We continue our physician blog series with an informal Q&A with James P. Halloran, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who joined our practice in 2013.
Dr. Halloran, please tell our readers a little about yourself and your background.
I earned my undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I completed my residency in general surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and my residency in orthopedic surgery at McGill University Health Center in Montreal. I also completed a fellowship in sports medicine at Detroit Medical Center and a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at Duke University Medical Center.
Today, I am certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
As an orthopedic surgeon, what are your subspecialized areas of expertise?
In addition to orthopedic foot and ankle surgery, I specialize in non-surgical treatment of foot and ankle conditions, as well as knee arthroscopy and sports medicine. Using a combination of three different total ankle replacement systems and a multitude of cartilage restoration techniques, I am able to tailor my ankle treatment to best fit each patient’s needs. I also specialize in arthroscopic ankle fusion and tendon transfers.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery?
Sports actually drew me to orthopedics. Growing up, I was very active. I played basketball, football and soccer, and ran track. I figured if I couldn’t be a professional athlete, I might as well pursue a career that would allow me to take care of athletes.
Tell us more about your sports medicine background.
Prior to joining Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics, I was an assistant team physician for the Detroit Pistons (NBA), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Tigers (MLB) and Duke University men’s soccer team.
I have also contributed research for a variety of publications, including Orthopaedic Viewpoints, Canadian Orthopaedic Association Bulletin and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. My research has included such topics as late treatment for knee dislocations, the biomechanical comparison of minimally invasive and conventional Achilles tendon repair, and vertical humeral osteotomy for stem removal in revision shoulder arthroplasty.
Describe your approach to treating patients.
I strive to treat each patient with compassion and humility. I firmly believe the physician-patient relationship needs to function like a “team” to provide cutting-edge care and exceptional outcomes. Surgery is not always necessary. I educate my patients about all available treatment options, both surgical and nonsurgical, and help them make informed decisions about the approach that will work best for them.
Do you treat workers’ compensation patients?
Yes, I treat a lot of work-related injuries, including sprained ankles, fractured feet and dislocations. I also treat other conditions like bunions, corns and hammer toes. While these conditions are not considered occupational injuries, they can impact the health and safety of workers. It’s my job to determine if a patient had a pre-existing condition or experienced an on-the-job injury, and get him or her back to work as safely and efficiently as possible.
Do you coordinate care with other healthcare professionals?
Primary care physicians and interventional physiatrists refer patients to me when orthopedic surgery is determined to be the right course of treatment. Through my practice’s affiliation with Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute and Saint Luke’s Health System, as well as our network of other providers throughout the Kansas City area, I also coordinate care with radiologists, MRI technologists and physical therapists when necessary.
If you are a referring physician, case manager, patient or caregiver in need of more information about Dr. Halloran or the procedures he performs, please contact Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics.
