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Dr. Michael Pezzone, Pezzone Gastroenterology Associates
Building a Practice Based on Passion, Research and Treating the Whole Person

By Laurie Bailey

“As we test more patients with IBS or recurrent abdominal pain, we are finding that a good portion actually have celiac disease (an allergy to gluten, a component of wheat, barley and rye). By simply removing these agents from the diet, patients often improve dramatically.”

Internationally recognized and a regional expert in gastroenterology, Dr. Michael Pezzone opened his new practice, Pezzone Gastroenterology Associates, with The Washington Hospital in the Manifold Professional Office Buildings in November after practicing for twelve years at UPMC Presbyterian.
With a special interest in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional bowel and motility disorders, Dr. Pezzone is also an expert in celiac disease and other allergic and inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. He is currently accepting patients, ages 12 and older.
Dr Pezzone is passionate about his research and work.
“Fortunately, most of the conditions I see can be easily treated or at least detected early,” he admits.
While at the University of Pittsburgh, where he currently holds an adjunct associate professor position in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Dr. Pezzone developed an international reputation in the study of pelvic pain by showing that irritation of one pelvic organ (the bowel, for example) can lead to symptoms in another, non-irritated organ (the bladder) and vice versa.
“The overlap of IBS, painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC), and chronic prostatitis can be quite high, even as high as 60%. Because these patients often see different doctors and are treated independently, no one has made the clinical connection,” he explains.
Dr. Pezzone has shown in his studies that the nerve inputs to these pelvic organs overlap and that irritation of one component of the circuit can have dramatic effects on other components. This “sensitization” of pain nerves (afferents) can be seen throughout the gastrointestinal tract and is often described as “visceral afferent sensitization.”
“Moreover, even after the irritating or infectious agent has since disappeared, patients are often left with abnormal sensations such as pain, excessive belching, bloating, spasms, or urgency. Recognizing the development of visceral afferent sensitization then requires the appropriate therapy,” he says.
He credits Dr. Bruce Rabin, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at UPMC who has also done programs as the Cameron Wellness Center, as having the largest influence on his career.
“He was influential in starting my research career and in the study of mind-body interactions and the role of stress on immune function,” says Dr. Pezzone.
Dr. Pezzone continues to teach and conduct his basic research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (during his “free” time) and is involved with clinical trials for new and promising medications for IBS and constipation at his Washington office.
One such promising agent is Linaclotide, which has shown dramatic results for chronic constipation and constipation-predominant IBS in Phase II studies. Dr. Pezzone is currently accepting patients with IBS and constipation for enrollment into Phase III trials where patients would receive Linaclotide at no cost for six months. “We have also done some animal studies with this drug which supports the clinical trials thus far. Once Linaclotide reaches the market, the treatment for constipation and IBS will be revolutionized,” he believes.
Dr. Pezzone considers continuing to make strides in the scientific community a personal long-term goal.
Over the last several years, Dr. Pezzone has treated many pediatric patients. (His wife, Kim, is a pediatrician with the Pediatric Alliancee, St. Clair Division). Like IBS and reflux in adults, many children also experience chronic abdominal pain and reflux-related symptoms. Celiac sprue, or gluten sensitivity, is one common cause of abdominal pain that is often overlooked.
“As we test more patients with IBS or recurrent abdominal pain, we are finding that a good portion actually have celiac disease (an allergy to gluten, a component of wheat, barley and rye). By simply removing these agents from the diet, patients often improve dramatically. Of course, eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercise, and minimizing stress at school and at home can also go a long way in preventing or minimizing abdominal symptoms in children,” he says.
“My short-term goal is to build a busy practice by introducing a healthcare expertise and quality to the region,” says Dr. Pezzone. He adds that he believes that healthcare and quality of life are superb in Western Pennsylvania and people are appreciative of good care.
Dr. Pezzone has received numerous awards, including the honor of being a Pittsburgh Magazine “Top Doctor” in Gastroenterology in 2008 and 2009. He also received the prestigious International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Junior Investigator – Basic Science Award in 2005 and the Audrey Love Charitable Foundation Award for Research in IBS in 2007.
“You need to treat the whole person, not just the ailment. The mind, body and spirit are all intermingled,” Dr. Pezzone believes.
When he isn’t in his office or research lab, Dr. Pezzone enjoys coaching baseball and keeping up with his son’s activities – Michael, 12th grade; Dominic, 10th grade; Anthony, 8th grade; and Gino, 6th grade.

Dr. Michael Pezzone can be reached by calling Pezzone Gastroenterology Associates at (724) 503-4637.

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Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s David Wilson, M.D.,
Seeks Early Detection of Lung Cancer

By Nancy Kennedy

Which is the deadliest form of cancer? It may come as a surprise to learn that it is not prostate, breast, colon or skin cancer, some of the most common cancers. Rather, it is lung cancer. Among both men and women in the United States, lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the number one cause of death from cancer. It is a silent, insidious disease that develops slowly and typically inflicts an enormous amount of damage well before its presence becomes known. As a result, lung cancer is usually in the advanced stages when it is diagnosed. Those who are diagnosed with it are usually older adults who have unknowingly lived with the disease, perhaps for years, before becoming symptomatic. This presents exceptional challenges to the physicians who diagnose and treat lung cancer.
According to David O. Wilson, M.D., the crux of the challenge is that there is still no screening test for the early detection of lung cancer. Wilson is the director of the Georgia Cooper Memorial Lung Cancer Research Registry and the Co-Director of the Lung Cancer Center at the Hillman Cancer Center at University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, where he conducts research and treats patients along with a multidisciplinary team of specialty physicians. “Earlier diagnosis is the challenge,” Wilson explains. “But there is currently no screening for early detection and treatment of lung cancer. There’s nothing comparable to an annual mammogram, Pap smear or prostate test. Although the treatment for lung cancer is advancing and both surgeries and chemotherapy can be very effective, the survival statistics for lung cancer are not significantly better than they were 25 years ago. The focus of my research is to find the screening test.”
When cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, it is more responsive to treatment, and when treatment begins in a timely manner, the prognosis improves. Many early cancers are curable with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, while others become a chronic disease that many patients learn to manage and live with for years. Wilson says that that is the model that he and his colleagues would like to emulate in caring for patients with lung cancer. He is engaged in several research studies, including one known as PLuSS: the Pittsburgh Lung Cancer Screening Study. This study is investigating the utilization of CT (computed tomography) scanning as the screening test that could detect lung cancer in the early stages.
The vast majority of cases of lung cancer are a consequence of smoking tobacco. “Without smoking, lung cancer would be a mere footnote,” says Wilson. “85% of lung cancers in women and 95% in men are due to smoking.”
The Hillman Cancer Center has a multidisciplinary lung cancer program that is unique in this region. Under one roof, the lung cancer program brings together pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, all specializing in lung cancer. Each one’s expertise complements that of the others in a team effort that assures that patients are receiving the most advanced specialty care available.
Dr Wilson is a Pittsburgh native who has been associated with the University of Pittsburgh throughout his distinguished career. He is a graduate of the Pitt Medical School and completed his internship at what is now known as UPMC in 1980. He serves as an assistant professor on the faculty of the Medical School.
“Most people who are diagnosed with lung cancer will die from it. In the treatment of lung cancer, we need timely and early diagnosis, and we need early and innovative treatment. Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer in America, killing more people annually than the next 3 types of cancer combined. Among those who are at high risk for developing lung cancer, an effective screening test could prevent thousands of deaths.”

To contact Dr. Wilson’s office, call (412) 687-3355.

Symptoms of LUNG CANCER
As the cancer grows, common symptoms may include:
• a cough that gets worse or does not go away
• breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath
• constant chest pain
• coughing up blood
• a hoarse voice
• frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia
• feeling very tired all the time
• weight loss with no known cause
Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems can cause some of these symptoms. Anyone with such symptoms should see a doctor to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Source: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute


Fast Facts About Lung Cancer
• It is one of the most common cancers. In men, it is second to prostate cancer; in women, it is second to breast cancer.
• It is the #1 cause of death from cancer.
• It affects men more frequently than women, but the gap is closing.
• Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. Other causes include asbestos exposure, secondhand smoke and radon.
• There is no screening test for the early detection of lung cancer, and it is asymptomatic until it has reached an advanced stage.

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South Hills Orthopaedic Associates
Dr. Eric Nabors Specializes in Relieving Back Pain

By Nancy Kennedy

Everybody has back pain – eventually. The human spine wears out as it ages, and nearly everyone will experience some degree of back pain as they grow older, particularly in the lower back. Back pain can occur at any age but it is far more common in the elderly. The degenerative changes of arthritis create bulges in the discs and bone spurs, which narrow the spinal canal and cause pain due to the pressure they impose on the spinal cord, pinching it in the restricted space. That pain may be quite severe and disabling, making it difficult to perform activities of daily living and even to stand up straight, but fortunately there are physicians who specialize in the treatment of this condition, which is known as spinal stenosis.
One of those physicians is orthopaedic surgeon Eric Nabors, M.D., a board certified spine surgery specialist who practices with South Hills Orthopaedic Associates. Nabors has been successfully treating patients with spinal stenosis for over 14 years and he says that there are treatment options available that can ease pain, improve mobility and restore quality of life to patients. “Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal due to the degeneration of the discs. The bulges and spurs are essentially arthritis, and although this confuses people, they are the same thing. For the vast majority of people with back pain, it will be minor and short lived. But with severe or chronic pain, intervention is needed, in the form of diagnostic tests and treatments. Generally, treatment of back pain is progressive: it begins with medication to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Tylenol and a variety of anti-inflammatory medications may be helpful. The next step is physical therapy and/or chiropractic treatment, which can make the patient feel better by strengthening the supporting muscles and reducing inflammation. If that doesn’t help, an epidural steroid injection may be indicated. The final step is surgery, a procedure called a laminectomy that decompresses the spine by removing parts of the vertebrae that are impinging on the cord.”
Another option is a relatively new minimally invasive procedure using a device called an X-stop, made by Medtronic. An X-Stop is a small spacer that the surgeon places in the back of the spine to gently spread the vertebrae and hold them open, relieving the pressure on the spinal cord. Dr. Nabors, who is one of the only physicians in the region performing the X-Stop procedure, explains that it is a safe and effective procedure for many patients. “The advantages of the X-Stop implant are that it is extremely safe, it’s done on an outpatient basis and there is a shorter recovery time of just 3 to 5 days, compared to the 2 to 4 weeks that is the typical recovery period following laminectomy. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t match laminectomy in effectiveness; laminectomy has a success rate of 90% while X-Stop has a rate of approximately 65%. But for some patients, especially older adults in their 80’s who are at higher risk and perhaps should not undergo a more complex surgery, it’s a very good option.”
Dr. Nabors is a graduate of the University Of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his internship at Mercy Hospital. He went on to a residency at Tufts University Medical Center and then returned to Pittsburgh for his fellowship. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Nabors was born and raised in Mount Lebanon, where he resides today with his family. He feels that being a spine surgeon enables him to make a substantial difference in the lives of others. “It’s an area where I can really help people who have been suffering with chronic pain. It’s a challenging field with interesting surgeries.”

To learn more about South Hills Orthopaedic Associates, visit the website at www.southhillsortho.com.

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Foot and Ankle Surgeon Dr. Damon Combs Joins South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

By Daniel Casciato

Dr. Damon Combs will soon be helping many Pittsburgh residents get back on their feet faster. The new foot and ankle surgeon at South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates was recently hired to join the Mt. Lebanon-based practice.
South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates is a well established practice that provides patient care in all realms of orthopaedics. Their current practice is comprised of a general orthopaedic surgeon, a spinal surgeon, a hand surgeon, a sports medicine surgeon, as well as a foot and ankle surgeon.
“It is an honor and privilege to join such a well established and well respected practice,” says Dr. Combs.
Dr. Combs is a podiatrist by training but also has additional orthopaedic fellowship training.
“Having the opportunity to complete an orthopaedic fellowship has given me the advantage of learning both the podiatric and orthopeadic perspective on the foot and ankle,” he says, adding that this training will help provide both conservative and surgical options to his patients.
Orthopaedics is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and diseases of your body’s musculoskeletal system of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
“From the wide array of physicians available, we can handle any problems that come from an orthopaedic standpoint,” says Dr. Combs.
Dr. Combs specializes in the care of the body’s musculoskeletal system, made up of bones and joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and nerves, which work together to allow people to move and be active.
Patients with any types of foot or ankle complaints are encouraged to visit Dr. Combs. Some of the more common conditions include bunions, heel pain, ankle sprains, arthritis, flatfeet and fractures.
“There are times patients could avoid surgery if seen early for a condition, but often, patients hope the problem will go away, leading to a more severe condition resulting in surgical intervention,” he says.
If conservative therapy fails, surgical options then will be explored. Dr. Combs has been well trained to treat conditions requiring surgery of the lower extremity. His surgical training has ranged from bunions, ligament or tendon injuries, fractures, reconstructive surgery, and arthroscopic surgery.
“When surgery is warranted, I feel my training has prepared me to treat the need of my patients. The hopes are to provide someone with a better quality of life, allowing someone to return to activities they enjoy,” says Dr. Combs. “I chose this specialty because I can focus on patient care and to hopefully give someone a better quality of life.”

Hometown: Brookville, Ohio
Education: Bachelor’s in Biology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH; The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine; Residency and Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing medical school and my training.
Most Valuable Lesson: Listening to patient’s specific needs and addressing these needs accordingly that helps coordinate a treatment plan and allows me to dictate what needs to be done next.
Person You Most Admire: My parents.
Current Place of Residence: Carnegie.

For more information, call (412) 429-0880 or visit www.southhillsortho.com.

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Dr. Franco Bolsters Sports Medicine Program

By Lois Thomson

According to Todd Franco, "There has been an ever-increasing interest in staying active in our aging population, not to mention the 'weekend warriors' who just want to remain active or have fun. Within these groups, inevitably people will get injured – whether it is those with training errors, the 'too much, too soon, too fast' type injuries, or a specific traumatic event." When that happens, those people are fortunate that they can turn to someone like Dr. Franco – a sports medicine physician who handles those types of injuries, and more.
Dr. Franco recently became associated with The Washington Hospital with a two-part practice. The inpatient portion, which is related to rehabilitation, is based at The Washington Hospital Acute Rehabilitation Unit, while the outpatient and sports medicine-related portion is located at Cameron Wellness Center.
He explained that patients on the rehab side have generally been diagnosed with strokes, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, hip fractures, and the like. The outpatient practice predominantly deals with sports-related injuries, such as ankle sprains, minor fractures, and knee and shoulder injuries.
Part of his practice includes working with people to prevent such injuries. "This is actually a hot topic now in sports medicine," Dr. Franco said. "At the Cameron Wellness Center, we have the Ultimate Sports Training program, run by Jamie Hawk, BS, ACE, CPT. This program focuses not only on performance enhancement, but also on injury prevention. I am closely linked with this program to offer screening and medical advice to the athletes involved."
Dr. Franco also works with professional athletes, currently serving in his first year as head team physician for the Washington Wild Things. He works with athletic trainer Colin Myers to diagnose and treat injuries for the team.
But aside from sports injuries, Dr. Franco said common problems include "over-use injuries or work-related injuries, like tennis elbow or carpal tunnel. And we see many patients on a daily basis with osteoarthritis and, more specifically, knee osteoarthritis." He said conservative treatments can handle some of these issues, or, if they are severe enough, orthopedic surgeons can discuss the option of joint replacement.
After earning a degree in Psychology/Gerontology, Dr. Franco decided to pursue medicine. He narrowed his career choice to physical medicine and rehabilitation, but wanted to find a way to be involved with sports as well. He said that during a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital, "I was approached by my former residency director regarding a position at The Washington Hospital. They were looking to fill the role of Medical Director of their Acute Rehabilitation Unit and were also interested in starting a Sports Medicine Program."
He jumped at the chance and admits, "I couldn't ask for a better fit." Neither can his patients.

For more information, you can reach Dr. Todd Franco at (724) 206-0293 or visit www.washingtonhospital.com.



Health Tip
When should you see a doctor for a sports-related injury?

Dr. Todd Franco offers this advice:
Most sports-related injuries respond well to the R.I.C.E. treatment plan (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), and take anywhere from a few days to two weeks to heal. It's time to visit a sports medicine professional if your pain lasts longer than that, or if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Severe pain in a joint or bone
• Pain radiating to another area of the body
• An injury that is very painful to the touch
• Significant swelling at the injury site
• Difficulty moving the injured part
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in the injured area
It's always better to be safe than sorry, so if you are unsure, make a quick visit to a sports medicine professional and get the answers you need.

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Making A Difference

Helping Those in Need

By Ron Cichowicz

Even in the toughest of times, Americans have shown a resiliency and willingness to reach out and offer a helping hand to those most in need.
“Claire Gaudiani is the author of a wonderful book, How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism, in which she observes that our founding fathers understood that all of us may have been created equal, but life hardly offers a level playing field,” said Scott Lammie. “For democracy to work, these practical men understood that people would have to help one another, across a variety of natural divisions, in order to make the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness a reality for all.”
Lammie, 53, chief financial officer for UPMC and senior vice president of UPMC’s Insurance Services Division, referenced Gaudiani’s work last November, when he accepted an award as an outstanding volunteer fundraiser in 2008 from the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“My family is so appreciative that we are able to actively participate in the Greater Pittsburgh community to help advance health, education, history, the arts, the environment, and to help ensure that essential human services will continue to be delivered to all those in need,” Lammie told those gathered to see him and others honored. “We are proud to be counted among the many passionate volunteers who make Pittsburgh a very special home for all of us.
“During this time of great need in our city, state, and nation, with a deepening economic recession, our spirit of generosity and giving during this time of crisis must rise again to achieve the hopes and expectations of our founding fathers.”
There is no question Lammie backs up such thoughts with deeds. Among the numerous organizations Lammie has supported financially and with his time are the Little Sisters of the Poor, the free medical clinic of Catholic Charities, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, UPMC St. Margaret, Duquesne University, United Way of Allegheny County, and the Greater Pittsburgh Council, Boy Scouts of America where Lammie also chaired the 2006 and 2007 Scouting for Food campaigns.
“My motivation comes from my family and the way I was brought up,” Lammie said. “It started with my mom. She was a single parent for a long period of time – my dad died when I was seven – and trying to raise five young children was certainly a challenge for her. She taught us strong family values, inspiring us to be compassionate, God-loving, God-fearing, and to care for others.”
Beyond family, Lammie said he found motivation to be involved with good causes as an undergraduate at Duquesne University and through his three employers, UPMC, Arthur Andersen & Co., and Coopers & Lybrand.
“I grew up understanding and appreciating that we’re all in this world together and that we have got to help each other,” Lammie said. “I wasn’t aware that this concept was so unique to Americans until I traveled abroad and discovered that philanthropy doesn’t happen in the rest of the world nearly to the extent it does in the United States.”
While Lammie has contributed financially to the many causes he supports, he is known also for sharing his time and talents as well. For the Little Sisters of the Poor, he is a member of the Finance and Capital Campaign Committees. He personally has been responsible for raising more than $500,000 toward a goal of $15 million. “With a strong business and finance background, I can offer important skill sets that frequently are much more helpful than simply writing a check. I do sometimes over commit myself.
“Of course, some of my time is also spent asking for help from others. That really didn’t come naturally but I’ve gotten better at it over the years. I’ve also developed a deep respect for my professional fundraising colleagues and for all those philanthropists out there who inspire us all to be more generous with our time, talents, and resources.”
When asked how he chooses a particular organization or cause to support, Lammie said it varies – and frequently it’s simply because someone asked him for help.
“That was the case with the Little Sisters of the Poor. I was told there was a need to help resolve a healthcare funding issue and offered to assist. With Scouting for Food, I was approached by a professional colleague for help. Through UPMC’s involvement with all these Food Drives, UPMC volunteers and community leaders have gained a much deeper appreciation for the severity of the hunger problem and related public health issues facing our region and country. It’s really a national tragedy. With this greater awareness of the food insecurity facing so many families, I am pleased to report that UPMC/UPMC Health Plan has stepped up our own efforts with significant funding and leadership support for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, including support for public education, awareness, and advocacy efforts. If we all actively participate as donors, volunteers, and advocates, our community can and will eventually succeed in our Campaign to End Hunger.”
Lammie said he strongly believes that everyone should try to help their community in some way. “The individual in need could be you, could be me, or could be any one of us, especially today, when we may be in for a long recession and many essential services will go lacking unless philanthropy is there to help. So people should contribute whatever they can to help others. It’s the right thing to do.”

You can reach Scott Lammie at lammiesm@upmc.edu .

YOU CAN HELP
• Catholic Charities - www.ccpgh.org
• Joint Initiative of the Pittsburgh Foundation and
The United Way of Allegheny County - www.neighbor-aid.org
• Little Sisters of the Poor - www.littlesistersofthepoor-pittsburgh.org
• Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank - www.pittsburghfoodbank.org
• United Way of Allegheny County - www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org

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Dr. Manning Treats
"Shoulder to Fingertips"

South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery

By Lois Thomson

When Christopher M. Manning entered medical school, he knew he wanted to go into the field of surgery. "Surgery is very 'hands-on' and it demands an intricate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology," he said. "Results are often instantaneous. Truly, there is no more drastic way to affect a cure for an ailing patient."
And he figured he would enjoy orthopaedic surgery, "because in addition to being required to have comfort in operating on all areas of the body, from the spine to the fingers and toes, orthopaedic surgery lends itself to physicians who have a feel for engineering, biomechanics, and even carpentry."
Then, when he finished his years of orthopaedic residency at UPMC, he decided to focus on the hands. "The hand is such a complex part of the body," he said. "Surgeries of the hand are very delicate, requiring a level of comfort with treating disorders of nerves, arteries, tendons, and bones. It's very precise and rather elegant."
So Dr. Manning now focuses his practice on ailments that affect the hands and upper extremities. Common problems treated are carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, fractures and ligament tears, arthritis, tennis elbow, bicep tendon tears, and shoulder ailments such as torn rotator cuffs or arthritis.
"So basically if it's in the shoulder down to the fingertips, I take care of it."
According to Dr. Manning, the treatment for these injuries can be as simple as teaching patients what type of range of motion or strengthening exercises to do and what type of activities to avoid. Hand and upper extremity problems are often treated with different kinds of splinting, cortisone injections and therapy. Most problems can be treated well non-operatively, but surgeries are available to those who don't respond to conservative treatments.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Dr. Manning's job is when he is able to treat a patient for different problems as they may occur over time, allowing him to establish a nice relationship with his patients. He added, "Unfortunately, patients who get one hand problem, such as carpal tunnel, are often predisposed to develop other problems such as arthritis or trigger fingers, or even rotator cuff problems. I worried that a career in orthopaedics would mean that I would not really get to know patients as well as, say, a family doctor. But I found that is far from true."
Dr. Manning said he treats all ages, especially people in their 70s, 80s and 90s. "These folks are more active than ever and are working out and staying fit. I think because of that, I'm seeing many more patients with muscular-skeletal problems—things that otherwise wouldn't bother them if they hadn't been so healthy and active. It's a good problem (for them) to have."

Dr. Christopher Manning is a partner of South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, P.C., and practices with John S. Beachler, M.D., Robert J. Donofrio, M.D., Derrick J. Fluhme, M.D., Eric D. Nabors, M.D., and David K. Mayer, CRNP.
For more information, call south Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates at
(412) 429-0880. They have offices in McMurray and Pittsburgh.

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For more articles, download the Spring '10 issue (PDF)