Shoulder Injuries and Why Your Arm Was Not Designed to Throw a Baseball With Dr. Ken Kearns, M.D. [Part 1]
Season 3, Episode 5 | Podcast #41
Today we are joined by Dr. Ken Kearns, a Board Certified, fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow orthopedic surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic surgical procedures, joint replacements, minimally invasive procedures, as well as upper extremity fracture care from the clavicle to the elbow.
Originally from Ohio, Dr. Kearns completed his undergraduate studies at Colby College in Maine then onto medical school at The University of Toledo School of Medicine. Next stop, Orthopaedic Residency Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. While a resident, Dr. Kearns was recognized by several orthopedic organizations for his research and leadership. Last stop, Dr. Kearns didn’t go far for his fellowship. He was accepted to the internationally renowned Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/Rothman Institute Shoulder & Elbow Orthopaedic Fellowship Program.
Dr. Kearns has been published in numerous specialty medical journals on topics specifically related to rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and shoulder replacement. He’s been with Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder since 2016.
In this episode we cover:
2:55 What led Dr.Kearns to his career path and to stay in Philadelphia.
4:00 How orthopedic surgeons are looked down upon in the medical world
5:00 How Grey’s Anatomy has represented orthopedics poorly. (Yes, Dr.Kearns still watches)
6:26 Dr.Kearn’s experience at Jefferson University
How specialization plays a role in medicine especially in Philadelphia and New York.
8:45 The variety of injuries and surgeries an elbow and shoulder orthopedic surgeon sees in a day.
10:25 The difference between a fellowship and a residency for doctors.
13:20 How Dr.Kearns ended up at the Philadelphia Hand and Shoulder Center. The competitiveness of the Philadelphia medical scene, especially in Orthopedics.
15:00 The dilemma with marketing yourself as a doctor.
17:50 Building connection and relationship with patients and colleagues. The importance of respect and rapport when treating a patient.
21:00 The importance of talking directly to kids when they are the patients.
25:00 The most common shoulder and elbow sports injuries Dr.Kearn sees on a regular basis with athletes and weekend warriors.
26:00 Why Dr.Kearns and Q are seeing more Tommy John Elbow injuries - tearing the ligament on the inside of the elbow due to overuse in baseball. - Your arm is not designed to throw a baseball.
32:16 Labral tear symptoms and presentation.
“You have more motion in your shoulder than any other part of the body and your labrum is the structure that helps increase your stability. Damage to the anterior labrum is the most likely culprit of shoulder instability”
34:40 The importance of treating the whole person and treating each case individually.
35:00 “My role is to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you”
36:00 The role of imaging in diagnosing and treatment
“Any person who works out is going to have their clavicle light up, it just does… There are two things that we see every time [in imaging] clavicle and superior labral”
38:40 “Full disclosure, I still do these things but the worst thing you can do for your shoulder is bench press and shoulder press”
39:30: “90% of your diagnosis comes from what your patient tells you”
40:00 The range of recoveries and outcomes that aren’t easily predictable.
Contact
Dr. Ken Kearns Philadelphia Hand To Shoulder Center
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