NewYork-Presbyterian. The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell.

Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma Service

Medical Orthopaedic Trauma

Medical-Orthopaedic Trauma Service

The Medical-Orthopaedic Trauma Service (MOTS) at Weill Cornell Orthopaedics is a unique service of multidisciplinary care for geriatric patients who come to us with a fracture. Our team doesn't simply treat the fracture, we treat the whole patient. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When an elderly patient is admitted to the emergency room for a fracture at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, he or she is treated by both an emergency room physician and a physician from our MOTS team.

Together, they provide immediate evaluation and treatment for the fracture, which is often caused by a fall, and explore why the patient fell, and the reason it resulted in a fracture. We recognize that many elderly patients have a variety of medical issues that must be addressed. Therefore, along with treating the fracture, we work with the emergency room physician (and frequently a "hospitalist") to conduct a full medical examination.

Our Physicians for Medical-Orthopaedic Trauma Service (fractures)

• Gregory S. DiFelice, MD
• David L. Helfet, MD
• Joseph M. Lane, MD
• Dean G. Lorich, MD
• John P. Lyden, MD
• Anil S. Ranawat, MD

Features of the MOTS include:

• Evaluation and treatment for osteoporosis and other bone problems. If a patient is already being treated for osteoporosis, their treatment plan will be re-assessed.
• A full evaluation by a hospitalist, a medical specialist who provides quality medical treatment to individuals while they are in the hospital.
• Aggressive occupational and physical therapy to get patients up and moving faster after surgery. This not only decreases length of stay in the hospital, it decreases the risk of pneumonia and bedsores.
• Pain service geared toward geriatric patients. We recognize that older patients' pain requirements are different than younger adults. Without the correct type of dose of medication, older patients may be more sleepy and prone to staying in bed.
• Nutrition service that evaluates and assists in improving patients' diets.
• Social workers who help with issues that our patients will face once they return home.

Level One Trauma Center

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a certified Level One Trauma Center, meaning that it has the medical staff and technology to handle the most serious trauma cases.