Picture Above

George Aguiar, MD, (front) and David J. Novak, MD, (right) both Commonwealth Orthopaedics physicians, demonstrate arthroscopic shoulder repair for orthopaedic residents from Georgetown University
Medical Center.

Areas of Expertise:

Orthopaedic Surgery/Medicine
Arthroscopic Surgery
Sports Medicine
Fracture Care
Total Joint Replacement
Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery
Shoulder Surgery
Knee Surgery
Spine Surgery
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Trauma Care
Pain Management
Arthritis
Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Total Joint • Spine
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

The Joint Commission Accreditation

In earning accreditation from the
Joint Commission, an independent health care accreditation and certification organization,
Commonwealth Orthopaedics was
evaluated against a set of national standards by a Joint Commission survey team experienced in the delivery of state-of-the-art ambulatory health care services. Achieving this elite accreditation demonstrates our commitment to provide the highest quality, safest care to our patients.

Physician Education

HANDS DOWN, HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION IS BEST

Cadaver lab provides learning opportunity for Georgetown surgical residents
By George Aguiar, MD, and Susan Kenney, RN, CNOR, RNFA, Nurse Manager

On April 22, 2006, Commonwealth Orthopaedics hosted its second cadaver lab focusing on arthroscopic shoulder repair skills — this time inviting orthopaedic residents from Georgetown University Medical Center to attend and participate. After holding our first successful shoulder cadaver lab in the fall of 2005 for several of our own physician colleagues, we wanted to extend an exclusive learning opportunity to local surgical residents.

Learning from the Best

Given that more than one-third of Commonwealth physicians have strong ties to the Georgetown University Medical Center program, it was a fitting service to offer a lab that would give the residents an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the newest procedures and latest technology. Seeing the explosive growth in arthroscopic techniques for the repair of shoulder injuries in recent years, we were eager to facilitate a lab that would provide the residents a chance to practice their skills hands-on while simultaneously interacting with our experienced surgeons who regularly perform these types of procedures.

Partnering with Smith & Nephew, a provider of leading-edge products and equipment for orthopaedic surgeries, we set up the working shoulder skills cadaver lab at our Fairfax ambulatory surgery center. Five Commonwealth physicians who specialize in arthroscopic repair of both shoulders and knees dedicated the day to acting as instructors and mentors to the residents. John Klimkiewicz, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Georgetown and a specialist in arthroscopic repairs, served as the special guest instructor for the event.

Although difficult to coordinate, cadaver labs are hands-on and mimic working on a real patient, which allows participants to practice various techniques and gain firsthand experience without risking outcomes. Thirteen Georgetown residents, first- to fourth-year orthopaedic residents, participated in our shoulder lab. Working with experienced surgeons who have practiced all over the country, the residents were able to ask questions and observe variations in sequence, steps, and instrumentation to determine which techniques work best for them.

Improving Procedures

While the primary goal of the cadaver lab is to help surgical residents familiarize themselves with the newest procedures, the labs also function as a forum where practicing surgeons can learn from each other and improve their own techniques. Arthroscopic procedures are constantly evolving, and the challenge remains for us to determine which procedures will pass the test of time. We must continuously evaluate whether newer techniques totally replace or simply improve older procedures

In the cadaver lab forum, we can raise these issues, discuss some of our own outcomes, and proceed with demonstrating the techniques we prefer on the cadavers. In some cases, the discussion and exchange of ideas that arise out of the forum impact the way we perform future procedures.

Looking to the Future

At Commonwealth Orthopaedics, we continuously strive to provide the best repairs using the latest technologies to attain consistently excellent outcomes. Since we serve a well-educated local population, patients are aware of their surgical options and often request a certain type of procedure when they come for an office visit.

Our surgeons, therefore, are looking to the future knowing that we must stay abreast of the newest technologies and techniques to offer our patients the best available orthopaedic care. And with Georgetown University so near in proximity and relationship, we endeavor to give back to its orthopaedic residency program the knowledge and experience that we can share with tomorrow’s surgeons to further enrich our local medical community.

George Aguiar, MD, earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He continued his medical education at Georgetown, where he completed both his internship and orthopaedic residency. He is Coordinator of the Educational Cadaver Labs for Commonwealth Orthopaedics and serves on the Operating and Credentialing Committees of Reston Hospital. He is also active with other area hospitals. Dr. Aguiar is Team Physician for Langley High School and regularly devotes time to seeing athletes at school. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Susan Kenney, RN, CNOR, RNFA, is the Nurse Manager for Commonwealth Orthopaedics’ ambulatory surgery center in Herndon. As a former member of the orthopaedic team at Georgetown University Hospital, Kenney is pleased to support the orthopaedic residency program and assist the Commonwealth organization through her active involvement in coordinating the Educational Skills Labs at Commonwealth Orthopaedics.