Todd J. Tredinnick, M.D. an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, has joined Orthopaedic Associates and is seeing patients at its BelAir and Havre de Grace offices.

Dr. Tredinnick, who received his M.S. in Physical Therapy from Duke University also pursued a medical degree, receiving his M.D. and post graduate surgical training from The Pennsylvania State University. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Tredinnick specializes in sports medicine and general orthopaedic surgery.

Continued from page 2 Disk Replacement Surgery Surgeons at the Scoliosis and Spine Center at Orthopaedic Associates are studying a new disc replacement technique, which is bringing relief to hundreds of back pain patients. "The hope of the newest technique is that patients would be able to experience "normal" movement following surgery," Paul McAfee, M.D., and Ira Fedder, M.D., orthopaedic surgeons at Orthopedic Associates and Co-Directors of the Spine and Scoliosis Center at St. Joseph Medical Center were chosen to participate in this important study. Dr McAfee, in fact, has performed more disk replacement procedures than any other surgeon in the United States. For thousands of back pain sufferers, it is an injured disc in their lower spine that causes the discomfort. Although these problems are often treated through physical therapy and medication, surgery is indicated for about 10% of these patients. Until now, that surgery meant one of two options: removing the disc from the spinal column and

fusing two vertebrate together with rods and pins or removing the disc, placing a cage-like device in its place, infusing the surrounding bones with the device. Either way, although the pain is often lessened, that particular part of the patient's spine becomes immobile. With disc replacement surgery the patient's injured disc is removed and an artificial disc is implanted. "The hope of the newest technique is that patients would be able to experience "normal" movement following surgery," said Paul C. McAfee, spine surgeon and Co-Director of the Scoliosis and Spine Center. So far in the third year of this FDA clinical trial the disk replacement surgery has been safe with good preservation of movement and allowed patients to return to work and athletic activity. One of Dr. McAfee's patients who was highlighted on national television was disabled before surgery. One year after disk replacement he is playing golf competitively 4 days per week— he shot a 73 at Caba-del-Sol from the blue (championship) tees. Dr. McAfee is very satisfied with the early results of disk replacement.

Towson Sports Medicine is announcing a comprehensive center for runners of all ages and abilities. The Running Center at Towson Sports Medicine will provide running athletes with all of the resources needed to train, and continue training, at an optimal level.

The Running Center is the official race packet, pick-up location for Finished Product Races. During the hours of race packet pick up, a Certified Athletic Trainer will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding an injury, training or the Running Center.

The Running Center at Towson Sports Medicine also offers injury evaluation and diagnosis from a board certified sports medicine physician, orthotic fitting and fabrication, aquatic running, aquatic cross training, a summer lecture series, group workouts and much more.

For more information call 410.337.5310.

Certified Athletic Trainers are available 24 hours a day through the Towson Sports Medicine Sports Injury Hotline at 410.828.4876 (4TSM).