|
Knee and Hip Arthroscopy |
 |
|
Shoulder Arthroscopy |
|
Hip Replacement Surgery (Partial or Total)
|
|
Hip Resurfacing Surgery |
|
Knee Replacement Surgery (Partial or Total) |
|
Hand Surgery |
|
Elbow Surgery |
|
Shoulder Surgery |
Examples of
Orthopedic Treatments
The purpose behind most orthopedic surgical procedures is to increase and enhance mobility of a joint as well as to repair damaged bone, muscular, or neural tissues caused by sports injuries, arthritis, fractures, and muscle and bone diseases.
Orthopedics treatments and surgeries help to treat chronic diseases such as various forms of arthritis in the hands, knees and back.
Knee problems, such as torn cartilage or tendonitis in the knee joint, caused by sports injuries are often treated with a combination of arthroscopy, or a minimally invasive procedure, or surgical care.
Orthopedic treatment may help or repair damage to hip joints caused by traumatic injuries, fractures or osteoarthritis conditions. Such treatments may require surgical procedures to replace broken joints with partial or total artificial joints, as well as the use of pins or braces to hold bone sections together.
Sports injuries such as tennis elbow or baseball elbow may require treatment to repair damage to the tendons that attach muscle to bone at these critical joints in the arm.
Orthopedic treatments to reduce deformity and increase mobility of the spine and neck caused by scoliosis, fibromyalgia, bursitis or arthritis are common as well. Orthopedic surgery involves many different techniques and methods for the treatment of hundreds of bone or joint injuries and conditions that limit range of motion or cause pain in men, women and children.
Joint replacement surgeries have become increasingly common and allow for the total or partial replacement of joints. The use of alternative materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramic implants provides increased mobility in a great percentage of surgery candidates.
Common
Orthopedic Surgeries
Orthopedic procedures are generally performed in an operating room setting under general anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, an operation may take anywhere from one to several hours. Operations require incisions, or cuts, to exposed damaged muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. Sterilized surgical tools designed to scrape away or remove damaged bone tissue or ball joints are used during procedures. Following the procedure, wound areas are sutured with either a traditional surgical threads or surgical staples. Surgical sites may be wrapped or left exposed to facilitate healing. Swelling and bruising is common, following surgical procedures, but will be reduced through proper care and handling within two to three days.
Common procedures performed to help relieve symptoms and damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis includes Osteotomy, where a deformed joint is surgically realigned, or a Synovectomy, where inflamed tissues that line the joint are removed. Such procedures heal relatively quickly and serve to alleviate pain and increase mobility in affected joints.
Arthroscopy involves removing particles of bone or tissue cartilage that causes pain and restricts movement. This process involves creating small incisions on each side of the knee. A tiny camera in inserted through one incision, while a thin surgical instrument is inserted in the other. While it is less invasive than Arthroplasty, or joint replacement surgery, common in knee or hip replacements and which involves the removal of damaged bone and surrounding tissues to be replaced with a prosthetic joint, various procedures and severity of conditions will determine which surgical method is used.
Treatment for conditions such as tennis, golf, or baseball elbow involves removing a portion of damaged tendon or releasing the attachment of the affected tendon. The good news is that most patients with tennis elbow can be treated without surgery. A variety of conservative approach treatments should be tried prior to opting for surgery, including rest, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, brace support and exercises.
Of course, there are many more types of procedures and surgeries that are performed in the orthopedic field. Depending on the type of orthopedic surgery that your condition calls for, treatments, procedures, as well as healing times will vary.
Benefits of
Orthopedic Surgeries
In most cases, recovery from most types of orthopedic surgery is relatively rapid. Depending on the specific type of surgery, recovery time varies from two weeks to four months. Physical and Occupational therapy usually follows any type of orthopedic surgical procedure, which will help restore muscle strength, coordination, and mobility. Some physical therapy is also performed through the use of hydrotherapy and massage.
