Orthopedics

Spectrum Health Offers Web Chats in March

Spectrum Health is offering four educational web chats in March. All Spectrum Health web chats can be accessed at spectrum-health.org/onlinechat.

Donald P. Condit, MD, will host a web chat titled “My Aching Thumb and Other Common Hand Problems,” on Thursday, March 3, at noon. The pain and numbness in your thumb or the joints in your hand could be “BlackBerry Thumb.” This has become a recognized condition and an increasingly frequent complaint of people who use mobile communication devices. Alternatively, it could be arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Join Dr. Condit for a discussion about these and other common hand and wrist conditions. Participants will learn prevention tips and what steps to take if symptoms are present.

Condit is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist and upper extremity surgery. He also is clinical professor of surgery at Michigan State University.

“Getting Better Sleep” is the topic of a web chat with Jason Coles, MD, on Tuesday, March 8, at noon. An estimated 40 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Although most people agree that adequate sleep is important to their health, few people get enough sleep. Join the online chat to ask questions and learn about common sleep disorders and treatment, as well as adjustments people can make improve sleep.

Coles is a sleep physician with Spectrum Health Medical Group.

Shoulder pain will be discussed during by Peter C. Theut, MD, on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. Many people are tired of living with shoulder pain and stiffness. Some try ice, heat, medication and exercise, but they find these treatments only offer temporary pain relief. Some people suffer worsening shoulder pain and begin to wonder if surgery is necessary. Dr. Theut will discuss common shoulder injuries and conditions, shoulder pain treatment options and guidelines for making the right decision about shoulder surgery.

Theut is a board-certified, sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He has a special interest in arthroscopy and reconstruction of the knee and shoulder. He treats athletes from a variety of local high school and collegiate teams and is an orthopedic team physician for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

An opportunity to learn about epilepsy and epilepsy medication will be hosted by Brien J. Smith, MD, on Monday, March 21, at noon. Medication and a close relationship with a health care team are two vital components needed to maintain a healthy quality of life when living with epilepsy. Another important factor in living a full life with the disorder is asking questions and gathering expert information.
 
Smith is a well-known medical researcher in the field of neurology and has been active in the American Epilepsy Society and the American Academy of Neurology. He currently is the board chair-elect of the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, nine hospitals and more than 170 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups with more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,700 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,350 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.