Orthopedic Treatment

Types of Orthopedic Treatment

Orthopedic treatments address a range of issues affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. The types of treatment generally fall into two categories: non-surgical and surgical.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

1. Physical Therapy: This involves exercises and stretches to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. Physical therapy is often used to recover from injuries or manage chronic conditions like arthritis.

2. Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers help reduce pain and swelling, allowing patients to move more comfortably.

3. Orthotics and Braces: Specially designed braces and supports help stabilize joints or correct alignment, often relieving pain and helping prevent further injury.

4. Injections: Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from joint pain, while hyaluronic acid injections lubricate joints, especially in conditions like osteoarthritis.

Surgical Treatments:

1. Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure where a tiny camera is inserted into the joint, allowing surgeons to repair damaged tissue with small tools. Common for knee, shoulder, and wrist issues.

2. Joint Replacement: In severe arthritis or joint damage cases, replacing parts of the joint (like a hip or knee) with artificial materials can restore mobility and reduce pain.

3. Fracture Repair: Surgical fixation, such as plates or screws, is used to hold broken bones in place while they heal.

4. Spinal Surgery: For serious back issues like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, surgery can relieve pain and improve stability.

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. 

What conditions does orthopaedic surgery treat or manage?

Orthopedic disorders cover vast regions of the body. An orthopedist offers vast treatments for dislodged joints or bones.  

• Wrists: The most common wrist surgeries are for the release of carpal tunnel or the fracture of the distal radius.
• Ankles: Fractures of the ankle are common sports injuries. There are also common workplace injuries on sites where workers can fall from considerable heights or are exposed to trip hazards.
• Hips: The most common hip procedures are the repair of the femoral neck, a trochanteric fracture, or the replacement of the hip joint with a prosthetic.
• Spine: The most common spinal operations are laminectomies, spinal fusions, and intervertebral disc operations.
• Shoulders: Arthroscopic surgery can be effective to repair the rotator cuff, decompress the shoulder, or excise the distal clavicle. For more information on shoulder injuries, look here.
• Knees: Procedures to repair the MCL and ACL are among the most common knee procedures. Also common is the total replacement of the knee.

Before orthopedic surgery, you’ll meet with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the type of surgery you need. This initial meeting is called a consultation or an evaluation. They’ll take a complete medical history, examine the part of your body they plan to perform surgery on, and review any imaging tests, like an X-ray, to understand more about your condition.

Before the Procedure:

• Assessment and Diagnosis: The orthopedic doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order imaging tests (like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans) to diagnose the problem accurately.
• Treatment Planning: Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a treatment plan. This may include options like physical therapy, medication, injections, or surgery if needed.
• Preparation: For surgical procedures, patients may need to stop taking certain medications, avoid eating or drinking for several hours, and make arrangements for transportation and home care post-surgery.

During the Procedure:

• Non-Surgical Treatments: These may include physical therapy exercises, injections, or wearing braces. These treatments are usually performed in the doctor’s office or a therapy center.
• Surgical Treatments: For surgeries, the patient will be given anesthesia to prevent pain. The surgeon will then perform the procedure, which could involve repairing ligaments, realigning bones, or replacing damaged joints.
• Monitoring: Throughout the procedure, the medical team monitors the patient’s vital signs and comfort.

After the Procedure:

• Recovery and Rehabilitation: After non-surgical treatments, patients often start rehabilitation exercises. For surgical cases, patients may need a few days in the hospital before beginning physical therapy.
• Pain Management and Care: Patients are advised on pain management, wound care, and activity limitations to aid healing.
• Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-ups help monitor recovery, adjust the treatment plan, and prevent future complications, ensuring a safe return to normal activities.