FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

1. What is Orthopaedic Surgery?

Orthopaedic Surgery is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of the body's muscoloskeletal system. This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Many musculoskeletal conditions are treated without surgery, by using medication, exercise and rehabilitation. Orthopaedic surgeons perform numerous types of surgeries. Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss your diagnosis and available treatment options with you and help you select the best plan to help you to live an active and functional life. 

2. What is Fracture Care?

A bone fracture is a break in a bone. There are many types of fractures: simple, stress, comminuted, impacted, compound, complete and incomplete. To heal properly, the fractured bone may need to be realigned. Some fractures only require temporary protection (crutches, splint) while some more severe fractures require surgery. 

3. What is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Arthroscopy is a form of minimally invasive surgery in which a fiber-optic camera is inserted through a small incision allowing diagnostic and surgical treatments to be performed quickly and accurately. The procedure can be performed on most joints at an outpatient surgery center under general, regional, or local anesthesia. Arthroscopic surgery provides the patient a safe, comfortable treatment option and faster recovery time than conventional procedures. 

4. What is Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Surgery?

Defects in the skeleton can be bridged and repaired through the use of both artificial devices and the patient’s own natural bone and tissue. This applies to non-healed fractures, bone tumors, and infections. The goal is to promptly restore structure and function to an ailing limb. Joint replacement is a surgical procedure that removes a damaged joint and resurfaces it with a new (prosthetic) joint. Joints can be damaged by degenerative disorders such as arthritis, or by obesity, injury, or overuse. Most joint replacement procedures are performed on the large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Other joints that can be replaced include the shoulders, fingers, ankles, and elbows. Joint replacement surgery can be extremely successful in relief of pain and improvement in mobility and function.

5. What is Shoulder Surgery?

The shoulder is one of the most complex and easily injured joints in the body. Many surgeries have been developed to repair the muscles, tendons, bone cartilage or damaged joints that can arise from traumatic or overuse injuries to the shoulder. There are numerous types of shoulder surgeries, and the recommended procedure depends on the type of problem you are having. While it is impossible to describe the details of every surgical procedure, many shoulder surgeries share certain similarities. You are very likely to need to wear a sling for a period of time, and you will need to have physical therapy after your surgery in order to regain as much strength and motion as possible.

6. What is Cartilage Restoration?

Cartilage Restoration aims to restore damaged cartilage using biological means. This entails using cartilage repair transplantation and joint reconstruction. 

7. What is Spine Surgery?

Spine surgery may be considered after a course of conservative treatment. Most patients with back pain can be treated effectively with non-operative therapies, which can include physical therapy, medication and activity restrictions. Accidents, emergencies, and fractures may require surgical treatment. 

8. What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery procedures are performed using an endoscope and a computer-assisted image guidance system. The endoscope is a thin tube that is connected to a tiny video camera, cable, and light source. High-quality images are illuminated and magnified on a video monitor, allowing the surgeon to operate without having to make a large incision. Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery are; less pain and scarring, less anesthesia, and shorter hospital stays. Many patients are able to go home the same day after endoscopic spine surgery. 

9. What is Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached (endoscope). The endoscope is guided through a small incision in the wrist. The endoscope lets the physician see structures in the wrist without opening the entire area with a large incision. Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery can be performed at an outpatient surgery center. Patients who have endoscopic surgery have a smaller surgical incision, less pain, minimal scaring and are able to go home the same day. 

10. What is Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine physicians have specialized training in disorders related to sports or exercise. Their primary focus is on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries that occur during sports and other physical activity. Physical Therapy and conditioning play a vital role in recovery after injury. Our physicians will work closely with the patient’s athletic trainer and or physical therapists, to help each patient achieve optimal health and reach their performance goals. 

11. What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring lost abilities to a person who has been disabled because of disease, disorder or injury. Physiatrists treat acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. They see patients in all age groups. Physiatrists' patients include people with arthritis, tendonitis, back pain, work or sports related injuries. 

This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician for specific treatment recommendations.