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Common Issues for Your Wrist and Hands

Most people don’t realize just how vital their wrists and hands are to their daily lives until they suffer an injury or condition that compromises their use.

You don’t have to be a concert pianist or baseball player to have your life severely impacted by hand or wrist problems. At Southwest Orthopedics, we have orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the intricate surgery needed to correct these problems and patients return to normal daily functions.

There are a number of wrist and hand issues that afflict many people of all ages. One is a break in the bones around the wrist. We’re going to take a look at a few of the most common ones. (more…)

Key Things To Consider Before Preparing for Surgery

Surgery is often a life-changing event for patients who have struggled with a chronic health condition or pain for any length of time. It can also be a time for nerves and stress.

However, when patients are prepared for surgery, they experience far greater results and less stress. Read below for key things to consider when preparing for your orthopedic surgery(more…)

Should You Consider Knee Replacements?

Total knee replacement is a relatively common type of orthopedic surgery with approximately 600,000 patients undergoing the procedure every year in the United States. The most common reason for needing a knee replacement is osteoarthritis in which the cartilage between the joint and bone is gradually worn away. This damage to the cartilage consequently results in swelling, stiffness and pain, and since the cartilage cannot be renewed, surgery may eventually be needed. Other relatively common reasons for needing a knee replacement include rheumatoid arthritis and direct knee trauma.

While the success rate of knee replacements is very high, this surgery is not right for everyone. However, if the answer to the following questions is yes for you, knee replacement may be the right decision.

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Who Should Have a Hip Replacement?

Each year, approximately 290,000 hip replacement surgeries are conducted in the United States alone. Since the procedure was first performed in 1960, advances in the surgical techniques and materials used have made it one of the most successful and effective orthopedic surgeries. The goal of the procedure is to greatly decrease hip pain and to allow an increased range of motion at the hip, allowing patients to get back to most of their daily activities.

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Don’t Wait Too Long for Joint Replacement

Joint replacement surgery, particularly of the knee and hip, is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Almost 5 percent of all Americans over the age of 50 have reportedly undergone total knee replacement with more than 600,000 Americans undergoing knee replacement each year. Hip replacement surgery, which is the second most common joint replacement surgery, is performed on approximately 120,000 people every year in the U.S.

The leading cause of joint replacement is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the inflammation of certain joints. Osteoarthritis is generally caused by wear and tear or by previous trauma to the affected body part. (more…)

About Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

Minimally invasive spinal surgery, or MISS for short, is a surgical method used to treat a variety of spinal disorders. It is characterized not only by the use of a smaller incision than in conventional open spinal surgery, but also by the use of advanced technology and innovative techniques. According to our Florida orthopedic specialists, the main goal of MISS is to minimize muscle and soft tissue damage caused by the surgery while accomplishing results equivalent to those of conventional open spinal surgery.

During MISS, a number of different techniques can be used depending on the condition being treated. In general, a tubular access approach is utilized. By using a tubular retractor, the force on the muscles around the incision is divided more equally than during open surgery, thus creating less localized pressure and reducing the risk of muscle and soft tissue damage. In some cases, MISS may be performed using endoscopy, which involves a tiny video camera guiding the orthopedic surgeon by displaying the internal view on several monitors in real-time, or by fluoroscopy, which is a type of intraoperative real-time X-ray.

MISS can be used to treat a number of different disorders, including degenerative discs, herniated discs, spinal tumors and compression fractures. It commonly involves either decompression, which is used to alleviate the pressure of the spinal cord or nerve roots, or fusion, which is used to stabilize and/or fixate the spine.

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All About Back Surgery

Whether or not to have back surgery can be a difficult choice. While it is definitely not right for everyone, in some cases, it may be the best or even the only option.

In general, back surgery is considered only when all other non-surgical options have failed. In fact, in the majority of cases, back surgery is not needed, and most back issues can be resolved by medication, massage therapy, physiotherapy or even chiropractic care. However, in a subset of chronic or severe cases, back surgery may be warranted.

(more…)

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