George B. Batten, M.D.,

Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: Fact & Fiction
September 2007

It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), an often painful condition in which the articular cartilage, which serves as a cushion and gliding surface between the bones, deteriorates and wears away. With the aging of our population, it is anticipated that this number will double over the next two decades.  READ MORE >>

Sports Nutrition for the Adolescent Athlete

Adequate nutrition is important for the proper growth and development of young people.  It is even more essential to the competitive youth athlete.  With the higher demands of strenuous training and competition, proper diet is crucial to not only insure optimal performance, but also to prevent developmental problems, which may have lifelong effects.  Young women athletes in particular have special needs and requirements in regard to nutrition, which must be carefully monitored.   READ MORE >>

ACL Injuries in Female Soccer Players
November, 2003

Despite almost a decade of explosive growth in the interest and participation of women in soccer, this sport continues to be one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Starting in preadolescence, extending through the teenage years and now into adulthood, more and more women are participating in soccer. Favorable Northern California weather, the recent addition of all-weather turf fields and the opportunities through club, high school and developmental programs, such as the Olympic Development Program, have allowed soccer to become a year round endeavor. It is not surprising, therefore, that primary care physicians, emergency rooms and orthopedic surgeons are seeing higher numbers of injuries associated with soccer.  READ MORE >>

The Role of Medications in the Treatment of Sports-Related Injuries

As a sideline observer, I have frequently witnessed coaches, first aid providers, and anxious parents reaching into their training bags and purses, and medicating the acutely injured athlete.  As an orthopedic surgeon interested in sports medicine I treat athletes who were initially prescribed medications by their primary care physicians, emergency room personnel, or have self-medicated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or those found left over in their medicine cabinets.   READ MORE >>

Anatomic ACL Reconstruction
September 2007

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the main support structure of the knee. It prevents excessive translation and rotation of the femur (thigh bone) on the tibia (shin bone). When you tear your ACL, your knee may buckle or “give out” with change of direction and pivoting activities. In order to regain stability in the knee, an ACL reconstruction must be done. READ MORE >>

Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (C.A.O.S.)

One of the most advanced techniques today, and most likely the next generation in surgical technology for joint replacements is Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (C.A.O.S). Utilizing specialized high power digital imaging tools and information-processing systems, orthopedic surgeons can now “map” out a joint during surgery, giving a clear 3 dimensional image which is projected to a computer screen. READ MORE >>

Dr. Behzadi's New Approach To Knee Replacement Surgery

From the desk of Kambiz Behzadi, M.D....

Dear Patients and Colleagues:

I am writing to let you know about a new approach my surgical team and I have been using for over a year now for knee replacement surgery patients, with great results: Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS). This technology, sometimes called "Navigated Surgery", has so impressed me that I’d like to tell you about it. First, the major benefits to my patients: much like a GPS/satellite tracking system, CAS uses a unique combination of computer
technology and surgical ‘tracking devices’. It provides us with image maps of the inside of the knee, so that I can verify placement of the new joint with extraordinary precision. This new "navigated" surgery means less post-surgical pain, and allows a much easier, faster recovery time. READ MORE >>

Osteoporosis
September 2007

Osteoporosis is Greek for “porous bone,” and a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures. These fractures occur most commonly in the spine, hip and wrist, but can occur in any bone.  READ MORE >>

Skateboarding Safety

Skateboarding is an increasingly popular sport enjoyed by many young people.  Skateboarding involves speed, balance and coordination, providing a low impact aerobic workout.  However, if a rider is not careful, serious injuries may result. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 15,000 persons need hospital emergency room treatment per year for injuries related to skateboarding.  READ MORE >>

Scoping in on Chronic Shoulder Pain

Recent advances in arthroscopic surgery allow the orthopedic surgeon to treat many conditions of the shoulder with minimal injury to surrounding structures of the joint. The patient is able to return more rapidly to work and sports than when extensive "open" surgery is performed.  READ MORE >>

The Importance of Timely Diagnosis and Good Medical Teamwork; an Interesting Recent Case

Many people who work with their hands develop painful problems such as tendonitis or joint pain. Usually they are treated by their family doctor, or in a workers’ injury clinic.  Most of these medical ailments are effectively treated in these settings.  However, there may be warning signs that suggest a limb-threatening disease may be present.  A recent interesting case in our office represents one such example. READ MORE >>

Anterior Surgical Approach to Total Hip Replacement
A New Technique That Makes Sense

A common condition in older adults, degenerative hip arthritis, is a condition involving the loss of cartilage on the weight bearing surface of the hip joint. This condition can cause pain, loss of motion and an inability to go about daily activities. Typically, when conservative treatments no longer help in reducing pain, a Total Hip Replacement may become the treatment of choice. READ MORE >>

Surgical Solutions for Knee Arthritis

Your knee is the largest joint in your body.  Essentially, the knee is a hinge that joins your thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia).  Cartilage provides a cushion between the bones preventing them from grinding directly against one another when you bend and extend your leg.  Muscles and tendons connect the bones and keep the joint stable.  When the knee is healthy, all of these things work together unnoticed, gliding smoothly and without pain.  READ MORE >>

Joint Replacement in the 21st Century - A Less Painful Approach
May, 2005

Knee and hip osteoarthritis are two of the most disabling conditions an active individual may face.  Post-traumatic osteoarthritis or hereditary osteoarthritis may develop in middle-age during the most productive time of an individual’s life.  Many people will have disability precluding them from performing activities of daily living and will usually have problems with sleep as well as inability to a perform normal job.  Older patients in their sixties, seventies and eighties find they become unable to walk and participate in community life.  READ MORE >>

Constructive Surgery of the Knee
November, 2003

Knee injuries are among the most common and painful of health problems. More than 2 million people experience knee injuries in the U. S. each year. There has been a 50% increase in knee injuries among people 65 and older in the past ten years. More than 5 million people see an orthopedic surgeon for knee related problems annually. Of these problems, 3 million are caused by accidents, the remainder is related to arthritis or other degenerative disorders.  READ MORE >>

Ankle Sprains

The most common injury in sports involves a sprain of the ankle ligaments located on the outside or lateral aspect of the foot and ankle. Approximately 27,000 ankle sprains occur daily in the United States. Despite the high incidence of ankle sprains, there is a vast variety in treatment recommendations and treatment plans. The literature suggests that 80% to 90% of all ankle sprains will heal without surgery and a successful outcome.  READ MORE >>

Shoes in our culture perform three major functions.  The first is to protect the foot.  The second is to enhance performance and function of the foot in athletics and day to day activities.  The third function serves a cosmetic function for dress and design.  READ MORE >>

Many patients visit Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists and hear terminology which is, at times, confusing.  For instance, you may have heard your doctor refer to his "PCC", or had a receptionist tell you that you’ll need to speak with the doctor’s "PCC", or an X-Ray Tech says please wait for your "PCC".  If you’ve wondered who they are referring to… it is your Patient Care Coordinator.  READ MORE >>