Common Orthopaedic Procedures

|Common Orthopaedic Procedures
Common Orthopaedic Procedures 2018-10-19T15:38:47+00:00

ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR SURGERY

Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff usually involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of humerus (which is your upper arm bone). A partial tear, however, may need only a trimming or smoothing procedure, and this is called a debridement. A complete tear within the thickest part of the tendon is repaired by stitching the two sides back together. If your pain does not improve with conservative non-surgical procedures, your physician may recommend you for this surgery.

OPEN SHOULDER SURGERY

Your shoulder is an essential part of your body to have maximum physical function. Did you know that your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body? However, this flexibility also makes your shoulder more susceptible to instability and injury. Depending on the nature of your injury, non-surgical treatment options may be recommended before surgery. If you are a candidate for these options and they fail, or if your injury is more severe Open Shoulder Surgery may be recommended for you. Early, correct diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries is essential to your complete recovery. Open surgery often can be done through small incisions of just a few inches. Recovery and rehabilitation is related to the type of surgery performed inside the shoulder, rather than whether there was an arthroscopic or open surgical procedure. The physician will choose the best options for your specific injury from diagnosis to surgery and throughout your recovery.

SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY

Arthroscopy is a procedure that orthopaedic surgeons like ours use regularly to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems inside a joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The term means “to look within the joint.” During shoulder arthroscopy, the physician inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and the physician uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.

Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, your surgeon can use very tiny incisions, rather than the larger incision needed for standard, open surgery. This results in less pain for patients, and shortens the time it takes to recover and return to your daily life.

Shoulder arthroscopy has made diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from surgery easier and faster than was once thought possible. Although this procedure has been performed since the 1970s, improvements to shoulder arthroscopy occur every year as new instruments and medical techniques are introduced.

CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY 

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a common source of hand numbness and pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tissues surrounding your flexor tendons in the wrist swell and put pressure on your median nerve. These tissues are called the synovium. The synovium lubricates the tendons and makes it easier to move your fingers. This swelling of the synovium narrows the confined space of the carpal tunnel, and over time, this crowds the nerve.

To determine whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor will discuss your symptoms with you along with your medical history. Then he will also examine your hand and perform a number of physical tests to determine your diagnosis.

Surgery may be considered if you do not gain relief from nonsurgical treatments. The decision whether to have surgery is based mostly on the severity of your symptoms and pain level. During surgery, a cut will be made in your palm. The roof (transverse carpal ligament) of the carpal tunnel is then divided. This will increase the size of the tunnel and decreases pressure on the nerve. Once the skin is closed, the ligament begins to heal and grow across the division. The new growth will heal the ligament, and will then allow more space for the nerve and flexor tendons.

Most patients’ symptoms improve after surgery, but recovery may be gradual depending on your personal outcome. Our physicians will discuss your individual needs and treatment plan with you, and will monitor your progress throughout your recovery.

TRIGGER FINGER RELEASE SURGERY

Trigger finger limits your finger movement. The complications occur when trying to straighten your finger. The finger will lock before popping straight out. This condition directly affects the tendons in your fingers.

The goal of Trigger Finger Release Surgery is to widen the opening of the tunnel so that your tendon can slide through more easily. The surgery is performed through a small incision in the palm or sometimes it is done with the tip of a needle. The tendon sheath tunnel is cut. When this heals back together, the sheath is looser and the tendon has more room to move through it.

KNEE ARTHOSCOPY

Knee Arthroscopy is a procedure that orthopaedic surgeons like ours use regularly to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems inside the knee joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The term means “to look within the joint.” During knee arthroscopy, the physician inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your knee joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and allows the cause of your pain to be identified by looking at the structures within your knee in great detail. Your surgeon can use arthroscopy to remove, repair, and feel damaged tissue that may be causing you problems. To do this, very small surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions around your knee. According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, more than 4 million knee arthroscopies are performed worldwide each year.

ANKLE ARTHROSCOPY 

Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a very small viewing camera and small surgical tools to operate in and around the ankle joint through small incisions. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The term means “to look within the joint.” Ankle arthroscopy is performed for the surgical evaluation and treatment of a variety of ankle conditions.