McLeod Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. David Lukowski explains Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the treatment options available to the McLeod Seacoast Fellows.

Local community leaders, part of the third class of McLeod Fellows, gathered on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, to continue their growth and exploration in healthcare. The Fellows had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the services offered at McLeod Seacoast and gain insight into medical and technological advances that are not commonly available to the public.

Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. David Lukowski with McLeod Orthopaedics Seacoast led the discussion with a presentation on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Dr. Lukowski specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery. He also emphasized the importance of hand rehabilitation after surgery.

“The hand is a unique and intricate part of the body and deserves specialized care after surgery for a faster recovery,” said Dr. Lukowski. “Hand rehabilitation will increase range of motion, strength, coordination and independence in daily activities.”

Following Dr. Lukowski’s presentation, his partner, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Walsh, presented on the Total Joint Replacement Program offered at McLeod Seacoast. The Total Joint Replacement Program has been designed specifically to educate joint replacement patients about the entire process, from surgery to recovery. Dr. Walsh also covered reasons why patients may need a total joint replacement and what other treatment options are available prior to surgery.

“The purpose of the Total Joint Program is to make the patient’s experience an easy one,” said Dr. Walsh. “A few hours after the joint replacement surgery, physical and occupational therapists come to the patient’s room and begin assisting with rehabilitation. Our program is designed to get people home and returned to normal function as quickly as possible.”

The McLeod Seacoast Fellows were also educated on For-Profit vs. Non-Profit hospitals by McLeod Health Chief Financial Officer Fulton Ervin.

Before the meeting concluded, the group toured the McLeod Seacoast Physical Therapy department and got an inside look at the MRI machine in the Radiology department.

The goal of the McLeod Seacoast Fellows Program is to make participants valued and well educated partners in seeking answers to the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare. The class also obtains a working knowledge of the healthcare needs of the community and how McLeod Health and the McLeod Foundation are meeting those needs.