News & Events
The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) The Orthopaedic Center (TOC)
Category: Newsletter
Patient Profile: Molly Willis
Patient Profile: Brantley McGinnis
Staff Spotlight: Pediatric Orthopaedics Team
The Pediatric Orthopaedics team at TOC always strives to makes a difference in the lives of our youngest patients while bringing peace of mind to their families. Over the years, this team has supported thousands of local families through the diagnosis and treatment of their child’s specific health challenges. Their goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life by compassionately caring for their health issue. We treat orthopaedic issues specific to the growing bones of a child from infancy to adolescents such as growth plate injuries, sports injuries, fractures, clubfoot deformity, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and limb length discrepancy.
A combined 66 years of experience
The heart of this dedicated team is made up of two fellowship trained Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Steven L. Buckley and Dr. Michael G. Lawley; and two dedicated Nurse Practitioners, Elizabeth Schwarze and Jennifer Sharp. Together they offer the only specialized pediatric orthopaedic services within 100 miles, at three north Alabama TOC locations: Huntsville, Madison & Athens. TOC is so proud of this team and the quality pediatric orthopaedic treatment they provide for our young patients.
A community focus
The entire TOC Pediatric Team is committed to our community. When they are not serving the needs of TOC patients, all of the team members volunteer their skills with Children’s Rehabilitation Service, a statewide organization that coordinates various providers, who together build a brighter future for disabled youth and their families.
(This article originally appeared in TOC’s Spring 2019 newsletter.)
Now open: Pediatric Injury Clinic
To better meet the urgent and unique needs of an adventurous child, TOC’s Pediatric Team is now offering a Pediatric Injury Clinic offering walk-in* care any weekday afternoon:
Mon-Fri 1:00-4:00, 5th Floor, Huntsville Main Location (927 Franklin St.)
* Most insurances accepted; physician referral may be required by your insurance.
What is Pediatric Orthopaedics?
Pediatric Orthopaedics is a specialized field of orthopaedic medicine. The physicians in this field aren’t just dealing with smaller versions of adult joints; the approach taken is completely different. Continue reading “What is Pediatric Orthopaedics?”
TOC “Casts” Support to Local Charities
The Kickin’ Bass Coaches Charitable Bass Tournament on Lake Guntersville is a fun and competitive annual fishing tournament that raises funds for local charities. TOC is proud to have supported this event for its 19th annual run, while raising money for local non-profits such as North Alabama Wheelchair Basketball Support Association and Semper Fi Community Task Force of North Alabama. Continue reading “TOC “Casts” Support to Local Charities”
TOC Healthy Tips: Sleep
Sleep is paramount for maintaining health and wellness at every stage of your life. Although it may seem like nothing important is happening while you snooze, your body is working hard on important tasks, which are vital to your wellbeing.
Spine Surgery now at Madison Hospital
TOC First to Offer Spine Surgery at Madison Hospital
We are excited to announce that TOC’s dedicated Spine Team is the first to bring Spine Surgery to Madison Hospital. Furthering our commitment to increase access to expert care, TOC is proud to support our patients’ needs with expert spine care closer to their homes, where they are most comfortable.
The new Spine Surgery service complements a wide variety of TOC’s orthopaedic care at the Madison Hospital location. From preventative care to the latest in surgical techniques, you can trust the experts at TOC for all things spine-related. Whether you need help with an existing problem or you just want to avoid issues in the future, we would be pleased to help you get your “back” on track.
(This article originally appeared in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
Staff Spotlight: Sports Medicine
Think back to a time when high school coaches were more than just coaches to their athletes, playing the role of father-figure, team counselor, and even medical professional. Fast forward to today, and while coaches still wear many hats, the days of telling kids to “rub some dirt” on an injury have long gone. Thanks to advancements in sports medicine care for premiere athletes, coaches have turned to TOC Sports for treatment of their athletes’ sports-specific injuries.
But, this system wasn’t put together overnight. In fact, you’d have to turn the calendar back to just before the turn of the century, when sports were big, but not sports medicine…yet. In 1999 a group of sports-trained orthopaedic professionals from TOC answered the call for specialized sports care and assembled to form TOC Sports. Teaming up with Certified Athletic Trainers from Huntsville Hospital, TOC Sports began to identify organizations, on all levels, who could benefit from the care of sports medicine specialists.
TOC Sports Medicine: Supporting Area Athletes
What began as sports medicine support for a small number of schools in our area has grown to include nearly two dozen high schools and middle schools across North Alabama including: Huntsville, Madison, and Athens City school systems, as well as Oakwood and Alabama A&M Universities. Professional teams like the Huntsville Havoc hockey team count on the TOC Sports physicians for their on-the-spot care.
This growth has allowed TOC Sports to become the most comprehensive sports medicine team in Alabama, with some very unique services including pre-season physical exams and injury prevention programs. TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital also offer a Friday Night Post-Game Injury Clinic during the fall sports season as a way to continue to help athletes after the game is over. Athletes can benefit from our innovative therapies and procedures including: ultrasound-guided injections, bioinductive implants and regenerative medicine, like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) treatments which have shown to decrease recovery time in patients recovering from surgery.
Beyond their commitment to the health and well-being of student-athletes, the TOC Sports physicians understand that the word “student” comes before “athlete”. We recognize the dedication it takes to be a successful student-athlete, and proudly support the Athlete of the Year Scholarship Program. This program recognizes outstanding high school seniors who go above and beyond, excelling inside and outside the classroom.
Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior or just getting started with an active lifestyle, the Sports Medicine specialists from TOC Sports can develop a game-plan to care for all your orthopaedic needs …and Keep YOU in the Game!
TOC Sports Medicine Physicians:
- Patrick Boyett, DO
- Michael W. Cantrell, MD
- Brian R. Carter, MD
- Stanton B. Davis, MD
- John J. Greco, MD
- James T. Hughey, III, DO
- William D. Lawrence, DO
- Larry M. Parker, MD
- Eric Stanford, DO
TOC Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialists:
(A version of this article was originally published in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
Patient Profile: Tanner Gibson
When 17 year old Tanner from Decatur started experiencing daily leg pain, she initially thought she was being too active. Between her job in a doctor’s office, working out regularly at the gym, and her daily walks with her dog, Callie, that seemed like a reasonable assumption. In addition to her typical activities, Tanner had recently been helping a friend pack to move. She hoped the pain was related to her over-exertion and would resolve with a little rest. Unfortunately, the pain worsened and became an ongoing hardship.
Tanner endured discomfort for four months before she went to a chiropractor. Unfortunately, that visit brought only a short respite from her pain. Steroid packs and acupuncture didn’t bring relief, either.
Family trips were canceled as she dealt with debilitating back pain. She was unable to sit through long car rides or enjoy short walks. Tanner started to feel depressed about missing out on life.
Tanner’s mother Kacey, a nurse, was desperate to find a solution for her daughter’s pain. Finally, at the recommendation of a colleague, she and Tanner visited the office of Dr. Larry Parker, a well-known and respected TOC spine surgeon.
Dr. Parker was able to quickly diagnose the source of Tanner’s troubles as sciatic pain due to a slipped disc, which was pinching a nerve. The solution would require surgery… Tanner knew this was her opportunity to find relief and scheduled her surgery within two weeks of that visit.
“I was really afraid for her to have any procedure done to her back, but we felt we had exhausted all other options.” Kacey recounted. Thankfully, consistent communication from Tanner’s surgeon helped relieve her parental anxieties. Dr. Parker called Tanner’s mother before the surgery to discuss previous successes he had with similar cases. He also spoke with her the morning of the surgery and after it was complete to report on the procedure’s success. Tanner was released to go home after a couple hours. “Looking back, I wish we had considered the procedure much sooner,” Kacey said.
After two weeks of rest at home, Tanner was back at work and enjoying her life totally pain-free. “Before I had surgery, I thought I would have to miss my Senior Trip. Now, I feel 100% better. The Senior Trip is booked and I’m Bahama bound!” Tanner said.
Dr. Parker and TOC are very glad to have been a part of Tanner’s recovery. We wish her well as she and Callie enjoy an active life once again.
TOC stands ready to create many more positive outcomes for our patient family with our excellent team of Spine Surgeons: Drs. Blake Boyett, Larry Parker, John Rodriguez-Feo, Calame Sammons, Brian Scholl, Morris Seymour, and Murray Spruiell. In addition, physicians Steven Buckley and Michael Lawley, TOC’s pediatric orthopaedic specialists, treat spine issues in children ages newborn to 14.
(A version of this article was originally published in TOC’s Winter 2018-19 newsletter.)
“Tanner woke up from surgery with immediate relief. We would recommend Dr. Parker to anyone having back pain.”
– Tanner’s mother, Kacey
“It is highly unusual to see this kind of injury in someone so young, but fortunately, I’ve had lots of success with these operations and patients of all ages are able to resume their normal lives. It’s so rewarding to see someone recover and enjoy life as they want.”
– Dr. Larry Parker
TOC Spine Surgeon