William M Weiss, MD MSc FRCSC FAANA FAAOS

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night.
“White” Christmas in Galveston…

12/24/2025

More of our recently published work… UTMB Orthopaedic Surgery

Check out this database study
ACL reconstruction = lower TKA rates long term vs. nonoperative care.
So what’s actually driving knee OA? 🤔
Damage from the initial pivot shift
or
Instability episodes in patients who never undergo surgical stabilization?

12/24/2025

Honoured to be on the Board…

🙏 ORTHOADVENT DAY 22 🎄

On the twenty-second day of we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Bone & Joint 360 Editorial Board!

Their hard work is a critical contribution to the journal's mission to help busy orthopaedic clinicians and researchers keep up-to-date with the latest research.

12/21/2025

Damn right it does… 😬😉 UTMB Orthopaedic Surgery

Read what the experts have to say in this commentary about ACL reconstruction decreasing the risk of future TKA!
https://www.arthroscopyjournal.org/article/S0749-8063(25)00588-2/fulltext

12/20/2025

Human bones are not static structures; they are dynamic, living tissues that continuously undergo a process of breakdown and rebuilding, ensuring that the skeleton is entirely renewed roughly every ten years. This remodeling process is crucial for maintaining bone strength, repairing micro-damage, and allowing the body to adapt to various stresses over time. Two specialized types of cells are central to this process: osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Osteoclasts are responsible for breaking down old or damaged bone tissue. They attach to the bone surface and release acids and enzymes that dissolve the mineralized matrix, a process known as bone resorption. This not only removes weakened bone areas but also releases minerals like calcium into the bloodstream, supporting vital functions such as nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.

Following resorption, osteoblasts take over to form new bone. These cells produce collagen and other proteins that create a framework for bone tissue, which then becomes mineralized to form strong, durable bone. Some osteoblasts eventually become osteocytes, embedded within the bone to help maintain its structure and communicate with other cells, ensuring proper regulation of the remodeling process.

This continuous cycle allows bones to adapt to mechanical stress, repair micro-fractures from daily activities, and regulate the body’s mineral balance. Without such remodeling, bones would become brittle, fragile, and more prone to fractures. The renewal of the skeleton approximately every ten years highlights the remarkable regenerative capacity of the human body, considering there are over 200 bones with intricate shapes and functions.

Bone remodeling is influenced by hormones, nutrition, physical activity, and age. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is essential for osteoblast activity, while weight-bearing exercise stimulates bone formation and strengthens skeletal structures. Aging or hormonal changes, such as reduced estrogen in postmenopausal women, can disrupt this balance, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones and higher fracture risk.

Overall, this continuous interplay between osteoclasts and osteoblasts maintains skeletal integrity, supports the body’s mobility, and ensures resilience throughout life. Bone health is essential for overall well-being, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle to support this natural regenerative process.

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

A collaborative study between UTMB Orthopaedic Surgery and my colleagues at Shriners Children's Texas…

Check out this visual abstract based on the the article by Wainwright et al : Infection rate after ACL surgery doubles with steroid injection within 8 weeks of surgery. https://ow.ly/iXe350XBMEY

11/28/2025

Here’s hoping no one else on call today encountered any of these “traumas”… 😳🦃😱

11/18/2025

With reports from 17 training programs, combined with partner data, the COA is tracking workforce trends, guiding resource planning, and preparing for tomorrow, as many surgeons near retirement.
Check out the numbers and see what’s ahead. Link in bio.

11/15/2025

🚨 UTMB Health will be conducting our annual Disaster Day event today (Nov. 15) from 8 a.m. to noon at the UTMB Health Education Center and Levin Hall on the Galveston Campus, including the areas surrounding 11th and Market Streets.

This large-scale training exercise will involve students, faculty, and first responders in an immersive emergency response simulation. Please note: this is only a training exercise.

Expect to see first responders and emergency vehicles in the area, including nearby parking lots.