If you have an injury or condition affecting your musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, joints) and are experiencing severe or chronic pain and reduced function, then it may be time to seek the expertise of an orthopedic surgeon.
Musculoskeletal conditions can affect people at any age. The injury or condition may be a result of wear and tear, sports, work, or an underlying medical condition – and although some orthopedic injuries may heal on their own or with rest, other conditions require medical treatment by an orthopedic surgeon to provide relief.
Role of an Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders or injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system. They work with patients of all ages, and they will provide the most minimally invasive treatment possible for each patient.
Orthopedic conditions can include joint dysfunction, sports injuries, broken bones, torn muscles, and degenerative diseases such as arthritis. The most common orthopedic surgeries are the following:
Joint Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. It is most commonly used to treat conditions that involve damage to the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that make up a joint.
An arthroscopy procedure requires only small incisions and is guided by a miniature viewing instrument, or scope. It can be performed to repair damage, excise inflamed tissue, or remove fragments of loose bone or cartilage within the joint.
Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery offers a number of benefits as compared to traditional “open” surgery. These benefits include:
- Smaller incisions (less blood loss, fewer stitches, and less scarring)
- Less tissue damage
- Lower risk of complications (infection or excessive bleeding)
- Less pain after surgery
- Shorter recovery period
Joint Replacement Surgery
A joint replacement involves removing part or all of a damaged joint and replacing it with artificial components, or prosthetics. Joint replacement surgery can improve your mobility and function, and it can provide significant pain relief. It may be required for advanced arthritis or as a result of an injury.
ACL and PCL Reconstruction Surgery
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears are common knee injuries, particularly in very active people. Ligaments are the strong bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones together in a joint, and the ACL and PCL ligaments cross each other in the shape of an “X” to provide stability to the knee joint.
Surgery is often required when nonsurgical treatments have not worked, when the ligament is completely (not partially) torn, or when the tear is accompanied by other injuries. The goal of ligament reconstruction surgery is to repair, reattach, and/or replace the torn ligament fibers in order to restore the knee’s function and stability.
Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery
The Achilles tendon is a large, strong fibrous cord in the back of the lower leg, connecting the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. It is used virtually every time you move your foot.
An Achilles tendon rupture most commonly occurs as a result of sports injuries or from a condition called Achilles tendonitis. People with Achilles tendonitis have weakened and inflamed tendons that are susceptible to injury. If less-invasive techniques have not worked to repair the damage and relieve the pain, Achilles tendon repair surgery is conducted to repair or reattach the tendon in order to reduce painful symptoms and improve function and mobility.
Arthritis Surgery
Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness within joints, and it is a progressive disease – meaning it often gets worse over time. Surgery may be recommended when nonsurgical treatments no longer provide relief.
There are several surgical options to treat arthritis. The method your orthopedic physician recommends will depend on the type of your arthritis, its severity, and your general health.
The most common surgical procedures for arthritis include:
- Synovectomy to remove diseased or damaged joint lining (synovium)
- Osteotomy to repair the damaged bones in a joint
- Joint fusion to prevent painful motion in the joint and thereby relieve pain
- Arthroplasty to reform or restore a joint
Fracture Care
The treatment for a broken bone depends on the type of fracture and the bones that are involved. The main aim is to align the fractured bone fragments in order to allow the bone to heal back together properly.
Surgery is necessary for complex fractures, such as when the bones have moved out of place or have broken into several pieces. This surgery involves realigning the bones into their proper position and securing them with surgical hardware. A bone graft is sometimes required to fill in gaps from crushed or missing bone.
Orthopedic Surgeons in South Florida
If you have a painful or disabling musculoskeletal condition or injury, visit the caring physicians at Total Orthopaedic Care. We provide compassionate and superior healthcare for everyone from young athletes to active adults who are enjoying their retirement.
To find out more about the services we offer or to schedule an appointment, call our office today at (954) 735-3535 or request an appointment now via our online form. We look forward to helping you feel like your best self again.
