location, starting on May 2, 2024. This addition enhances the orthopedic care currently provided by Dr. Stacey Gallacher at Belmar, reflecting our commitment to providing comprehensive and specialized care. We’re delighted to reveal that Ali Valimahomed, MD, FAAPMR, is extending his services to Belmar after having made significant contributions at our Freehold location. Dr. Valimahomed’s addition to the Belmar facility significantly enhances our ability to deliver outstanding musculoskeletal care to the community.

Dr. Ali Valimahomed: A Pillar of Expertise in Belmar

Dr. Valimahomed is dual board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He has undergone fellowship training in Pain Medicine and uses the most current treatments and innovative approaches to effectively address complex pain challenges. His arrival in Belmar will enable more patients to receive high-quality pain management care closer to home. 

Dr. Valimahomed specializes in spine care. Whether you’re struggling with back pain, neck discomfort, or spinal issues like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, his tailored treatment plans aim for lasting relief and improved quality of life. Dr. Valimahomed addresses the source of your pain through a range of targeted interventions, including fluoroscopic-guided and ultrasound-guided spine injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and minimally invasive spine surgery. His expertise extends to conditions arising from auto accidents, work-related injuries, and sports injuries, ensuring comprehensive care. Additionally, if you are struggling with nerve pain, neuropathy, or post-surgical discomfort, you can benefit from his innovative approaches and compassionate approach to healing. Dr. Valimahomed doesn’t just treat your pain, he empowers you to manage it. Through his treatment plans, you can strengthen your back, improve your mobility, and get back to living life to your fullest potential.

 

Orthopedic Excellence in Belmar: Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Care

In addition to Dr. Valimahomed’s pain management expertise, our Belmar location currently provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care, encompassing a full range of orthopedic services, physical therapy, and acupuncture.

Leading the charge is Stacey Gallacher, MD, FAAOS, an accomplished orthopedic surgeon with board certification and dual fellowship training in shoulder & elbow and trauma. Dr. Gallacher’s extensive experience in musculoskeletal health ensures our patients receive the highest standard of personalized care. Dr. Gallacher addresses the full range of orthopedic injuries, with a focus on shoulder, elbow, and trauma. Our commitment to comprehensive musculoskeletal care means that patients have access to the best possible treatments for a wide variety of orthopedic conditions, all under one roof.

Whether you’re on the road to recovery following surgery, dealing with chronic pain, or aiming to improve your physical health, our dedicated team is here to guide and assist you every step of the way.

 

Welcome to AOSMI Belmar

Starting on May 2, 2024, located at 712 10th Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07728, AOSMI Belmar will be ready with spine care and pain management treatment. Our facility is equipped with the latest technology, and our dedicated team is committed to delivering exceptional care within your community. For more information or to request an appointment, contact us today. Dr. Valimahomed, Dr. Gallacher, and the entire AOSMI team look forward to supporting your health and wellness journey, now even more conveniently at our Belmar location.

Read Full Article

Anterior and Posterior Hip Replacement: Exploring Your Options

When it comes to hip replacement surgery, there are different approaches available, and each has its unique advantages and considerations. At Advanced Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute, Dr. Eric Buxbaum specializes in Anterior Hip Replacement, a procedure that offers a minimally invasive approach with muscle preservation. Dr. Alan Nasar specializes in Posterior Hip Replacement, an established technique with a wide range of effective applications.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Hip replacement surgery is often recommended for individuals suffering from hip conditions, with osteoarthritis of the hip being one of the most common reasons. Hip osteoarthritis, a specific type of joint condition that affects the hip, often presents through distinctive symptoms. The most common and noticeable sign is hip pain, often felt deep in the hip, thigh, or groin, sometimes radiating to the knee and worsened by activities like walking. Stiffness in the hip, typically more pronounced in the morning or after inactivity, can make it challenging to start moving or stand up. Reduced range of motion affects your ability to perform everyday tasks, while a grating sensation may occur when you move your hip. Weakness in the muscles around the hip, swelling, tenderness, and joint deformities like bone spurs or alignment changes are additional telltale signs. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, we encourage you to reach out to the orthopedic specialists at AOSMI, for accurate diagnosis and effective management, especially since early intervention can alleviate pain, improve joint strength and function, and enhance your overall quality of life. Both anterior and posterior approaches can be used to address this condition effectively.

Anterior vs. Posterior Approach

1. Anterior Hip Replacement

The anterior approach is known for its minimally invasive features and muscle preservation. During this surgery, the incision is made at the front of the hip, allowing the surgeon to access the hip joint without cutting through major muscles. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure typically results in potentially faster recovery, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and improved mobility.

2. Posterior Hip Replacement

The posterior approach is a well-established and longstanding technique. It involves an incision at the back of the hip. The posterior approach is versatile and can effectively address a wide range of hip conditions. Surgeons often choose this approach due to their familiarity with it and the proven outcomes it offers. This approach may also be associated with potentially lower risk of nerve injury.

Choosing Between Anterior and Posterior Hip Replacement

The choice between anterior and posterior hip replacement surgery is a critical decision, and it should be based on a thorough evaluation of the patient’s individual case. Several factors come into play, including the patient’s anatomy, the surgeon’s expertise, and the specific surgical indications. Consulting with an experienced orthopedic surgeon is crucial in this process. They can assess your condition, consider these factors, and recommend the most suitable surgical approach for your specific needs. The success of your surgery is not solely dependent on the approach but also on the expertise of your surgeon and your commitment to post-operative rehabilitation.

 

If you’re experiencing any of the hip pain symptoms explained above or are considering hip replacement, please request an appointment today to consult with our experienced orthopedic surgeons. Let’s work together to manage your pain and get you back to your strongest self!

Read Full Article

Michael Greller, MD, FAAOS, and Garret Sobol, MD, of AOSMI Are the First in Monmouth County, NJ to Perform Innovative BEAR Implant to Treat ACL Tears

Michael J. Greller, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAOS and Garret L. Sobol, MD holding the BEAR Implant and the BEAR stuffed teddy bear mascot Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common knee injuries in the United States – approximately 400,000 ACL injuries occur every year. Historically, orthopedic surgeons have had limited options in treating a torn ACL. In ACL reconstruction, today’s standard of care, the surgeon completely removes the remaining torn ACL and reconstructs it with either a tendon from the patient’s own leg (called an autograft) or a deceased donor (called an allograft).

At Advanced Orthopedic Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI), we are now offering a new technology called the BEAR® (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration) Implant. The BEAR Implant is the first medical advancement granted approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that enables the body to heal its own torn ACL. This new approach is a paradigm shift from ACL reconstruction and is the first innovation in ACL tear treatment in more than 30 years.

AOSMI completed the first official procedure on November 15, 2022. Michael J. Greller, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAOS, a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who is Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine led the procedure. He was assisted by Garret L. Sobol, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who is also Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine.

“There are a number of advantages to restoring a ligament instead of replacing it, and the BEAR Implant is an exciting medical technology that is the first to clinically demonstrate that it enables healing of the patient’s torn ACL while maintaining the natural knee anatomy,” said Dr. Greller “Encouraging clinical studies have shown faster recovery of muscle strength and higher patient satisfaction with regard to readiness to return to sport than traditional ACL reconstruction – the standard of care today.”

ACL Injuries – An Overview

Man who was running, holding his knee in pain

Your knee joint is formed by three bones: the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is one of the four main ligaments in the knee that helps to stabilize the joint. It is located in the center of the knee – it runs from the backside of the femur (thigh bone) to the front of the tibia (shin bone). The ACL is responsible for preventing the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur, and helping to control rotational movements of the knee. 

The majority of ACL injuries are non-contact injuries – when athletes while running, rapidly change directions, stop or decelerate, or land from a jump without properly bending their knees. ACL injuries can also occur from direct contact to the knee joint. Most ACL injuries are complete tears, in which the ligament has been torn in half or pulled directly off the bone. 

Patients usually report hearing and feeling a popping sensation during the injury. After the tear, patients experience pain with swelling, instability of the joint, loss of full range of motion, tenderness, and discomfort while walking. 

ACL injury treatment is focused on preventing further knee instability and protecting the joint from further trauma. The two approaches to treatment are the non-surgical approach and the surgical approach. The approach is dependent on the extent of damage to the knee and the patient’s willingness to modify activity. Young and competitive athletes who want to return to activities that require aggressive jumping, cutting and pivoting or deceleration movements, and patients with meniscal tears usually pursue surgical reconstruction. Patients who have partial tears, do not have knee instability, and don’t partake in these “at-risk” movements can maintain their knee stability with physical therapy and rehabilitation alone. However, physical therapy is a core component of ACL treatment, surgical or non-surgical. For complete tears, surgery is usually recommended.

Standard ACL Reconstruction vs. BEAR ImplantDiagram explaining benefits of the BEAR Implant procedure. 1 - Preserves normal anatomy and function of the knee, 2 - does not require surgeon to take a tendon from another part of the body, 3 - higher patient satisfaction regarding readiness to return to sport and one-year pain and symptoms

ACL reconstruction surgery remains the gold standard of care. In this procedure, the surgeon takes tendon from the patient’s patellar tendon (patellar tendon autograft), hamstring tendon (hamstring tendon autograft), or from a human donor (allograft) to replace the torn ACL. 

Unlike reconstruction, the BEAR Implant does not require a second surgical wound site to remove a healthy tendon from another part of the leg or the use of a donor tendon. The BEAR Implant acts as a bridge to help ends of the torn ACL heal together. The surgeon injects a small amount of the patient’s own blood into the implant and inserts it between the torn ends of the ACL in a minimally invasive procedure. The combination of the BEAR Implant and the patient’s blood enables the body to heal the torn ends of the ACL back together while maintaining the ACL’s original attachments to the femur and tibia. As the ACL heals, the BEAR Implant is reabsorbed by the body, within approximately eight weeks.

 

BEAR Implant – Clinical Evidence

Safety and effectiveness of the BEAR Implant is supported by clinical evidence. As shown in Murray et. al 2019, IKDC scores, a patient-completed tool which contains sections on knee symptoms, function, and sports activities, from the BEAR Implant procedure was similar to that of ACL reconstruction two years post-surgery. AP Laxity, which measures stability of the knee joint, is the same as ACL reconstruction two years post-surgery. The BEAR Implant provides statistically better hamstring strength at 6 and 12 months, with the trend sustained to 2 years. BEAR Implant patients were also more likely to experience fewer contralateral ACL tears (tears in the non-injured knee) at two years. MRI indicates that the BEAR implant facilitates healing of the native ACL so that its size, geometry, and tissue composition are more like native ACL tissue than autograft. 86 percent of BEAR patients returned to pivoting sports by one year.

Risks and Limitations of the BEAR Implant

Following the BEAR Implant, patients are directed to follow the BEAR Implant physical therapy program. The BEAR Implant has the same potential medical and surgical complications as other orthopedic surgical procedures, including ACL reconstruction. These include the risk of re-tear, infection, knee pain, meniscus injury and limited range of motion. The BEAR Implant is indicated for skeletally mature patients at least 14 years of age with a complete rupture of the ACL, as confirmed by MRI. Patients must have an ACL stump attached to the tibia to construct the repair. The BEAR device must be implanted within 50 days of injury.

If you meet these criteria, you may be a candidate for the BEAR Implant procedure. To learn more about the procedure, request an appointment. If you have questions about ACL tears or if you are experiencing knee pain, contact us. With offices across New Jersey, the physicians and staff of Advanced Orthopedic Sports Medicine Institute are committed to restoring your health so that you can get back to your active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible. To learn more about how you can benefit from expert orthopedic treatment, call us (732.720.2555) or request an appointment today.

 

Michael J. Greller, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAOS and Garret L. Sobol, MD, of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI). AOSMI logo pictured above

Read Full Article

Nadine Shoulder Arthroscopy

Nadine and Dr. Michael J. Greller, MD, CPE, FAAOS discuss her recent shoulder injury and arthroscopic procedure.

Dr. Michael Greller is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in sports medicine and President of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute and is Chief of Staff at CentraState Medical Center.

Learn more about Dr. Greller, see more of Dr. Greller’s testimonials.

Read Full Article

Anatomic ACL Reconstruction

Anatomic ACL Reconstruction with Endobutton Technique narrated and performed by Dr. Michael J. Greller, MD, CPE, FAAOS

Dr. Michael Greller is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in sports medicine and President of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute and is Chief of Staff at CentraState Medical Center.

Learn more about Dr. Greller, see more of Dr. Greller’s testimonials.

Read Full Article

Laminectomy Performed By Dr. Grigory Goldberg

Dr. Grigory Goldberg removed the lamina, the back part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal, to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Dr. Grigory Goldberg is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in spine surgery at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

Learn more about Dr. Goldberg, see more of Dr. Goldberg’s testimonials.

Read Full Article

Dr. Goldberg performs an ACDF surgery

Dr. Grigory Goldberg performs an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery on the C4 and C5 vertebrae.

Dr. Grigory Goldberg is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in spine surgery at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

Learn more about Dr. Goldberg, see more of Dr. Goldberg’s testimonials.

Read Full Article

MACI Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Surgical Video – Dr. Alan Nasar and Dr. Gregg Berkowitz

This is a narrated surgical video showing an innovative technique for growing cartilage cells and placing them in the damaged area of the knee. Cartilage is harvested during the first surgery and grown in a lab. At the second surgery it is implanted in the knee to fill defects. This allows healing and restoration of cartilage.

Dr. Alan Nasar and Dr. Gregg Berkowitz are board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

Learn more about Dr. Nasar, see more of Dr. Nasar’s testimonials.

Learn more about Dr. Berkowitz, see more of Dr. Berkowitz’s testimonials.

Read Full Article
« »