ANZ ORTHO LLC
GULF BREEZE, FLORIDA

Dr. Anz has contributed and appeared in many peer-reviewed publications and presentations and has a strong interest in research with projects including the use of CT 3-D reconstruction for subtle hip deformities and a biomechanical project involving MLB pitchers with elbow injury. Dr. Anz’s strongest research interest is in cartilage regeneration. During residency he first spent time in Malaysia with Dr. Khay Yong Saw, an orthopedic surgeon who has pioneered a method to regenerate cartilage using a patient’s own stem cells. He has returned multiple times to help prepare an application to the FDA which will bring this cutting edge stem cell technology to the United States. Dr. Anz has contributed and appeared in many peer-reviewed publications and presentations and has a strong interest in research with projects including the use of CT 3-D reconstruction for subtle hip deformities and a biomechanical project involving MLB pitchers with elbow injury. Dr. Anz’s strongest research interest is in cartilage regeneration. During residency he first spent time in Malaysia with Dr. Khay Yong Saw, an orthopedic surgeon who has pioneered a method to regenerate cartilage using a patient’s own stem cells. He has returned multiple times to help prepare an application to the FDA which will bring this cutting edge stem cell technology to the United States. The orthopedic practice of Dr. Adam Anz is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida at the Andrews Institute. The Andrews Institute is an advanced specialty center treating musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries that are sustained in sports related and traumatic accidents, as well as degenerative diseases of the joints. The Andrews Institute is home to a human performance center, the state of the art Andrews Surgical Center, and the Andrews Research and Education Institute, which includes a clinical research center, a motion capture and analysis laboratory, and a surgical skills laboratory. Whether you are a professional athlete, or an active individual, Dr. Anz provides every patient with individualized, tailored treatment plans, outstanding, compassionate care, and subspecialty expertise, to get you back on the field or back in the game of life. Dr. Anz has contributed and appeared in many peer-reviewed publications and presentations and has a strong interest in research with projects including the use of CT 3-D reconstruction for subtle hip deformities and a biomechanical project involving MLB pitchers with elbow injury. Dr. Anz’s strongest research interest is in cartilage regeneration. During residency he first spent time in Malaysia with Dr. Khay Yong Saw, an orthopedic surgeon who has pioneered a method to regenerate cartilage using a patient’s own stem cells. He has returned multiple times to help prepare an application to the FDA which will bring this cutting edge stem cell technology to the United States. It is helpful to consider the track record of other athletes’ road to recovery following ACL reconstruction Physical therapy following surgery is just as, if not more, important than surgery itself. After most ACL reconstructions, full restoration of range of motion in the knee is the first goal of therapy, except in cases involving complex meniscus repairs. Once motion is restored, strength becomes the next goal. During this phase, athletes may find that it takes longer than expected to recover pre-injury strength and mass in the muscles surrounding the knee. This can be frustrating, and it is surprising how different patients recover at different rates. The key during the strengthening phase is to work hard and be patient. While strengthening the muscles, therapists will also help restore normal/athletic proprioception and functional movement patterns. At this point, it is common for physical therapist is your most important resource during rehabilitation. They have the experience and skills necessary to help athletes realize where they are in the process, set appropriate goals, and find a balance between activity and rest—both of which are critical to recovery. The athlete, their family, their therapist, athletic trainers, and the physician are all part of a team working together during the recovery process. This process takes time—anywhere from 6 to 24 months—and can vary due to the extent of injury, the athlete’s stage of life/career, and how quickly one’s body recovers. The key is to be patient and persistent, allowing the entire team to help guide the process. While research seeks to eliminate the first cause—and our next blog will address these efforts in detail—only a team-based approach, consisting of the athlete and their family, the physical therapist, athletic trainers, and physician can resolve the second. Close communication is important to understand risks and expectations, set and achieve rehabilitation goals, and confirm the return of normal function and strength. While it is ultimately up to the athlete and their family to decide when he or she is prepared to return to full competition, at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida, Dr. Anz and his team work together to aid you in this difficult time.