Faculty Five with Raymond Walls, MD

What is your orthopedic subspecialty, and why did you decide to pursue it?

My subspecialty is orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery, and there are a few reasons why I chose to go into this area. I had a mentor who was so enthusiastic about foot and ankle that it could almost be described as infectious. I enjoy the diverse range of pathologies that we treat from joint replacements and sports injuries to deformity correction and trauma.

It's a fascinating area because there are many new technologies emerging for treating foot and ankle problems. Ankle replacement is a prime example where it will soon be considered the gold standard for treating ankle arthritis such has been the development in design with improved longevity and durability. Cartilage reconstruction is improving all the time and at Yale, I am at the foreforont of stem cell augmentation to enhance patient outcomes. Being involved in the evolution of these incredible areas in foot and ankle is what drives me and keeps me excited. The future is here!

My background in dance had a strong influence in my decision to become a foot and ankle surgeon. I was a professional dancer with Riverdance before I went into medicine where I sustained a few ankle sprains and thankfully minor injuries. Being able to understand the physical and psychological implications of these injuries has helped in my orthopaedic career. It affords me better insight when working with performers and professional athletes because I can empathize with them. I know that feeling when someone tells you they need to be back to performing in two weeks. For example, I recently treated a professional ballet dancer who came to me for a second opinion. I was able to relate to their mindset and the need to get back in the safest but quickest way possible. Having an understanding of dance allowed me to develop an accelerated rehabilitation schedule with an appropriate transition phase combining shoewear and routine modification. This understanding is a unique skill that I can offer which many other specialists can’t.

What's the best part of your clinical practice?

I absolutely love what I do: all aspects of it. There is nothing more rewarding than performing a complex surgery and seeing an immediate improvement in a patients’ quality of life. I love going to my clinics where I treat a tremendous range of conditions and patients, each with their unique personality and story. In one room there may be a young adult with a straightforward sports or dance injury. The next may be someone who has had a deformity since their childhood which is now really starting to affect them as an adult. I am grateful for the ability to correct this promptly and prevent problems later in life. Or sometimes, I have an older patient who has incredible stories to tell, incredible life experiences, and I enjoy spending time with them in the clinic.

Every treatment is individualized. I have books in my office that say for a certain condition, these are your treatment options: A, B, C, and D. But by talking to the patient, I will help determine the right approach for them. I don't use my clinic to churn patients out. I take time to understand their background and desired outcome. I want to help guide patients to make the best-informed decision, taking into account their specific needs. Just like shoes, one size does not fit all.

One of the greatest privileges of working at an academic center is the ability to teach and work alongside some of the most incredible residents in the country. The clinic is a terrific opportunity for education for everyone. Not infrequently, a patient will flip things around and teach me; they are the ones who are living with and experiencing a disease or condition and their insight is invaluable. I often use the phrase “every day is a school day.”

What makes Yale a unique place for patients to get treatment?

I think one of the advantages of working at Yale is our global reputation for being the best. We have the faculty that are the best, and our patients expect the best.

We ensure that the residents that come here are trained and educated using the latest advances in orthopaedics and the best techniques, both non operative and surgical, to help care for our patients. Our faculty are active on many national and international committees. We are at the forefront of orthopaedic care and we can, guarantee that if patients come here, they will get the best. Our collaborative desire for excellence permeates in all aspects of what we do.

What is advice you give to medical school students and residents?

The best advice goes back to the sentence that I used a minute ago. “Every day is a school day.” Every experience is an opportunity to learn. Only so much will be in the books, but even more, will be gained from what we learn hands-on on a daily basis. I always keep an open mind for opportunities to learn from patients as well as clinicians.

Also, remember that patients are here because they want help. They are coming to you, the physician, for your expertise and guidance. Ask yourself, “what would I want for me if I was sitting in their chair”. And, if you can remember that, I think you will be a better clinician with a better ability to empathize.

What is something you enjoy doing when you're not in the clinics or surgery?

I enjoy going home and being with family. I have an amazing wife and two wonderful kids who are active in dance. My daughter, Charlotte, is gifted at ballet and performed in the Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center in New York over the holidays. My son, Cian, has continued our legacy in Irish dance, where he recently qualified to compete at the World Championships next year. Irish dance has changed dramatically since I competed. The technical skill and athleticism has grown exponentially. It is an amazing art form and I am honored to have been part of its transformation onto the global stage. The people that I danced with 20 years ago, and it feels just like yesterday, are now the dance teachers, and I am fortunate that it is still a part of my life today.