CARIBOU, Maine — Nearly 300 people attended the 2015 Arthritis Symposium held recently at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Pines Orthopedic and Sports Medicine sponsored the event, which highlighted the latest in total joint surgery and other, non-surgical treatment of arthritis.
The Zimmer Mobile Learning Van was also available for tours. The van featured examples of the latest total joint materials and video presentations.
Scott Walton, PA-C, of Pines Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, helped to organize the event and said public response was outstanding.
“This was one of our largest crowds ever,” said Walton. “Not only were they interested in the lectures, but they also had the opportunity to visit with our office staff, including Dr. Michaud, and they were able to ask questions. It is really rewarding to see so many people turn out because this event is quite an undertaking.”
In addition to Walton, who spoke at the event, Pines family medicine physician Dr. Carl Flynn discussed various options for treating arthritis before surgery is recommended. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and said that new medications were improving the care of patients.
“It is important for people to understand that saying physically active can make a real difference in the impact of arthritis or other chronic disease,” said Flynn. “With new medications we can work with patients to manage their pain and inflammation much better. When the pain begins to impact their quality of life and prevents them from doing their normal activity we refer them to Orthopedics. Dr. Michaud and his team do an outstanding job of managing the arthritis both surgically and nonsurgically, and their outcomes speak for themselves.”
Dr. Jean Pierre Michaud, Orthopedic Surgeon, and who has performed some 3,000 total joint procedures over his 25-plus years at Cary Medical Center, also presented at the symposium. Michaud said his approach to orthopedic care is individualized for each patient.
“Everyone has a different threshold in dealing with pain,” said Michaud, who also is trained in sports medicine. “In our practice we work with each patient as an individual and we develop a treatment plan that meets the patient’s expectations. We really work as a team, and everyone who gets involved with the care of the patient is important to the ultimate successful outcome.”
Michaud presented some case studies of patients who have undergone total joint replacement. He presented slides pointing to the breakdown in cartilage that often brings on the need for surgery.
“With the advancement in state-of-the-art total joint materials and the constant improvements that we are making in surgery, patients are very happy with their ability to return to normal activities without pain and the new total joints can last for 25-30 years,” said Michaud. “New computer modeling is helping us to create complex surgical approaches even to joints that have severely broken down and the future promises even more possibilities.”
Amanda Tracy, RN with Pines Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, discussed surgery “behind the scenes.” She spoke of the team’s commitment to safe and successful surgical practice.
“It has really been a privilege to be a member of Dr. Michaud’s orthopedic team,” said Tracy, who plans on training to be a family nurse practitioner. “The team is keenly focused on patient safety, preventing infections, and continually learning the very latest techniques and it is exciting and rewarding to see the outcomes of our patients.”
Sue Collins, RN and lead orthopedic supervisor at Pines Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, helped to plan and coordinate the symposium. She acknowledged the multiple exhibitors who attended the event.
“The Arthritis Symposium is something that we really look forward to and we were very pleased to have the number of exhibitors who displayed at the event. The crowd was very impressive and they received a great deal of helpful information.”
Pines opened a new orthopedics center at Cary in 2012. The center offers advanced in-office x-ray capabilities and a ground-level entrance.
