Total Joint Fellowship

A 12 month fellowship in primary and revision total joint replacements of the hip, knee, and shoulder is available beginning August 1st of each year. A high volume of primary and revision cases as well as the opportunity for clinical research should prepare an applicant for a career in either academics or private practice.

This is a "hands on" fellowship where responsibility is delegated based on demonstration of clinical and surgical maturity and expertise. At the conclusion of the year, the participant should feel comfortable with minimally invasive techniques for primary total hip, total knee, and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, hip arthroscopy, complex primary and revision total hip, total knee, and total shoulder arthroplasty. Clinical evaluation and non-surgical management of arthroplasty problems are also emphasized.

1) Responsibilities

The fellow will be responsible for the following duties:

a) Assisting with all arthroplasty cases
b) Rounding on all inpatients on a daily basis
c) Assisting with evaluation and management of outpatients in the clinic
d) Pre-operative planning of all surgical cases and coordinating for special implants or equipment needed in the OR
e) Scheduling topics for weekly didactic conference and preparing presentations on specified topics
f) Completing 1 research project to be submitted for presentation at an orthopaedic meeting and/or peer review journal
g) Coordinating care of Dr. Swanson’s patients when he is out of town or otherwise unavailable.

2) Schedule

Mondays and Tuesdays are spent in the operating room. In general, six to eight arthroplasty cases are performed each day. Responsibilities are delegated based on demonstration of surgical maturity and expertise.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are spent in the outpatient clinic. Evaluation of new referrals, follow-up of operative and non-operative patients, and clinical decision making are emphasized. Some degree of autonomy is given based on level of clinical skills.

Friday is research and education day. A one-hour didactic conference is held each morning to discuss specific arthroplasty topics, research projects, or difficult cases. A multitude of resources is available for clinical research projects.  Additionally, the fellow may see some follow-up cases from on-call or moonlighting activities.

Weekends, in general, are free for reading, preparation for surgical cases or presentations, and research. Moonlighting opportunities are also available if desired.

3) Compensation

A generous compensation package is provided. Base salary is $60,000 per year plus health benefits. The fellow is allowed 2 weeks annual vacation plus 1 week to attend the arthroplasty meeting of his or her choice with all expenses covered up to $2,000.

Additional revenue may be generated by taking additional emergency room call at a local community hospital if desired. Compensation is based on billings generated while on call and is paid monthly. Most cases are low-level trauma; high energy or polytrauma cases usually go to the university medical center.

4) Application

All applicants should be board eligible or board certified through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Interested applicants should mail, fax, or attach to an email:

1. Cover letter
2. Current Curriculum Vitae
3. Names of 3 professional references

Phone: (702) 731-1616
Fax: (702) 221-9186
Email: tswanson@minitotalhip.com

Disclaimer:The information provided here is intended to educate the reader about certain medical conditions and certain possible treatment. It is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. If you believe you, your child, or someone you know, suffer from the conditions described herein, please see your health care provider immediately. Do not attempt to treat yourself, your child or anyone else without proper medical supervision.

©2006 Todd Swanson, M.D.
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The minimally invasive total hip replacement was developed by Dr. Swanson after being introduced to the concept in early 1997. Dr. Swanson began using the technique in May of 1997 and has continued to make improvements that now allow reliable surgery and reproducibly good results in most patients. Standardization of the technique has allowed teaching to other surgeons. Numerous physicians and orthopedic companies have shown interest in promoting “minimally invasive surgery” for total hip replacements.

The minimally invasive technique utilizes a 3-4 inch incision, much smaller than the 8-10 inch approach historically used for hip replacement. Patients require less anesthesia and pain medication, and mobilize more quickly. This results in both quicker recovery for the patient and a lower incidence of complications.

Patients typically recover from minimally invasive surgery in about half the time it takes to recover from standard incision surgery (6 weeks vs. 12 weeks).

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