Duke Orthopedics

Duke Orthopedics Developing leaders in orthopaedics, rehabilitation research, education, and patient care.

Socioeconomic Factors Double Risk of Disabling Chronic PainNew Duke Orthopaedics study reveals that socioeconomic dispar...
01/06/2026

Socioeconomic Factors Double Risk of Disabling Chronic Pain

New Duke Orthopaedics study reveals that socioeconomic disparities significantly increase the risk of high-impact chronic pain—pain that limits daily activities on most days.
Researchers found adults with lower socioeconomic position were twice as likely to develop disabling pain compared to more advantaged peers.

📊 Key findings:
✔ 4.3% overall incidence of high-impact chronic pain in one year
✔ Risk jumps to 14.2% for those with low-impact chronic pain
✔ Lower SEP = higher vulnerability

Why it matters: Addressing these disparities is critical for improving pain outcomes and population health.

🔗 Read the full story: https://duke.is/w/e8gg

 is changing the game for Durham’s student athletes: delivering hospital-level care right on the sidelines. “Immediate c...
12/24/2025

is changing the game for Durham’s student athletes: delivering hospital-level care right on the sidelines. “Immediate care matters. We can act in seconds, not hours,” says Dr. Harry Stafford. Proud to keep our local athletes safe and strong. https://duke.is/4/f83b

On the Sidelines, Duke Orthopaedics Delivers. Durham’s high school athletes are getting championship‑level care thanks t...
12/24/2025

On the Sidelines, Duke Orthopaedics Delivers.

Durham’s high school athletes are getting championship‑level care thanks to Duke Orthopaedics and Duke Sports Medicine. From Friday night football to mid‑week matchups, our physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists are right there on the sidelines—providing immediate, hospital‑level care when every second counts.

With more student‑athletes competing than ever, this collaboration ensures quicker assessments, faster treatment, and smoother recoveries for young athletes across our community.

Dr. Harry Stafford, MD, clinical instructor of Family Medicine, Associate Director, Duke Sports Science Institute, Director, Sports Performance, puts it best: “When an athlete goes down, we’re right there to intervene, stabilize, and potentially save a life. Immediate care matters—and being on the sidelines means we can act in seconds, not hours.”
Proud to support Durham’s athletes. Proud to serve this community. 💙 https://duke.is/4/f83b

Advancing Shoulder Care for Military Service MembersDuke Orthopaedic Surgery faculty are leading important new research ...
12/23/2025

Advancing Shoulder Care for Military Service Members

Duke Orthopaedic Surgery faculty are leading important new research that sheds light on how shoulder disorders affect patients within the Military Health System—and how providers can deliver better, more efficient care.

Through a detailed review of treatment patterns and outcomes, the team identified opportunities to streamline care, reduce delays, and improve recovery for active-duty personnel and veterans.

This work strengthens the evidence base for shoulder care and helps clinicians better support those who serve. 🇺🇸

Learn more: bit.ly/44HCu24

🤖 Redefining Surgical RoboticsDr. Brett Rocos, MD, an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke, discussed his ...
12/08/2025

🤖 Redefining Surgical Robotics

Dr. Brett Rocos, MD, an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke, discussed his vision at the Seattle Science Foundation’s 10th Annual Robotics Course: The future of robotics extends beyond mechanical arms to include intelligent surgical co-pilots.

This AI-driven shift could revolutionize surgery by enhancing precision, safety, and patient outcomes.

Thank you for spearheading innovation!

👏 Congrats, Dr. Erica D. Taylor, MD, MBA!Duke Orthopaedic Surgery  celebrates Erica D. Taylor, MD, MBA—Orthopaedic Hand ...
12/02/2025

👏 Congrats, Dr. Erica D. Taylor, MD, MBA!

Duke Orthopaedic Surgery celebrates Erica D. Taylor, MD, MBA—Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon and Vice Chair of Culture, Engagement & Impact—for receiving the Duke Fuqua May-Penn Award of Excellence, the highest honor from Fuqua alumni.

Dr. Taylor is recognized for her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to health equity, advancing innovation in care and inspiring future leaders. https://duke.is/v/deeg

✨ Leading the way in arthroplasty innovation! ✨We’re proud to celebrate the faculty of ’s adult reconstruction division,...
11/26/2025

✨ Leading the way in arthroplasty innovation! ✨
We’re proud to celebrate the faculty of ’s adult reconstruction division, whose groundbreaking research and leadership are shaping the future of joint replacement surgery. From advancing implant design to improving patient outcomes, their work is making a global impact. Learn more about these achievements and how Duke is driving innovation in arthroplasty: https://duke.is/c/ap5a

Spinal Surgery Meets Artificial IntelligenceWhat if technology could make surgery even safer and more precise? At , that...
11/14/2025

Spinal Surgery Meets Artificial Intelligence

What if technology could make surgery even safer and more precise? At , that future is already here.

Dr. Brett Rocos, assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery, is pioneering AI-guided spinal surgery, utilizing advanced tools to enable surgeons to plan and execute procedures with remarkable accuracy. This innovation means better outcomes and faster recovery for patients.

“AI gives us the ability to see and plan in ways we never could before. It’s transforming how we approach complex spine surgery,” says Dr. Rocos.

Curious how AI is changing the game in orthopaedics?
Read the full story: https://duke.is/6/5sv6

🇺🇸 From Battlefield to Operating Room: Orthopaedic Trauma Lessons That Save LivesWe were proud to host Mark E. Fleming, ...
11/12/2025

🇺🇸 From Battlefield to Operating Room: Orthopaedic Trauma Lessons That Save Lives

We were proud to host Mark E. Fleming, DO, FAAOS, FAOAO, retired U.S. Navy Captain and orthopaedic trauma surgeon, as our Veterans Day Visiting Professor.
Dr. Fleming shared powerful lessons from his service during the War in Afghanistan, including innovations in trauma care and leadership principles:
“Learn how to swim—not just to survive, but to lead. The water’s cold. The current is strong. But you were built for this.”

His research continues to advance interdisciplinary care for amputees and improve prosthetic technology, helping patients return to life after devastating injuries.

duke.is/5/f4qc

🇺🇸 Honoring Service and Dedication 🇺🇸This Veterans Day,  proudly celebrates the service of our students and residents wh...
11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Service and Dedication 🇺🇸
This Veterans Day, proudly celebrates the service of our students and residents who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their leadership, resilience, and commitment to excellence enrich our community and inspire us all.
We’re honored to spotlight four outstanding individuals whose military backgrounds continue to shape their journeys in medicine and patient care.
Thank you to all who have served—and continue to serve—with courage and dedication.
Read more: https://duke.is/g/yrcf

🇺🇸 Honoring Service and Dedication 🇺🇸This Veterans Day,  proudly celebrates the service of our students and residents wh...
11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Service and Dedication 🇺🇸
This Veterans Day, proudly celebrates the service of our students and residents who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their leadership, resilience, and commitment to excellence enrich our community and inspire us all.
We’re honored to spotlight four outstanding individuals whose military backgrounds continue to shape their journeys in medicine and patient care.
Thank you to all who have served—and continue to serve—with courage and dedication.
Read more: https://duke.is/g/yrcf

💡 Removing financial barriers to physical therapy can lead to better care—and fewer costly interventions.A new study fro...
11/10/2025

💡 Removing financial barriers to physical therapy can lead to better care—and fewer costly interventions.
A new study from the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), in collaboration with Duke Orthopaedics and ATI Physical Therapy, reveals that eliminating copays for PT significantly reduces downstream healthcare use among patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
📊 Published in Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, the study used real-world data from a no-copay PT program launched in 2018 for over 50,000 adult beneficiaries.
Key findings:
🔹 7% fewer imaging/inpatient episodes
🔹 16% fewer surgery/injection episodes
🔹 57% fewer physician service episodes
“These findings demonstrate that reducing financial barriers to physical therapy can lead to more effective, evidence-based care,” said Dr. Trevor Lentz, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator. Co-investigators include Chad Cook, PhD and Steven Z. George, PhD.
Read more at https://duke.is/2/mupg

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