Elbow pain is a common problem for many people. Whether you have been playing sports or performing repetitive tasks, your elbow can take a beating. It's important to know how to prevent elbow pain so that you can enjoy the activities you love without interruptions from soreness...
Identify the Cause of Your Knee Pain First, it is important to know the possible causes of knee pain. For example, arthritis - which can cause stiffness in your joints – may worsen over time and prevent movement. Worn cartilage will not allow for proper movement between...
What is Tennis Elbow? This condition is caused by repetitive motion of the elbow and is often seen in athletes whose sport involved throwing. Though it is called “Tennis Elbow” both athletes and nonathletes are at risk for the condition. The tendons in the elbow become overloaded when...
What Causes Back Pain? Herniated Disc A disc is a jelly-like cushion that sits between the vertebrae in your spine. When a disc slips, it is called a herniated disc. If you have a herniated disc, you will likely experience some pain, tingling, and weakness. Pain...
Hip replacement surgery, also known as total hip arthroplasty, involves the hip joint being replaced by an implant. Hip replacement is a major surgery and recovery doesn’t happen overnight. Learn if you may need a hip replacement and how that process will look in this all-encompassing guide....
A knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgery that replaces the knee joint to relieve pain caused by a host of different injuries or conditions. Though osteoarthritis is one of the leading reasons for a knee replacement, patients with conditions such as avascular necrosis and...
What is a Labral Tear? The labrum is the cartilage in the shoulder that helps to keep the ball of the shoulder joint in place. When the labrum is torn, it leads to instability in the shoulder, and it can often cause the shoulder to dislocate. ...
A sports medicine doctor treats and diagnoses sports injuries and conditions. Though they are labeled “sports medicine”, most work with a wide range a patients who have injuries of their musculoskeletal system. What Are Sports Related Injuries? Athletes tend to experience specific types of injuries that sports medicine doctors are...
If you work a job where you are typing often, or you have arthritis, it is likely that you will experience wrist pain. Exercising your wrists can help to build strength and increase flexibility. Try these exercises for pain relief and prevention of wrist pain. Prayer...
What Is Sciatica? Sciatica refers to pain that runs through the sciatic nerve pathway. This nerve travels from the lower back to the hip and often radiates down the back of the leg. This condition is quite common among those with low back pain. Symptoms of...
Hip Arthritis What is arthritis Many of our patients come to our offices to seek pain management treatments for arthritis. There are several types of arthritis, but each of them involves inflammation or pain in one or more of the joints. Some of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis...
Having hip pain can make everyday activities difficult. Many people associate hip pain with older adults; however, people of all ages can experience hip pain, especially those who play sports. Learn what may be causing your issues and ways to help return to a pain-free life. ...
William Yelverton has been a patient of Elite for 32 years since his ACL allograft in 1991 by Dr. Elrod, which remains perfect. As a music professor and professional guitarist, Yelverton has been treated for carpal tunnel repeatedly by Dr. Dovan. He has also seen Dr. Willers over the years...
What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the scientific study of people within their working environment. An ergonomist is someone who aims to make sure materials are safe to use and designed to prevent work related injuries. 5 Tools Known for Helping Prevent Back Pain Ergonomic tools can...
Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics is home to the best hand and upper extremity specialists in Nashville. Here is what some of our patients have to say about their experience at Elite: ____________________________________________________________________ Lillian - Dr. Sam Crosby Patient The Diagnosis I had 0% use of my...
Hip pain can stem from various types of arthritis, which can be treated by hip replacement surgery. According to Harvard Health, there are over 300,000 hip replacements in the U.S. per year. During a hip replacement, worn out cartilage/bone is removed and replaced by artificial parts. There...
Hi, I am Dr. Amanda Martin at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. I specialize in sports medicine injuries and surgery of the hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow. I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma on a cattle ranch. That is where I picked up a lot of my orthopedic tendencies – fixing fences and branding...
Shoulder pain is common among orthopedic patients, especially those whose daily activity involves repetitive use of the arm. Athletes in throwing sports often experience shoulder pain or injuries involving the rotator cuff. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it is important to consult an orthopedic doctor near you to find...
Overview Low back pain is one of the most common conditions in the country. It is prevalent in individuals that work physical jobs that lead to overuse or desk jobs that lead to poor posture. So why is lower back pain so common? Well, your lower back supports...
Patients of all ages can experience foot pain stemming from various conditions. In this guide, learn about conditions, signs, symptoms, treatment, and when it is time to see an orthopedic foot doctor near you. What Kind of Doctor Do You See for Foot Pain? If you are...
Following a dirt bike accident, Florida Georgia Line band member, Tyler Hubbard, ruptured his Achilles tendon and broke a bone on the inside of his ankle. The country music star says, “My world drastically changed and slowed down for a while after blowing out my ankle.” His injury required surgery from...
Overview Wearing poor-fitting shoes can be uncomfortable and increase your risk of developing bunions. Learn more about symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of bunions in your feet. A bunion is a bump located next to the big toe. It forms when the bones in the big toe are...
We are thrilled to announce our 8 surgeons who were named Nashville's Top Doctors by Cassel Connolly and featured in Nashville Lifestyle Magazine. The focus of their care has always been geared towards taking excellent care of their patients and honing their skills in a way that distinguishes them from...
If you are suffering from severe joint pain, it may be a sign that you need a joint replacement. You should consult with an orthopedic doctor that will recommend a treatment plan, possibly including surgery from a joint replacement specialist. 5 Signs You Need to See a...
Knee pain can take a toll on your everyday activities, especially if you are an athlete. Learn conditions, symptoms, causes, treatment, signs to look for, and more in our all-encompassing guide from a knee doctor. 3 Common Conditions That Cause Knee Pain Meniscus Tear Symptoms: Popping noise when...
Nashville Fit Magazine has named Dr. David R. Moore the best orthopedic doctor in Nashville, TN in their 2020 Best of Issue. This award is given to those in the Health, Fitness, Nutrition, or Wellness industries. Nashville Fit uses public polling to determine winners of their “Best Of” awards. Dr. Moore specializes in knee, shoulder, and elbow surgery. He sees patients...
Overview At some point in time, we have all been sitting in a waiting room, feeling bored or anxious. When you are experiencing anxiety about going to the doctor, 5 minutes can feel like an hour. Below are 5 activities you can do in the waiting room of an ortho...
Overview The medial collateral ligament, also known as the MCL, is a band of tissue that connects your femur to your tibia. It is the ligament that enables you to move your knee with ease. There are three grades of MCL tears. Grades 1 and 2 are only partial tears of the ligament, while grade 3 is a complete tear of the MCL. Symptoms A...
What to Expect with Julio Jones’ Hamstring Injury in His First Season with the Titans Seven-time pro bowler and future Hall of Famer, Julio Jones, is on the move to the Tennessee Titans for the 2021-2022 NFL season. The recently announced trade includes a 2022 second-round draft pick and 2023...
Overview The ulnar nerve is an integral component of your arm and one of the largest nerves in your entire body. It is also susceptible to pressure. When pressure occurs in the elbow, you can develop a condition called cubital tunnel syndrome. Is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome the...
Elbow injuries are ubiquitous in sports like baseball and tennis. With that said, elbow pain is not limited to athletes. Jobs that involve repetitive motions like manufacturing and construction are at risk of injury as well. You could even experience trauma from an accident or slip-and-fall. Your job, lifestyle, or...
According to Startstanding.org, about 80% of people in the western world will suffer from low back pain. Our back doctors at Elite Sports Medicine in Nashville and Franklin, TN specialize in the spine and offer the latest, most advanced treatment options to help low back pain. One of the most...
I am Chad Price, an orthopedic surgeon in Nashville, TN at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. I specialize in treating shoulder pain, hip pain, and knee pain. What Made You Want to Become an Orthopedic Surgeon? I grew up here locally in Rutherford county then went to college at...
Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics has two award winning spine specialists in Nashville, TN. Check out what their patients are saying it's like working with them. ____________________________________________________________________ Elaine with Dr. Chris Glattes I used to live an independent lifestyle. I would go fishing, work with jewelry and beads, grocery shop,...
What Do Orthopedic Surgeons Do? Orthopedic surgeons provide care for joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and tissues. Also known as orthopedists or orthopedic doctors, these providers routinely see injuries to the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, spine, hand, foot, and many other parts of the body. Some orthopedic surgeons choose to...
Hi, my name is Dr. Sam Crosby and I am a hand and upper extremity surgeon at Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. I specialize in surgery of the elbow, shoulder, wrist, and hand. Did You Always Want to Be a Doctor? I grew up knowing that I wanted to...
An “Elite Lifer” Denise Ozement has been a patient of Elite since 2007, receiving nine surgeries from four of our Nashville orthopedic surgeon team. She is a self-titled “Elite Lifer”. Denise found Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics shortly after moving from Mississippi. She had experienced painful plantar fasciitis symptoms and...
Hi, my name is Chris Glattes. I am an orthopedic surgeon in Nashville and Franklin, TN with Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, and I specialize in spine surgery. Background I grew up in Kansas City, and anyone that is from that area always wants to know, did you grow...
Orthopedic surgeons specializing in treatment of the foot and ankle are used to treating big toe pain. No, we are not necessarily talking about stubbing your toe on the bedpost. Editor’s note: We acknowledge that stubbing your big toe is no fun. We are referring to big toe pain caused...
Back pain, neck pain, numbness, and weakness, are reasons patients regularly visit our back doctors in Nashville, TN. In this guide, we discuss symptoms, causes, and treatments for a few of the most common conditions we see and address several questions about when to see an orthopedic doctor for...
Hi, I’m Jeffrey Willers, a foot and ankle specialist at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. I grew up in Gainesville, Georgia, which is a small town about an hour northeast of Atlanta. Physical fitness and health have always been important to me. As a kid, my hobbies included swimming, tennis,...
Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics is home to some of the best shoulder doctors in Nashville, TN. But don't take our word for it. Below are testimonials from patients that came to Elite for shoulder pain. ____________________________________________________________________ Kassie Powell with Dr. Amanda Martin Torn Labrum I visited Elite when I...
Farrah Castleman with Dr. David Moore Farrah Castleman is a senior basketball player at Massac County High School in Illinois. Farrah became a patient of Dr. David Moore with Elite after two separate injuries on the court. ACL Tear During Freshman Year In Farrah’s freshman year, she...
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the three or four most common conditions our hand doctors in Nashville, TN treat. One way to look at it is a pinched nerve in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome gets its name from the tunnel within...
Overview of an ACL Tear The knee is comprised of four ligaments - one you have proably heard of is called the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. Sports ortho doctors break down injuries to the ACL by the following degrees of severity: Grade 1 Sprain: The ACL has experienced minimal...
Initial Struggles with Ankle Pain I have had issues with ankle pain going back to when I was about nine or ten. I remember rolling my ankle while playing field hockey, and it has been an issue ever since. I live a very active lifestyle that includes hiking, squash, tennis,...
We were fortunate to sit down with Eddie George, who graciously shared his experience working with Dr. Burton Elrod - one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Nashville, TN. Keep reading to learn more about Eddie's struggles with knee pain and other joint pain, along with some fun stories from...
Your spine and your favorite morning treat have more in common than you might think. Although, one certainly tastes better than the other. The analogy is used to describe a herniated disc by many spine surgeons. While this condition may cause back pain and discomfort, thankfully most cases...
Hand pain, numbness, and swelling are reasons patients regularly visit our hand doctors in Nashville, TN at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. In this all-encompassing guide, we cover symptoms, causes, and treatments for a few of the most common conditions we treat, as well as address some questions our...
Hi, I’m Dr. Tom Dovan, one of the orthopedic surgeons here at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. My specialty is hand and upper extremity, which includes injuries and conditions of the shoulder all the way down to the hand. I am originally from New Jersey. I went to medical school...
Foot doctors have seen and heard it all. Let’s get that squared away early. Beyond that, we want to ensure that your trip to a foot specialist – like our foot doctors in Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN – goes as smooth as possible. If you’re experiencing unrelenting foot pain,...
What Is a Herniated Disc? If you are experiencing pain, weakness, or numbness in your arms or legs, you may have a herniated disc. A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured disc, refers to issues with the soft, rubber disc between the spinal bone. A ruptured disc...
What Is Hip Dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is a condition where the roof of the socket does not fully cover the ball of the joint. Without stability from the ball and socket, the hip joint is more susceptible to injuries including labral tearing, progressive arthritis, or even dislocation. Elite Sports...
According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 50 million adults suffer from arthritis, of which there are dozens of different types. One common type of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of hip pain, hand pain, knee pain, and back pain, and a common reason people visit...
The following guide is provided to patients of Dr. Gregory Raab, an orthopedic surgeon in Nashville, TN that specializes in total joint replacement and revisions in the knee and hip. If you are suffering from knee pain, schedule an appointment with a knee replacement doctor near you to...
Hi, my name is Dr. David Moore, and I’m an orthopedic surgeon here at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. I’ve been with Elite since 2004, following a sports medicine fellowship in Birmingham with Dr. James Andrews. What Is Your Orthopedic Specialty? Within orthopedics there are a...
I’ve always been active in terms of physical fitness. In high school I played indoor and outdoor soccer, was a cheerleader, and a dancer. My physical fitness journey was put on pause when I became married and had two wonderful children with special needs. When I was able...
Have you ever experienced sudden hip pain that had you reaching to your side? Or maybe you have that slight aching sensation that never seems to go away. Whatever your hip pain is like, there’s a good chance that you need to see a hip doctor that specializes...
5 Signs You Need to See a Spine Surgeon Have you ever experienced nagging back pain? Whether your pain stems from a slip-and-fall, an athletic injury or general wear-and-tear, you may find yourself asking, “When is it time to see a back doctor?” We sat down with Elite...
Overview According to experts at the American Chiropractic Association, "Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections". Ironically, back pain can also...
A Family of Swimmers Dr. Raab met his wife Jamie in college at Stanford University, where she as an NCAA Championship winning swimmer. Of course, with a shared love for swimming, years later it would only make sense to raise a house full of 5 swimmers. One daughter even went on to follow her mom’s footsteps at Stanford by winning an NCAA...
NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Covington, came to see our friends at MPOWER Performance Institute. Here's what he has to say about his experience at MPOWER: Robert Seeked Help After a Knee Injury I was coming off a knee injury a couple of...
Competitive cycler, Dave Briggs, visited our friends at MPOWER Performance Institute after a car accident. Here is what he has to say about his expeience at MPOWER. Leg Injury Prior to MPOWER I had just finished my 16th season of competitive cycling when I was involved in a...
Demarco Murray, former NFL running back came to see our friends at MPOWER Performance Institute. Here's what he has to say about his experience with MPOWER: Knee Pain Prior to MPower Physical Therapy I started coming to MPower after suffering a bone bruise MCL injury this...
According to Mayo Clinic, stretching has proven to help improve your muscle flexibility and increase performance. If you’re about to begin intense physical activity, you’ll want to first create a pre-workout routine that incorporates stretching relevant to the work you’ll be putting in. Stretches are categorized into...
You’ve probably been told that good posture is important, but never why it's important. Sitting and standing up straight can impact your overall physical health, but also, help relieve your back pain. Avoid Back Pain and Other Ailments By keeping your spine properly aligned,...
Choosing your next pair of shoes comes down to more than just picking out the trendiest option. These shoes will be the foundation every step you take, affecting your feet, ankles, back, and more! This is why it is vital that you pick the right pair. ...
While ACL tears are associated with athletes, they can happen to just about anyone. Age, gender, and activity level are variables that may increase your risk of tearing your ACL. Suddenly stopping or changing directions are among the leading causes of ACL tears, explaining the higher rate...
While you may love the game, you should know the dangers behind the sport you play when it comes to protecting your spine. In a 2008 study investigating spinal injuries in sports, Boden & Jarvis found that sports account for over eight percent of new spinal cord problems...
Scoliosis is a spinal condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, forming a C or S shape and leading to back pain or impaired movements. Severe cases of scoliosis may limit normal functionality and even affect breathing. However, most cases of scoliosis are minor in nature. Conditions...
Ankle arthritis is a degenerative joint process involving the ankle joint that leads to stiffness and pain with exercise and activities of daily life. It can be caused by prior trauma or injury, leg deformity, chronic instability, and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Arthritis affects...
Warning signs that you need a joint replacement aren’t exactly clear-cut. While it may be difficult to determine whether a joint replacement is right for you, if you are experiencing any of the signs in this article, you should consider speaking with an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in joint replacement....
After a joint replacement, you may want to return to the activities you love right away. However, your new joint may not be ready to handle that level of stress quite yet. Here’s what you can expect from your return to sport following a joint replacement: ...
Lingering joint pain is a frustrating experience felt by millions of Americans. It is a debilitating condition that limits your everyday activities and often requires seeking out treatment. If you are undergoing pain that limits your quality of life, it may be time to consider arthroplasty, also known...
The first fear that runs through an athlete’s mind following an injury is the length of the recovery period. In golf, injuries like back pain, knee injuries, and tendinitis can force athletes off the green for an extended time. Your best option is to ensure you are getting the...
Golf is a sport that utilizes a repitition of motions that may cause injury if you are not careful. Conditions like back pain, knee pain, and tendinitis are a common cause for missing time on the green. Fortunately, you are able to mitigate the risk of enduring these...
To become a better golfer, you’ll need a more developed golf swing. It may seem obvious, but many people try to just hit the ball as far as they can without learning the fundamentals, much to the dismay of your local orthopedic doctor. A swing is a complex...
On a beautiful day, there’s no better way to spend your afternoon than by playing a round of golf. For centuries, this prestigious game has held competitions all over the world, crowning some of the greatest athletes in the history of sport. Unfortunately, as with all sports, golfers...
If you’ve ever been to see an orthopedic specialist, you’ve probably heard the term “scope” of the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle or hip. But what exactly does it mean to scope a knee? What is Arthroscopy? Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure used by orthopedic doctors to...
Our bodies are like a machine. The fuel we put in it, our daily maintenance, and how we utilize our body are all factors that can affect our quality of life and longevity. The problem is, in our western society, we are constantly on the go and often...
Are you suffering from big toe pain in your joint? You may need to see a foot doctor near you. The joint where the foot meets the big toe—the 1st metatarsal-phalangeal joint (MTP)—is a common site of pain for athletes and non-athletes alike. This condition is called hallux rigidus, and...
My Experience with Elite and Kenny Chatman I want to take a moment to share with you my experience with Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics and MPOWER Performance Institute. Over the years, I have participated in sporting activities which occasionally beat up my body. In the late 1990s, I...
Titleist Performance Institute, or TPI, is the world’s leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. The screen can identify restrictions in the way your body moves within your swing so that we can accurately prescribe/develop a...
As winter gives way to spring and the smell of fresh-cut grass fills the air, people will emerge from their winter hibernation and begin the trek to baseball and softball parks. The crack of a bat, the pop of a ball hitting a mitt, and the chant of...
Overview In competitive volleyball, many points are won or lost at “the net”. The area at and under the net is the most common part of the volleyball court to see injuries, some minor but some potentially catastrophic to the young athlete. Not only does playing at the...
Neck Pain and Causes Pain and Disability due to disc disease in the neck is a serious problem and now there is a new and better option for some patients. There are approximately 1.1 Million patients each year in the U.S. that suffer from symptomatic cervical disc disease....
Although we are still in the grips of winter, the prospect of spring beckons us golfers to rush out on the first day of warmer weather and hit the links; however, playing golf with an unprepared or deconditioned spine makes us vulnerable to injuries throughout the season. Just...
After nearly a decade of Orthopaedic practice devoted to Joint Replacements, one of the most frequent questions I am asked by patients is “How will I know when it’s time for knee replacement surgery?” Truthfully, my response is simply, “You will know when it’s time.”Let me explain…. ...
Aaron Brill age 24 grew up in South Florida and has played baseball since he was a very young child. He played baseball in college and now plays short stop and second base in Canada for the Canadian American League (the Can Am League). But Aaron was recently...
How Does a Hip Labrum Tear? The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The labrum is the cartilage ring around the socket. The labrum adds to the stability of the hip joint by making the socket deeper and providing a suction seal to the joint. The...
Sprained ankles are the most common sports-related injury and a familair injury to foot doctors, with an estimated 25,000 occurances each day. Sprained ankles account for 45% of all basketball injuries, 31% of soccer injuries and also frequently occur in football players, gymnasts, and runners. We dive into...
Does Crossfit Increase Your Risk for Injury? There has been a lot of publicity regarding CrossFit and injuries lately. As with any new popular or trendy health fads, there will inherently be a group who jump on the band wagon and a group that speak out against it. Lately...
Rotator Cuff Overview The rotator cuff is made up of a set of four relatively small tendons in the shoulder called the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. Their job is to keep the ball of the shoulder joint in place. This task may sound relatively simple, but...
Vitamin D for Osteoporosis The role of Vitamin D supplementation in osteoporotic and osteopenic patients has been well known for quite some time. In fact, Vitamin D supplementation along calcium supplementation and weight bearing exercises are regarded as first line treatment in osteopenia and mild cases of osteoporosis. In...
What Is a Sports Medicine Specialist? A Sports Medicine Specialist is a physician with significant specialized training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury. The Sports Medicine Specialist helps patients maximize function and minimize disability and time away from sports, work, or school. He or she...
What Is Arthritis? Many people are all too familiar with the aches and pains of arthritis, but what exactly is arthritis? One common misconception is that arthritis is the result of something that grows in or on a joint over time. If that were the case, curing arthritis would...
Youth sports are booming here in Nashville. More and more children are becoming involved in travel and year round athletics. There also seems to be an evolving trend of young athletes specializing in a particular sport at a much earlier age. With the growing childhood obesity epidemic in...
Stem cell therapy is becoming a hot topic in sports medicine. Professional athletes have been getting this type of treatment for the past several years. As these treatments have been discussed in the news media, my patients have started to ask, “Could this be right for me?” The...
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears have become a common injury among today’s athletes at any level (high school, collegiate, and professional), but is 4-6 times greater in females. During ACL rehab, it is very pertinent to address common risk factors that lead to ACL tears in females. Those...
Fall season is upon us and most are welcoming the cooler weather and of course, football. In the past several years increased awareness to the potential injuries of football have been highlighted and brought to the public eye like never before. In particular, concussion and spinal injuries are...
A Parent's Perspective: Dr. Chris Glattes As a proud parent of young daughters pursuing the sport of volleyball, it gives me great pleasure to discuss the complexities of the shoulder joint and how any overhead sport athlete can run into trouble. We have recently entered the exciting and competitive...
Baseball season is here, but hopefully the “Boys of Summer” have been already hard at work during the off-season to protect their backs. Baseball and softball are still some of the most popular sports that our young athletes pursue and injury prevention must be pursued in a pro-active...
Injuries to the spine during intense works outs are common and these injuries seem to be increasing in frequency in our practice at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. Luckily, the majority of spinal injuries can be treated without surgery and athletes can use their injury as an opportunity for education....
To become an orthopedic surgeon you must graduate from college, apply and be admitted to medical school, complete 4 years of medical school, and complete a rigorous 5 years of medical and surgical residency in orthopedic surgery. The residency programs in orthopedic surgery are some of the most...