Archive for Joanne Barker
Hard and beautiful at the same time: Five lessons of raising a medically complex child
When they learned they were expecting a baby, Michelle and Stephen Strickland were delighted. The South Carolina couple looked forward to their child’s first words, first steps, and first family vacation. “You have this vision of a perfect life,” says Stephen. But when Aubree was born with a rare and complex condition, the couple entered ... Read More about Hard and beautiful at the same time: Five lessons of raising a medically complex child
3D imaging could become standard practice in orthopedics. Here’s how.
It took a trained eye to see the abnormality on the patient’s X-ray. There, hidden behind the acetabulum was the shadow of a small bone spur. “At first glance, this looks like a normal, healthy hip,” says Young-Jo Kim, MD, PhD, director of the Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. ... Read More about 3D imaging could become standard practice in orthopedics. Here’s how.
A unique marker for pericytes could help forge a new path for pulmonary hypertension care
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare condition that’s difficult to treat. The hallmarks of the disease — narrowing of the arterioles and capillaries that deliver blood to the lungs — force the heart to work harder. In severe cases, PAH can lead to heart failure. Pericytes support capillary function and may play a role ... Read More about A unique marker for pericytes could help forge a new path for pulmonary hypertension care
Adam takes a pause from his active life for non-ossifying fibroma
Adam was 11 in early 2024 when he and his bike slid under a downed tree. Such events aren’t unusual for Adam, who finds plenty of opportunities to test the limits of gravity near his home in Southern Maine. “Adam is the epitome of activity,” says his mother, Jessica. After the bike incident, however, he ... Read More about Adam takes a pause from his active life for non-ossifying fibroma
Ask a sports medicine specialist: Why are ACL tears so common among female athletes?
When an athlete is sprinting after an opponent who suddenly stops or changes direction, their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) make it possible for them to continue their pursuit. This much talked-about ligament is the reason athletes can pivot, cut, jump, and land. “The ACL is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee,” explains ... Read More about Ask a sports medicine specialist: Why are ACL tears so common among female athletes?
Forging a path back to school after orthopedic trauma
Orthopedic trauma can force children to miss school, sometimes for an extended period. But even when patients have regained enough mobility to return to school, their schools aren’t always equipped to welcome them back. “Trauma is different from many other orthopedic conditions because it’s so unexpected,” says Kristin Livingston, MD, director of the Orthopedic Trauma ... Read More about Forging a path back to school after orthopedic trauma
Thanks to Carter and his family, people are talking about spastic paraplegia
Nine-year-old Carter may be the most devoted — and popular — sports fan in his Connecticut town. “He loves all sports,” says his mother, Natalie. Whenever one of Carter’s buddies has a game, Natalie’s phone lights up with texts asking if he can attend. As his friends play, Carter cheers and gives high fives from his ... Read More about Thanks to Carter and his family, people are talking about spastic paraplegia
Mark’s winning pass with cochlear implants
Mark Bradshaw wanted to break out of his parents’ protective shell — as many teens do when they start pushing for more independence. Mark’s parents, however, hesitated. The issue? Mark, who is 15 and has had cochlear implants since early childhood, wanted to play tackle football. Access to sound and language Mark was diagnosed with ... Read More about Mark’s winning pass with cochlear implants
Jackie’s dreams of playing professional soccer back on track after ACL surgery
From her dorm in Newcastle, England, Jackie Zapata can hear fans roaring in the soccer stadium a few blocks away. Soccer is a major pastime in her adopted home. “The city gets amped up anytime there’s a game,” she says. “It’s a huge part of the culture here.” This enthusiasm makes Newcastle a good place ... Read More about Jackie’s dreams of playing professional soccer back on track after ACL surgery
What orthopedic trauma surgeons wish more parents knew about lawnmower injuries
Summer is full of delights: lemonade, ice cream, and fresh-cut grass to name a few. Unfortunately, the warmer months can also come with a type of injury that takes many families by surprise. Mowing the lawn may seem perfectly normal and safe. However, the blades that cut the grass can also do serious damage to ... Read More about What orthopedic trauma surgeons wish more parents knew about lawnmower injuries