When an orthopedic injury happens, it is often necessary to schedule surgery to repair the physical injury. A good surgeon helps to correct the problem and optimize your recovery, ensuring the best possible results in the future.

How do you know when you need to talk to an orthopedic surgeon? If you are experiencing any type of pain, mobility issues, or other problems affecting the musculoskeletal system or nerve conditions, you will likely benefit from orthopedics.

An orthopedic surgeon has specialized training in a variety of issues affecting the muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, joints, and skin.

Most Common Types of Orthopedic Surgery

Our team of orthopedic experts at Orthopedic Associates has experience with a full range of services for all parts of the musculoskeletal system. You are welcome to contact us any time if you need assistance with any of these types of services.

Here are some of the most common orthopedic surgeries that we complete for our patients:

• Hip Replacement Surgery: The aging process can cause wear and tear on the hips, eventually requiring treatment to alleviate the pain and improve overall function. When this ball-and-socket joint breaks down, orthopedic surgery can be useful to replace the worn-down hip with a metal or plastic alternative. This surgery is most common in older adults.
• Knee Replacement: Similar to hip replacement surgery, knee replacement is necessary if wear and tear have broken down the structure of the knee joint. When a replacement surgery is completed, the surgeon places metal components in the knee to replace the injured structure.
• Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Surgery: Another common treatment is to improve the function and mobility of the shoulder. This replacement surgery is similar to hip and knee replacement, with metal parts used in place of the ball-and-socket joint in the shoulder.
• Wrist and Hand Surgeries: The use of your hands and fingers is essential for many activities throughout the day. Since this part of your body is used so often, they are at high risk of injury or wear and tear. Surgery is often needed for the fingers, hands, or wrists due to dislocations, fractures, and chronic pain.
• ACL Surgery: An ACL tear is one of the most common types of knee injuries, especially among athletes. This ligament is one of the most major pieces of the knee joint, and it can be easily injured with the wrong movement when playing sports. When a full ACL repair is necessary, the orthopedic surgeon might need to take a tendon from a different part of the body to build the new ACL in the knee.

Different Types of Surgery: Arthroscopic, Partial Replacement, and Full Replacement

Whenever a replacement surgery is necessary, there are options for a partial replacement or full replacement. The extent of the surgery depends on the type and level of damage that has occurred in the joint.

For example, if only a few damaged parts need to be replaced, it is known as partial surgery. But if the whole joint needs to be replaced, it is a total replacement surgery.

On the other hand, arthroscopic surgery is used when minor problems need to be identified and cleaned up. A small scope is an excellent solution for repairing damaged cartilage when there is no need to install any artificial parts.

Arthroscopic surgery involves minor surgical corrections, or diagnostic exploration is often done using a scope with a tiny camera. This type of surgery can be used on many parts of the body. The benefit of arthroscopic surgical methods is that the surgeon can minimize the size of the incisions, helping to reduce scarring and speed up recovery.

Do You Need Orthopedic Surgery?

If you have pain, injury, or disability that is affecting your muscles, bones, or joints, then it is time to book a consultation with an orthopedic specialist.

This consultation begins with a full diagnostic process to determine the type of injury and extent of damage that has occurred. A variety of tests and digital imaging can be used to give the doctor insights into your specific condition.

Once the diagnosis is achieved, then the orthopedic surgeon will determine the ideal treatment plan. Rest assured, knowing that surgery isn’t the only treatment option. Whenever possible, our team at Orthopedic Associates prefers to stick with minimally-invasive methods to assist your recovery.

But certain types of injuries can only be corrected with surgical methods.

Here are signs that you might benefit from orthopedic surgery:

• Severe Pain That Impacts Your Quality of Life: Is the pain so debilitating and severe that you have a hard time keeping up with normal daily activities? When the pain and injury impact your quality of life, then it’s essential that you visit a specialist as soon as possible.
• Overall Health Considerations: Before any type of surgery is completed, it’s essential to evaluate your overall health. Only patients with reasonable health can go under anesthesia and through the recovery process for surgery. For example, surgery might not be the ideal recommendation if a patient has a disease that might interfere with post-operative healing.
• Orthopedic Surgeon Assessment: You’ll need a full assessment from an orthopedic specialist before determining if surgery is the ideal option for your unique needs. Remember that there are many different types of treatments (both surgical and non-surgical). So, there is no reason to rush into surgery if you might be able to benefit from a minimally-invasive treatment first.
• Acute Injury: Certain types of acute injuries require immediate surgery. For example, if you have a broken bone, it’s important to realign and stabilize it to ensure proper positioning during your recovery and healing.

Full Care and Support: Before, During, and After Surgery

One of the benefits of choosing our team at Orthopedic Associates is that we partner with our patients to ensure the highest levels of care every step of the way. Not only do we help with diagnostics and surgical interventions, but we also assist our patients with post-operative recovery.

The steps you take after the surgery will impact the overall results you achieve. Our goal is to correct the issues and help you avoid complications in the future. So, we follow through with the best treatments and patient care to help you through all stages of your recovery.

What questions do you have about orthopedic surgery and other related treatments? Reach out to our expert team at Orthopedic Associates for more information. You have access to our full-service approach, with solutions for everything from chronic pain to sports injuries and more. Contact our team to book an appointment. Call our office any time: (972) 420-1776.