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The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) The Orthopaedic Center (TOC)

Category: News

Michael McFarland – Patient Story

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in , ,

In April of 2012, Michael McFarland was involved in a horrific car accident. His car was caught in the guardrail, and the guardrail slid through the floorboard of his car, pinning Michael into his vehicle. Michael was a young professional, newly out of the Marine Corps, now in a horrible state.

Michael was rushed to Huntsville Hospital where Dr. Leberte met him in the ER, ready to take on Michael’s injuries as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon. Michael knew the state of his leg was terrible, but really didn’t understand how grim until sometime later. Dr. Leberte operated on Michael a few short hours later, and his operations continued every other day for some time. He performed a total of 8 operations to save Michael’s leg. Michael says that, from the beginning, “Dr. Leberte had excellent bedside manner and was very positive.” Over the course of treatment and recovery, Dr. Leberte told Michael that the situation was grim. Not only was his leg in complete jeopardy of being saved, but once he was on the mend, he would have to learn to walk again.

“He didn’t let me get defeated – he helped me climb my way back up.”

As you can imagine, the long recovery was both physically and emotionally taxing. “God, my grit, determination, faith, Dr. Leberte, and my family, friends, and support system pushing me to move forward truly saved my leg. From that day until today, Dr. Leberte and I are connected on a personal level.” Michael went on to say he had many setbacks, physically and emotionally, but Dr. Leberte was with him every step of the way.

“I can walk now. I look at him, and along this path, I have acquired a friend. I feel like we have been through this together and feel a strong connection with him. He is real with me. He is honest with me. He has my back, and I have his back. I know as long as I need him, he will be with me every step of the way.”

Michael is now married with 2 kids and sees the world in a whole new light. To be honest, visiting with him was refreshing. I found someone who appreciates God winks and finds purpose in hard knocks as much as I do. The 45-minute to hour-long phone call brightened my day and gave me an even greater appreciation of the role our providers play – they have the ability to truly change someone’s life, and we have an entire network of folks who are truly grateful for what they are doing.

by Leah Beth McNutt

Dr. Leberte is a member of The Orthopaedic Center Trauma Team. He is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery. He provides expert care for patients with simple to severe musculoskeletal injuries and related complications such as hip and knee problems. Dr. Leberte offers advanced surgical procedures to preserve function and relieve pain in young and elderly patients. In addition to fracture care, Dr. Leberte provides general orthopaedic surgical care including joint replacement surgery.

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TOC Now Offers Pricing Transparency

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in

Patients can now shop for healthcare the same way they shop for everything else – with price, quality, and convenience. At TOC, we believe in providing self-pay patients with pricing transparency, so you know the cost of your services upfront.

What is pricing transparency?

Pricing transparency is a tool for self-pay patients to use when they want to know the costs of the services we provide. We offer bundled payment options through HealthMe for those seeking to pay directly for care apart from an in-network insurance plan. This way, self-pay patients know exactly what they’re paying for ahead of time, including exams and treatment plans.

Which orthopedic practices offer pricing transparency?

TOC is the first and only orthopedic practice in Alabama to offer pricing transparency.

Why is TOC providing pricing transparency?

Our goal is to make treatment a convenient “one-stop shop” for our patients. Most of our services can be done on-site, including exams, x-rays, and even physical therapy. Pricing transparency is part of our goal. When you are able to avoid surprise bills, you can focus your energy on getting back to pain-free living.

Which TOC services have pricing transparency?

You can find payment bundles in the following specialties:

Pricing transparency benefits self-pay patients, self-insured employers, patients with out-of-network insurance coverage, health sharing ministries, and anyone who bears the out-of-pocket expense for our services. If you’d like to see our payment bundles or schedule an appointment, you can click below.

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Facts About Outpatient Joint Replacement Surgery

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in

by Dr. Patrick Boyett, Joint Replacement Surgeon with TOC – The Orthopaedic Center Athens

Outpatient total joint replacement surgery is a regular joint replacement surgery that happens in a surgery center instead of a hospital, and the patient goes home the same day.

What are the benefits of outpatient joint replacement surgery?

Studies are suggesting that outpatient knee and hip surgery result in less risk of blood clots and infections compared to patients who have their surgery in a traditional hospital visit. Hospital stays have become shorter and shorter because of better pain control adjuncts, improved surgical approaches, and improved procedures to assist recovery. Less invasive surgical approaches, improved instruments, and more surgical techniques have impacted the ability to safely perform outpatient joint replacements. Improved techniques such as Direct Anterior hip replacement, minimally invasive instruments for knee replacement and partial knee replacement, and short stem shoulder implants have revolutionized incision size, muscle damage during surgery, and recovery in a positive fashion. Even the operating room bed that we use now to perform hip replacement surgery is made of carbon fiber and allows x-rays to be used during surgery to enhance the accuracy of implant size, position, and leg length. New surgery tools that we utilize result in less pain and less bruising at the end of surgery. Anesthesia options with cleaner medications and shorter duration of actions allow patients to wake up clearer and with fewer side effects. It has been clear for quite some time that early motion and activity with less exposure to other sick patients results in a smoother recovery. Our patients now walk within 2 hours of surgery.

How has joint replacement surgery evolved?

Outpatient joint replacement surgery has evolved over the past five years from being an extensive hospital stay to same-day discharge that can be accomplished in our Surgery Center safely and efficiently. In the old days, orthopedics used PCA pumps, which were administered pain pumps that used heavy narcotic pain medications such as morphine. Although these medications assisted with pain control, they had problematic side effects, such as constipation, drowsiness, weakened respiratory drive, lethargy, confusion, and ultimately increased complications and negatively impacted recovery.

Who is the ideal candidate for outpatient joint replacement surgery?

The typical outpatient joint replacement candidate is a healthy, active patient who has a good family or friend support system.

Where do outpatient joint replacement surgeons perform their surgeries?

From the concept to development to building of the Athens/TOC Surgery Tower, the idea of having a 28,000-square-foot clinic and physical therapy space in the same building as the Surgery Center was always anchored by the idea of having outpatient joint replacement. The facility was built with this concept in mind and is uniquely positioned to be the best outpatient joint facility in North Alabama.

What can a patient expect when they schedule outpatient joint replacement surgery?

A coordinated system. Outpatient joint replacement surgery of the knee, hip, and shoulder requires a coordinated team to afford a more informed patient and family of expectations while providing comfort and knowledge in the recovery. At TOC Athens, we use a Joint Camp education approach, where patients meet our Orthopedic Navigator, Director of Physical Therapy, specialized orthopedic nurses, and discharge planners before their surgery, which makes the patient part of the team early in the process. This has proven to streamline the recovery process and allows us to answer questions before they become concerns.

Effective pain management. Currently at TOC Athens, we perform an intra-operative block in the joint that uses liposome technology. This means that local pain medication like you might receive at the dentist is encapsulated in a fat bubble and released slowly into the tissues surrounding the joint. This provides excellent pain control for approximately 48 to 72 hours without the side effects you might expect from narcotics. Over 90% of our patients now use only oral pain medications and no longer deal with the side effects of IV pain meds.

In summary, outpatient joint replacement is now a reality and has become a routine, yet exciting part of our practice. To discover if you are a candidate for this innovative approach to joint replacement as an outpatient, schedule an appointment and discuss this with your TOC Athens surgeon, Dr. Patrick Boyett, Dr. Bill Lawrence, or Dr. Eric Stanford.

About Dr. Boyett

Dr. Patrick Boyett is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with a focus on minimally invasive joint replacement and arthroscopic sports medicine procedures. Dr. Boyett performs most of his surgeries at the Surgery Tower located in the Athens TOC tower, which is poised to be a premier facility for outpatient joint replacement. He works with an operating team that collaborates to improve outcomes and recovery. Dr. Boyett performs outpatient Joint Replacement surgery for patients who meet the criteria for outpatient joint replacement. The highest priority when preparing for surgery is to minimize infection risk. This is achieved through preoperative screenings, preoperative patient scrubs, and antibiotics before and after joint replacement surgery. His team then coordinates recovery with Physical Therapy, which gives his patients a more comprehensive recovery.

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TOC Athens Now Offers Outpatient Joint Replacement

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in

With the introduction of TOC Athens Outpatient Joint Replacement services, Athens patients no longer need to travel to improve their joint health. TOC’s joint replacement specialists – Dr. Patrick Boyett, Dr. William Lawrence, and Dr. Eric Stanford – can now give patients the exceptional outcomes they expect right here in Athens, with no hospital stay. Outpatient joint replacement is much more beneficial for patients, as there are fewer complications, improved outcomes, and increased patient comfort.

About the Physicians

Performing over 250 joint replacements each year, Dr. Boyett focuses on minimally invasive joint reconstruction, giving his patients a quicker recovery with less pain. Most of his patients have the ability to walk without assistance on the same day as their surgery.

Dr. William “Bill” Lawrence enjoys spending time with each patient and helping them improve their mobility and function. Dr. Lawrence focuses his practice on total joint replacement, sports medicine, and hand procedures.

Dr. Eric Stanford’s primary focus is to improve each patient’s quality of life. Minimally invasive procedures such as outpatient total joints provide him additional opportunities to do just that.

 

“When we do outpatient joint replacement, we are able to make minimally invasive incisions, give patients multimodal pain management, and provide accelerated rehabilitation. All of these together allow for faster recovery.” -Dr. Eric Stanford

 

The highest priority of TOC’s joint replacement specialists in Athens is to minimize infection risk. This is achieved through preoperative screenings, preoperative patient scrubs, and antibiotics before and after joint replacement surgery. The physicians then coordinate with TOC Athens Physical Therapy to give patients a more comprehensive recovery. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, you can do so by calling (256) 233-2332 or clicking below.

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Nationally Recognized Excellence in Orthopaedic Care

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in

 

The Orthopaedic Center is proud to partner with Huntsville Hospital, recognized as a 2020-21 “High Performing Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report for hip and knee replacements. Together, we are redefining excellence in care for Tennessee Valley patients.

U.S. News & World Report is considered a global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives.

“This recognition is evidence of the great work done by the thousands of Huntsville Hospital employees in the midst of unprecedented challenges,” said Tracy Doughty, President and Chief Operations Officer of Huntsville Hospital.

TOC physicians are the exclusive Joint Replacement providers for Huntsville Hospital, which earned a Healthgrades Five-Star distinction for Total Knee Replacement in 2019.

 

David Griffin, MD

Trauma Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Hip & Knee


James Hughey, DO

Sports Medicine
Joint Replacement
Knee & Shoulder

 


Mark Leberte, MD

Joint Replacement
Hip, Knee & Shoulder
Trauma Orthopaedics

Sudhakar Madanagopal, MD

Trauma Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Robotic Joint Replacement
Hip, Knee & Shoulder


Allan Maples, MD

Trauma Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Robotic Joint Replacement
Hip, Knee & Shoulder


Christopher Parks, MD

Joint Replacement
Hip, Knee & Shoulder
General Orthopaedics


Thomas Thomasson, MD

General Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Hip, Knee & Shoulder


Bradley Wills, MD

Joint Replacement
Robotic Joint Replacement
Hip & Knee

 

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TOC Athens Launches Spine Center

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in ,

TOC Athens now provides patients with comprehensive, multi-disciplinary spine and pain care at the TOC Athens Spine Center. Patients’ comprehensive care begins with understanding their spinal needs – brother duo Dr. Blake Boyett and Dr. Hunter Boyett work together to create an individualized treatment plan for their patients based on the patient’s needs and goals. The Boyetts’ goal is to get their patients back to optimal living.

Board-certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon Dr. Blake Boyett joined TOC Athens, once OrthoSports, five years ago. “I was thrilled to join the team here in Athens. I love working in this community, and I am proud to be part of our local hospital – Athens Limestone Hospital.”

Dr. Hunter Boyett, a neurologist with a specialty in Interventional Spine and Pain Management, joined TOC a year and a half ago. “I couldn’t wait to start at TOC Athens – and in bringing my skills to complete our Athens Spine Center.”

“We want go grow with our community – and we saw a need for a spine center. We use the latest technology and have combined expertise and training from prestigious institutions. We are proud of the TOC Athens Spine Center.”

 

Dr. Blake Boyett attended Samford University for undergraduate education, then continued his education at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences for medical school. He started orthopaedic residency at KCUMB/St. Mary’s Medical Center. After graduating from residency as Chief Resident, he decided to pursue orthopaedic spinal surgery and was accepted in to the prestigious Texas Back Institute for fellowship. Dr. Boyett completed a sub-fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery and sports related spine injuries with the world-renowned surgeon for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, Dr. Drew Dossett.

Dr. Boyett is currently the Director of the Spine Department at Athens-Limestone Hospital and continues to work to offer the most advanced and innovative treatments to neck and back pain.

 

Dr. Hunter Boyett received his medical education at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri. 

He completed an internship at Palm Beach Consortium for Graduate medical education in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and then his Neurology Residency at Ohio State University. Growing up in a family where several family members chose a career in medicine, Dr. Boyett was inspired by watching how his family members cared for others and helped their patients get back to doing what they loved. Being a natural-born problem solver and loving the complexity of the spine and neurology, he is passionate about helping patients find relief from their pain.

 

The TOC Athens Spine Center offers treatments that are associated with degenerative conditions of the spine, such as sciatica, degenerative disc disease, sports related injuries, alignment issues, and more. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, you can do so by calling (256) 233-2332 or clicking below.

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The Orthopaedic Center Introduces New Virtual Assistant to Improve Patient Scheduling Experience

Posted on by The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) in

Meet Bobbie, the newest member of TOC’s team. Bobbie is TOC’s new virtual assistant that’s powered by the same conversational engine as Amazon Alexa. Bobbie will give you the option to use an automated agent to confirm, cancel, and reschedule appointments via telephone or web chat.

How will Bobbie serve our patients?

Intelligent conversations via phone call and web chat: When you call our main number or visit the TOC website, you will have the option to speak to Bobbie to confirm, reschedule, or cancel an existing appointment.

Available 24/7: Bobbie is able to handle patient needs, no matter how many other patients are calling or the time of day. You can reach Bobbie to confirm, reschedule, or cancel an existing appointment by using the web chat at the bottom of our website, or by selecting the option to talk to Bobbie when you call.

 

Right now, Bobbie can confirm, reschedule, or cancel existing appointments. If you’d like to schedule a new appointment, you can do so by calling (256) 539-2728 or clicking
Request an Appointment. We look forward to providing you and your family with exceptional orthopaedic care.