team | Bellapianta Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Dr. Bellapianta is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in arthroscopic and open treatment of the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries, as well as joint replacement surgery, fracture care, and general orthopaedics. He is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Bellapianta has published many scientific articles in peer review journals and has presented this research at both national and international meetings.

He completed a sports medicine fellowship at The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida. As a fellow, Dr. Bellapianta worked side-by-side with world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. This voluntary year of additional training provided him with intensive exposure to all aspects of non-operative and operative musculoskeletal patient care. His team physician experience included coverage of Auburn University football and athletics, West Florida College athletics, and Flomaton, AL High School Athletics. He worked closely with high-level college and professional athletes during this time developing the surgical and non-surgical skills needed to treat these patients. During his fellowship he supported Dr. Andrews in the treatment of professional athletes from organizations such as the New York Yankees, Mets, Giants, Rangers and many other organizations across the country.

Dr. Bellapianta performed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Albany Medical Center mastering skills in trauma and joint reconstruction. At this high volume regional medical center, he treated both routine and rare orthopaedic injuries, only present in this type of setting. He received his medical degree at a Albany Medical College where he graduated Cum Laude and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He was the recipient of the Victor & Ethel Cermak Tompkins Alumni Scholarship at Albany Medical College for academic excellence. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Franklin & Marshall College and his Masters of Science degree in biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

In his free time, Dr. Bellapianta enjoys spending time with his family, skiing, golfing, cycling, gardening, hiking, and fishing.

Dr. Price is a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in sports-related concussion and behavioral health across the lifespan. He completed his sports neuropsychology fellowship at Children’s Health Andrews Institute in Plano, TX. During his fellowship, Dr. Price was responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of pediatric and adult concussions. He was trained under a clinical model that focused on early identification of injury with an emphasis on neurorehabilitation, gradual return to activity and physical exertion, and behavioral health management. Dr. Price also provided sideline concussion coverage for local high school and college football teams and has experience consulting at every level of play, including collegiate and professional athletes. Additionally, his training included the provision of behavioral health counseling for individuals struggling with anxiety and stress, particularly in the context of returning to sport/work. While on fellowship, Dr. Price published numerous scientific articles in peer reviewed journals on topics such as neurorehabilitation, prognostic indicators, and recovery trajectories for sports-related concussion. He has presented this award-winning research at several national conferences.

Dr. Price received his doctorate in clinical psychology from William James College in Newton, MA, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and completed a specialty track in neuropsychology. His published dissertation received numerous academic awards and was selected for a spotlight interview and article in the New England Psychologist. Dr. Price completed an APA-accredited neuropsychology internship at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, PA. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Keene State College in Keene, NH, where he graduated with Cum Laude honors. Dr. Price is a contributing member to several professional organizations including the Sports Neuropsychology Society (SNS), the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Dr. Price was born and raised in western Massachusetts and his wife in New York City. After several years of training across the country, they are delighted to be returning to their roots in the northeast. Together they enjoy traveling, golfing, skiing, and hiking with their dog, DJ.

NOVEMBER 9, 2011 | BY: BELLAPIANTA J, SWARTZ F, LISELLA J, CZAJKA J, NEFF R, UHL R.

RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF INJECTION TECHNIQUES FOR THE TREATMENT OF LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS

ABSTRACT

Lateral epicondylitis is a commonly made diagnosis for general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons. Corticosteroid injection is a mainstay of early treatment. However, conflicting evidence exists to support the use of steroid injection, and no evidence in the literature supports an injection technique. Nineteen patients diagnosed with acute lateral epicondylitis were evaluated to compare the peppered- and single-injection techniques using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, visual analog score (VAS), and grip strength. For elbows with a single injection, mean grip strength increased from 22.9 to 27.8 (P=.053), mean VAS pain score decreased from 4.8 to 3.6 (P=.604), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.8 points (P=.026). For elbows with peppered injections, mean grip strength increased from 28.7 to 32.8 (P=.336), mean VAS pain scores decreased from 3.7 to 2.3 (P=.386), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.3 (P=.008).No studies have directly compared the peppered-injection technique to the single-injection technique. Our results suggest that patient outcome is improved with the single injection. The biomechanical or chemical reason for the distinction is yet unknown, but we postulate that the peppered technique may actually further damage the already compromised tendon. The theory that the peppered injection stimulates blood flow may be overestimated or false. Histochemical studies of the pathologic tissue must be performed to further delineate the reason for improved outcomes with the single-injection technique.

August 20, 2011 | BY: LISELLA JM, BELLAPIANTA JM, MANOLI A

TARSAL COALITION RESECTION WITH PES PLANOVALGUS HINDFOOT RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Tarsal coalitions often present in young adults as a painful pes planovalgus hindfoot deformity. Resection of moderate and even large coalitions has become accepted as an alternative to arthrodesis. A review of the literature, however, suggests that coalitions with severe preoperative planovalgus malposition treated with resection are associated with continued disability and deformity. The authors believe that malposition contributes to persistent pain and disability after simple coalition resection. The hypothesis is that resection of the coalition with simultaneous hindfoot reconstruction can improve clinical and radiographic outcomes. Seven consecutively treated patients (eight feet) were retrospectively reviewed from the senior author's practice. Clinical exam, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and radiographic measurements were evaluated after talocalcaneal coalition resection with simultaneous hindfoot reconstruction. All patients were satisfied and would have the same procedure again. All patients were either active students or gainfully employed at last follow-up. Clinical and radiographic hindfoot alignment was corrected reliably. The average increase in medial longitudinal arch height was 8.7 mm. After 2 years the average AOFAS hindfoot score was 88. Most patients had only mildly progressive arthrosis. There were two postoperative complications that resolved (superficial wound breakdown and calf deep vein thrombosis). This hindfoot reconstruction with coalition resection increased motion, reliably corrected malalignment, and improved pain. The authors believe that coalition resection and concomitant hindfoot reconstruction is a better option than resection alone or hindfoot fusion in patients with talocalcaneal coalition and painful pes planovalgus hindfoot deformity. Triple arthrodesis should be reserved as a salvage procedure.

November 9, 2011 | BY: BELLAPIANTA J, DOW K, PALLOTTA NA, HOSPODAR PP, UHL RL, LEDET EH.

THREADED SCREW HEAD INSERTS IMPROVE LOCKING PLATE BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if the stiffness and fatigue life of locking one third tubular plates are enhanced by placing a locking screw head to fill the empty hole of the plate. We hypothesize that both the stiffness and fatigue life of the plates will be improved at physiologically relevant loads by filling the empty center hole of each plate.

METHODS: The mechanical stiffness and fatigue life of plates with an open versus filled center hole were assessed through finite element analysis and experimentally using a synthetic bone model under four-point bending. Two plate manufacturers were evaluated, Synthes (n) and Stryker (r). Five-hole one third tubular plates were mechanically cycled with and without filling the central screw hole while load, displacement, and number of cycles were collected. Stiffness was calculated and cycles to failure and mode of failure were monitored. Five plates were evaluated for the filled (F) and open (O) configurations for the n and r plates.

RESULTS: Finite element analysis indicated that filling the hole resulted in reduction in maximum stress at the periphery of the center hole by a factor of 2.43 and 2.29 for the n and r plates, respectively. Experimentally, a fourfold improvement was observed in fatigue life of the Synthes plates when a screw head was used to fill the central screw hole (P < 0.005; nF = 45,450 cycles versus nO = 10,305 cycles). The Stryker plates reached the maximum number of cycles (1 million) without fatigue failure in both O and F configurations. Improved bending stiffness was noted for both the n and r plates when the central hole was filled compared with open. For the Stryker plate, this increase was statistically significant (P < 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS: The methodology proposed in this study for extending fatigue life and increasing stiffness of locking plates can potentially be extended to any locking plate. Adding a screw head or screw heads to open holes in locking plates adds little additional time or expense and no morbidity to the procedure but can have substantial effects on the mechanical properties of the implant, particularly in lower-profile plates that are initially less rigid and robust.