: Health Literacy Series continues at Wilton Library with spotlight on joint pain

Managing Joint Pain: Health Literacy Series presented by Wilton Library and Western Connecticut Health Network on March 2

 “Managing Joint Pain” is the next topic in the “Get Well, Stay Well” health literacy series presented by Wilton Library and Western Connecticut Health Network.  The program will take place on March 2, at 7 pm at the Wilton Library.

Orthopaedic Surgeons Dr. Mark J. Fletcher and Dr. Nicholas V. Polifroni, who are in practice with Coastal Orthopaedics, will discuss the prevention of joint pain as well as causes and symptoms.  In addition to providing tips on managing joint pain, they will discuss various treatment options which are determined by the cause of the pain.  Both orthopaedic surgeons are associated with the Comprehensive Joint Replacement Center at Norwalk Hospital, a Joint Commission Gold Star Certified Center, providing a Center of Excellence for rapid recovery from joint replacements.  Dr. Polifroni is also the co-director of the Comprehensive Joint Replacement Center.  This program is offered free of charge as a community service.

About the Speakers

Dr. Fletcher, after earning his undergraduate degree from Colgate University, received his medical degree from The George Washington University in 1999. He completed his internship and residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. While at Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Fletcher completed extensive training in total joint arthroplasty under the physicians at the Rothman Institute.  Dr. Fletcher also completed a sports medicine and shoulder surgery fellowship at the University of Southern California. While at USC he cared for the football, women’s basketball, and track and field teams.

Dr. Fletcher, a javelin thrower in college, continued his track and field career through his medical training, eventually became a 2 time team USA member and finished his sports career at the 2000 Olympic Trials.  He has subsequently coached javelin throwers at the World Championships, European Championships, and 2 Olympic Games.  After completing his surgical training, Dr. Fletcher helped form an orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine clinic in Eugene, Oregon.  He was the medical director of the Oregon Track Club Elite team for 8 years and provided medical care to high level athletes, including Olympic gold medalists and world record holders. Dr. Fletcher is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery. His special areas of interest include advanced arthroscopy of the shoulder/knee and total joint replacement.  

Dr. Polifroni has been practicing orthopaedics in the Greater Norwalk area since 1982. Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, he is chief of orthopaedics at Norwalk Hospital, a position he has held for the last ten years.  After earning his B.S. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, he graduated from New York Medical College.  Dr. Polifroni completed his orthopaedic residency at Lenox Hill Hospital. He pursued additional training at the Institute for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training in New York City, and Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Philadelphia.   He received the prestigious Scallon Award for Innovative Surgery, as well as the Norwalk Hospital Department of Surgery’s Distinguished Service Award. In 2012, he received the Tracy Award from Norwalk Hospital for his outstanding leadership, character, community service and exemplary clinical skill.  Dr. Polifroni’s area of interest is total joint replacement and sports medicine.  Dr. Polifroni has been named a CT Magazine Top Doc each year since this distinction began.

The healthy literacy series is moderated by Saras Nair, MD, former chairman of the Department of Pathology at Norwalk Hospital and a trustee of the Wilton Library.  The program on “Managing Joint Pain” will conclude with a question and answer session.

“We are delighted with the success of our partnership in providing the health literacy series to our community. This program enables us to provide reliable health information on a wide range of health topics to help our community members Get Well, Stay Well,” said Elaine Tai-Lauria, executive director of Wilton Library.

To register for the program, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call Wilton Library at 203-762-6334. Wilton Library is located at137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center.