Clinical activity
The Total Joints section is an all-encompassing group within the UT Southwestern Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Under the leadership of Section Chief Michael H. Huo, M.D., the section consists of Georges Bounajem, M.D.; Varatharaj Mounasamy, M.D.; Sharon Walton, M.D.; and Joel Wells, M.D., M.P.H. They provide exceptional care that includes total hip and knee replacement, revision, and other areas involving joint repair.
The section has a presence throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, including at UTSW’s main campus in the Southwestern Medical District, as well as at the UTSW/THR Frisco location, the UTSW Richardson/ Plano location, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and Scottish Rite for Children. In fall 2022, the section will welcome back former resident Garen Collett, M.D., who will come in as a full-time faculty member.
Scholarly activity
The Total Joints section has continued to conduct several noteworthy investigations that have contributed to its scholarly activity. Focusing on hip dysplasia, Dr. Wells has continued to participate in studies related to this debilitating condition, including finding functional outcomes preserved in adult acetabular dysplasia with radiographic evidence. Dr. Bounajem has completed studies linked to the impact of social determinants on total joint arthroplasty complications and has been involved in studies looking at the risk factors and outcomes with revision total hip arthroplasty. Section Chief Dr. Huo has led collaborative studies with residents on a variety of subjects, from the outcomes of standardized total knee arthroplasty to finding complications of primary total hip arthroplasty in patient-specific groups.
Education
The Total Joints section is committed to the continuous education of residents through activities that include a weekly indications conference and the bimonthly opening of the cadaver lab.
These activities allow our residents to gain insight on the complexities of various cases they will encounter throughout their careers and provide a comprehensive training experience in Total Joints led by our faculty.