MedStar Health DocTalk (series)

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Thumb Arthritis: The Game Changing Joint Replacement
Thumb arthritis is extremely common, and when pain at the base of the thumb makes it difficult to open a jar, turn a key, grip a golf club, or hold everyday objects, it can have a major impact on daily life.
In this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk, host Debra Schindler talks with Dr. Avi Giladi, hand and upper-extremity surgeon and research director at the Curtis National Hand Center, about the latest advances in treating thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis.
For decades, surgery has typically involved removing the trapezium bone, sometimes combined with tendon reconstruction or suspension. While these procedures can provide pain relief, recovery can be lengthy, and some patients experience lasting limitations in grip strength and function.
Dr. Giladi discusses a newer option: the Touch Prosthesis, a thumb joint replacement designed to preserve joint height and motion while providing stability. He explains how the implant works, who may be a candidate, how it compares with traditional surgery, and what patients can expect during recovery.
The conversation covers:
• Why thumb arthritis is so common
• Early symptoms and risk factors
• Non-surgical treatment options, including splints, therapy and injections
• Traditional thumb arthritis surgery and its recovery
• How the Touch prosthesis works
• Potential benefits, risks and limitations of thumb joint replacement
• Who may—and may not—be a candidate
• What recovery can look like after surgery
• What researchers and surgeons still need to learn about the implant long term
Dr. Giladi emphasizes that not everyone with thumb arthritis needs surgery, and that treatment should be individualized. But for appropriately selected patients whose symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatments, newer joint-replacement technology may offer another path toward restoring motion, strength and function.
Learn More or Schedule an Appointment: For more information about MedStar Health’s Curtis National Hand Center, visit MedStarHealth.org and search “Curtis.” To schedule an appointment with Dr. Avi Giladi or one of the center’s 14 hand surgeons, call 410-235-5405. If you’re closer to Washington, DC, call 202-444-3668 to schedule an appointment with hand surgeon Dr. Michael Kessler at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Watch the full episode to learn what patients considering thumb arthritis surgery should know.
For more episodes of MedStar Health DocTalk, go to medstarhealth.org/doctalk.

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Medical breakthroughs don't always make headlines. Sometimes they're the innovations that quietly transform lives.
In this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk, host Debra Schindler talks with colorectal surgeon Dr. Sherief Shawki to discuss the K-pouch (Kock pouch), a highly specialized surgical procedure that offers a life-changing alternative for some patients living with an ileostomy or experiencing complications from a J-pouch.
Dr. Shawki explains:
What a K-pouch is and how it works
The difference between a J-pouch and a K-pouch
Who may be a candidate for this specialized surgery
Why so few surgeons perform K-pouch procedures
What patients can expect during recovery
How the procedure can restore independence and quality of life
You'll also hear how advances in surgical expertise are helping patients from across the country, including those who have exhausted other treatment options; find hope through one of the nation's few dedicated K-pouch programs.
If you or someone you know is living with an ileostomy, has experienced J-pouch complications, or is exploring reconstructive colorectal surgery options, this conversation provides valuable insight from one of the country's experienced K-pouch surgeons.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sherief Shawki, call 443-777-2475.
Learn more about colorectal surgery at MedStar Health: MedStarHealth.org
Subscribe to MedStar Health DocTalk for conversations with physician experts covering the latest advances in medicine, surgery, and patient care. 
For more episodes of MedStar Health DocTalk, go to medstarhealth.org/doctalk.

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On this episode of DocTalk, we talk with Dr. Talal Al-Qaoud, transplant surgeon and urologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, who explains how robotic-assisted transplant surgeries are improving patient outcomes, and what makes someone an ideal candidate.
For an interview with Dr. Al-Qaoud, or for more information about this podcast, contact Medstar Georgetown University Hospital manager of Media Relations, Ryan.M.Miller2@Medstar.net.
Learn more about Dr. Al-Qaoud 
For more episodes of MedStar Health DocTalk, go to medstarhealth.org/doctalk.

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 Cardio Obstetrics: What is it?  | MedStar Health DocTalk
Pregnancy is often described as a natural stress test for the body, and especially for the heart. In this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk, host Debra Schindler sits down with cardiologist and cardio-obstetrics specialist Dr. Minhal Makshood to explore the growing field of cardio obstetrics and why pregnancy can reveal important clues about a woman’s long-term cardiovascular health.
Dr. Makshood explains how conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and peripartum cardiomyopathy can affect both mother and baby, and why these pregnancy-related complications may increase a woman’s risk of future heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
The conversation also highlights the importance of prenatal counseling for women with existing heart conditions, the role of multidisciplinary care teams, and why the postpartum period—sometimes called the “fourth trimester”—is a critical time for monitoring heart health.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• What cardio obstetrics is and why the specialty is rapidly growing
• How pregnancy can uncover previously undiagnosed heart conditions
• The warning signs of heart complications during and after pregnancy
• Why preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are more than temporary pregnancy complications
• How pregnancy history can help predict future cardiovascular risk
• The importance of coordinated care between cardiologists, obstetricians, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists
• What every woman should know about protecting her heart before, during, and after pregnancy
Whether you're planning a pregnancy, currently expecting, recently delivered a baby, or simply interested in women's heart health, this episode provides valuable insights that could have lifelong implications.
If you have a heart condition, experienced complications during pregnancy, or want to learn more about protecting your cardiovascular health before, during, or after pregnancy, schedule an appointment with the Women's Health and Cardio Obstetrics Clinic at MedStar Health. Call 301-570-7404 to learn more or make an appointment.
Guest: Dr. Minhal Makshood, Cardiologist and Cardio-Obstetrics Specialist
Host: Debra Schindler
For more episodes of MedStar Health DocTalk, go to medstarhealth.org/doctalk.

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A cancer diagnosis can change everything in an instant. One conversation. Three words: "You have cancer." Suddenly, patients and families are faced with uncertainty, fear, and countless questions about what comes next.
In this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk, host Debra Schindler sits down with medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Ankit Madan of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, to discuss the critical first steps after a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Madan explains how patients move from diagnosis to treatment, how cancer is staged, and why building a multidisciplinary care team is essential for the best possible outcomes.
The conversation explores the emotional impact of hearing a cancer diagnosis, the importance of patient navigators, social workers, nutritionists, mental health professionals, and the role patients play as active partners in their own care. Dr. Madan also discusses treatment advances, clinical trials, immunotherapy breakthroughs, second opinions, and practical advice for patients and families navigating one of life's most challenging journeys.
Whether you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer, this episode offers guidance, reassurance, and expert insight into what happens after the diagnosis—and how patients can move forward with confidence and support.
Topics covered:
• Coping with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis
• Understanding cancer staging and treatment planning
• The role of biopsies, CT scans, PET scans, and additional testing
• Building a multidisciplinary cancer care team
• Patient navigators, social workers, and support services
• Shared decision-making and patient autonomy
• When to seek a second opinion
• Clinical trials and emerging cancer treatments
• Immunotherapy and advances in cancer care
• Nutrition, exercise, and mental health during treatment
• Cancer survivorship and ongoing surveillance
To learn more about cancer care at MedStar Health, visit MedStarHealth.org/Cancer.
For more episodes of MedStar Health DocTalk, go to medstarhealth.org/doctalk.