In addition to working on minimally-invasive techniques for surgery, we are designing the next generation of spinal implants. Currently, many spinal surgeries result in the fusion of many vertebrae and discs that each have independent motion with metal rods, so that they remain in a straight position. Designs for future spinal implants will allow straightening while still permitting motion between these segments.One of my goals is to create a fracture clinic for patients who can come here to have a broken bone set the same day. A few years ago, our Center conducted a local research study because of the number of kids who were coming to us with bones healing improperly because they couldn’t get an appointment with a pediatric specialist, or they were treated incorrectly by a general doctor. We called 50 orthopaedic offices in Los Angeles County requesting an appointment for a child with a broken bone. When the child was reported to the orthopaedic office to have private insurance, 50 out of 50 offices offered an appointment that week. When the child was reported as having government insurance, only 1 out of 50 offices offered them an appointment that week. Our goal is to take care of all of these children.
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