Orthopedic surgery is a treatment option for disorders and ailments affecting the musculoskeletal system. It covers several surgery types, such as hip replacement and wrist arthroscopy. Medical experts that handle these procedures are known as orthopedic surgeons.
If you are considering getting orthopedic surgery, it is important to know what you’re getting yourself into, so you can make a sound decision. Here are some facts about orthopedic surgery that you should know.
What You Should Know Before Getting Orthopedic Surgery
1. It Can Help Treat Many Conditions
Because of the complexity of the musculoskeletal system, it is in use every minute of every day. It includes the bones, muscles, and other soft tissues in your body. Several factors, such as age or weight, can lead to the deterioration or injury of some of these body parts.
It can result in musculoskeletal conditions such as the following:
- Arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Bone cancer
- Bone fractures
- Foot, hand, and joint pain and problems
- Sprains and strains
Different surgeries and treatments are available for medical problems that affect the musculoskeletal system. Your orthopedic doctor will recommend the best one for you.
2. It Is A Team Effort
Your orthopedic surgeon will work with other medical experts to diagnose your particular condition and ensure everything goes well during the surgery. Other healthcare experts will also be involved after the surgery to help with your recovery. These individuals may include:
- Primary care doctors
- Physical therapists
- Nurse practitioners
- Psychiatrists
- Chiropractors
- Neurologists
- Pain specialists
- Sports medicine specialists
3. Surgery Can Take Hours
Most orthopedic surgeries can take around 1 to 4 hours, depending on the procedure. Hip replacement surgery, for example, can take about 2 hours, with partial hip replacement taking less time. Shoulder replacement surgery may take 1 to 3 hours.
Complications during surgery can take up more time, as well.
4. Recovery Takes A Long Time
Recovery from surgery may take several weeks to months, depending on the procedure. During that time, your provider may immobilize the treated body part to let it heal without issues.
Your doctor will prescribe medication to help relieve your pain during recovery. Your doctor will also likely recommend different forms of therapy and exercise to help with rehabilitation once enough time has passed.
5. It Uses The Latest Medical Technology
Orthopedic surgical procedures are highly advanced. Orthopedic surgeons can use several instruments such as cameras, machines, monitors, and surgical knives to perform orthopedic surgery with a high level of accuracy and precision. Even robotic arms are being used to assist surgeons during operations, particularly in hip and knee replacements.
6. Your Provider May Use Different Types Of Anesthesia
There are different forms of anesthesia used during orthopedic surgical procedures, and what you receive will depend on the type of surgery you’re having done. For example, shoulder replacement surgery uses general anesthesia, which makes you unconscious and unable to feel pain. It may also require regional anesthesia, which numbs a specific body area.
7. It Can Help Improve Your Quality Of Life
It can be frustrating when orthopedic pain gets in the way of menial tasks. You may also not notice the pain deteriorating your mental and emotional health.
While surgery sounds like a last resort for these inconveniences, it may be the solution to these ailments’ underlying causes. Once you’ve recovered from the procedure, you will find that it has helped improve your quality of life significantly.
8. There Are Risks Involved
There are some risks involved with any type of surgery. Common ones include bleeding, blood clots, and infections. It is also possible to feel nauseous or have an allergic reaction to anesthesia. Injuries to blood vessels and nerves may occur in orthopedic surgeries, too. If you’re having joint replacement surgery, you might have an allergic reaction to the implants.
So, what’s the solution? Go with a highly experienced and reputable orthopedic surgeon. When you are in good hands, the risks of surgery can be mitigated and reduced dramatically.
9. There Are Treatment Alternatives
While surgery may be the answer to your orthopedic problems, you may not always need it – or want it. Other treatments and life changes may suffice if your medical condition is not severe. If you are not comfortable getting surgery just yet, talk to your orthopedic surgeon about other treatments you can try.
For instance, injections of corticosteroids or concentrated plasma into joints, tendons, and ligaments, and around the spine may help, depending on your condition.
Orthopedic Surgeon Near You In Dover, New Jersey
If you need an orthopedic surgeon, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, we are committed to delivering accurate diagnoses and treatments to our patients. Our board-certified specialists are experts in sports medicine and treat everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to chronic back pain.
Make an appointment with the best orthopedist near you today. You may call us at (973) 989-0888 or fill out our appointment request form. We look forward to helping you stay physically active and healthy.
