Specialties

Dr. Sforzo specializes in the non-surgical and surgical treatment of the following:

1)      Carpal tunnel syndrome

2)      Hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder arthritis

3)      Hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder (arm) fractures

4)      Hand to shoulder “lumps and bumps”

5)      Tendonitis

6)      Rotator cuff disease/rotator cuff tears

7)      Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow

8)      Cut hand tendons (flexor and extensor tendon lacerations)

9) Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve compression)

10) Wrist pain

11) Hip fractures

12)  Ankle fractures

13)  Knee pain

Dr. Sforzo performs the following specialty and fellowship-trained procedures:

1)      Endoscopic carpal tunnel release

2)      Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

3)      Volar plating of distal radius fracture

4)      Hand joint replacement and reconstruction

5)      Total shoulder replacement

6)      Total elbow replacement

7)      Total wrist replacement

8)      Wrist arthroscopy

9)      Hand fracture repair

10)  Hand arthritis surgery

Smaller Incisions and Better Pain Control

During his residency and hand surgery fellowship, Dr. Sforzo honed his skills in minimally invasive surgery. Arthroscopy and endoscopy allow Dr. Sforzo to treat your problem with tiny incisions and still obtain excellent results. Arthroscopy utilizes a small camera, smaller than the diameter of a pen, to “look” into a joint, whether it is a shoulder, wrist, or knee.

Rotator cuff repair

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 tendons that encompass the shoulder, or humerus, and are a frequent cause of shoulder pain, especially in overhead athletes. Many surgeons treat this surgically by open or “mini open” techniques. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a minimally-invasive surgery that utilizes 3 or 4 small (about a ˝ inch) incisions to see and repair the rotator cuff. Special instruments allow Dr. Sforzo to do all the work inside the shoulder, all the while working through a small opening the width of your fingernail. This gives Dr. Sforzo the ability to see all of the problems in the shoulder, much better than traditional “open” or “mini-open” techniques utilized by most surgeons. This translates to less pain, better outcomes, and faster recovery to you, the patient.

Also, Dr. Sforzo works closely with your anesthesiologist, or doctor who gives you medicine during the surgery. Today, we have the ability to place a pain pump through a needle stick in your shoulder, that will provide 24-72 hours of complete pain relief. Some benefits of the pump are as follows:

1. Non-Narcotic – Provides patients with a non-narcotic solution to post-operative pain management
2. Digital Status – Digital screen provides device status without any disruptive alarms or noises
3. Unrestricted Movement – Device does not restrict patient mobility during post-operative activity and rehabilitation
4. Patient Interaction – Bolus feature allows for patients to play an active role in their pain management
5. Programmable – Programming capabilities allow for physicians to customize each pump to needs of the patient
6. Removal – As soon as your are done with the pump’s medicine, it simply pulls out without any discomfort or stitch removal

For more information, click on the following link to read about one of the pain pumps that Dr. Sforzo’s patients have enjoyed using: http://www.osteosynthesis.stryker.com/patients/fracture_definition.php

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

Traditional open carpal tunnel release involves a large incision which can lead to more pain and delayed return to your work duties or recreational activities such as golf or tennis. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a safe, reliable, and minimally-invasive approach to carpal tunnel treatment, and avoids the palm where painful neuromas (cut nerve ends) can develop. The camera or endoscope is inserted through a tiny incision in the wrist and exits the mid-palm. Dr. Sforzo can see and cut the ligament causing the carpal tunnel with excellent clarity. However, sometimes anatomy and other factors can inhibit good visualization, and an open surgery must be performed. Dr. Sforzo will always do what he feels is best for your safest outcome. Usually patient are back to full activities in 3 to 4 weeks, but can use their hands without splints/braces right after surgery. Traditional open carpal tunnel release takes at least twice that time to rebound and return to full activities without restrictions.

X-ray/Radiology

Dr. Sforzo has invested in your health! The latest in x-ray technology can be found at The Orthopaedic Center…introducing IQue CR, the World’s First Self-Learning Computed Radiography System. IQue CR is an intelligent, simple to use computed radiography system that combines the latest in systems intelligence with a proven, high-capacity plate reader. Here are some of its outstanding features:

1. Automatic Exam View Recognition – allows for immediate image download to the exam room for review; recognizes the body part and automatically applies the correct image processing parameters. The result is excellent image quality, every time
2. 90 Plates Per Hour - The IQue CR Reader has a separate input bay and output bay. This allows the input bay to stack one cassette while another cassette is being processed. This unique dual bay design maximizes system throughput and optimizes technician efficiency. The IQue CR Control Station has a user interface that is highly automated. Thus the number of steps needed to complete an examination is greatly reduced.
3. Image Process Learning Function - further enhances your practice by tracking post-processing preferences and anticipating how you like to see your images.
4. Patented Hybrid Processing – further enhances the visualization of detail and improves image latitude. Unwanted noise and shadows are virtually eliminated while maintaining a natural looking image.

In order to store and archieve your digital x-rays, The Orthopaedic Center has partnered with ThinkingPACS™. ThinkingPACS™ is part of the Thinking Systems' ThinkingNet™ product family, which is medical image management and communication system that received FDA 510(k) clearance. ThinkingPACS™ offers either turnkey or software only solutions for multi-modality archiving, workstation and Web based image review and processing, and Web based reporting.

ThinkingPACS™ is by far the most comprehensive PACS product available in the market. Please see http://www.thinkingsystems.com/ for further details.

Bracing

The Orthopaedic Center offices are fully stocked with all of the needed bracing and splinting equipment. We have multiple types of every size to fit your needs, whether it is a simple wrist splint to a walking boot or a shoulder sling. It cuts down time wasted traveling to other places looking for what you need.

Casting

Dr. Sforzo and his team utilize their skills in applying all of the necessary casting materials in the office in the fully-stocked cast room/procedure room. Multiple colors are available of different sizes. We also remove all casts as well.

Therapy

Dr. Sforzo has taken the time to research and get to know the best therapists in the Sarasota-Manatee area, and has contant communication with all of them about your progress and needs. He will find the right therapist for you, whether you have a stiff shoulder or need special care getting better hand function.

Total elbow Pictures: