Regina Hillsman's Schools

• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Regina Hillsman's Publications

• The Arthritis Foundation February, 2011 By Dr. Regina Hillsman Arthritis Foundation, Posted by Kenan33. Founded in 1948, the Arthritis Foundation contributes to arthritis research and advocates prevention, control, and cures for arthritis all around the world. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Arthritis Foundation achieves global outreach through a number of means and types of media. The Arthritis Foundation’s regular periodical, Arthritis Today, reaches thousands of readers worldwide. Additionally, the Arthritis Foundation publishes numerous books and brochures with the intention of spreading awareness of and knowledge pertaining to arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is the world’s biggest nonprofit contributor to arthritis research. Since its founding over 60 years ago, the Arthritis Foundation has funded more than $380 million in research grants intended to cure and prevent arthritis. By proliferating arthritis education, the Arthritis Foundation helps those stricken with the condition take better control of their lives. Paralleling its publications and programs, the Arthritis Foundation works toward public policy and legislation with the intent of improving the quality of life for those with arthritis. Furthermore, the Arthritis Foundation forges partnerships with organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Together, these three entities created the National Arthritis Action Plan, a strategy for overcoming challenges posed by arthritis. For more information about the Arthritis Foundation and its efforts, visit www.arthritis.org

• Endoscopic Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome February, 2011 By Dr. Regina O. Hillsman My Naugatuck, Connecticut, orthopaedic practice offers the latest and most effective care, getting patients of all ages back to work and play. Our highly qualified staff assists patients with physical therapy as well as advanced endoscopic and arthroscopic solutions for wrist, elbow, knee, back, and neck injuries. All visits begin with a thorough review of patient medical histories, consultation with primary care physicians, and basic examinations of the affected areas that may include low dose X-rays. I am committed to minimizing patient cost and discomfort through innovative endoscopic methods of treating conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These utilize minimally invasive techniques in correcting conditions that once required major surgery to resolve. Also known as repetitive wrist motion disorder, CTS is a condition occurring when the median nerve that extends from the forearm to the hand becomes squeezed or pinched at the wrist. This nerve is critical in controlling pulses and sensations to the palm side thumb and fingers, excluding the little finger. The nerve passes into the hand through the carpal tunnel, which is a small rigid opening defined by ligaments and bone. The compression of this nerve results in intermittent numbness in parts of the hand, a condition which is particularly acute at night. Long term effects if CTS is allowed to continue include decreased ability to grasp objects and make a fist, constant numbness, and eventual atrophy of some muscles at the base of the thumb. Fortunately, symptoms usually appear gradually, giving ample time for diagnosis and treatment. When a surgical approach is necessary, I undertake endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic surgery is performed under local anesthesia and involves use of a tiny inserted camera to observe the tissue on a screen and cut the carpal ligament. This allows the median nerve unimpeded access into the hand. Benefits of this endoscopic approach include minimal scarring, less postoperative pain, and faster recovery time. For those who perform repetitive tasks at work, putting them at risk of CTS, I recommend fist clenching and wrist-stretch exercises at regular intervals throughout the day. Visit my practice website at drhillsman.org to learn more about the endoscopic treatments we offer for orthopaedic injuries.

• An Overview of Arthroscopic Surgery March, 2011 By Dr. Regina Hillsman The term arthroscopy, commonly referred to as arthroscopic surgery, is a type of surgery that seeks to repair the interior of a joint. Arthroscopy includes a wide variety of procedures, including the evaluation and treatment of ACL reconstruction, torn floating cartilage, trimming damaged cartilage, and torn surface cartilage. One of the primary advantages of arthroscopic surgery over open surgery involves the minimally invasive nature of arthroscopic surgery. Unlike open surgery, which requires a full opening of the joint, arthroscopic surgery makes use of a small endoscope that enters the joint through small incisions. One of the most widely used applications of arthroscopy involves the surgical repair of connective tissue in the knee. During an arthroscopic procedure involving the knee, a surgeon will make only two incisions in the affected area, which significantly reduces recovery time and decreases the amount of trauma sustained by the body and its connective tissue. Because it only takes one to two weeks for swelling to disappear, arthroscopic knee surgery is especially common among professional athletes who require a short recovery time before returning to action. Today, most arthroscopic knee procedures are designed to treat ACL damage, cartilage microfracturing, and meniscus injury. Another common application of arthroscopy involves the repair of the ligaments in the wrist. In many cases, arthroscopic surgery can alleviate the damage to the joint caused by arthritis. Many surgeons also use arthroscopic procedures to repair shoulder joint injuries such as rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, subacromial impingement, chronic tendonitis, SLAP lesions, and partial tears of the long biceps tendon. In a number of cases, arthroscopic procedures have proven useful in the treatment of spinal injuries. Because a number of spinal surgeries involve the removal of bone, muscle, and ligaments through the rib cage, arthroscopic surgery represents a far less invasive procedure that dramatically reduces recovery time. Similarly, arthroscopic procedures allow a surgeon to treat a number of spinal conditions without damaging the surrounding tissue. Common spinal procedures treated by arthroscopic surgery include tumors, spinal disc herniation, general spine trauma, and spinal deformity. By Dr. Regina Hillsman

• An Overview of the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Regina Hillsman's Blog on Bigsight April, 2011 After Dr. Regina Hillsman graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, she decided to enroll at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Regina Hillsman chose to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree through the school, which she received with honors and distinction in 1977. The fundamental skills she learned through both of these schools enabled Dr. Regina Hillsman to complete several clinical training positions and go on to establish her own general orthopaedic surgery private practice in Connecticut. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is the country’s 11th oldest medical training institution. Since 1825, students have attended this department and benefited from the modern tools and rigorous curriculum employed by the professors at the school. Located in Washington, D.C., The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences maintains a curriculum that was designed to prepare students for residency training, which gives graduates their first introduction into their specialty practice. Dr. Regina Hillsman participated in internal medicine and general surgery residencies, while she also underwent orthopaedic training to master her craft. In addition to the four-year Practice of Medicine course that is necessary for all students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree, a didactic basic science instruction course is included in the first two years of study at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The last two years feature a series of required clerkships and participation in elective sequences. The tools and techniques learned throughout the first half of a student’s master’s education is reinforced in the last two years. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences provides its students with an interdisciplinary method of training in several medical practices. Students like Dr. Regina Hillsman have benefited greatly from the comprehensive education they receive at this institution.

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