A common orthopedic pitfall is using x-rays as the sole tool in diagnosing orthopedic injuries. In emergency rooms, one of the most common medical errors are misdiagnoses in orthopedic situations1. About 20% to 30% of scaphoid fractures may not be seen on initial x-rays. In fact, among all fractures, about 5% of acute fractures do not appear on initial x-rays2.
There are many different types of orthopedic conditions that can affect patients of all ages. They can range from arthritis and bursitis which generally don’t require surgery, to dislocation and fractures that can require surgery.
If your orthopedic diagnosis includes a recommendation for surgery, seeking a second opinion may help you better understand the surgical risks, benefits, or potential complications.
What can we do for you?
Dr. John Renford Burleson is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with extensive
expertise in minimally invasive, robotic, and complex deformity spine surgeries. He earned his
medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his
residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, where he
also conducted a year of research. Dr. Burleson further honed his skills with a spine surgery
fellowship at the Texas Back Institute. His professional interests include spinal robotics, surgical
navigation, and augmented reality. Dr. Burleson is a member of the American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, and the Society for Minimally Invasive
Spine Surgery. He is passionate about advancing spine surgery techniques to improve patient
outcomes.
Mark G. Siegel, M.D. is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint reconstruction,
joint replacement, and sports medicine. He graduated summa cum laude from Boston University
with a B.A. and an M.D. through an honors six-year program. Dr. Siegel completed his
residency in surgery and orthopedics, as well as his chief residency in orthopedics at Mount
Sinai Hospital in New York. He then pursued a fellowship in arthroscopy and knee ligament
reconstructions at the prestigious Cincinnati Sports medicine and Orthopaedic Center. He is
Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a Diplomate of the
Americans Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Siegel has held numerous positions
including being Director of Orthopedics at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati and Medical Director of
Genex. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American
Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. He has been an associate editor for the Journal of
Arthroscopy and has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers. He is often asked for his expert
opinion regarding standards of care and treatment and has written two self-help books to
educate patients on knee replacement.