They come from different areas of the country, each with diverse backgrounds and experiences and a deep dedication to their profession -- orthopedics.

Four orthopedic surgeons comprise the South Carolina Orthopaedic Institute, providing orthopedic services at the Regional Medical Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They specialize in all aspects of orthopedic care, both operative and non-operative, including arthroscopic, spine and total joint replacement surgeries as well as general orthopedics, trauma, bone and joint care, sports medicine and arthritis management.

Dr. James Marro has practiced in Orangeburg for 11 years and been with SCOI for seven years as an original member. Prior to coming to Orangeburg, Marro was chief of orthopedic surgery with the United States Air Force at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and clinical instructor of orthopedic surgery and rehab medicine at the V.A. Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Marro handles many bone and joint care cases, especially total joint replacement surgeries.

"There is very little that we don't do at the Regional Medical Center as far as modern technology, but we customize each surgery or treatment according to what's best for the patient. That's very important to me," Marro said.

Dr. Lucius Craig agrees. A graduate of the spine surgery fellowship program at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas, Craig specializes in degenerative disorders of the spine and has had success with an innovative procedure called kyphoplasty in which the surgeon injects a special type of cement into the spine to fix injuries and defects.

Craig is quick to point out that not all back injuries require surgery.

"We try to do conservative care," he said. "The vast majority of our cases are not surgical. We tend to use pain management techniques including medicines, injections, bracing and exercising before surgery."

A native of New Orleans, Craig joined SCOI three years ago. His colleagues say it is unusual to have a spine surgeon at a hospital the RMC's size.

"The nice thing about Dr. Craig is that he is comfortable with it all -- spine surgeries and general orthopedic," Marro said.

A third SCOI surgeon, Dr. Matthew Nelson, was orthopedic chief resident at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., before joining SCOI last January. He said he was drawn by a combination of the friendliness of the people and the technology available at the RMC.

"The hospital embraces new technology and encourages special training," Nelson said.

Nelson is certified in hip resurfacing, a bone-sparing hip replacement surgery that is done by only a handful of surgeons in the state.

"The Regional Medical Center is definitely committed to providing top quality, high-tech orthopedic services to this area," Nelson said.

Nelson said support from the RMC staff adds to SCOI's success.

"We have a top-notch rehabilitation center in HealthPlex," Nelson said. "When we have hard cases like occupational injuries that require rehabilitation, we can easily coordinate continued care on-site through HealthPlex."

Marro said SCOI works closely with HealthPlex staff.

"They are our eyes and ears in the community at area high school games," he said. "If there's a sports injury at a high school athletic competition, they contact us immediately."

Marro said HealthPlex and SCOI also hold a free sports injury assessment clinic every Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. during football season.

The most recent addition to the SCOI staff is Denmark native Dr. Charles Hughes, who joined the group in May. Hughes has more than 18 years of experience in orthopedics, including five years of practice in Charleston. He said a big draw for him was the way the SCOI team works together.

"We help each other whenever we can, especially with complex cases," Hughes said. "We often have two surgeons on one surgery case. It's nice to have a second set of hands and eyes.

"Having two orthopedic surgeons working on one surgery would never happen at a larger hospital."

Hughes said SCOI physicians also know all of their patients personally.

"I've heard of cases at larger hospitals where patients never even meet their surgeon," he said. "They are assisted before and after surgery by a resident or by a physician assistant.

"With orthopedic surgeries at the Regional Medical Center, the doctor who operates on you is the one you talk to after surgery."

Hughes said there's a misconception that better care is always offered at larger hospitals.

"Larger hospitals often limit new equipment and new technology or require physicians to use a certain supplier," Hughes said. "Here, we have all the equipment we need, and we have the flexibility to choose the best alternatives for the patient."

"Another challenge of practicing in a large city is that the operating staffs at larger hospitals are constantly changing," he said. "It's so important to know who you're working with in the operating room."

Marro agrees and said he has worked at several major medical centers in New York City, and the orthopedic care given at the RMC is equal to or better than the care at larger hospitals.

"The operating room and 4 West staff know us well, and they know what our patients need. They are an excellent team," he said. "We have a lot of advantages here, and we've had excellent outcomes. We always strive to do what's best for the patient. That's what good health care is all about."

Special to The T&D

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