September 29, 2015 (BOONE, NC) – For city slicker Barry Hersh, a native of Brooklyn, NY and a long time resident of Miami, FL the initial thought of having surgery in the rural mountains of North Carolina seemed out of the question. However, that all changed last year after meeting Dr. Evan Ekman of Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center (AppOrtho) at Hound Ears Club.
The story began last summer, when Barry suffered an unfortunate fall down his deck staircase. After conducting a self assessment, which revealed that he still had functionality, Barry decided to “wait and see” in regard to scheduling a doctor’s appointment. In the interim, he attended guest lecturer, Dr. Evan Ekman’s Medicine in your Life talk which was conveniently scheduled a few days after the incident.
“I was very impressed by Dr. Ekman’s presentation,” said Barry. “His orthopaedic lecture was timely for me because I was able to ask him about my fall and my lingering pain. After listening to my injury account and doing an initial assessment at the Club, Dr. Ekman suggested that I schedule a consult appointment at AppOrtho. As things turned out, I’m glad I did.”
An x-ray revealed that Barry had a partial tear in his rotator cuff. In search of a non-operative solution, Dr. Ekman recommended that he undergo physical therapy at The Rehabilitation Center in Boone. Barry was pleased to discover that he could avoid surgery and receive top quality rehab without having to travel off of the mountain. After only a few weeks of rehab, he noticed significant pain reduction and improved functionality in his injured arm.
A few months later, as the weather cooled and the leaves began to fall from the trees, the retired summer resident returned to his home in Miami. Thanks to his success with rehab, he was able to spend his winter months playing golf and riding his bike. That was until he detected a new pain, this time in his hand, causing his fingers to go numb while riding his bike for extended periods of time.
“In the past, I would have just gone to my orthopaedic doctor in Florida,” said Barry. “However, I was so impressed with Dr. Ekman and the rehab services offered in the mountains of North Carolina that I decided to wait and see him again when I returned in the spring.”
After examining his hand, Dr. Ekman recommended that Barry undergo Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR) Surgery at Watauga Medical Center. Dr. Ekman explained that the recently renovated and state-of-the-art operating room at the hospital was well-equipped to accommodate this particular endoscopic procedure. He went on to explain that ECTR is less invasive than the traditional Carpal Tunnel surgery and thus minimizes pain and soft tissue trauma post surgery. Barry agreed to have the procedure and it was scheduled a few days later.
“I was very impressed with the entire medical staff at Watauga Medical Center,” shared Barry who recounts being a bit nervous prior to surgery. “When Dr. Ekman first came in I remember apologizing to him because at that point they had taken my glasses and I could no longer see him very clearly. I remember, through a reassuring smile, he told me that it was okay and for me not to worry because he could see me just fine. His confident and steady demeanor was very comforting.”
Barry opted to forgo anesthesia and have the procedure performed with a local anesthesia so he could witness Dr. Ekman and the medical staff at work. Dr. Ekman began the procedure by making a very small incision in Barry’s wrist. Next, he placed a tiny telescope into the incision which allowed him to visualize the carpal canal on three large screen monitors suspended around the operating table. With clear visibility, Dr. Ekman was able to release the carpal tunnel. From start to finish the procedure took less than thirty minutes.
“From my front row perspective all I could do was marvel at how smoothly everything was coordinated,” said Barry. “The staff took extra time to explain each step of the procedure for me and I found the whole process to be a tremendous educational experience.”
A week later, his stitches were removed at AppOrtho and Dr. Ekman stated that it was safe for him to participate again in recreational activities.
“Barry is a great example of a patient who has discovered one of the best kept secrets of the High Country, said Dr. Ekman. “It is well known that the area is a top tourist destination thanks to its plethora of outdoor activities. However, thanks to Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS), the region has also developed into a Medical Tourism destination. We have noticed a steady uptick in the number of seasonal residents who are opting to avoid the concrete jungle of the big city and wait to have their procedures and rehab done while vacationing in the mountains.”
To learn about the Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center, call 828-386-BONE or visit www.apphrs.org.
Leave a Reply