R. William Junius, MD, board-certified in orthopedics and sports medicine, practices with Crescent City Orthopedics in Metairie, La. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Fort Worth, Texas affiliated hospitals. Dr. Junius is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and member of the Louisiana Orthopedic Association.
Here he discusses his desire to enhance the quality of patients' lives, the growing trend of customized implants and what he sees for the future of orthopedics.
Q: Why did you choose to become an orthopedic surgeon?
Dr. R. William Junius: First, I chose a surgical specialty in large part because of my background and personality. Generally, surgeons enjoy the challenges, pressure and sense of accomplishment when affecting healing through surgical techniques. As far as orthopedics goes, I looked at many different surgical specialties. I felt that orthopedics gave me the best opportunity to enhance the quality of people's lives. Sure it's a great feeling to save somebody's life, but helping a person to resume an active life and to pursue his or her physical goals is more satisfying to me.
Q: What are currently the most important trends in personalized medicine?
RJ: In the past we have focused on a one-size-fits-all approach. This led to the majority of people doing well after these types of surgery; however, a certain percentage of people were not ideal due to their unique body types and therefore were either not candidates for a particular procedure or had less than ideal results. Personalized surgery including the use of personalized insertion equipment and especially personalized implants will likely improve our results over a wide range of different body types and anatomy.
Q: What do orthopedic surgeons need to understand about the differences between off-the-shelf and personalized implants?
RJ: Each person has subtle differences in their anatomy. Off-the-shelf implant shapes are generated from anatomical population studies. These implants may fit some patients well but others not so well. Because of variations in muscle and ligament attachment points as well as bony anatomy, the off-the-shelf implants may not offer the improved kinematics that patient-matched implants offer.
Q: What advice do you have for orthopedic surgeons seeking to provide the best possible patient-centric care?
RJ: Tailor the treatment plan to each specific patient. Additionally, well-educated patients that participate in their care and decision-making will have better outcomes and higher satisfaction with their treatment.
Q: You have several areas of expertise including sports medicine, fracture care, joint replacement and hand surgery. How do you see these specialties changing over the next few years?
RJ: From a technical standpoint, minimally invasive, personalized and biologic treatment strategies will continue to improve. Of course, with the aging population demand will increase. However, the biggest factor in which treatments will be rendered in the U.S. is the new healthcare law. I am concerned that this will lead to a stifling of new technologies and improved treatment over cost concerns and decision-making being in the hands of the insurance companies and/or the government.
Q: What accomplishment as an orthopedic surgeon are you most proud of?
RJ: I am most proud, personally, each day when a satisfied patient comes back excited to relate how well they are doing after our care, particularly surgery. The ability to improve someone's quality of life is the most satisfying and humbling aspect of my practice.
A series of articles featuring orthopedic surgeons on issues ranging from personal background to current research developments is published weekly. We invite all orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists to participate.
If you are interested please email cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com.
More Articles on Sports Medicine:
30 Spine Surgeons With Interest in Sports Medicine
4 Points on Failure After Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
10 Orthopedic Surgeons Recently Treating Professional Athletes
Here he discusses his desire to enhance the quality of patients' lives, the growing trend of customized implants and what he sees for the future of orthopedics.
Q: Why did you choose to become an orthopedic surgeon?
Dr. R. William Junius: First, I chose a surgical specialty in large part because of my background and personality. Generally, surgeons enjoy the challenges, pressure and sense of accomplishment when affecting healing through surgical techniques. As far as orthopedics goes, I looked at many different surgical specialties. I felt that orthopedics gave me the best opportunity to enhance the quality of people's lives. Sure it's a great feeling to save somebody's life, but helping a person to resume an active life and to pursue his or her physical goals is more satisfying to me.
Q: What are currently the most important trends in personalized medicine?
RJ: In the past we have focused on a one-size-fits-all approach. This led to the majority of people doing well after these types of surgery; however, a certain percentage of people were not ideal due to their unique body types and therefore were either not candidates for a particular procedure or had less than ideal results. Personalized surgery including the use of personalized insertion equipment and especially personalized implants will likely improve our results over a wide range of different body types and anatomy.
Q: What do orthopedic surgeons need to understand about the differences between off-the-shelf and personalized implants?
RJ: Each person has subtle differences in their anatomy. Off-the-shelf implant shapes are generated from anatomical population studies. These implants may fit some patients well but others not so well. Because of variations in muscle and ligament attachment points as well as bony anatomy, the off-the-shelf implants may not offer the improved kinematics that patient-matched implants offer.
Q: What advice do you have for orthopedic surgeons seeking to provide the best possible patient-centric care?
RJ: Tailor the treatment plan to each specific patient. Additionally, well-educated patients that participate in their care and decision-making will have better outcomes and higher satisfaction with their treatment.
Q: You have several areas of expertise including sports medicine, fracture care, joint replacement and hand surgery. How do you see these specialties changing over the next few years?
RJ: From a technical standpoint, minimally invasive, personalized and biologic treatment strategies will continue to improve. Of course, with the aging population demand will increase. However, the biggest factor in which treatments will be rendered in the U.S. is the new healthcare law. I am concerned that this will lead to a stifling of new technologies and improved treatment over cost concerns and decision-making being in the hands of the insurance companies and/or the government.
Q: What accomplishment as an orthopedic surgeon are you most proud of?
RJ: I am most proud, personally, each day when a satisfied patient comes back excited to relate how well they are doing after our care, particularly surgery. The ability to improve someone's quality of life is the most satisfying and humbling aspect of my practice.
A series of articles featuring orthopedic surgeons on issues ranging from personal background to current research developments is published weekly. We invite all orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists to participate.
If you are interested please email cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com.
More Articles on Sports Medicine:
30 Spine Surgeons With Interest in Sports Medicine
4 Points on Failure After Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
10 Orthopedic Surgeons Recently Treating Professional Athletes