Continuing to build its leadership role in minimally invasive total joint replacements, the Tucson practice of 28 orthopedic specialists has entered into an agreement with Zimmer, Inc., to train other orthopaedic surgeons. The team of 13 joint replacement specialists at Tucson Orthopaedic Institute performs over 2000 hip and knee replacements each year. In the last two years, continual development of tools and refinement of techniques has offered patients the potential for faster recovery from total joint replacement surgery.

“We see our affiliation with the Zimmer Institute as a way to underscore and build upon the record we have built as a center of excellence in orthopaedic care,” said John H. Cole, Tucson Orthopaedic Institute Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to be adding to our own skills and expertise while helping to bring the benefits of minimally invasive orthopaedics to patients everywhere.”

The new MIS procedures may ease recovery for patients, but are more technically demanding for doctors. They have created a shift toward increased specialization within the field of orthopaedic medicine and a need for development of joint replacement centers.

Johns Hopkins Medical Center has entered into a similar agreement, offering the training on the east coast. The arrangements help more medical professionals meet the challenge of staying informed about new treatment options that patients learn about through the media and the

Internet. Keeping pace with new information was recently cited by the American Medical Association as one of the top challenges facing medicine today. These two facilities now educate and train surgeons from all over the United States, Europe and Asia.

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute is one of the leading orthopaedic practices in the Southwest United States. The Institute includes seven centers of excellence, each focusing on the treatment of one type of orthopaedic health concern. These are: General Orthopaedics and Fractures, Foot and Ankle, Hand and Upper Extremity, Total Joint Replacement, Pediatrics, Spine, and Sports Medicine. In September, the Institute will add an orthopaedic tumor specialist, completing the comprehensive range of orthopaedic specialty services. The availability of fellowship-trained sub-specialists is critical in a fast-growing community with a high number of retirees expecting to lead active lives.

Surgeons on the joint replacement team at Tucson Orthopaedic Institute include Kevin A. Bowers, M.D., Russell G. Cohen, M.D., Lawrence R. Housman, M.D., Jay A. Katz, M.D., James H. Levi, M.D., John A. Maltry, M.D., Michael A. Parseghian, M.D., William J. Quinlan, M.D., Murray F. Robertson, M.D., Scott V. Slagis, M.D., Jon B. Wang, M.D., and John J. Wild, Jr., M.D. Melvin D. Roberts, M.D., is the project coordinator for the joint replacement team.