Latest news with #HospitalForSpecialSurgery
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dr. David Altchek, Mets medical director and Tommy John surgery pioneer, dies at 68
NEW YORK — Dr. David Altchek, who performed more than 2,000 Tommy John surgeries and was the New York Mets longtime medical director, died Thursday. He was 68. His death was announced by the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he was co-chief emeritus. Altchek told associates last year he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was the Mets head team physician from 1991-2001 and medical director from 2005-24, physician of the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1999-2003 and North American medical director of the ATP Tour. Altchek was co-chief of HSS's sports medicine and shoulder service from 2005-14. 'While Dr. Altchek's intelligence and innovations certainly benefited his patients — and sports medicine in general — his biggest impact was his warm, friendly, caring personality,' said Glenn S. Fleisig, biomechanics research director of the American Sports Medicine Institute. 'Colleagues, friends, and patients all loved David and are thankful for the time we had with him.' A son of orthopedic surgeon Martin Altchek, David attended Middletown High School in New York, received his undergraduate degree at Columbia and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1982. He interned at The New York Hospital and became a resident at HSS, where he had a fellowship under Dr. Russell Warren, HSS's surgeon in chief from 1993-03 and a longtime team physician of the New York Giants. 'My first Tommy John surgery was in 1993, and I did the procedure that Dr. Jobe, Dr. Frank Jobe prescribed,' Altchek said during a 2024 interview with The Associated Press. 'It took 2 1/2 hours and I was exhausted. And I realized then that we had to do something about Tommy John surgery. We had to make it a little bit easier.' Working with residents and fellows, Altchek developed what was called a docking procedure and tested it on about 100 elbows. 'It worked and it worked amazingly well,' Altchek said. 'We really did not change it at all for 20-something years.' Altchek estimated last year he had performed more than 2,400 Tommy John surgeries. He was a preferred surgeon for the Tommy John procedure in recent years along with Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister and Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. 'Renowned worldwide for his surgical expertise, he was equally admired for the compassion and care he showed to our players,' Mets owner Steve Cohen and wife Alex said in a statement. Part of Altchek's job was to reassure a player his baseball career was not over. 'You tell them this is unfortunate, but this is your MRI. This is probably why it happened — meaning you threw outside the envelope of your tissue quality," he explained. 'But we have a procedure that can repair your ligament and reconstruct it in a kind of belt, suspenders way that once it heals the likelihood of you going back to pitching at the same level or above is 95%.' Altchek received Columbia's John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement in 2003. He is survived by his wife, the former Anne Salmson, whom he married in 1981, sons Charles and Christopher, and daughters Chloe and Sophie. Charles is president of Major League Soccer's third-tier MLS Next Pro minor league and was the Ivy League men's soccer player of the year while at Harvard in 2005 and 2006. By Ronald Blum.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Dr. David Altchek, Mets medical director and tommy john surgery pioneer, dies at 68
Dr. David Altchek, who performed more than 2000 Tommy John surgeries and was the New York Mets' longtime medical director, died Thursday. He was 68. His death was announced by the Hospital for Special Surgery where he was co-chief emeritus. Altchek told associates last year he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was the Mets head team physician from 1991-2001 and medical director from 2005-24, physician of the US Davis Cup team from 1999-2003, and North American medical director of the ATP Tour. Altchek was co-chief of HSS's sports medicine and shoulder service from 2005-14. 'While Dr. Altchek's intelligence and innovations certainly benefited his patients – and sports medicine in general – his biggest impact was his warm, friendly, caring personality,' said Glenn S. Fleisig, biomechanics research director of the American Sports Medicine Institute. 'Colleagues, friends, and patients all loved David and are thankful for the time we had with him.' A son of orthopedic surgeon Martin Altchek, David attended Middletown High School in New York, received his undergraduate degree at Columbia, and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1982. He interned at The New York Hospital and became a resident at HSS where he had a fellowship under Dr. Russell Warren, HSS's surgeon in chief from 1993-03 and a longtime team physician of the New York Giants. 'My first Tommy John surgery was in 1993 and I did the procedure that Dr. Jobe – Dr. Frank Jobe – prescribed,' Altchek said during a 2024 interview with The Associated Press. 'It took 2 1/2 hours and I was exhausted. And I realized then that we had to do something about Tommy John surgery. We had to make it a little bit easier.' Working with residents and fellows, Altchek developed what was called a docking procedure and tested it on about 100 elbows. 'It worked and it worked amazingly well,' Altchek said. 'We really did not change it at all for 20-something years.' Altchek estimated last year he had performed more than 2400 Tommy John surgeries. He was a preferred surgeon for the Tommy John procedure in recent years along with Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister and Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Part of Altchek's job was to reassure a player his baseball career was not over. 'You tell them this is unfortunate but this is your MRI. This is probably why it happened – meaning you threw outside the envelope of your tissue quality,' he explained. 'But we have a procedure that can repair your ligament and reconstruct it in a kind of belt suspenders way that once it heals the likelihood of you going back to pitching at the same level or above is 95 percent.' Altchek received Columbia's John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement in 2003. He is survived by his wife, the former Anne Salmson, whom he married in 1981, sons Charles and Christopher, and daughters Chloe and Sophie. Charles is president of Major League Soccer's third-tier MLS Next Pro minor league and was the Ivy League men's soccer player of the year while at Harvard in 2005 and 2006.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Did 'Materialists' Put You Onto Limb-Lengthening Surgery? Here's What It Actually Takes to Gain 6 Inches, According to a Surgeon
People will do just about anything for love. They'll spend hours swiping through dating apps, message strangers halfway across the globe, or agree to blind setups based on a mutual friend's hunch and a vague description. They'll revamp their wardrobe, lease a flashier car, or drop cash on the latest gadgets just to boost their curb appeal. But in the new dramedy Materialists, the search for a soulmate gets taken to new heights. Pedro Pascal's character undergoes leg-lengthening surgery to gain six inches, hoping it'll give him a competitive edge in the modern dating game. And while this might sound like Hollywood satire, the procedure is very real (and increasingly common). Every year, hundreds of men sign up for the grueling, months-long process, which involves breaking the legs and gradually stretching them to gain a few extra inches—all in pursuit of some added height, a little more confidence, and maybe, just maybe, a better shot at romance. Dr. S. Robert Rozbruch, chief of the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service and Director of the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery, told Men's Journal that leg lengthening is a major part of his job. "You're talking to somebody who has a lot of experience with limb-lengthening reconstruction, for a variety of reasons, mostly reconstructive, but stature lengthening is a part of what we do," he says. "If it's done in a responsible manner, i.e., a non-frivolous manner, it's a very powerful procedure, and can be very effective at improving the right patient's quality of life." Simply put, leg lengthening, or stature lengthening, is a surgical procedure designed to increase a person's height. While it's commonly used to correct differences in leg length or treat certain deformities, it's also performed on people with constitutional short stature. This refers to those who are naturally shorter than average, but don't have a medical condition like dwarfism or growth hormone deficiency. The goal for these patients is usually a subtle height increase of about three inches for psychological or aesthetic reasons. Individuals with dwarfism or other medical conditions, on the other hand, may seek more dramatic results. One of the most common concerns people have before leg-lengthening surgery is the pain factor. The surgery itself sounds gruesome enough, but add an extra six months of recovery, and most people won't even consider stepping foot in a doctor's office for a consultation. But according to Dr. Rozbruch, the pain isn't nearly as bad as you might think. "Most patients are off narcotic pain medication within about a week," he says. "We treat patients with multimodal pain management, a mixture of Tylenol and an anti-inflammatory medication, and usually a narcotic." It hasn't always been this way, though. While modern motorized nails have made recovery easier, it was far rougher when external fixators were the norm. To paint a visual, these are metal frames worn outside the body, anchored into the bone with pins or wires that go straight through the skin and muscle. And yes, it's just as uncomfortable as it lengthening surgery involves implanting a STRYDE nail into the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone), with the femur being the most common as it generally heals faster and produces less scarring. This rod gradually lengthens the bone, about one millimeter four times a day, according to Dr. Rozbruch. "They're lengthening in total anywhere from three-quarters to one millimeter a day, depending on their age and depending on how well they're doing," he says. "It's cumulative, so if we're using the maximum lengthening as an example, eight centimeters, it will typically take about three months to get that length." After their initial hospital stay, which usually only lasts a day or two, patients undergo intensive daily physical therapy to stretch their joints and muscles and prevent stiffness for the first several months. "We treat them for just the routine post-op for the first day," he says. "We teach them physical therapy exercises to make sure they understand how important it is to stretch their knees and hips to maintain flexibility. And we teach them how to do the lengthening process. We teach them where to put the remote control device on their thigh so it communicates with the motorized nail inside the bone and has the ability to rotate a magnet inside the nail and move the gears and actually affect the lengthening." The full process, from initial surgery through bone healing and rehab, takes several months, and the rods are removed about a year Materialists, Pedro Pascal's character, Harry, reveals he and his brother got the procedure. In the film, he says: 'Women just approach us and talk to us now, which never happened before. I haven't struck out since. But you can also tell the difference at work, and at restaurants, and airports. You're just worth more.' The line might feel like satire, but there's truth baked into it. For men who choose to undergo the procedure, the motivation isn't always just about aesthetics. Dr. Rozbruch says the decision is deeply personal and not taken lightly. Before he'll operate, he makes sure his patients are psychologically healthy and has them get a psych evaluation. "I think patients who really seem to benefit from this are people who are psychologically healthy, who are very affected by their short stature, and it creates a feeling of dysphoria, sadness, and a lack of confidence," he says. "I think it's important to rule out psychological disorders like body dysmorphia, unrealistic expectations about what your body can look like, and what this can accomplish for you. Patients who have appropriate expectations and are properly motivated have done really, really well." Did 'Materialists' Put You Onto Limb-Lengthening Surgery? Here's What It Actually Takes to Gain 6 Inches, According to a Surgeon first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2025
CBS News
01-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
For 4th straight year, part of the East River esplanade remains shut due to construction
Manhattan residents remain upset they can't access part of the East River Esplanade Manhattan residents remain upset they can't access part of the East River Esplanade Manhattan residents remain upset they can't access part of the East River Esplanade Manhattan residents are upset that, for the fourth summer in a row, they can't access part of the East River esplanade. Construction delays at a nearby hospital continue to block the path from 70th to 78th Streets. In March, 2022, construction began on the Hospital for Special Surgery's Kellen tower. A locked gate blocks access to the esplanade from 70th-78th Streets for the fourth summer straight, interrupting the continuous park along the water. "There doesn't seem to be any end in sight" The reopening of the esplanade keeps getting pushed back. It was originally set to reopen last summer. "We don't want it to be a fifth, and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight," said Friends of East River Esplanade chair Jennifer Ratner. "Last year, they told us this year. You know, this year they're saying, 'oh well, we'll have another community board meeting in October.'" CBS News New York Ratner said runners, walkers and cyclists must detour onto the streets of the city, or turn around at the gate. So Friends of the East River Esplanade is working on an alternative with local leaders. "A safe and permanent, or semipermanent, like a pontoon, to make a detour that stays on the waterfront," Ratner said. The group started a petition to stop the extended closures, and hundreds signed. "The timeline reflects the complexity" CBS News New York CBS News New York reached out to the Hospital for Special Surgery to learn more. "The timeline reflects the complexity of restoring public waterfront infrastructure," HSS said in a statement. "In addition to our privately funded restoration, we are also working around new challenges like sinkholes." HSS added the reopening will take place in phases, and is a coordinated effort between the Parks Department, Department of Transportation, and Con Edison. "You come here to relax" The esplanade between 70th-76th should be completed by March, 2026. The stretch from 76th-78th depends on the progress of the Parks Department. "Rebuilding the East River Esplanade is a top priority. We are undertaking a multi-phase rehabilitation project to transform this deteriorating waterfront into a resilient, revitalized public space," said NYC Parks Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "By investing in these critical infrastructure repairs today, we're ensuring that New Yorkers can safely enjoy the esplanade for years to come." Upper East Side resident George de Hoios loves the beautiful views and people along the esplanade. "You come here to relax," de Hoios said. "You don't have to cut in the traffic, into the stress." Until the work is completed, Rachel Katz says she'll take the detour in stride and is looking forward to when the locked gate is gone. "That would be a dream. That would be the best," Katz said.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Rucking' Is The Latest Walking Trend You Need To Try. Here's Why.
Walking remains an accessible and popular exercise for many reasons — you don't need any fancy equipment, it's good for your heart health, helps you sleep better, feel better and is a simple way to get your daily dose of fresh air. There are plenty of methods that can help keep your walks engaging and interesting. Lately, 'rucking' ― a new walking trend ― has picked up steam on social media as a way to spice up your regular daily stroll. 'Rucking is simply just walking with weight on your body ... weight on your back, technically,' said Nichele Cihlar, the director of training at GORUCK, a rucking gear company. Like regular walking, rucking is an accessible exercise — and you probably even have all of the necessary gear in your house right now. All you have to do is put on a weighted backpack or rucksack and start moving. 'It's a low-impact exercise that is pretty much based on military training — think about how the military trains a lot for endurance, they do a fair amount of running, but they also have to carry a lot of heavy equipment, so that's kind of how rucking started,' said Mathew Welch, an exercise physiologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. What's more, this exercise offers some extra health rewards on top of a regular walking regimen. Here's what experts say you should know about rucking and how to try it out: Rucking brings more of a challenge to your daily walk, which is a good thing for someone who is looking to work their body in a new way. 'Physically, walking is awesome, but sometimes we want to amplify that, and the easy way to do that is adding weight,' Cihlar said. 'Resistance training is key, especially as we age, in helping our bone health and our muscle growth because that naturally deteriorates as we get older, starting in our 30s.' Rucking takes your walk from a cardio exercise tocardio plus resistance training. It's recommended that you do 20 minutes of strength training twice a week, but research shows that most people do not hit that minimum. Rucking can be one way to achieve that goal. Rucking is also good for your cardiovascular endurance, Welch said. Specifically, rucking benefits your 'cardiac output, it's going to help with the efficiency of your heart pumping the blood out,' Welch explained. This can help lower your blood pressure and improve your heart rate, so it's a win-win all around. It's also good for your posture and back strength. 'The ruck is kind of pulling you back, so it really forces you to maintain your posture,' Welch said, who added that it's a good way to offset the hours and hours and hours of sitting you likely do every day. Rucking is an exercise you do outdoors, and getting outside in itself is great for your mental health. According to Mental Health America, getting outside is linked to lower levels of stress and a better mood overall. Additionally, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is important for bone health and can even help curb depression and anxiety symptoms. 'You're going to always say you never come back from a ruck in a bad mood. It gives you time to clear your head,' Cihlar said. Starting rucking doesn't have to be complicated. 'What's nice is you can literally start with a backpack you have in your closet and ... throw some magazines in it ... your water bottle,' Cihlar explained. You can also get a rucksack and rucksack weights if you want to use something that is officially made for the sport. Both experts said a rucksack is preferable because it's safer. A regular backpack can sit pretty low on your back, which can cause issues if you're carrying around a heavy bag. If you do decide to opt for a backpack, just make sure it isn't sagging too low. When it comes to how much weight you'll want to carry on your back, that depends on your strength level and your size. 'I always say start low because you can always grow from there,' Cihlar said. 'You don't want to start heavy and get discouraged.' If you aren't a frequent exerciser or weightlifter, starting with just 5 or 10 pounds and building on that is a good idea, she said. As for distance, start with a mile and see how you feel, Cihlar said. 'Now, if you're someone that is regularly active and you lift weights, you could probably do a 20-pound plate, a 30-pound plate in your ruck,' Cihlar said. Starting with a mile is a good idea here, too, said Welch, but you can bump it up to a mile and a half or more if you don't feel challenged. For an additional challenge, take your workout to hilly terrain, Welch added. In the end, you can design your own rucking workout regimen to fit your workout goals and fitness level. You can start small with light weights and a short walk, or, if you're up for it, take a heavier backpack on an incline walk. As long as you listen to your body and know your limits, there's no wrong way to start incorporating this exercise. 4 Ways To Make Your Daily Walk More Effective Is It Too Hot To Run Outside? Here's How To Tell. Walking This Many Steps Daily Has Huge Benefits — Especially If You Sit All Day
