Ron Clark This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Neighbors - Post-Tribune (Gary)

   www.post-trib.com/cgi-bin/pto- - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/21/2002   Last Visited: 7/21/2002

   VALPARAISO - Invention persuades Ron Clark to start his day at 5 a.m. Before seeing patients, he conducts research toward developing surgical devices for his field, orthopedic surgery.
   
   "They're my own way of tinkering," he said.
   
   On this particular day, Clark also performed surgery on a knee, two shoulders and a wrist.
   
   A hobby, his inventions have added research trips to this daily "potpourri of excitement."
   
   Clark most recently returned from the International Arthroscopy Congress in Argentina to present information about two arthroscopic techniques he originated, one designed to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, and the other to repair the rotator cuff in the shoulder without having to use stitches.
   
   He presented the techniques in Spanish.
   
   "It was a bonus that I could speak the language," Clark said.
   
   He learned to speak Spanish when he lived in Mexico, and he said he decided to keep up with the language by watching Spanish language television. He will also present in Spanish at the annual meeting of the sports medicine society in September in Chile.
   
   If there is a pattern to the invitations he receives to international conferences, it is because South America has a need for more advanced surgical techniques.
   
   "Argentina is 10 years behind the United States in arthroscopy," Clark said.
   
   Even though many South American orthopedic surgeons were trained in the United States, he said they still need to "catch up" to the current techniques available.
   
   "It makes sense for them because it's cost-effective and they are sports-minded. They are asking international surgeons to act as mentors."
   
   Clark has also presented his ideas in Switzerland.
   
   Clark has six patents and two patents pending for his techniques. He says he is not the only orthopedic surgeon in the area who performs arthroscopic procedures.
   
   Yet, his work in the field has not only made him a respected addition to the speakers list at international medical conferences, but it also has made him a valued instructor at the Orthopedic Learning Center in Chicago. Clark also has had his work published in scientific journals.
   
   He first became interested in sports medicine in high school. Small in stature, but interested in sports, Clark learned how to tape ankles and take care of small wounds for other athletes. He then went on to study sports medicine training at the University of Texas.
   
   As Clark continues to work on better ways to repair joint injuries, he suggests ways to avoid them in the first place: "People need to know their own capacities. Don't exceed your capabilities in balance, strength and endurance. Know your limits."
   
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