ORTHOPAEDIC NEWS
Need a new hip? Someday you may grow your own.
'Fix-me itis' fueling boom in joint surgeries
Risk Assessment Tool for Osteoarthritis
Wall Street Journal: Pushing Limits of New Knees
New York Times: Getting a New Knee or Hip? Do It Right the First Time
TESTIMONIALS
Dr. Bal's Patients Tell Their Stories-
"I am very satisfied with the outcome of my surgery and the improved quality of life I am now enjoying..."
Shamsy Kazemi-Bardool, Iran -
"I am looking forward to being able to boat and golf this summer, without having to endure the pain and limitations of prior years..."
Greg Voreis, Mo. -
"Just 9 ½ weeks following my surgery knee replacements, I traveled to Hawaii and went scuba diving..."
David Booker, Mo. -
"Dr. Bal did great a job explaining the procedure through conversation and with his hip surgery book. He changed my life..."
Dennis Disselhoff, Mo. -
"It is so important to have a physician who you trust, and who will listen to you. That’s critical. I have never seen a doctor who cares so much for each and every patient..."
Faye Bleigh, Mo. -
"I am glad to have come to Dr. Bal; his office staff was great to work with; the hospital experience was very good, and the outcome of surgery was all I had hoped for..."
Craig Jacobson, Ne. -
"I feel so free now. Last weekend I rode my bike to Cooper's Landing and enjoyed a great meal as I watched the Missouri River roll by and listened to the bluegrass music..."
Marilyn McCreary, Mo. -
"The staff at Capitol Region were very gracious, attentive and thorough. I would go back there anytime. They made sure I was comfortable..."
Bob Smith, Mo. -
"It has been a real pleasure to meet and get to know Dr. Bal. He is caring, thorough in his explanations, and a great friend...."
Richard Wallace, Mo.
DR. BAL IN THE NEWS
Need a new hip? Someday you may grow your own.
In a decade or so, people now clamoring for metal and ceramic replacement joints may instead be able to have a fully functional biological replacement -- a joint grown within their own bodies to their specific physiology.
Joint research: Knee bone connects engineers to surgeons
Some intriguing challenges in the operating room have enticed an engineering professor to apply his skills in mechanical and aerospace technology to helping improve surgical procedure.
Research team produces biological joints
University of Missouri researchers are continuing to find ways to create biological joints they hope will one day replace the need for artificial metal joints.
Bal wins international research award
B. Sonny Bal, M.D., has received the HAP Paul Award from the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty for outstanding resarch in new technology for joint replacement.MU surgeon brings new approach to hip resurfacing 
Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure performed to address a worn-out hip joint. It involves reshaping the ball of the femur, or thigh bone, and capping it with a metal cup. The concave socket of the pelvic bone is similarly lined with metal. More on hip resurfacing at KOMU
A report on how an older procedure has been updated and is gaining in popularity, with B. Sonny Bal, M.D. Dr. Bal explains hip techniques on KOMU TV news
B. Sonny Bal, M.D., appeared on KOMU-TV news to discuss minimally invasive hip replacment and hip resurfacing. New gender-specific implants for knee replacement
Until recently, only one style and shape of implants was available for both genders. And in the past, just one style went into the left and right knees. Now, there are specific implants not only for the left versus the right knee, but also for men versus women.Is this beneficial, or is this just another marketing ploy hyped up by an implant manufacturer? In truth, there is benefit to the surgeon and patient alike by having gender-specific implants for knee replacements.Single-incision minimally invasive hip surgery
In mid-2006, the minimally invasive total hip replacement went from the two-incision surgical approach in our hands to a single, small incision. The surgical procedure is identical to the two-incision total hip replacement that is described in detail elsewhere on this web site. The difference is even less surgical trauma, since we can now eliminate one surgical incision entirely.New, less invasive technique for hip replacement reduces recovery period
A new, less invasive procedure introduced last month at Columbia Regional Hospital has some patients of hip replacement surgeries twisting and turning for joy. Navigational surgery pinpoints procedure for hip replacement
B. Sonny Bal, MD, a joint-replacement specialist at University of Missouri Health Care, recently performed the first image-guided minimally invasive hip-replacement procedure in the Columbia area.Technology key in joint replacement surgery
For the past 25 years, major advancements in hip and knee replacement have improved the outcome of the surgery greatly. Since the overall population of the world is aging, these procedures are becoming more and more common and technology is helping surgeons keep up to date in correcting patients’ ailments.
Read more about Dr. Bal's experience.