Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Featured Guest Speaker at JSEI Course

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, facelift and fat grafting expert, featured as a guest speaker at the JSEI Aesthetic Eyelid and Facial Rejuvenation Course.

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh was featured as a guest speaker at the Jules Stein Eye Institute’s (JSEI) Annual Aesthetic Eyelid & Facial Rejuvenation Course on June 16, 2012. Dr. Azizzadeh conducted a lecture entitled “Rhytidectomy: Modern Concepts,” which focused on state-of-the-art facelifts and fat grafting techniques. He was also a part of an expert panel and round table discussion on the topic of facelift options and complications, alongside other facelift experts.

The course took place June 15-16, and featured many world renowned surgeons. The second day of the course, in which Dr. Azizzadeh lectured, covered the nuances of technique that are critical for achieving the spectacular results demanded by today’s sophisticated patients. The course brought together innovative experts in aesthetic oculoplastic surgery who shared their experiences, techniques, and pearls. The talks covered aesthetic blepharoplasty, endoscopic forehead surgery, face lift surgery, and non-incisional plastic surgery techniques.

Established in 1966, the Jules Stein Eye Institute represents the culmination of a dream shared by ophthalmologist, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Jules Stein, and his wife Doris, of creating a world-renowned center dedicated to the preservation of vision and the prevention of blindness. The Institute’s comprehensive programs have brought national and international recognition to the Institute and UCLA.

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh is a facelift expert, recognized as a Top Doctor by the US News & World Report. He completed a fellowship in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery at the prestigious Harvard Medical School, and is the author of five bestselling books, including “Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation” and “Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets.”  Dr. Azizzadeh has been recognized for his work on several occasions, and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and countless other media outlets. Dr. Azizzadeh is also the director of the USC Facial Plastic Fellowship Program, as well as the Cedars-Sinai Multispecialty Plastic Surgery Symposium.

For more information visit his facial plastic surgeon website or call (855) 360-9119.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump on the inside of your foot caused by a deformity of bone and soft tissue that occurs at the joint between the big toe, or hallux, and the first bone in the foot called the first metatarsal. The point where these two bones meet is called the MTP joint. Bunions are typically painful and may be unsightly.

Bunions are primarily inherited — meaning they run infamilies — and may be irritated or made worse by pressure from shoes. There are several techniques used to repair a bunion, but a common procedure used by our Beverly Hills podiatrists, a bunionectomy, removes the bunion and realigns the joint to relieve foot pain.

How Does a Bunion Form?

A variety of foot structure abnormalities that typically involve tendons and ligaments around the joint may cause the big toe to be gradually pulled towards the second toe. The head of the first metatarsal bone sticks out, resulting in a bunion that gets worse over time. The tendons or ligaments that pull on the toe incorrectly may become overstretched and weak or tight and thickened, and are often associated with swelling and pain. Additionally, a water tight sac, surrounding the joint, called the bursa, typically becomes swollen, resulting in a larger bump and increased tenderness.

Treatment Options: Bunionectomy

There are a variety of bunionectomy procedures, which generally include a combination of techniques to achieve the final result. Your La Peer podiatrist will find out which procedure and options are best for you based on your specific condition. In this case, we will discuss the bunionectomy procedure.

Bunionectomies can be performed at our Beverly Hills outpatient surgery center, where you will be permitted to go home the day of the surgery. While you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision on the top of your big toe or on the side of your foot to expose the MTP joint. The bump is removed first and, typically, a small wedge of bone is also removed from the 1st metatarsal in order to realign the joint. The bone is held in its new position with screws, pins or plates. Additionally, loose ligaments or tendons need to be shortened or tight tendons or ligaments need to be lengthened by cutting or repositioning of them.

For those that have had previous bunion surgery, any damaged portion of the joint may also need to be removed. Once all repairs and adjustments have been made, the incision will be closed with sutures and a bandage will be wrapped around your foot.

Typical recovery time from a bunionectomy is a few weeks. You may need to use crutches or a walking boot for a few weeks following surgery, and your La Peer physician will advise you on when you may resume other activities.

If you have a bulging bump on the outside of your big toe that is causing persistent or intermittent pain, please schedule a consultation with our Beverly Hills podiatrist Dr. Jamshidinia by calling (855) 360-9119.

Pain Reliever For The Knee

Researchers recently studied 54 clinical trials and found that injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee offers better pain relief than acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even steroids. Hyaluronic acid is a natural lubricant of the joint.

Hyaluronic acid, which essentially helps the skin retain moisture, has also been used as a pain reliever for those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Hyaluronic acid carries fewer and less severe side effects than some of the medications typically used to reduce pain caused by wear and tear in the knee.

In light of recent findings, the hyaluronic acid is now likely to be considered a legitimate option to other medications. It might have been used as a last resort in the past, but that is now likely to change.

If you are considering this treatment or would like to know more about knee related injuries and treatments, please give our Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeons a call at (855) 360-9119 or send an email to [email protected].

Serious Injuries for Olympic Athletes

With the 30th Summer Olympic Games in London, England fast approaching, our Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeons at La Peer would like to point out some common injuries associated with Olympic athletes. By being aware of the potential consequences, you might be able to avoid one of these serious injuries:

Broken Bones

There is only so much strain that our bones are willing to handle, but athletes succeed by pushing those boundaries to their limit. As a consequence, bones break but not all bones break evenly. The difference between a small, hairline fracture and a gruesome dislocation could be the difference between being out of action for a few weeks or possibly the end of an Olympian’s illustrious career.

Ligament and Tendon Injuries

While your muscles grow and expand when you work out, your tendons and ligaments remain at about the same size. For Olympic athletes, with bodies under seemingly constant training and exercise, ligaments and tendons can sprain or tear at a moment’s notice. While some ligaments in the wrist or hand can be played through pain, an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tearor a torn Achilles tendon will likely keep an athlete out of competition for six months to a year.

Head Injuries

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can end an athlete’s career in a moment. Not only that, lifetime of medical care might even be necessary because such an injury could take away brain function. Boxers are acutely affected by head injuries, in addition to athletes from both contact and non-contact sports. The best way to prevent a concussion or another brain injury is to wear a helmet.

Neck Injuries

Of the nearly 10,000 serious neck injuries in the U.S. each year, about 1,000 cases result from accidents during sports. Common injuries include strained or sprained cervical spines with symptoms ranging from tightness on one side of the neck to painor even reduced motion. More rare and serious injuries could result in temporary or permanent paralysis. This is why athletes that suffer high-energy trauma to the head or neck are treated on the assumption that a serious cervical spine injury or broken neck has occurred. If first responders or athletic trainers employ proper management on-scene and proper care can be administered, the long-term damage of a catastrophic injury might be limited.

If you have suffered any of the above injuries while playing sports, please schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedists by calling (855) 360-9119.

Top 5 running related injuries

There are plenty of benefits of running. Danish researchers found that those who run at least an hour a week add an average of six years to their life. It improves your health, prevents diseases, relieves stress, and boosts confidence. But if you are not careful, running can be quite painful.

Here are five of the most common running related injuries that our sports medicine doctors have encountered:

1. Shin Splints

Have you ever experienced a shooting pain near the front or sides of one or both shins? Well, then you have most definitely had shin splints, or “tibial stress syndrome”.  If you want to prevent the injury make sure you stretch frequently, and focus on exercises like toe raises and shin stretches.

2. Plantar Fasciitis

This is an inflammation of a fibrous band of tissue in the bottom of the foot that extends from the heel bone to the toes, and is usually caused by placing too much stress on the bottom of the foot. To avoid inflammations like this, make sure you stretch before and after every run, wear supportive running shoes, and know your boundaries and limits.

3. Achilles Tendonitis

Stretch regularly and use arch supports if you want to avoid this inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the lower calf. This is a very common injury for runners, and is caused by a lack of flexibility.

4. Stress Fracture

These stress fractures are like any other fractures in the body and require 8-10 weeks to heal completely, but can be prevented by modifying running equipment or training regimens.  Symptoms include localized pain and swelling, and the fracture is usually caused by repetitive force to a specific area. Stress fractures are common among all athletes, both amateur and professional.

5. Morton´s Neuroma

Numbness in the toes, pain in the ball of the foot, and a stinging pain in the forefoot are all signs of Morton´s Neuroma. Runners who wear tight-fitting shoes often experience this condition. To minimize your chances of injuring yourself, make sure you wear proper running shoes that have a roomy toe box, and do not lace your shoes too tightly in the forefoot.

If you would like to know more about running injuries, preventative methods, or treatment options, feel free to give us a call at (855) 360-9119 to contact a sports medicine doctor in Beverly Hills.

Females Are 4 to 8 Times More at Risk Then Men To Suffer ACL Injury

Females Are 4 to 8 Times More at Risk Then Men To Suffer ACL Injury

With the increased popularity of women’s sports and the new generation of aspiring female athletes, there has been a rise in female sports participation.  However, the increase in sports has also shown that females have a higher risk of damaging or tearing their ACL.

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a ligament found in the knee.  It is strong and one of the four primary ligaments that help stabilize and pivot the knee joint.  The ACL plays a vital roll in sports like basketball, hockey, soccer or any sport that requires quick bursts of speed and quick stop-and-go movements and pivots.

Injuries to the ACL are extremely common in sports and, as a result, ACL reconstruction is a specialty of our Beverly Hills sports medicine doctors.

Studies show that women (especially adolescent females) are 4 to 8 times more likely to injure their ACL compared to males. This difference in risk of injury is most likely due to the hormonal differences and anatomical differences between men and women. For example, women have a wider pelvis, which causes more pressure towards the inside of the knee and an increased pressure on the ACL.

Furthermore, research shows that women have a slower response time (a millisecond longer) for the stabilizing muscles in their knee to respond. This millisecond may result in landing improperly and resulting in injury.

Most experts say women can do four things to help them reduce their risk of ACL injury:

  • Avoid landing on a straight knee
  • Strength training, especially in the legs and core
  • Proper footwear
  • Balance, speed and plyometric training

If young female athletes are able to go through the proper training and correct their neuromuscular control and mechanics, studies have shown a 70% to 80% decrease in ACL injuries.  Nearly equaling the likelihood to get an ACL injury as their male counterparts.

Colonoscopy Proven More Accurate Than CT Scans

Colonoscopy Proven More Accurate Than CT ScansMore than 103,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed this year and roughly 50,000 people will die as a direct result of suffering from colon cancer. What most people don’t know is, many of the deaths could have been prevented by screening. Because nobody should be dying of colon cancer, the key is getting people involved in screening.

A recent study compared two screening methods, Computed tomography (CT) scans and standard colonoscopy with laxatives. CT scans found polyps at a size most likely to turn cancerous in 91 percent of patients, compared with 95% of patients identified using standard colonoscopy.  CT scan screening detected 20 out of 22 confirmed lesions that were 10 millimeters or greater in size, while the standard colonoscopy found 21 out of 22. Moreover, the CT scan was not as good at finding smaller polyps, identifying 59% of lesions 6 millimeters or bigger. Meanwhile, the standard colonoscopy identified 76%.

With colonoscopy having a higher rate of polyp detection, particularly with detecting smaller polyps, patients are better off having a colonoscopy. A procedure that is unable to identify smaller polyps will not be a tool that experts will consider good enough to use on patients, especially not when considering the fact many patients want smaller polyps removed.
In our opinion, patients should opt for a colonoscopy because it provides better screening results. A CT colongraphy should be thought as an alternative for patients who are found not the a candidate for conventional colonoscopy.

If you would like a colonoscopy or are actively considering one, schedule a consultation with us today by calling (855) 360-9119.

American Idol winner Phillip Phillips to undergo kidney surgery

Renowned and highly sought after urologist Kia Michel, M.D., talks risks and treatments

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

Phillip Phillips, the winner of this year’s American Idol contest, has been battling kidney problems for months and was scheduled to undergo surgery this week. However, sources are now telling E! News that Phillips is “doing well” and responding to alternative treatments. At this point in time he has no plans to follow through with surgery.

“Surgery is usually not necessary; most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system of a patient as long as the individual drinks plenty of fluids. But in this case, the kidney stones are so big they can’t pass through the system, which is why surgery is needed,” explains Dr. Kia Michel, a urologist in Beverly Hills at La Peer Health Systems.

Phillip Phillips has battled kidney problems throughout his life. The serious congenital kidney condition he is suffering from produces kidney stones so large they cannot pass. The condition has virtually debilitated his kidney. Doctors inserted a stent into Phillips’ kidney seven weeks ago as a temporary fix, but now that the competition is over Phillips will undergo one additional procedure to reconstruct his kidney.

“If the kidney stone cannot pass on its own, it blocks the flow of urine, causes ongoing urinary tract infection, damages kidney tissue, or causes constant bleeding you need surgery,” says Dr. Michel.

Until 20 years ago, open surgery was necessary to remove a stone. The surgery required a recovery time of 4 to 6 weeks. Today, treatment for these stones is greatly improved, and many options do not require major open surgery and can be performed in an outpatient setting.

“In the case with Phillips, his kidney is not entirely normal. The anatomy, shape, or structure might be abnormal. He may also have a metabolic disorder, affecting the way his body breaks down calcium or protein, which could cause kidney stones,” according to Dr. Michel.

Dr. Michel is one of the founding members of the Comprehensive Urology Medical Group, located in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers in Los Angeles, California. Comprehensive Urology Medical Group provides a personalized approach for helping patients with urologic conditions.

La Peer Health Systems focuses on excellence in patient care and offers the most advanced and contemporary treatments and equipment that the medical world has access to. With 42 doctors across 13 departments, from anesthesiology to urology, La Peer offers comprehensive and widespread medical treatments for all patients.

5 Tips to help prevent indigestion

5 Tips to help prevent indigestionThere are many things you can do to help prevent indigestion and improve your overall digestive health. Here are five of them:

1. Eat Lots of Fiber

Fiber is not only key to keeping indigestion at bay, but it is essential for your overall health. In addition to helping digestion, it can also help decrease cholesterol, improve constipation, prevent hemorrhoidal irritation, and keep the bowel habits regular.

Increasing your daily fiber intake is usually synonymous with eating healthier, but making the transition does not have to be painful. Small changes like eating high-fiber cereal for breakfast and replacing white bread with whole-wheat bread is a great start.

2. Take Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Digestive enzymes can help promote good digestion and even enhance nutrient absorption.  They may not be essential for everyone, but speak with your physician to see if you are a good candidate.  They can reduce the symptoms of indigestion and upset stomach in selected individuals.

3. Chew Your Food

Chewing is something we do without thinking about it, but it is actually one of the most important parts of digestion. Chewing not only helps break down food, it also signals the salivary glands, stomach and the small intestine to start releasing digestive enzymes.

4. Don’t Overuse Antacids

Acids in the stomach help the body digest food. But in some cases, these acids can come back up (reflux) into the esophagus, causing that burning sensation of indigestion many people are so familiar with. When this happens, the standard response seems to be to reach for antacids. While it does neutralize stomach acids, overuse may leave the stomach vulnerable to bacterial infections. Use it in moderation.

5. Exercise More & Stress Less

According to a recent study, there is a link between obesity, lack of exercise, stomach pain, diarrhea, and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The same study showed that daily physical activity can actually help reduce many digestive problems and aid with digestion.

Stress, on the other hand, can have a negative effect on your digestion. This is because the “fight or flight” response that results from stress reduces blood flow to the abdomen and the production of digestive enzymes. This slows the digestive process, which results in heartburn, and constipation.

In addition to eating healthy food and chewing it well, strongly consider finding a good balance that works in the long run, with a focus on physical activity and eliminating stress.

If you have frequent episodes of indigestion, please schedule a consultation with one of our Beverly Hills gastroenterologists by calling 855.360.9119.

La Peer Health Systems Surgeon Is At Forefront of Breakthrough Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Procedure

Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Steven Meier, is one of a few surgeons to offer Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for cartilage restoration.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

Steven Meier, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgeon at La Peer Health Systems in Beverly Hills, CA is one of a few surgeons in the nation to perform autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). This procedure is used for cartilage restoration and regrowth.

“This breakthrough treatment is a great solution for many patients, especially athletes and those who are very active, who experience early cartilage degeneration. ACI provides regenerative results that were previously unavailable,” said Dr. Meier.

Cartilage is found in joint surfaces where bones come in contact with each other. Cartilage damage can be caused by traumatic injury or overuse, and can be very common among athletes. Cartilage restoration procedures help the damaged cartilage regenerate to fill in significant defects, and as a result, patients no longer experience the pain of that missing or damaged tissue.

ACI is a significant procedure that includes two surgeries to complete. “ACI is a long process and requires a real commitment to rehabilitation from the patient,” explained Dr. Meier.

If the patient is not diligent with their rehabilitation, the best results cannot be achieved. If the strict rehabilitation schedule is followed, however, patients can experience dramatic results and induced healing of what were otherwise debilitating defects of cartilage.

ACI is a two-step surgical process. Dr. Meier will first take a biopsy of healthy cartilage cells and sends them to a lab where they are cultivated, and encouraged to grow in culture over the span of several weeks. By the end of this period, the cartilage cells have multiplied enough to then be transplanted back into the patient.

To implant the newly grown cells, Dr. Meier will perform an open surgical procedure. First, a layer of tissue matrix is seeded with the cultured cartilage cells, sewn over the defect (the area that needs new cartilage), and then sealed into place with fibrin glue. Then, Dr. Meier will inject the new cartilage cells into the defect under the cover, where the new cartilage will grow into the defined area and fill in the hole of the defect until it has become like the healthy cartilage surrounding it.

One of the greatest advantages of ACI is that it utilizes the patient’s own cartilage, so there is no risk of the body rejecting the new tissue.

To learn more about this cutting-edge procedure, contact La Peer Health Systems at 855.360.9119 and ask to speak with the Orthopedic Surgery Department.

La Peer Health Systems, located in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles county, focuses on excellence in patient care, offering the most advanced treatments and equipment that the medical world has access to. With 42 doctors across 13 departments, from anesthesiology to urology, La Peer offers comprehensive and widespread medical treatments for all patients.

Dr. Larian New Chief of Head & Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai

Babak Larian, MD, appointed new Chief of Head & Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012

Babak Larian, MD, who had been the director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, has been appointed the Chief of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at the Medical Center. He began the position on January 1, 2012 and will hold the position until December 31, 2014.

Dr. Larian is a highly experienced and board certified Head & Neck Surgeon and an Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialist. He is also offers his expertise at the Cedars-Sinai Thyroid Cancer Center and the Cedars-Sinai Sinus Center.

“Being offered the position of Chief of Head & Neck Surgery is a great honor, and I was very excited when I accepted the proposal. Cedars-Sinai is a world-class hospital with an excellent staff, and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Dr. Larian.

Dr. Larian has extensive experience in treatment of all head and neck cancers, including complex advanced tumors, skull base tumors and recurrent cancers. He has expertise in minimally invasive thyroid, parathyroid, parotid gland, salivary gland surgery, endoscopic laser tumor resection and Zenker’s diverticulotomy. Dr. Larian puts a special emphasis on treatment options that take into account form and function, and he carefully plans reconstructive and facial reanimation procedures to optimize speech, swallowing, facial movement and appearance.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit multi-specialty academic health science center, known for providing the highest quality patient care that modern medicine has to offer. The hospital employs a staff of over 2,000 physicians and 10,000 employees. A team of 2,000 volunteers and more than 40 community groups support a patient-base of over 16,000 people. Cedars-Sinai is dedicated to excellent, compassion, innovation, and the art & science of healing.

Dr. Babak Larian, the Chairman and the Director of the CENTER for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery in Los Angeles, is a highly experienced and reputable, board-certified ear, head and neck surgeon, specializing in ear, nose and throat surgery. Dr. Larian is nationally renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery techniques in the treatment of sinus, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary glands and throat disorders.

For more information about the CENTER please visit http://www.LarianMD.com

New Study Reports Prednisolone Significantly Reduces Lasting Effects of Bell’s Palsy

Facial paralysis expert, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, discusses the importance of new Bell’s palsy treatment findings.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 23, 2012

According to a report in the May issue of Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, a recent Swedish and Finnish Scandinavian Bell’s palsy study revealed that treatment for Bell’s palsy with steroids within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms appeared to significantly reduce the number of patients with mild to moderate palsy severity at 12 months regardless of whether patients received antiviral treatment with Valtrex.

“This study provides very important insight into the treatment of Bell’s palsy. The study shows that it may not matter if antivirals are used or not as long as the individual is treated within 72 hours with steroids,” said Dr. Azizzadeh.

The randomized placebo-controlled trial, which focused on the effect of prednisolone in patients with Bell’s palsy, included 829 patients ages 18 to 75 years. Patients were divided into four treatment groups; placebo plus placebo, prednisolone plus placebo, the antiviral valacyclovir (Valtrex) plus placebo, and prednisolone plus valacyclovir.

The investigators evaluated facial function at 12 months using the Sunnybrook and House-Brackmann grading systems. Treatment with prednisolone significantly reduced mild and moderate sequelae in Bell’s palsy patients at 12 months. However, prednisolone did not reduce the number of patients with severe sequelae. Additionally, valacyclovir alone, as well as the combination of prednisolone plus valacyclovir did not reduce the number of patients with sequelae compared with prednisolone alone.

Dr. Azizzadeh also believes that, “while most patients recover from the effects of Bell’s palsy within six months, there are still a group of patients who experience severe degrees of synkinesis, or abnormal facial movements, that could benefit from additional treatments such as Botox, neuromuscular retraining, fillers and or surgery. The treatments must always be customized.”

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the Director of The Facial Paralysis Institute, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is deeply committed to the treatment of individuals with facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy. His expertise in facial plastic surgery has made him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the country.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Facial Paralysis Institute provides their patients with the most comfortable and technologically advanced facilities in the field of medicine. For more information, please visit http://www.FacialParalysisInstitute.com.