OsteoarthritisofFoot near Metter, GA

Biography: Brent A. Ponce, MD, graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Cincinnati, and graduated medical school from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. He completed his surgical internship from Wright State at Wright Patterson AFB. His orthopaedic surgery residency, as well as a shoulder fellowship was completed at Harvard Medical School. He then served in the military as a flight surgeon before becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, where he was stationed at the Air Force Academy. He served as the team physician for the mens basketball program and was deployed overseas for a tour in Kirkuk, Iraq. Dr. Ponce is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Shoulder and Elbow Society, and Interurban Orthopaedic Society. He is the Chair of Research at the Hughston Foundation and the Chair and Founder of the Collaborative of Orthopaedic Educational Research Group (COERG). Academically, Dr. Ponce has published in over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journals and authored chapters for medical textbooks. He also serves on the editorial boards of several well-known medical journals as referee. Further, Dr. Ponce presents his research at international and national meetings, and has won awards for his investigative studies, publications, and presentations at state, regional, and international levels. During his career, he has held academic appointments at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to include Vice Chairman of Clinical Affairs and Professor for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as Director of the Orthopaedic Research Fellowship and Director of Orthopaedic Specialties Institute Skills Lab. Dr. Ponce will continue his research through the Hughston Foundation. He also plans to mentor sports medicine fellows and surgical residents through Hughstons fellowship and residency programs. Dr. Ponce is also the Chairman of Research at the Hughston Foundation, and is leading the Hughston Orthopaedic Research Fellowship for Medical Students. Dr. Ponce specializes in shoulder, knee, sports medicine, total joint replacement, and general orthopaedics. He is especially interested in biomechanics, ligamentous injuries, and the development of surgical instruments, techniques, and implant designs for the shoulder and knee.

Biography: As a board certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Alexander specializes in sports medicine with a focus on treating the musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulder, elbow and knee.Dr. Alexander treats patients for a wide range of conditions, including shoulder tendinopathy, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tears, shoulder arthritis, SLAP tears, AC joint injuries, meniscus tears, knee arthritis and ACL tears. Some of the procedures he performs are arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic labral repair, ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair, total and reverse arthroplasty, superior capsular reconstruction and total knee replacement.He serves as Team Physician for the Savannah Bananas, Savannah Country Day School, Savannah State University, St. Vincent's Academy, St. Andrews School, Claxton High School and Pinewood Christian Academy.?While treating athletic injuries is his forte, he equally advocates for measures designed to prevent injuries in athletes, working alongside them to ensure best practices that will keep them out of his office.

Care Philosophy: At Optim Orthopedics, we know you're not yourself when even just one part of you is hurt. Because in orthopedics, everything is connected: bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage. We're connected too. Our doctors cover every bone in the body and we work together as a team for our patients. We call our approach - Combined Strength, and we use it to get you back to you.

Biography: Dr. Deshpande is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in orthopaedic trauma, joint replacement, anterior hip replacement and general orthopaedics. Double majoring in Marine Biology and Secondary Education at Boston University, he then attended New York Medical College where he received his MD. After completing his internship and residency at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Dr. Deshpande completed a fellowship at the Georgia Orthopaedic Trauma Institute in Macon. In May 2013, Dr. Deshpande was recognized for his work in the field with a nomination for physician of the year. Dr. Deshpande has given lectures and presentations for various orthopaedic events across the U.S. since 2006. He has also been involved in orthopaedic research and has several peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his orthopaedic work, Dr. Deshpande has volunteered his time as a captain, driver, lieutenant and other positions in community fire departments.

Biography: Dr. Nicholas M. Capito, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon specialist in Georgia. He graduated from Medical College of Georgia in 2010.

Biography: Dr. Levit completed specialty training in hand and upper extremity surgery at the Curtis National Hand Center, a prestigious program in Baltimore, Maryland, designated by Congress as The National Center for the Treatment of the Hand and Upper Extremity. Dr. Levit is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and has received a Certificate of Added Qualification in hand surgery.Dr. Levit utilizes the most advanced minimally invasive procedures to treat common upper extremity conditions, in addition to many common general orthopaedic problems and conditions. Most of his procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under regional anesthesia, allowing for a more pleasant surgical experience.Dr. Levit also provides specialized medical care for many of the area's collegiate and high school athletes. His goal is for his patients to resume their normal level of activity and participation in sports as quickly and painlessly as possible, while providing a relaxed, caring medical setting.