Orthopedics Q & A

What services are provided by orthopedic surgeons?

Orthopedic surgeons treat the full scope of conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system, whether you need surgery or not.

Some conditions, like complex fractures and ligament tears, may require immediate surgery. But for most patients, the first line of treatment consists of conservative options such as medication, immobilization, and joint injections.

When you receive orthopedic care at SMART Spine Institute & Surgery Center, you also have access to treatments that work together with orthopedic therapies, such as chiropractic, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

What types of orthopedic surgery are available?

The on-site surgery center is equipped to repair a range of musculoskeletal conditions, with many procedures performed using minimally invasive surgery.

Common techniques used in orthopedic surgery include bone fusion, internal fixation to hold broken bones in place, joint replacement, and osteotomy, which corrects deformities by cutting and repositioning bones.

While the team is highly experienced in surgical interventions for every part of your body, frequently-performed procedures include:

Hand surgery

Wrist fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, and damaged ligaments and nerves are commonly repaired during hand surgery.

Knee surgery

When you have knee pain or injuries, arthroscopic surgery is performed to diagnose the underlying problem. Depending on the diagnosis, surgery can be performed at the same time, or your orthopedic surgeon may postpone surgery and start conservative treatment.

Shoulder surgery

Like all orthopedic conditions, nonsurgical treatment is always the first option. But your shoulder is susceptible to injuries, degenerative disease, and dislocations, which may require surgery to prevent ongoing discomfort or instability.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat orthopedic problems affecting your joints. Minimally invasive surgery is performed using specialized surgical tools contained in long, thin tubes. As a result, your surgery only requires several tiny incisions.

The pencil-thin arthroscope holds a small camera and fiber-optic light. As it transmits magnified, 3D images of the surgical area to a monitor, your surgeon inserts surgical tools through the other incisions and repairs the problem by manually controlling the tools.

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

• Less trauma to surrounding tissues
• Quicker recovery
• Less pain
• Minimal scarring

If you have questions about arthroscopic surgery or need orthopedic care, call SMART Spine Institute & Surgery Center or book an appointment online.