NYU Langone announces opening of Center for Musculoskeletal Care

NYU Langone Medical Center ushered in the next generation of orthopaedic, rheumatologic and rehabilitative care with the opening of the Center for Musculoskeletal Care (CMC) at 333 East 38^th Street in Manhattan last week. The 110,000-square-foot CMC is the first, and largest, stand-alone facility in the U.S. to incorporate state-of-the-art therapeutic and medical technology with the expertise of NYU Langone's top-ranked doctors, wellness programs, biomedical research of bone and joint conditions and high-end performance analysis - at a single point of care.

The new center consolidates access to virtually all of the outpatient musculoskeletal services previously available across NYU Langone, including adult reconstructive/joint replacement surgery; spine disorders; arthritis and autoimmunity disease care, including infusion therapy; sports medicine, including joint preservation techniques; physiatry, physical and occupational therapies; advanced diagnostic imaging; and comprehensive pain management.

"The CMC now provides a focal point for our expertise in musculoskeletal care and will deepen the collaboration between clinicians and researchers to bring personalized treatment and care for the bones, joints and muscles," said Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO, NYU Langone Medical Center. "This new facility represents a fundamentally different way of treating musculoskeletal conditions, which will only enhance the world-class care provided by our expert faculty and staff."

The CMC will be home to more than 300 orthopaedists, physiatrists, radiologists, therapists, nurses and support staff who will provide a full spectrum of bone and joint care - from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, arthroscopic surgery and rehabilitation - all under one roof. All services will be relocated to the new facility by the middle of May.

"Patients will not only benefit from a seamless integration of the full spectrum of services within one location - but they will also be able to conveniently access many of our services six days a week, including elective surgery on Saturday," said Gail Chorney, MD, assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of the CMC. "While our clinicians help restore motion, eliminate pain and improve the quality of life for our patients today - the CMC is also home to biomedical imaging and orthopaedic research that will drive future advances in musculoskeletal care and medicine."

One example of how the CMC is redefining bone and joint care is the 7,200-square-foot, state-of-the-art gym and therapy area. The space provides traditional orthopaedic, rehabilitation and sports medicine therapy techniques alongside some of the most advanced exercise and performance analysis technology available today (not to mention breathtaking views of the East River), including:

• An anti-gravity treadmill, used in many elite and professional training facilities, allows running at less-than-full-body-weight, which reduces joint, tendon and muscle strain while improving motion and gait;
• A unique all-in-one wireless biofeedback training system provides in-depth range of motion analysis of practically any joint in the body;
• Motion analysis technology allows analysis of body mechanics and detection of the slightest musculoskeletal deviations; and
• Metabolic analysis, similar to that used by sport scientists, professional coaches and athletes, provides identification and optimization of core markers of fitness, endurance and energy.

To meet a patient's radiology needs, the CMC's Diagnostic Imaging Center maintains the latest low-dose radiology technology in addition to unique MRI and research facilities to advance clinical best-practices and biomechanical studies. The CMC is the only center in the Northeast with a full-body, ultra-low-dose 3-dimensional (3D) orthopaedic imaging system for the radiological examination, management and surgical planning of common orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis and joint disease.

NYU Langone is one of the nation's premier academic medical centers and ranked among the top 10 in the country for the musculoskeletal specialties of orthopedics, rheumatology, and rehabilitation in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report's annual survey of "Best Hospitals" in America.

In addition to its clinical and therapeutic services, the CMC also encompasses the Outpatient Surgery Center - a unique, state-of-the art facility for minimally-invasive orthopaedic surgical procedures that do not require an overnight stay.