Newsletter 
SEARCH ARTICLES
NEWSLETTER
Over two decades, the number of people undergoing total hip replacement surgery in the country each year has more than tripled, from 138,700 in 2000 to about 450,000 in 2020, according to government data.
That’s projected to increase to approximately 625,000 by 2040, in part because people are living longer. The US population of people 65 and older jumped from 34 million, or 12.4 percent, in 2000 to 52 million, or 16.3 percent, in 2020.
Add it all up and it means an increase in demand for physicians such as Michael A. Retino, DO, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he does what fewer and fewer orthopedic surgeons do. Put quite simply, he does it all.
“I’m a general orthopedic surgeon,” says Dr. Retino, who brought his vast knowledge and surgical skill set to Manatee Memorial two years ago following nearly 20 years of performing the same array of services in Cleveland.
“I’m different from physicians who do subspecialty work in that I perform hip, knee and shoulder replacements; I do anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and rotator cuff repairs; I repair carpal tunnel issues and perform knee and shoulder arthroscopy.
“I can tackle just about anything, and the advantage that provides for patients is that they don’t need to see three different orthopedic surgeons for each of their different complaints. As long as they’re comfortable with me, I can address their other joint needs.
“At the same time, we need to fully appreciate the fact that there are still many orthopedic conditions and situations that require the expertise of a sub-specialty fellowship-trained surgeon.”
Many of Dr. Retino’s patients do have other needs. He estimates that about 80 percent of the patients he treats for one bothersome issue return to him for treatment of a similar ailment in another part of their body.
“There are a lot of times where I’ll perform a knee replacement on a patient,” he relates, “and as they’re walking out the door they’ll say, I’m really glad I finally got this knee taken care of; now can you do my shoulder or fix this carpal tunnel issue?
“And, of course, I tell them, Yes. We repair shoulders and carpal tunnel issues as well. And again, the patient doesn’t need to restart the process of finding a surgeon they trust to treat them properly and feel comfortable with.”
Surgical and Nonsurgical
Dr. Retino performs all of these surgeries as well as many nonsurgical procedures at Manatee Memorial’s Center for Orthopedic and Spine Surgery, where the services menu is one of the most extensive in all of medicine.
In addition to being outfitted for hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgeries, the center is set up to treat all forms of arthritis and traumatic orthopedic injuries, including the fracture and dislocation of all joints and extremities.
In addition, the center has the equipment to perform spinal surgery or treat other issues of the spine, including degenerative and congenital disorders such as spinal stenosis, ruptured or herniated discs, fractures, infections and tumors.
It’s equipped for foot and ankle surgeries and has everything necessary to treat a variety of podiatric conditions, including bunions, hammertoes, ankle injuries, diabetic foot disorders, ligament fractures and other traumas.
The center is similarly prepared to treat issues with the hands, elbows and shoulders, including tendon and instability problems as well as sports-related injuries and overuse syndromes.
At Manatee Memorial, the care for patients requiring surgical as well as nonsurgical orthopedic services doesn’t begin and end with the procedure. For certain surgeries, it begins prior to the procedure and extends beyond its completion.
For patients requiring hip, knee and shoulder replacements, for example, Manatee Memorial offers a presurgical education program that helps patients and their caregivers prepare and recover.
“It’s an example of old-fashioned caring,” Dr. Retino says of Manatee Memorial’s presurgical education program.
The program is coordinated by Andrew Stritzl, RN, BSN, whose goal is to ensure patients remain safe ahead of, during and after surgery.
“We’re very thoughtful about the surgical process here, so we’re always looking for ways to fine-tune that process, so we can get good, solid outcomes,” Dr. Retino adds. “One way to do that is by doing more with preop education.”
One of the objectives of the presurgical education program is to avoid complications, such as infection of the surgical site. Manatee Memorial is achieving its goal in that area, including where Dr. Retino works.
For example, the hospital recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for total hip and knee replacement certification for a second time by demonstrating continuous compliance with the commission’s performance standards.
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and successful patient care. Dr. Retino says Manatee Memorial has earned its awards, in part, by creating a successful working environment.
“The people at Manatee Memorial Hospital do a great job, and it’s not just me saying that; it’s the patients.”- Dr. Retino
“When you’re performing surgical cases two to three times a week, you want to do them where you have good people and the facilities and postoperative care are outstanding,” he says.
“That’s what I have at Manatee Memorial. The staff is accommodating and cordial. It’s a good group of people, and they do all they can for the benefit of the patient. Believe it or not, it’s not like that everywhere you go. But it’s like that at Manatee Memorial.”
According to Dr. Retino, the hospital is equally accommodating to doctors by making MRI, CT scan and X-ray services readily available when needed. And when specific components are required to ensure a successful surgery, the hospital makes sure the doctor has them as well.
“They allow surgeons to determine what they want to use and what’s best for their patients,” Dr. Retino confirms. “Not all hospitals do that. Some look more at cost-effectiveness and not so much at what is best for the patient.
“Some hospitals say, We can get these implants cheaper so you’re going to be using these whether you like them or not. A doctor can get a bit handcuffed that way in some places. That’s definitely not the case at Manatee Memorial. They are great. When I first came here, for example, I asked, Will you let me use a certain system to put this wrist fracture back together? The answer was, Sure, no problem.
“They’re very good streamlining those situations and provide us with everything we need. As a result, my patients have been very happy with the care they’ve received there. The people at Manatee Memorial are providing a great service to the community.”
Before and After Care
COVID-19 protocols remain in effect at Manatee Memorial Hospital; masks must be worn while in our facility.
That service includes an extensive postsurgical rehabilitation program that begins well ahead of surgery. During his presurgical education program, Andrew’s focus is on pre- and postsurgery preparedness.
“We go over what patients need to do before and after surgery to help reduce the risk of getting an infection. We cover what to expect in the hospital after surgery with a focus on rehab and the goals of functional safety,” Andrew explains. “The roles of physical therapy and occupational therapy are discussed as well as individualized discharge planning.”
Andrew says the tremendous support the program receives from surgeons such as Dr. Retino is one reason Manatee Memorial is achieving its goal of creating better patient outcomes. Dr. Retino says those results are largely a result of great teamwork.
“The people at Manatee Memorial Hospital do a great job, and it’s not just me saying that; it’s the patients,” Dr. Retino notes. “We get tremendous reports from our patients following surgeries and procedures.
“And they’re not saying things like, My nurse was great, but I didn’t like the doctor. We’re getting great reviews on everything from the surgical staff to the anesthesiologist, the physical therapist, the rehab team and the home services staff.
“Everyone is on the same page, and when you have that, the patient can expect a well-structured quality of care. Overall quality and patient safety are key, and Manatee Memorial Hospital provides that.”
Another thing that patients under Dr. Retino’s care can expect is his personal attention throughout the process.
“I give you quality, compassionate care,” Dr. Retino assures. “And, if I operate on you, you’re going to see me afterward. You’re not going to see a physician assistant; you’re not going to see a medical assistant; you’ll see me. I’ll see you seven to 10 days after your surgery and then at three-week intervals until you’re happy and we get you up and running.”
That way, if there are concerns, the doctor will learn firsthand.
“I don’t want to hear about problems from my physician assistant or a medical assistant,” Dr. Retino says. “Continuity of care is huge, and the quality and continuity of care are big pluses at Manatee Memorial, so it will be me taking care of you from beginning to end.”
Leave a Reply