PIONEER IN TOE IMPLANTATION PERFORMS PROCEDURE AT PMMC
Benefits Local Resident with Arthritis of the Toe

Pottstown, PA – For Diane Barto of Pottstown, living with toe pain was a struggle.  An active person, it was getting harder for her to go to work or walk the dog.
Barto, like millions of individuals, suffers from toe and foot pain caused by arthritis, a joint disease that affects cartilage. Unfortunately, painkillers and injections provided only temporary relief of the pain.  And, because her factory job requires her to be standing most of the day, she knew she had to take care of the problem.

“I am on my feet all day for work and it has taken its toll on my feet,” said Barto, who also suffers from a few other foot ailments.  “I knew I needed to get treatment so that I could remain active and able to do my job.”

After consulting with Dr. Benjamin Overley,  a board-certified foot surgeon, Barto decided that toe implantation was the right option for her.  Barto’s procedure, the MOVEMENT™ Hemi Great Toe System replacement, was performed at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC) by Dr. Overley, a co-designer of this system.  Dr. Overley is the only foot and ankle surgeon in the Philadelphia area currently implanting the MOVEMENT™ System.

According to Dr. Overley, the MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System is intended to maintain motion in patients with painful arthritic great toe joints.  The procedure is an alternative to a fusion of the great toe, which leaves a patient with no movement of the Great Toe joint postoperativley.  During the procedure, a cobalt chrome implant, the same material that is used in knee and hip replacement, is placed inside the great toe.  “The anatomical shape of the MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System implant and the instrumentation allow for better remodeling of the joint surfaces compared to other commercially available implants,” explained Dr. Overley.  “Sutures are used to close the incision and recovery time is normally two weeks, followed by some physical therapy.”

Dr. Overley added that “patients who undergo the procedure are typically able to exercise, walk and wear most shoes quite comfortably. It allows patient to preserve their toe motion and have a normal gait.

As for Barto, the MOVEMENT  Hemi Great toe procedure couldn't have gone any smoother.  She was up and walking the day following surgery, and has been doing more and more walking each day along with physical therapy exercises. "I did not have any pain after surgery. I felt great and received excellent care by all the staff at Pottstown, said Barto.  “The biggest thank you goes to Dr. Overley for being such a talented surgeon and really caring about my health and well being.  My dog is happier now too.”

To reach Dr. Overley, please call at the Sports Medicine Institute at (610) 705-3055.

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC), a 227-bed, acute care hospital is conveniently located in western Montgomery county just off route 422 at the Armand Hammer Blvd. exit.

The medical staff features 260 physicians and 40 medical specialties.  PMMC offers the latest technology and treatments, a full array of inpatient services, and convenient outpatient locations for ambulatory surgery, rehabilitation, diagnostic services, occupational health services, lab work, family care and pediatrics.  Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center is a partner of Fox Chase Cancer Center, and received an outstanding achievement award by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer for its’ Community Cancer Program.

Each year at PMMC, more than 40,000 patients seek emergency care, and nearly 900 babies are born.  PMMC employs over 1,300 full and part-time staff members throughout its healthcare system, including PMMC, Pottstown Scanning and Treatment Center, Coventry and Berks Family Care, Coventry Pediatrics and Tri-County Medical Laboratory.

PMMC is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.