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GBMC Surgeon Scores Goal With New Hip Surgery

Laurel Soccer Star Back On Field 12 Weeks After Hip Arthroscopy

BALTIMORE, Md. – November 13, 2006 –  A Laurel teenager who dreams of playing college soccer has a Greater Baltimore Medical Center orthopedic surgeon to thank for helping him get back on the field after undergoing a minimally invasive alternative hip surgery that is gradually becoming popular in the United States.  

Phil Mantua, age 17, underwent a hip arthroscopy the morning of May 10 performed by sports medicine specialist David Buchalter, MD, and was back home that night.  After four weeks of crutches and eight weeks of rehabilitation with a physical therapist, Phil was back on the soccer field, scoring goals for Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wheaton, Md., where for the second consecutive season, Phil led his team in scoring and assists, and was this year named to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team.

“I feel great now and can’t wait for club soccer to begin,” said Phil, who was injured playing the game he loves in January 2006.  “The pain was so severe I just couldn’t play much soccer.” Initial thoughts were Phil had a groin pull or hip flexor, but several months, X-rays and MRI’s later his injury was diagnosed as a torn labrum and it was suggested that Phil’s family find a surgeon who could perform a hip arthroscopy.

The procedure has long been popular in Europe but has only begun to gain popularity in the past few years in the United States.  Singer Barry Manilow had an hip arthroscopy procedure in October performed by Dr. Carlos Guanche, the physician who trained GBMC’s Dr. Buchalter.  Professional athletes who have had the procedure include golfer Greg Norman, hockey players Mario Lemieux and Aaron Miller, football player Priest Holmes, and skater Tara Lipinski. 

Dr. Buchalter, a resident of the Homeland neighborhood in Baltimore City, has expertise in advanced arthroscopy of four major joints: the ankle, hip, knee and shoulder, and is one of few surgeons in Maryland who perform the hip arthroscopy procedure.

“Hip arthroscopy is geared mostly toward the younger, more athletic population where we want to preserve as much cartilage and joint function as possible and relieve the patient’s pain,” said Dr. Buchalter. The outpatient procedure is an alternative to open surgery, which involves large incisions, long recovery times, and increased patient risk. Potential candidates for hip arthroscopy are typically less than 50-years-old, have experienced persistent hip pain for several months despite undergoing physical therapy and treatment with anti-inflammatory medication, are usually experiencing groin pain, and often describe symptoms of ‘catching’ or ‘locking’.

“Phil’s injury was not going away on its own,” said Dawn Mantua, Phil’s mother.  “Without this surgery, he would still have a very painful hip, would not be playing soccer and would not have the possibility of fulfilling his dream to play collegiate soccer.”

The Mantua family searched for a surgeon with experience in this procedure and located Dr. Buchalter through online research, traveling from Prince George’s County for the operation.  “We wanted Phil to have the best possible doctor to do the surgery,” Dawn Mantua said. 

Phil Mantua has been playing soccer since age 5 and has played on travel teams since age 9.   “I’m very grateful to Dr. Buchalter and GBMC,” he said.  “Because of my injury I missed the spring and summer soccer seasons but I’m looking forward to playing in upcoming soccer tournaments where college coaches will be present.  That wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t had this surgery.”  

Dr. Buchalter, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoMaryland, is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.  He serves as a team physician for several Baltimore County high schools, plays competitive tennis and enjoys wheel pottery as a hobby.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Buchalter and patient Phil Mantua are available for interviews to discuss hip arthroscopy.  Please contact Michael Schwartzberg to schedule an interview.  “Before” and “after” X-rays of Phil Mantua and intraoperative photos are available to accompany news coverage.

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