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LIFESTYLE

We have talked to few of the

busiest and most renowned

surgeons in the world, trying to

get their take on some of the

most important aspects of our

career: decision making

Here are their answers to the below two questions.

Q1 You are on a long planned family vacation for a week, celebrating one of your kids birthday, relaxing
and having fun. As you sit for breakfast to drink coffee with your lovely wife, LeBron James’ agent

calls, reports on an injury he had just suffered, and ask you to operate on him...Tomorrow. What
would you do....?

Q2 How do you relive the stress involved with daily practice so you don’t wear off?

Marc J. Philippon, MD

Vail, CO, USA

A1 I believe in a balanced life and for me my family A2 Balance and Spirituality are essential to me. I like
is very important. We also have an ethical to run every morning. In addition 4 – 5x / week,

obligation to help our patients. There are a few I find time to swim/ski/bike and I am about to
sports-related hip injuries that require emergency re-start playing ice hockey. I spend as much

surgeries (dislocations, open fractures, infections time with my family as I can. I like to travel, play
etc.). If the athlete does not fit these criteria, I tennis, ski and do some Aikido with them. I enjoy
would make my recommendations after reviewing watching them compete in tennis and performing

the studies and a good dialogue with the patient Ballet. Most importantly, enjoying your work and
and his agent. I would also tell them that I need having a great team with you, help tremendously

to perform a full physical exam to complete avoiding unnecessary stress.
my recommendations. If he needs an elective

surgery and they still want to have surgery the
next day, I would refer them to a surgeon that I

trust and decide to stay with my family. I do not
think that a few days make a difference in the life

of a professional athlete and to defer the surgery
for a few days, can actually be of great benefit.
It allows more time for a better decision-making

process.

42 ISAKOS NEWSLETTER 2013: Volume II