Orthopedic surgeons treat problems of the musculoskeletal system. This involves:

• Diagnosis of your injury or disorder
• Treatment with medication, exercise, casting, surgery or other options
• Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength and function
• Prevention with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of disease

Surgical Treatment -

We perform numerous types of surgeries. Common procedures include:

• Arthroscopy — a procedure that uses special cameras and equipment to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint.
• Fusion — a welding process by which bones are fused together with bone grafts and internal devices (such as metal rods) to heal into a single solid bone.
• Internal fixation — a method to hold the broken pieces of bone in proper position with metal plates, pins, or screws while the bone is healing.
• Joint replacement (partial, total, and revision) — when an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis.
• Osteotomy — the correction of bone deformity by cutting and repositioning the bone. Soft tissue repair — the mending of soft tissue, such as torn tendons or ligaments.

Joint replacement

Joint replacement means removing part or all of a damaged joint and installing hardware to allow the limb to move without pain or limitations. The replacement hardware is called a prosthesis. These are made of plastic, metal, ceramic, or a combination of these materials. Most joint replacements are performed to treat damage from arthritis to the knees or hips. Orthopedic surgeons do the procedure under general anesthesia.

The decision to replace a joint depends on several factors:

• How are the symptoms? Moderate to severe pain, stiffness, and limited function of the joint may indicate the need for a new joint.
• What is the level of damage to the joint? An x-ray or other imaging test can show if the bone and cartilage in the joint have deteriorated. The joint may also become misaligned. Moderate to severe joint damage is an indication for joint replacement.
• Does the joint problem limit daily activities and compromise a person's quality of life? This, too, indicates that joint replacement may be beneficial.