Physician Spotlight on Dr. Kevin Cassidy

How would you describe your own practice philosophy?

I have two fundamental principles that guide my practice.  The first is treat everybody with compassion.  Having a painful limb and not being able to walk can be very scary and frustrating.  Showing compassion helps to reduce fears and anxiety.  The second is determination.  A lot of times people present with pain and the reason they are having pain is very straightforward to diagnose (osteoarthritis, tendinitis, etc).  But sometimes the answer is not so clear, and I will always try my best to determine why a person is having pain and therefore, how best to treat them.

What made you choose to become a hip and knee replacement specialist?

I decided to go into hip and knee replacement because my dad had his hips replaced when I was 11 years old. It made a huge impression on me.  I thought it was the coolest thing ever and since then that was my career focus.  (And my dad is still doing great with his hip replacements 27 years later- without needing a revision surgery!)

What trends in your specialty area do you see emerging?

The trends in hip replacement have become more technology based, such as relying on robotic surgery.  I am trained in robotic surgery, but I feel there is really no replacement for a good surgeon.  Another trend in my field, even more important than technology, is the big shift from doing joint replacement surgeries in the hospital to outpatient surgery centers. Outpatient joint replacement surgery is safer than ever before and patients tend to heal faster and more comfortably at home.

How do you stay current in your field?

I stay current in my field by reading journals and attending web-based conferences focused on my area of specialty.

What are your personal interests?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family as I have two young children. I am also a big Yankee fan and enjoy movies, comedy shows and classic rock music.