Treatments

Orthopedic surgery focuses on diagnosing, treating, and repairing conditions related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Here are some core components:

Types of Orthopedic Surgeries

• Joint Replacement: Common for treating arthritis, especially in the knee and hip. Joint replacements involve replacing damaged parts with artificial implants.
• Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure where a small camera is inserted into the joint to diagnose or treat issues, often in the knee, shoulder, or hip.
• Fracture Repair: Using screws, plates, or rods to stabilize broken bones, aiding proper alignment and healing.
• Spinal Surgery: Procedures such as laminectomy or spinal fusion treat conditions like herniated discs, scoliosis, or spinal instability.
• Soft Tissue Repairs: Includes repairing tendons or ligaments, such as in ACL reconstruction or rotator cuff repair.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

• Benefits: Similar to other surgical fields, minimally invasive approaches in orthopedics (like arthroscopy) reduce recovery time, lessen pain, and decrease the risk of complications.
• Applications: These techniques are often used in joint surgeries, including knee, shoulder, and hip repairs, to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.

Preoperative and Postoperative Care

• Preoperative Optimization: Evaluating the patient’s overall health, bone density, and alignment can help predict outcomes and prevent complications.
• Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: Critical to restoring mobility, strength, and range of motion. Physical therapy often starts shortly after surgery to optimize recovery.
• Pain Management: Tailored strategies, including medication, ice therapy, and alternative techniques, are used to control pain and facilitate healing.

Advances in Orthopedic Surgery

• Robotic Assistance: Increasingly used in joint replacement surgeries for more precise alignment and positioning.
• 3D Printing for Implants: Customized implants can be created for specific anatomical needs, improving joint replacement outcomes.
• Regenerative Medicine: Treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy aim to promote natural healing and delay the need for surgery in some cases.