The beginning of the school year is an exciting time. There are new classes, visits with friends you’ve not seen all summer, and upcoming sports seasons to enjoy! But rather quickly, the school year can become pretty stressful with sports activities, part-time jobs, cramming for exams, and all sorts of extra-curricular activities. […]
When members of the Scoliosis Research Society gather this fall to observe the 50th anniversary of the renowned organization’s founding, one of IBJI’s experts will be on hand for the celebration. Steven Mardjetko, MD, is among the most highly regarded physicians in the world when it comes to scoliosis research, treatment and innovation. […]
IBJI spine surgeon Dr. Eric Belin describes the life-changing procedure that’s making headlines A 10-month-old girl who was born with four legs and two spines is doing remarkably well following a complex surgery that took place on March 8. IBJI’s Eric Belin, M.D., was the orthopedic surgeon on the surgical team assembled to operate on Dominique, an infant born in west Africa with an exceptionally rare condition. […]
Have you seen kids heading back to school with backpacks almost as big as they are? Their packs are stuffed with homework and books and laptops, old lunches and things better left unexamined. […]
Dr. Taizoon H. Baxamusa, FACS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery. He specializes in the treatment of hand conditions, including arthritis, nerve compression, fractures and lacerations. He also treats shoulder and elbow conditions, including diseases of the tendon such as tennis elbow and rotator cuff tears. He provides joint replacement surgery and offers minimally invasive surgery, including small joint arthroscopy. He seeks to make sure his patients understand their condition so they can be part of the treatment process. He is mindful that his job is not finished upon completing a patient’s surgery, but extends through recovery. He chose to specialize in orthopedics because of the satisfaction he receives from returning patients to normal [...]
Dr. Alfonso Bello is a board-certified rheumatologist with an additional board certification in pain medicine. He provides care for arthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Bello provides advanced treatments, including the latest forms of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biologic therapies. He puts particular emphasis on strategies to control patients’ pain, whatever the cause may be. He takes a holistic approach that combines medication with physical therapy, nutritional therapy and other treatments. His goal is to put patients’ illnesses into remission and to restore their quality of life. Dr. Bello is the director of rheumatologic research at IBJI. He and his fellow IBJI rheumatologists are conducting multiple clinical trials of new medications, providing patients with the opportunity to take part in these [...]
Dr. Marc Breslow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in sports medicine. He treats athletes of all ages, from children to the elderly and specializes in treating knee and shoulder problems, although he also treats other injuries caused by sports, hobbies or work. The most common shoulder problems he cares for are rotator cuff tears, fractures, dislocations and separations, and he commonly treats knee injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and tendons. In most cases, he is able to treat patients with non-surgical methods. When surgery is needed, Dr. Breslow is able to offer most patients minimally invasive/arthroscopic procedures which decrease patient discomfort and speed recovery times. Dr. Breslow stresses communication with his patients and [...]
Dr. Chams is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, knee and shoulder disorders. He was fellowship trained at the prestigious Southern California Orthopedic Institute where he received specialized training in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of complex knee and shoulder disorders and sports injuries. After his fellowship, he introduced many of these innovative procedures that had not previously been performed to the area, including cartilage restoration. Dr. Chams has been in practice with the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute for over 20 years where he currently serves as a board member. His extensive Sports Medicine experience includes treating thousands of professional, NCAA, amateur athletes, as well as work-related injuries. He is the team physician for the Chicago Red [...]
Dr. Eric Chehab is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in sports medicine. He provides general fracture care and specializes in the treatment of sports related injuries, in particular to the knee and shoulder. Dr. Chehab provides advanced treatments for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears and shoulder instability, and soft tissue and bone trauma. A graduate of Harvard and Stanford, he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City - recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the nation’s #1 hospital for orthopedics. He completed his advanced training in sports medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, where he apprenticed with the head [...]
What Is a Pediatric Rheumatic Disease? A physician has diagnosed your child with a rheumatic disease and you don’t even know what that is. Most simply, rheumatic diseases are usually an autoimmune disorder that affects the bones, joints and muscles. […]
You're invited to our Crystal Lake Open House! Join us Thursday, May 30 at 5 p.m. Meet the team, tour our new space and learn about our services. Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
A 10-month-old girl who was born with four legs and two spines is doing remarkably well following a complex surgery that took place on March 8. IBJI’s Eric Belin, M.D., was the orthopedic surgeon on the surgical team assembled to operate on Dominique, an infant born in west Africa with an exceptionally rare condition. […]
IBJI is well known among patients and the orthopaedic community for its expertise in treating spinal conditions. […]
Dr. Jonathan Erulkar is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in non-operative and operative management of cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), and lumbar (lower back) conditions. In providing care, Dr. Erulkar tailors his treatments to the individual patient by correlating and considering medical history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging as well as work/social circumstances. He strives to guide and educate his patients through non-operative treatments as well as considering their surgical options. He is experienced in performing microdiscectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion and instrumentation surgeries. In many cases, these can be performed using minimally invasive techniques which can reduce post- operative strain on the patient and minimize recovery times. Dr. Erulkar completed a combined Spine Surgery Fellowship at the New England Baptist [...]
The weightless feeling from a trampoline can be a thrilling experience. Children enjoy jumping on a trampoline and love to see how much height they can get with every jump. Although jumping on a trampoline is fun, it can be dangerous and cause injury. Jumping on a trampoline poses a high risk of injury for children. Injuries that can result include sprains, fractures, and head and neck injuries. Andrea Kramer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric orthopedics at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, sees a lot of trampoline injuries during the summer months. She says, “At least 10 a week and then in the winter all of these new indoor trampoline parks keep me busy. I see a [...]
What Parents Should Know about Single-Sport Focus and How it May Impact Your Child As just about any parent today can tell you, the world of youth sports looks a lot different than it did a generation ago. Young children – boys and girls alike – are signing up in droves for team sports like soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Increasingly, these young athletes are being encouraged to commit to a club sport, meaning they may be training in a single sport as many as five days a week. […]
The warm summer weather means more time outside and taking your children to the playground. While playgrounds are a great way for children to stay healthy and active, they can also cause injuries. One wrong move when jumping, sliding, or swinging on playground equipment can lead to a sprain, fracture or concussion. When arriving at the playground, there are a few easy steps that you can take to manage the risk that your children may encounter. Ensure that the playground has safe surfacing around and beneath equipment. Avoid playgrounds with non-impact absorbing surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt and gravel. Sand, pea gravel, wood chips, mulch and shredded rubber are better surface options because they help to absorb [...]
Why Did Your Child Get Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis? JIA, or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, is the most widely diagnosed arthritis in kids 16 years old or younger. […]
When many people think of arthritis, they think of a condition that affects older patients. While it is true that many forms of arthritis affect seniors due to overuse or other long-lasting medical conditions. […]
Dr. Andrea Kramer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric orthopedics. She provides treatments for all the major congenital disorders, including hip dysplasia, club feet, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and down syndrome. She also provides care for scoliosis and traumatic injuries. Dr. Kramer offers the most up to date surgical and clinical techniques, including the latest in fracture fixation and bracing. She believes that as a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon she has special responsibilities to the children that she treats. Not only does she make certain that parents understand the treatment options presented, but she also ensures that each of her patients gets the personal attention they need so that they are comfortable and fully understand what happens during every [...]
Alan C. League, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle reconstruction. He provides care for the full range of foot and ankle problems. When appropriate, Dr. League offers arthroscopy (minimally invasive surgery) to reduce stress on the patient and speed recovery times. His patients also are able to enjoy the benefits of the major improvements recently made in the prostheses used for ankle replacement. Most patients see Dr. League for treatment of pain of some kind. Often, Dr. League is able to achieve a successful outcome with non-surgical treatments that other physicians haven’t tried. A former wide receiver for the Northwestern University football team, Dr. League personally experienced orthopedic injuries, which led him to his [...]
Magnets are Helping Make Back Braces a Thing of the Past Cal Sorensen is an 11-year-old who loves to play sports. After years of being in a back brace failed to straighten his severely curved spine, Cal can now shoot, swing and throw thanks to a new technique doctors are increasingly using for growing patients. […]
Dr. Steven Mardjetko is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in treating spine conditions, with an emphasis on pediatric spinal deformities, including early onset spinal deformity. He provides the gamut of treatment options for very young children all the way to adults, including advanced techniques not widely available. Because he treats adults as well as children and has been in practice for more than two decades, Dr. Mardjetko is able to understand how a spinal condition will affect a child later in life and to provide treatment that keeps long-term outcomes in mind. He was drawn to the challenge of pediatric orthopedics. He honed his abilities caring for children with rare conditions for 17 years at Shriners Hospital for Children in [...]
Dr. Mark Mikhael is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgical treatment of spine disorders such as disc herniations, stenosis, fractures, instability and degeneration (arthritis). His special interest is in complex cervical spine surgery. Whenever possible, he offers minimally invasive surgical techniques, which help avoid complications and reduce patient recovery times. He also has extensive experience in nerve decompression surgery and complex spinal reconstruction. Dr. Mikhael works with each patient to explore conservative treatment options before pursuing surgery. His goal for each patient is to increase their ability to engage in the activities they enjoy while reducing their pain and discomfort. He keeps informed of the latest developments in his field through his work as a manuscript reviewer for the journal [...]
These are the words of a grateful mother for the exceptional orthopedic care received for her son Ned Bryant. […]
Many toddlers love to get swung by their arms. The feeling of flying through the air while safely protected by mom or dad is almost irresistible to them. […]
Pediatric Orthopedic Care IBJI annually cares for thousands of young patients with orthopedic concerns ranging from minor sports injuries such as sprains and concussions, to more serious musculoskeletal ailments such as fractures and torn ligaments. IBJI is home to a staff of expert physicians and specialists that are committed to a comprehensive approach to treatment from diagnostics to treatment and rehabilitation. The mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of the child or young adult are all equally important during the healing process, as childhood injuries can be impactful on a young person’s life. IBJI practices orthopedic care of children and young adults at its 20 locations in and around Chicago, Illinois. Find the location nearest you for [...]
Adolescent Athlete Knee Pain, is it Osgood-Schlatter Disease? Osgood-Schlatter is a painful disease that occurs on the tibial tubercule, which is right under the knee on the upper portion of the shinbone on adolescent’s who are going through growth spurts. […]
Pediatric Services Childhood injury and illness can be quite frightening and overwhelming for children and their families to experience. At IBJI, the health and wellness of its young patients is taken very seriously. Highly-trained physicians, nurses and staff specializing in a wide-range of pediatric medicine work collaboratively to provide the best, most comprehensive care possible. IBJI helps to put your worries and fears behind when it comes to your child’s injury or illness. Individualized care is provided to young patients with a wide range of needs from orthopedic care, sports medicine, orthopedic oncology services, physical therapy, and beyond. Begin your child’s path to recovery today at the IBJI location near you. Pediatric Orthopedics Pediatric orthopedic care [...]
If a pediatric orthopedic physician gives your child a diagnosis of Perthes disease it’s not the end of the world. […]
Getting your children involved in sports early is a great way for them to learn leadership and other social skills, as well as learn the value of hard work. […]
“I do not mean to pry, but you don’t by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?” Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride. The swashbuckling character Inigo Montoya in the princess bride made the […]
Dr. Gregory Portland is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with an additional certification in sports medicine. He specializes in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery, including repair of dislocated shoulders; injuries to the rotator cuff, shoulder tendons, and knee ligaments; and meniscus (knee disk) tears. Depending on what is medically appropriate, he offers patients the most advanced arthroscopic and open incision surgical techniques. Dr. Portland sustained injuries while playing college rugby, and the pleasure his doctor took in his work and the physician’s ability to repair the injuries and enable him to return to the same level of competitiveness inspired him to become an orthopaedic surgeon himself. He sees his first role in providing care as being to educate patients to make [...]
Injury is a part of sports. If you play a sport, you stand a chance of becoming injured. Parents accept that if their children are athletic, they may be injured at one point or another. […]
Pediatric Rheumatology Care Pediatric rheumatology is a branch of medicine dedicated to the study and treatment of diseases that affect the joints, muscles and connective tissue in children. These are autoimmune and inflammatory ailments that can be quite painful and even debilitating for young patients. At IBJI, highly-trained physicians specializing in the treatment of pediatric rheumatic diseases will work with you and your child to achieve proper diagnosis, remission and pain management. For questions, appointment or consultation contact the IBJI location nearest you. Pediatric Rheumatic Syndromes and Diseases Rheumatic diseases and syndromes affecting the joints, muscles and connective tissue can quite painful for children. Depending on the condition, symptoms can include chronic pain, swelling and stiffness [...]
Dr. Gary Shapiro is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating spine problems in adults and children. He has particular interest in sports related spinal injuries and has treated professional athletes from around the world, including serving for three years as the official spine surgeon for the Chicago Bears. In many cases, Dr. Shapiro is able to treat patients with non-surgical methods. When surgery is needed, he often is able to perform minimally invasive procedures, which decrease patient discomfort and speed recovery times. The combination of his interest in science and his desire to help people led Dr. Shapiro to become a doctor. His care is marked by his empathy for patients and true commitment to their best interests. [...]
Dr. Richard Sherman is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in treating disorders of the knee, hip and shoulder, including sports injuries, trauma and the various forms of arthritis. He offers patients the latest techniques in joint replacement, as well as arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery, which reduces pain and speeds recovery times. His father was a pediatrician, and seeing the difference he made in children’s lives and the satisfaction he took from it inspired Dr. Sherman to become a doctor himself. A careful listener, he seeks to understand fully each patient’s medical problem and desired results from treatment. He tries conservative treatments first whenever possible and only proceeds with surgery when it clearly is needed. He has been the [...]
Dr. Lori Siegel is a board-certified rheumatologist who provides treatment for all autoimmune conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma. She provides advanced treatments, including ultrasound-guided injections, and also is able to refer patients to clinical trials of promising new medications being conducted by her IBJI rheumatology colleagues. Fascinated by science and the workings of the human body, Dr. Siegel wanted to be a physician from the time she was six years old. She chose to specialize in rheumatology because it is a field of medicine in which doctors and patients work together as a team. Approachable and easy to confide in, Dr. Siegel stresses building a partnership with her patients, many of whom have conditions that are [...]
Dr. Christian Skjong is an orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. Treating adults, adolescents and children, Dr. Skjong sees many patients with sports-related injuries to the hand, wrist, arm or elbow. Among his specialties are microvascular surgery and small joint replacement. He also treats patients with carpel tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s Contracture. A native of Minnesota, Dr. Skjong earned his bachelor of arts in biology at Carleton College before moving to Chicago to study at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at University of Chicago Medical Center and his fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence, [...]
Dr. Charles Slack is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in treating disorders of the spine, including herniated (ruptured) disks and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). His current practice focuses on non-surgical interventional treatments of the spine, including injection therapy to treat degenerative disorders of the spine. Since he was young, Dr. Slack wanted to become a doctor and was inspired in part by his own family doctor, who was thoroughly dedicated to helping people - even making house calls to provide care. Dr. Slack was drawn to orthopedics by the opportunity it provided to produce definitive improvements in patients’ health and to spine care in particular by the challenge spine conditions pose. In providing care, Dr. Slack looks [...]
Pediatric Sports Medicine For young, fearless athletes with dreams of Olympic medals and Heisman Trophies, an injury can be frustrating or devastating. Hours of dedication and practice suddenly seem all for naught when injury put them on the bench. At IBJI experts in Pediatric Sports Medicine are here to help your child on their path to recovery. Great care is taken in proper diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and injury prevention. Our goal is to provide a sustainable and personalized treatment plan that keeps your child going strong, long after they have recovered. Choose from one of IBJI’s 20 locations in and around Chicago, Illinois for appointment and consultation. Pediatric Sports Injuries, Treatments and Services The physicians in [...]
While many adults have experienced some type of orthopedic injury, approximately 3.5 million children in the US have experienced an injury that causes musculoskeletal issues. […]
Advocate Children’s Hospital, Spring 2014 Newsletter Born with a short femur, Claire Jermone waited until a new technology was available to lengthen her limb in a safe and less invasive manner. […]
In 2013, Tom Sora was headed for a distinguished college football career. The high school senior was defensive captain of his team at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles and college scouts had their eyes on him. […]
A founding member of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Dr. Jeffrey L. Visotsky is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery. He specializes in hand, elbow and shoulder reconstruction procedures. Dr. Visotsky performs rotator cuff repairs, shoulder instability reconstruction, primary and reverse shoulder replacement, tennis elbow surgery, and all hand procedures, including reconstruction, reimplementation and carpal tunnel surgery. When medically appropriate, Dr. Visotsky provides advanced treatments including arthroscopy and the use of platelet-rich plasma injections to stimulate tissue healing. In many cases, Dr. Visotsky is able to treat patients successfully using non-surgical methods. His goal is to restore each patient back to the normal function in their activities of daily living and sports. Dr. Visotsky has been [...]
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that is normally caused by bacteria. It is seen most frequently in children and typically affects the long leg bones, the long arm, and vertebrae. […]
Specializing in one sport may seem like a good idea to young athletes hoping to reach the top of their game, but it can also lead to injuries that force players to take time off for recovery. […]
