| Common Knee Problems |
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Treatment Options |
Meniscus Tears
A sudden twist or repeated squatting can tear the meniscus. This may make your knee hurt or swell. Your knee may also catch or lock when you move it. |
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Meniscus Removal or Repair
Your surgeon may remove or repair damaged meniscal tissue. Torn tissue on the inside of the meniscus is often removed. Newly torn tissue on the outer edge of the meniscus can often be repaired. This tissue gets enough blood to heal properly. |
ACL Ligament Tears
A fall, twist, or blow may tear the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). ACL tears can cause pain, swelling, and an unstable knee. |
Ligament Reconstruction
Your surgeon can reconstruct a damaged anterior cruciate ligament. The damaged tissue is replaced with healthy, strong tissue. The graft may come from the hamstring tendons or from another source. |
Cartilage Wear
Aging or injury may wear away articular cartilage. A piece may break off in the joint. You may feel pain, stiffness, or grinding. |
Cartilage Shaving or Removal
Your surgeon may smooth or shrink rough cartilage by shaving it or using a thermal device. Or, your surgeon may drill exposed bone to make the cartilage grow. Any loose bodies may be removed. |
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Common Shoulder Problems |
Treatment Options |
Impingement
Repeated overhead movements can squeeze (impinge) and inflame your rotator cuff and bursa. The arthroscopic view may reveal swollen or torn soft tissue or overgrown bone.. |
Shaving the acromion creates space between it and the rotator cuff helping to prevent irritation.
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Clear a Space
Surgery can help clear a space within your shoulder joint. Your surgeon can shave a torn rotator cuff and remove a swollen bursa. Trimming acromion bone and removing ligaments may also help open up space. |
Labrum Tear
A dislocated or unstable joint may lead to a labrum tear. This may cause the should to painfully "pop" or catch. |
Remove Torn Labrum
Your surgeon may use arthroscopy to remove a torn labrum. Sometimes open surgery is necessary to reattach this tissue and help stabilize the joint. |
Instability
When a shoulder is forced beyond its range of motion, the ball can pop out of its socket. The capsule and labrum pull away from the socket causing instability. |
Stabilize the Joint
Tightening and stabilizing the joint is done by reattaching the capsule and labrum to the front of the glenoid. Often this is done with arthroscopy, but sometimes open surgery is required for a more secure attachment |
Arthritis
Arthritis is a roughening of the joint caused by worn cartilage and loose fragments of bone and cartilage. |
"Clean up" the Joint
Your surgeon can clean up an arthritic shoulder joint by smoothing rough surfaces and removing loose bodies. Scraping or shaving the bone may promote new cartilage growth. |
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| Joint Replacement |
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Treatment Options |
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis typically affects the knee and hip joints in patients over the age of 50. Patients with arthritis often develop large bone spurs, or osteophytes, around the joint which are easily visible on X-ray.
Roll your mouse over the image to see the Before and After images ---> |
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Joint replacement surgery involves removing the damaged parts of the joint and replacing them with artificial parts called prostheses. At surgery, an implant, especially selected to match your needs, is affixed to the underlying bones.
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| Fracture Management |
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Treatment Options |
Fractures, or broken bones, are usually the result of a fall or other significant injury, but can sometimes be related to osteoporosis or other disease. Fractures generally result in pain, swelling and/or deformity of the affected limb. The most common fractures involve the wrist or ankle. Orthopaedic surgeons typically treat any fracture not involving the skull or facial bones.
Roll your mouse over the image to see the Before and After images ---> |
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Fractures can be treated several different ways. Nonoperative treatment includes braces or casts. Operative, or surgical, treatment consists of realigning the bones and stabilizing them with wires, pins, screws, plates, or rods. A device is sometimes even left outside the skin (external fixation). External fixation must be removed later while internal fixation can often be left permanently.
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| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
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The carpal tunnel is a narrow space inside the wrist. This space lets certain tendons and a major nerve pass from the forearm into the hand. Learning about the carpal tunnel can help you understand your symptoms and treatment
With CTS, the tendon sheath may thicken and enlarge. This reduces the amount of space inside the carpal tunnel. As a result, the median nerve may be compressed. This can lead to tingling, numbness, or other symptoms. |
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Treatment Options |
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Taking Medication
At first your doctor may suggest taking ibuprofen or similar medication. This can help reduce pain and swelling.
Wearing a Splint
Usually worn at night, a splint works by keeping the wrist in a neutral (straight) position. This minimizes the pressure in the carpal tunnel and may help to reduce the symptoms.
Cortisone Injection
This can provide symptom relief for many weeks, but repeated injections typically are less effective. It may cause soreness for 24 to 48 hours.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
During surgery, your surgeon makes a one inch incision in your palm. Then he or she releases the transverse carpal ligament. Standard surgical tools are used. |
