Centers of Excellence

Category Archive: In the Community

1. What Makes Someone a Hero?

   January 15, 2016 7:08 pm
   
   

   We hear the word ‘hero’ applied every day to people who serve in the military, to firefighters and police officers and to ordinary people who risk their lives to do extraordinary things. This is a story about a different kind of heroism.

   On December 7, 2014, Jason ‘Jay’ Czoschke, a 41 year old husband and father of two beautiful children, was in a tragic accident. He was flown to Theda Clark Medical Center via ThedaStar medical helicopter. The trauma doctors there determined that Jay had suffered severe trauma to both his back and head. Despite the best efforts of the doctors and nurses at Theda Clark, Jay’s injuries were too severe for them to save his life. The next day, December 8th, Jay was pronounced legally brain dead.

   The following is what makes Jay an Everyday hero.

   One month prior to his accident, Jay had signed up to be an organ donor. Through the shock, disbelief and unimaginable grief of his death, both Jay’s wife and parents made the difficult decision to honor his wishes and donate his organs.

   Because of Jay’s age and good health he was considered “the perfect donor.” The first priority was finding a match for his brave, strong heart and other major organs. The word went out and within two days surgical teams from UW Madison and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago flew in medical teams to harvest his organs and give five other people a chance for a longer life.

   Within hours, Jay’s heart was beating again in an Illinois man; a kidney and pancreas were transplanted into a 38 year old man from Wisconsin; as well as Jay’s liver had gone to an individual also in Wisconsin. Both Jay’s lungs were given to a 43 year old Wisconsin man who had battled cystic fibrosis his entire life. Jay’s other kidney was transplanted to an Illinois recipient who had been on the waiting list since 2009.

   Because of Jay and his family, these men can lead healthier more active lives. To them and their families, Jay is a hero.

   The list of donations goes beyond the major organs. The doctor’s harvested both Jay’s corneas, his anterior cruciate ligaments, his tendons, as well as bone and skin for future patients.

   Dr. Davis Tsai, Jay’s brother-in-law, says, “In Orthopedics, we see both ends of the spectrum. I care for those who succumb to severe injuries and I also care for those who benefit from the sacrifices of musculoskeletal donations. It is through the generous organ donations of people like Jay that I can help many patients achieve a better and more functional quality of life.”

   Stephanie Tsai, Jay’s sister, still has a difficult time talking about him. She is proud of her brother for signing up to be an organ donor and awed by the courage it took for his wife to honor his wishes. Through her tears and loss, Stephanie says, “I highly encourage everyone to be an organ donor. Jay is gone, but through his organ donation five other people have a chance at a better life. It helps make the pain bearable to know that Jay lives on through these people.”

   This is a story of one man’s simple decision to be an organ donor and one family’s decision to honor those wishes. Today, five people are alive because of Jay’s unselfish decision.

   And that’s our definition of a hero.

2. Sports Concussion Management

   May 27, 2015 7:41 pm
   
   

   The most important step in managing concussion is to get the correct diagnosis as soon as possible. During sporting events, the team physician or sideline athletic trainers will remove the athlete from participation if they show any signs of having concussion. The injured athlete will undergo both physical and mental tests looking for a concussion injury. If you think your child has suffered from a concussion, have them stop playing immediately and get evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Medical providers can perform several office tests to determine if that individual has had a concussion.

   Medical studies show that the best concussion treatment combines bothphysical and mental rest.

   • Physical Rest includes avoiding any sports, gym or recess activities.
   • Mental or Brain Rest: Since it’s the brain that’s been injured, it’s vital to
     let your brain rest too. The following are a sample of cognitive activities
     that should be avoided until your doctor approves:
     • Working at your computer
     • Playing video games
     • Watching TV
     • Texting
     • Reading, writing or studying
     • Avoiding bright lights and loud music
     • Sometimes driving and school limitations

   
   

   Dr. Fornetti will oversee how quickly your child can return to normal activities. The new concussion law in Wisconsin says that an athlete cannot return to play unless cleared by a health professional trained in sports concussion management. It’s important that your child gets the treatment they need. Children and young adults often experience more symptoms and take longer to recover than adults.

   At the Kennedy Center, we develop sports concussion management plans that involve a team approach with athletic trainers, coaches, teachers, parents, and athletes. This will ensure that your child receives the proper medical treatment while working with the school system to help to coordinate an effective transition back to normal activities and sports.

3. From the Frequently Asked Questions Vault: Renewing Intimacy after Hip Surgery

   April 2, 2015 1:34 pm
   
   

   When Can You Safely Resume Sexual Intimacy after a Hip Replacement?

   One of the more common questions that we get at the Kennedy Center is when they can safely resume sexual intimacy after a hip replacement.

   We recommend that patients wait 3-4 weeks before resuming sexual activity, but we always remind patients that pain should be their guide. If something hurts, don’t do it.

    

    

   Safe Sexual Positions after a Hip Replacement

   Another common question pertains to what are safe sexual positions after a hip replacement.

   The following are a few general guidelines to make the experience comfortable and keep your hip joint safe from injury.

   • Don’t bend the leg with the joint replacement more than 90 degrees at the hip
   • When lying on your back, don’t turn or roll the leg with the replacement toward the other leg
   • Don’t turn your toes inward on the leg with the joint replacement
   • If you are lying on your side, make sure you have pillows between your legs, especially between your knees. Don’t let the toes on your joint replacement leg turn downward.

   We encourage patients to go slowly and be in the most passive position possible.

   For Women - the following two positions are the safest:

   1. Lie on your back.
   Place one or two pillows under your thigh on the affected leg. Keep your toes on the leg with the joint replacement pointed up and slightly out – never inward.

   2. Side - Lying Position
   Lie on the side that does not have the hip replacement.
   Place enough pillows between your legs to support the leg with the hip replacement. You and your partner should both be facing the same direction. Make sure the affected leg doesn’t fall off the pillows during intercourse. Your partner should assume the “spooning” position behind you. Don’t bend the hip with your joint replacement more than 90 degrees and don’t let the toes of your affected leg turn downward.

   For Men – the following three positions are the safest:

   1. Lie on your back.
   Place one or two pillows under your thigh on the affected leg. Keep your toes on the leg with the joint replacement pointed up and slightly out – never inward.

   2. Top position – this position is safe for men only.
   Don’t bend your new hip joint more than 90 degrees while getting into position. Keep your affected leg out to the side with your toes pointed slightly outward. (Women should not attempt being on the top position as it will require you to bend more than 90 degrees at the hip)

   3. Side-Lying Position
   Lie on the side that does not have the hip replacement. Both you and your partner should be facing the same direction. Lie behind your partner in a “spooning” position. Your partner should place at least two pillows between her legs and your affected leg and foot should rest on top of hers during intercourse. Remember not to bend your leg more than 90 degrees. It’s important that your toes don’t turn downward on the affected leg.

   Dislocated Hip: If you dislocate your hip during sexual intercourse, you will experience pain, your affected leg will appear shorter and your foot will turn inward. If this happens, lie down, don’t move and ask your partner to call an ambulance.

   If you have questions about your hip surgery, contact Nurse Direct or your physician.

4. Dr. Fornetti - A Sports Medicine Doctor Who Really Understands an Ice Skater’s Special Needs

   January 13, 2015 9:00 pm
   
   

   (The following is a testimonial provided by and written by a patient’s parent)

   This past summer I was at Mercy Medical Center and noticed a poster announcing that Dr. Willa Fornetti was joining the team at the Kennedy Center as an Orthopedic & Sports Medicine doctor. What drew me to the board was the photo of figure skates. I learned from the information on the board that Dr. Fornetti was a former competitive figure skater. Before I left Mercy, I stopped into the Kennedy Center to pick up Dr. Fornetti’s bio-card in case I needed her in the future for my daughter who is also a competitive figure skater.

   My daughter (pictured to the left) has had several injuries over the years due to this sport – as you can imagine. Most recently, in the summer of 2013, we visited her orthopedic doctor at St. Elizabeth regarding recurring knee pain. X-rays, physical therapy and a brace were ordered, which helped somewhat, but the pain continued. We revisited her ortho again this past summer who ordered another round of X-rays and physical therapy. Nothing was helping, so we had an MRI done and thankfully, no surgery was needed. Her ortho suggested follow up with an orthopedic sports medicine doctor.

   I immediately thought of Dr. Fornetti in Oshkosh. My daughter’s orthopedic surgeon didn’t know Dr. Fornetti, but said, sure – go for it. And we’re glad that we did.

   Dr. Fornetti knew all the questions to ask about my daughter’s sport. Coincidentally, Dr. Fornetti once coached in Lansing, MI with my daughter’s current coach. So Cool! Anyway, she suggested physical therapy again, however it would be advanced physical therapy (like a sports personal training program.) For a regular person who sustains an injury, regular physical therapy does the trick. For people like my daughter who are competitive athletes, regular physical therapy doesn’t push them enough.

   Dr. Fornetti called around to make sure we got the right therapist who could help us. We were put in touch with Advanced Physical Therapy in Appleton and on the first visit the therapist said they could tell that my daughter was doing all the right things. Her previous PT’s were giving her the correct exercises, but to get her back to her competitive level, her therapy needed to be kicked up a notch. They identified new stretches and strengthening exercises. They made the following goals: no knee pain and skating without a brace. Within two weeks, my daughter could tell a difference. She came home from skating practice beaming about her double loops! I still don’t know the difference between all the figure skating jumps, bit was relieved and excited for her.

   My daughter was hesitant about trying physical therapy again. She had put so much time and effort into PT before and she was still in pain. We were both so frustrated that we could not get rid of her knee pain and I was seriously considering making her give up a sport she loves. Now we are hopeful once again. I will be sharing Dr. Fornetti’s contact information with Valley Figure Skating Club in the Fox Cities, Great Green Bay Figure Skating Club in DePere and Green Bay and with Blue Line Figure Skating Club in Fond du Lac. As a unique group of athletes, it’s so important that they know someone like Dr. Fornetti is out there who understands their special needs and may be able to help them – like she helped my daughter.

   If I hadn’t seen that poster at Mercy, I know that we’d be in a very different place today.
   Thank you so much!

   Kendra R.

5. Kennedy Center Staff Teams Up for Health

   April 30, 2014 5:58 pm
   
   

   On April 26, 2014, The Kennedy Center at Mercy staff took part in their very first 5k. The team, aptly named, Knee’d 2B Hip, was started as an initiative to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle while also having fun. The Glow 4 It Fox Cities 5k run/walk benefited The Arc Fox Cities, Inc. and took place along the SCA Friendship Trail in Neenah, WI.

   This was a fun opportunity to help raise awareness of the Kennedy Center Sports Medicine program and to help a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower youth and adults with differing abilities. Many local businesses helped to sponsor this event. One major sponsor was Affinity Health System.

   We had eight members of The Kennedy Center participate in this event. The walk/run began at dusk, and the after-celebration continued on into the night. The trail was lit up by the Knee’d 2B Hip team sporting glow face paint, necklaces, glasses and of course, our custom hot coral t-shirts! We definitely stood out amongst the crowd even after the sun went down!

   The 5k run/walk season has just started, and The Kennedy Center’s Kneed 2B Hip team is extremely excited to participate in our next event!

6. [Release] Dr. Tsai - Ringside at Mixed Martial Arts Events

   March 26, 2014 3:02 pm
   
   

   The fast growing sport of mixed martial arts is now regulated by the State of Wisconsin, which
   means events are both larger and safer for the participants. One of the primary regulations
   Wisconsin demands that each event have a licensed ringside physician. Davis Tsai, MD, an
   orthopaedic surgeon with the Kennedy Center in Oshkosh, has recently been assigned by the State
   to be the ringside physician for the upcoming Combat USA final 8 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
   competition to be held at the Oneida Casino in Green Bay on March 5. The day prior to the event,
   Dr. Tsai will perform physical exams on the fighters to confirm they are in good physical condition.

   According to Dr. Tsai, “Mixed Martial arts basically evolved out of street brawling. With state
   regulation, mixed martial arts have become a legitimate sport – if not an art form.” It combines the
   best aspects of Muay Thai kick boxing, Karate, Greco-Roman wrestling, European boxing, Russian
   Sambo and Brazilian Jui-Jitsu.

   Until recently, the unregulated sport allowed promoters to hold fights in bars and clubs with no
   oversight. Today, MMA competitions are held at much larger venues, have regulations similar to
   boxing and must have a physician available who can stop the fight if they determine a fighter cannot
   continue physically.

   “I am currently treating four patients in my practice who participate in mixed martial arts,” says Dr.
   Tsai. “They enjoy the sport because it is so physical, so ‘in your face’. But because it is such a violent
   physical activity, participants can get injured and require the services of a trained physician.” Unlike
   boxing which has two “zones of concern”, the head and neck and the trunk of the body, MMA has
   six zones for attack – head and neck, truck, right and left arm and right and left leg. Participants ave 300% more body parts at risk for injury – in essence fighters have a greater risk of injury and a
   greater need for a ringside doctor.

   Dr. Tsai’s has been ringside physician in the past for amateur boxing. His interest in MMA stems
   from having trained in Judo and Karate in his youth. It was a natural evolution for him to from
   covering boxing to MMA as cage fighting has come out of the shadows to become a legitimately
   sanctioned and regulated sport.

7. Getting to Know Your Surgeon: Wine Making with Dr. Davis Tsai

   February 11, 2013 5:27 pm
   
   

   The women at the Kennedy Center gave me a home wine-making kit for Christmas last year and that started my wine making hobby. Since then, I have been experimenting with several wine varieties and flavors. With the kit, I have been using pre-pressed juices to make wine. The price of the juices varies depending on region, country, year, and whether it is a single harvest or a blend from different vineyards. I even paid my son and niece to run through the woods and collect frost grapes native to Wisconsin and Minnesota to see what kind of wine they would produce. Unfortunately, the results of this batch tasted like V-8 juice and had to be discarded. Because I didn’t have a press, I had to squeeze the juice of the frost grapes in a juice bag by hand, which turned out to be both labor intensive and undrinkable. But I have to say, my son and I are having a lot of fun trying new combinations of grapes and techniques to make drinkable wines. It becomes even more of a challenge as I don’t drink and my son sure doesn’t. I have to try out each new batch on my wife or other willing volunteers.

   Because the wine making kit that the Kennedy Center women gave me is so extensive, I can vary the flavor of the wine by changing yeast species. I can increase the alcohol content to as high as 18%, which is higher than U.S. store bought wine, which ranges between 12% and 14%, and I can also lower the alcohol content. I also tend to use less preservative. The white wines can be drunk in a few months, but the reds have to sit for over a year to develop their flavor completely.

   It is a fun project for my son and me to do together. Because I’m not a drinker, I have been giving away my creations. We can make about 250 gallons before the tax man shows up. Luckily, we’re only making 3 gallons and giving it away to friends and colleagues. The good news is, wine making is less labor intensive than cigar making, an activity I attempted some years ago with disastrous results.

   About the Kennedy Center for the Hip and Knee:

   If you think you’re a good candidate for shoulder, knee or hip surgery, consider a Wisconsin orthopedic surgeon at The Kennedy Center for the Hip and Knee in Oshkosh. Our doctors are board certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and are members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.