"Everyone has goals," states Dr. Piccirillo. "Whether it is the starting quarterback attempting to return for his team to play in the big game or a grandmother wanting to get down to the floor to play with her new grandchild; we all are motivated to attain certain endpoints. "These goals are as important to me as they are to my patients. After evaluating a patient, and their goals, I must then establish a treatment plan and my own goals for improving the patient's quality of life. This can include the use of medications, braces, physical therapy, and at times, surgery to alleviate the patient's disability, improve their function, and bring a smile to their face. "I get the same joy from looking at Christmas pictures of a grandmother sitting on the floor opening presents with her grandson after her knee replacement as I do watching the local baseball star hitting a game winning homerun, after undergoing treatment for his rotator cuff." Dr. Piccirillo received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania Stte University, where he played football. Upon graduation, he attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and obtained a Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 1989. At that time, he moved to Chicago and began his specialty training at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine completing a general internship in 1990 and an orthopedic surgical residency in 1994. Dr. Piccirillo has continued to study the mechanics and development of total joint replacements. His current research is concentrating on techniques to decrease wear and increase longevity of joint replacements, at DePuy Orthopedics in Warsaw, Indiana. Dr. Piccirillo has special interest in total joint replacement in younger adults and use of alternative surgical and non-surgical treatment prior to replacement surgery. He serves as a team physician for many local high schools. Dr. Piccirillo is available in all orthopedic Pediatric and Spine Institute offices and is on staff at St. Mary's and Methodist South Lake Hospitals. He can be reached at 219.738.2279.