For more than 20 years, EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region has hosted an annual orthopedic conference in Wilmington, giving healthcare professionals from various disciplines the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in orthopedics, while also earning continuing professional development credits.
This year’s event was held on March 1, 2025, with EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region teaming up with SEAHEC (South East Area Health Education Center) for “Fun in the Winter Sun: Hot Topics in Orthopedics,” held at UNC-Wilmington.
The one-day symposium featured a series of informative sessions led by our esteemed physicians and providers, with each subspecialist delivering updates and insight on the newest techniques and technologies in orthopedics, including robotic and computer-assisted surgery for the shoulder, hip, knee, and spine.
These sessions were designed to enhance diagnostic and treatment approaches for various orthopedic conditions, providing practical insights and case presentations for real-world application.
A Lineup of Leaders
Michael Marushack, MD, led the conference with a presentation titled “Robotic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.” He shared the latest advancements in the exciting field of shoulder treatments and surgery techniques using computer-assisted navigation.
Ashraf Guirgues, MD, FAAOS, next led a segment titled “Oh My Aching Back: How to Evaluate Lumbar Back Pain.” It was a thought-provoking perspective on how to diagnose and treat low back pain, including indications of various spinal conditions and the latest treatments available.
In his presentation on “Advances in Total Knee Replacement: The Last Decade,” Ricky Singh, MD, discussed the many advantages of the latest technologies for knee replacement. He also spoke on how all medical team members, from anesthesiologists to physical therapists, can contribute to pre-operative optimization for each patient, and how the data shows the best ways to ensure patient satisfaction.
Jeremy Snodgrass, PT, DPT, OCS, presented “The Crazy Runner: A brief guide on preventing, rehabilitating, and understanding running injuries.” He reviewed several case studies from this patient group as he discussed the prevention and treatment of running injuries, such as stress fractures, faced by long-distance endurance athletes.
Foot and ankle specialist Matthew Braswell, MD, presented “Ankle Replacement: Where do we stand in 2025?” He discussed how ankle arthritis is different from other joints and provided perspective and data on techniques from ankle fusion to the latest in total ankle replacement.
Following the lunch break, Earl Frantz, MD, gave a presentation called “The Effectiveness of Cryoablation of Genticulate Nerves Pre TKA.” His talk included a live demonstration on how the pre-operative procedure may help reduce post-operative pain following total knee replacement surgery.
In the final presentation in the afternoon, athletic trainer Dan Duffy, LAT, ATC, CSCS and physical therapist Will Cooner, PT, DPT, SCS presented “Lower Extremity Strength and Functional Testing in Rehabilitation and Return to Play.” The duo reviewed various factors and tests to take into consideration when clearing a high-performance athlete to return to sports, and provided an analysis of the re-injury of these athletes. Their thorough presentation included functional tests the athlete would perform, as well as the psychological readiness of an athlete preparing the resume his or her activities.
The symposium also included a case presentation by medical students Shaian Lashani, BS, and Andrew Kozlow, BA, MS.
A Win-Win for Providers and Patients
The event was well-attended by physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals. Participants gained invaluable insight from some of the top subspecialists in the region and earned valuable continuing education credits.
Hosting this annual symposium supports EmergeOrtho’s core values of education, teamwork, quality, and innovation. We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their participation and engagement, and to our dedicated team of presenters for sharing their expertise. Special thanks to SEAHEC for their support in making this event a success.
Stay connected with EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region for the latest updates in orthopedic care and professional development opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
