Orthopaedics

At the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, these injuries are managed by four full-time orthopaedic surgeons, Drs. Fowler, Litchfield, Giffin and Willits. All four are experts in their fields which include but are not limited to the shoulder, knee, foot and ankle. They are assisted by two full-time orthopaedic sport medicine fellows (orthopaedic surgeons here to gain expertise in sport medicine), as well as rotating orthopaedic surgery residents. This group interacts regularly with the primary care sport medicine physicians and physiotherapists at the clinic to provide comprehensive care and a balanced, individualized approach to specific problems. In every case, treatment is guided by the patient's personal goals and expectations.

The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic also has a strong focus and commitment to ongoing clinical and basic science research. This typically examines issues in treatment and rehabilitation that may ultimately improve outcome and expedite the individual's return to a desired level of activity. For example, the benefits of water-based physiotherapy versus traditional land-based therapy following various surgeries, and the development of evaluation methods to assess and measure the effectiveness of different treatments for specific diagnoses. Each research study is planned in great detail and presented at weekly research rounds. Here it is reviewed and discussed to determine its potential contribution to the current knowledge, its relevance to the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic patient base and the appropriateness of its design and methodology. Each clinical study is subject to approval by the Ethics Review Board.

A third area of responsibility at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic is teaching. As we mentioned, orthopaedic sport medicine fellows and orthopaedic residents spend time in the clinic and operating room with each consultant on a rotating basis. Hands-on teaching and learning are part of the daily routine. Rounds are held 2 -3 times weekly to discuss topics related to all aspects of the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of various orthopaedic conditions. A learning centre which mimics the operating room is also available. Here arthroscopic skills can be learned and practised.