Dr. Richard Christopher M. Lao - Orthopaedic Surgery

27/09/2025

In a study published last Sep. 2023 entitled "The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysis" by Smythe and colleagues, they were able to estimate the pooled prevalance of clubfoot to be at 1.18 per 1000 births (44,818,965 births registered globally, there were 35,554 children identified with clubfoot in the included studies)

full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00355-3/fulltext

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus or Clubfoot is considered to be one of the most common musculoskeltal birth defect.

Treatment goals remain to be geared towards early correction, and prevention of complications associated with both under and overcorrection. Treatment does not solely rely to the practitioner but a continuous interplay between the staff, orthotist, therapist and most importantly the parents.

"Treatment of isolated clubfeet has significantly changed in the past two decades in North America with most treated successfully with serial Ponseti casting in addition to an Achilles tenotomy. Complete surgical release is reserved for those clubfeet that either cannot be corrected by non-operative means or rapidly recur."
source: https://posna.org/physician-education/study-guide/clubfoot

One treatment method that is considered to be the current gold standard in clubfoot correction is the Ponseti method. It involves serial foot manipulation and casting followed by tenotomy and orthotic bracing.

Locally there are societies and organizations that work hand in hand to address this burden. As we all recognize that information dissemination plays a huge role in addressing this condition.

Most Government Hospitals too offer free screening and treatments to our patients with this condition.

***the picture in the post is a patient who underwent The Ponseti Method. It was taken after weeks of serial casting and on his recent visit his orthosis was evaluated and the bracing schedule was advised.

Please visit your nearest Orthopaedic Surgeon to be evaluated as the soonest possible time.

01/09/2025

8/29/25

The Provincial Health Office of Pampanga under the leadership of Dr. Dax Tidula conducted the "Iwas Putol Program" in collaboration with The Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and JRRMMC Department of Orthopaedics. A Well attended event including series of lectures highlighting ways to prevent complications of Diabetic Foot Infections. The event was graced by the Governor of Pampanga, The DOH Regional Director, The Medical Center Chief of JRRMMC (Dr. Llauderes), The Department Chair of JRRMMC Orthopaedics (Dr. Legaspi), The Section Head of Foot and Ankle Surgery of JRRMMC Orthopaedics (Dr. Emil Tablante), and JRRMMC Consultants and staff.

Representatives from several hospitals in Pampanga including Doctors, Nurses, and Health Workers also participated in the event with the goal of increasing the scope of information dissemination.

During the program, The Section of Pediatric Orthopaedics of JRRMMC also conducted consultations to our pediatric patients.

It is always a heart-warming experience seeing my mentors once again, and to be able to catchup with friends. ❤️

27/07/2025

Congratulations to the new Diplomates of The Philippine Board of Orthopaedics. 👏👏👏

Congratulations to JRRMMC Department of Orthopaedics for 100 percent passing rate 4/4 💯💯💯💯

Bernard Joseph Adajar, MD DPBO
Charles Andrew Reyes, MD DPBO
Gwen Co, MD, DPBO
Carlos Azucena MD, DPBO

15/07/2025

"half a year in the making."

Our patient today, sustained literally a life changing incident. A victim of a road traffic accident, whom had several life threatening injuries.

Her case is a testament of resilience, will and a very strong support system (her family and friends) which guided her every step of the way through her recovery.

Orthopedic injuries especially those associated with significant soft tissue involvement are most often bound to have longer recovery times and are usually expected to leave lasting effects. - This proved true in her case, but with her diligence, hard work, compliance with the instructions and specially with the outpour of support from her family, she was able to fight through her injuries and came out strong.

Initially she would have her out patient visits in a wheel chair, then after several months of rehabilitation she would come in with her crutches and then just recently, she was able to show that she can walk with minimal assistance from her walker or crutches.

though there is still room for improvement, she already had come a long way from her initial injury status.

Posting to inspire our friends having currently the same status as her. Anything is possible, through prayers, having a strong support system and a loving and nurturing environment.

Ride safely everyone!

24/04/2025

Ayon sa imbesitgasyon, nangangailangan umano ng pera ang suspek dahil wala siyang trabaho.

17/04/2025

Our clinic schedules 🫰

17/04/2025

👉An 84 year old female - referred by her Cardiologist due to hip pain after a fall.

❗She sustained a fracture femoral neck (hip fracture)

⚠️After risk assessment and evaluation she was prepped to undergo hip arthroplasty.

📝Post op
- strict adherence to instructions to prevent dislocation and wound care advised
- rehabilitation medicine evaluation (physical therapy)

📸 Picture below taken during her last orthopaedic consult. ambulatory, no walking device with very minimal pain on her hip.

✅Stressing once again the importance of prompt evaluation of musculoskeletal injuries by your Orthopaedic Surgeons.

08/04/2025

07/03/2025

24/05/2024

"A heart full of love"
Dr. Florante Calacal
1945-2024

In 2019 - I was appointed by our Department as the new Chief Resident. I was filled with fear, hesitant to accept the challenge. In my attempt to avoid the fire of the responsibility, I tried to convince some of my colleagues and consultants to not push with the decision. It is in that time that I saw one of my mentors smiling at the corner of the room Dr. Florante Calacal ("Boss Calacs" as we call him) and after a while he approached me and placed his arm around my shoulder and whispered to me "Wala ka na magagawa Richard, Final na ang decision namin" - to my surprise he handed me a piece of paper in which he wrote a phrase. In it, it reads - "The most valuable asset is not a head full of knowledge; but a heart full of love with an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help. We teach a little by what we say, we teach more by what we do, we teach most by what we are". After reading it and a few more exchanges he left me with his classic thumbs up and smile.

I will never forget, when you took your time, sat down with me while we drank those cold beers as you tried to talk me out of my resignation. You told me a lot of things to heal me and inspire me to fight once more and ultimately finish what I started.

It will take so much more than a Facebook post to tell stories of his kindness and love but in this small small simple way please sir, allow me to honor you one more time.

Today I (we) lost a mentor, a father, a friend. - much of the knowledge, skills that I acquired during my Orthopaedic Training I owe to him, I will miss you dearly po Boss.

Your words will forever be etched in my heart and in my response to you sir,

You taught me little by the things you said.
You taught me more by the things you did.
and you taught me the most for being who you are.

Rest In Peace my Dear Sir. Mahal na Mahal ko po Kayo.