University of Southern California Football Team Visits Scottish Rite for Children

University of Southern California Football Team Visits Scottish Rite for Children

by | Dec 28, 2022 | Events, Press Coverage

The University of Southern California Trojans took a break from their preparations for the 87th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to visit patients and their families at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas.

The visit began with a welcoming from Scottish Rite President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert L. Walker, who briefed the team about the pediatric orthopedic hospital. USC head coach Lincoln Riley then presented honorary captain Keegan Ratliff with a custom USC Trojans jersey.

Full stories below.
USC Football Instagram
Cottonbowl Classic Instagram
USC holds first practice at AT&T Stadium after visit to Scottish Rite, 247 Sports
Trojans Visit Scottish Rite for Children, Cottonbowl.com

What is Arthrogryposis?

What is Arthrogryposis?

by | Dec 20, 2022 | Hand Conditions

Arthrogryposis is a rare condition that occurs in one out of 3,000 births. It involves curved or hooked joints and limited range of motion for joints of the hands, wrists, knees, feet, shoulders and hips. Most children with arthrogryposis have normal intelligence and a sense of touch.

The full name is Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

  • Arthro = joints
  • Grypo = curved
  • Multiplex = different forms
  • Congenita = present at birth

Arthrogryposis is also known as Multiple Congenital Contractures.

  • Multiple = many
  • Congenital = at birth
  • Contractures = limited joint motion

In some cases only a few joints are affected and the range of motion is nearly normal. In severe cases many joints are involved, including the jaw and back.

The most common form is Amyoplasia.

  • A = absent
  • Myo = muscle
  • Plasia = abnormal growth or development

This condition involves multiple contractures in all of the limbs. The joint contractures are often severe and affect the same joint in both limbs.

What are the causes?
In most cases the cause cannot be identified. Joints that are unable to move before birth can result in joint contractures. When joints are not moved for a period of time, extra connective tissue develops. This fixes the joint in a stiff or locked position. It also causes the tendons connecting to the joint to not stretch to their normal length making normal joint movement difficult.

The causes for limitation of joint movement are:

  • muscles do not develop properly.
  • muscle diseases.
  • fever during pregnancy and viruses that may damage cells that transmit nerve impulses.
  • decreased amount of amniotic fluid.
  • the central nervous system and spinal cord do not form correctly.
  • the tendons, bones, joint or joint linings may develop abnormally.
  • a genetic cause in 30% of the cases.
    • Several genetic patterns have been recognized, but most cases are rare and recurrence varies with the type of genetic disorder.

What are the goals?
To assist your child in developing and achieving goals to maximize independence in activities of daily living and accessing his or her environment.

What is the treatment?
Treatment is tailored to the individual by a multi-disciplinary team of physicians (pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, neurologist, geneticist), nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

Treatments may include physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or surgery.

  1. The goal of physical therapy is to increase the range of motion and strength through functional activities and exercises. Assistive devices to help achieve goals may include splints, braces, crutches and wheelchairs. Parents are encouraged to become active participants in a therapy program and to continue therapy at home on a daily basis.
  2. The goal of occupational therapy is to learn activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing, toileting and dressing with assistive devices. These assistive devices include long handled utensils, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, bath brushes, toileting aids, etc.
  3. The goal of surgery is to correct the alignment of the upper and/or lower extremities so that the activities of daily living, such as standing and walking are possible. In some cases, tendon transfers are done to improve muscle function. For severely affected children, the extremities are positioned in a fixed standing or sitting position. The pros and cons for both positions will be discussed prior to scheduling surgery.

What to expect?
In most cases, the outlook is a positive one. The condition does not worsen with age. Therapy and other available treatments can bring about substantial improvement. The vast majority of children survive and live a normal life span. Many excel because they become experts at meeting and tackling challenges and are able to lead productive, independent lives as adults.

Get to Know our Staff: Emily Lachmann, Clinical Research

Get to Know our Staff: Emily Lachmann, Clinical Research

by | Dec 14, 2022 | Scoliosis & Spine

Each year, our team seeks out college students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Clinical Orthopedic Research Assistants (CORA) are hired at Scottish Rite for Children to assist our experts in performing clinical research tasks and collaborating on research projects. CORA staff are also mentored by our experts and given valuable advice and guidance for their future. Each CORA staff member specializes in a specific area of study and works with the experts in that department, receiving a well-rounded experience in their field of interest.

What inspired you to apply for the CORA/MSRF position?
After deciding to take a gap year before medical school, I was unsure about what I wanted to do. I applied for the CORA program because this position encompassed everything that I was searching for to prepare me for medical school from taking on research projects, working with a physician mentor, having lots of shadowing opportunities and getting experience with patients.

Have you always been interested in medicine and/or research?
I have always been interested in medicine, but my interest in research did not develop until my undergraduate years at Baylor University. During that time, I worked for a principal investigator that was developing a phone application to detect early stages of retinoblastoma (eye cancer) in children. This really opened my eyes to the impact of research, particularly in pediatrics, where we have the power to change children’s lives. I am so grateful to continue this type of work at Scottish Rite for Children.

What is it like working at Scottish Rite for Children?
Working at Scottish Rite has beyond exceeded my expectations. The staff here are so kind, and everyone truly values the mission of the organization to give children back their childhood. From my first day, the research team and the clinic staff were so welcoming and wanting to help me succeed in this new role. Specifically, the members of the Spine Research team have gone above and beyond to teach me the skills I need to be a successful researcher and future physician. Although Scottish Rite is made up of many different departments, it is clear that we are one big team.

Can you share a few sentences about someone at Scottish Rite who has been a mentor to you and how they have impacted your experience? What project are you working on with that mentor?
Dr. Amy L. McIntosh was the first mentor I worked with, and she was quick to make an impact on me. I was unaware of her impact at the time, but after learning more about her, I feel privileged to have her as a mentor. Her work as the Director of Clinical Safety, her passion to support women in STEM and her lead as the principal investigator to one of our largest scoliosis studies is inspiring to someone who is starting their career in medicine. When I am down in the clinic, Dr. McIntosh is always very welcoming and constantly inviting me to shadow with her. She takes the time to show me X-rays so that I can learn and better my understanding of complex conditions. In addition to working closely with her on the Early Onset Scoliosis study, Dr. McIntosh gave me the opportunity to work with her on a manuscript about reducing patient narcotic usage after scoliosis surgery, which recently got accepted to a pediatric anesthesia journal!

How do you think this experience will impact your career path?
The CORA program gave me invaluable experiences that were both helpful toward my immediate goal of medical school and will be helpful toward my long-term career goals. The experience working with patients, learning how to collaborate with principal investigators, and understanding the ins and outs of clinical research will have endless benefits. All these experiences have grown my confidence in communicating with patients and the various medical teams, applying to medical school and in my abilities as a researcher.

What progress have you made toward your career goal since beginning the program?
Since beginning this program, I have been accepted to medical school and will be attending UT Southwestern, Class of 2027. Also, I have had the opportunity to be an author on multiple abstracts and publications, one of which recently just got accepted by a pediatric anesthesia journal!

What is your favorite project that you are currently working on or have worked on at Scottish Rite?
My work on the Early Onset Scoliosis Study is my favorite and most rewarding project. The children are the most resilient and sweet. Getting to see and work with these patients and their families is the highlight of my day. It is so rewarding and fun to share the research process with them and to educate them on the impact research can have for future children.

What advice do you have for future CORA/MSRF participants?
Be thankful for this opportunity! Scottish Rite for Children is such a special place filled with the most supportive staff. Be a good team player, work hard and always put the patients first!

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I love playing sports and am extremely competitive! Last year, I broke my finger playing flag football. (I am also an orthopedic patient myself!)

Anything else you would like to add?
This program is not just a job. The CORA program does lots of fun activities outside of work, too! For example, we put together a relay team to take down the doctors at the Dallas Marathon this December!

If you are interested in a career in medicine and plan to take a year or two after college before applying to medical school, learn more about becoming a clinical orthopedic research assistant (CORA) on our careers page. Applications for June 2023 positions are being accepted through spring of 2023.

If you are in medical school and are interested in a research opportunity, learn more about becoming a medical student research fellow (MSRF) on our careers page.