Local Doctor Stresses Joint Maintenance for Future Use
Posted on: Sunday, 11 May 2008, 15:00 CDT
By Rob Stapleton, Alaska Journal of Commerce, Anchorage
May 11--A local doctor advises those with joint injuries not to ignore symptoms or they may be forced to undergo costly surgery to replace joints.
"Boy, if you are a young athlete or involved in a sports injury, the best thing to do is to get it looked at right away," said Dr. George Rhyneer. "If you damage the cartilage in a joint, you may find yourself facing surgery to replace the joint."
After almost 10 years of orthopedic surgery and joint restoration, building a reputation for proficiency at another Anchorage based clinic, Rhyneer operates his own practice in the Providence Cancer Center in Anchorage.
Rhyneer, a lifelong Alaskan, thinks outside the box when it comes to pioneering new surgical techniques and methods of patient care.
One of his techniques is to laboratorial grow cartilage and inject it into a joint, or to use donor cartilage for repairs.
"I recommend doing anything and everything to care for your joints," he said. "Joint replacement is temporary. If you replace a joint now, be ready to go through the whole process again in 20 years. It's much better to take care of the real joint."
Rhyneer, one of the first Alaskans to enroll the WAMI (Washington-Alaska-Montana-Idaho Medical School) program, intends to keep his clinic small to better facilitate the quick service and thorough attention he and his staff provide.
"Solving issues associated with joint pain is a craft," he said. "Many times the solution does not require surgery, and patients really appreciate hearing about alternatives. That's why the clinic's tag line is ?Orthopedic Care and Advice.'"
The Rhyneer Clinic uses modern high-quality diagnostic capabilities and digital imaging to determine the causes of joint pain. Once the diagnosis is made, Rhyneer and the patient discuss the options. If surgery is the chosen alternative, Rhyneer will operate.
He is an original member of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). "Science and medicine are always giving us improvements and I am intent on giving my patients the best of what is available in the world," he said.
Rhyneer's surgical specialty is rotator cuff repairs; knee and shoulder arthroscopy; outpatient "uni-knee," partial or total knee replacement; ACL reconstruction; hip resurfacing or replacement (including ceramic hips); and meniscus and cartilage transplants, among others.
Rhyneer, an avid skier, volunteers his time to members of the Alyeska ski patrol. He sees patients in Girdwood the first weekend of each month between December and April for evaluation about musculoskeletal issues.
Those who are active in outdoors sports, runners and other athletes who have soreness in the joints or swelling should see a specialist immediately, Rhyneer said.
"Swelling and soreness is an indicator that something is not right. If you continue to allow the joint to swell with liquid, that's not just water -- that's poisonous fluid that eats away at the natural cartilage. Taking care of an injury early is key to saving time and money."
Rob Stapleton can be reached at rob.stapleton@alaskajournal.com.
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Source: Alaska Journal of Commerce
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