The human body is an amazing machine. The musculoskeletal system gives your body form, stability, and mobility. This system, made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and other connective tissues, is truly exceptional. Joints like your knees work endlessly each day for years. While your body can withstand a lot of wear, injury, arthritis, and other issues can cause serious joint damage. If the damage is serious enough, you may need a full or partial joint replacement. If you think you’ll need joint replacement surgery in Jacksonville, FL, you might want to know the difference between a partial and a total knee replacement. (more…)
The human body is an amazing machine. The musculoskeletal system gives your body form, stability, and mobility. This system, made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and other connective tissues, is truly exceptional. Joints like your knees work endlessly each day for years. While your body can withstand a lot of wear, injury, arthritis, and other issues can cause serious joint damage. If the damage is serious enough, you may need a full or partial joint replacement. If you think you’ll need joint replacement surgery in Jacksonville, FL, you might want to know the difference between a partial and a total knee replacement.
Partial Knee Replacement
Your knee has three different compartments: the medial (inside part of the knee), lateral (outside part), and patellofemoral (front of the knee between the kneecap and thighbone). Patients with osteoarthritis might only have damage to one of the compartments in the knee. If this is the case, then the entire joint doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced. A partial knee replacement is probably a better option for patients with only one affected compartment. In a partial knee replacement, ligaments in the front and back of the knee are left intact. When possible, it’s always better to preserve the body’s own structure and movement. A partial joint replacement may be less traumatic to the body than a full joint replacement. You’ll have less blood loss, less bone and tissue dissection, faster recovery of your range of motion, and a better range of motion in general.
Total Knee Replacement
With a total knee replacement, damaged cartilage and bone is removed from the surface of the knee joint and replaced with artificial components. These components are designed to help your knee move like a normal, healthy knee would. A total knee replacement is often recommended for people with severe osteoarthritis or chronic knee pain. It provides more comprehensive repair as opposed to a partial knee replacement. Also, the revision rate for total knee replacements is lower than for partial knee replacements. A revision is a repeat surgery to address problems. Revision surgeries can also be more complicated and less successful than primary surgeries. Knowing which compartment of your knee is damaged can help you decide on which type of joint replacement is needed.
Do You Need a Total or a Partial Replacement?
You will need to be evaluated by an orthopedic physician to know whether a complete or partial replacement makes more sense in your situation. Your doctor will use x-rays and MRI scans as well as your medical history and your explanation of pain and mobility in order to present you with a recommended treatment plan, including whether total or partial replacement surgery is better for you. Discuss with an orthopedic physician at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists about which joint replacement surgery is right for you.
Checklist to Follow before Hip Replacement Surgery
As people get older or suffer injuries, hip replacement surgery can become inevitable. While it might sound scary, especially for someone who has never had surgery before, it’s a remarkably safe procedure. Patients often experience fantastic results and are immensely pleased with their increased mobility and comfort. But that doesn’t mean that you should ever approach surgery blindly. (more…)
Choosing the Right Orthopedic Surgeon for Joint Replacement
You should always feel comfortable and confident when it comes to your surgeon. Doing a little bit of research beforehand is a great way to feel more at ease with your choices. First and foremost, you should always work with a board-certified surgeon. Do your research to see what it means to be board-certified. You will want to have an understanding of what a board-certified orthopedic surgeon is, so you can find the right one for your joint replacement. Here are ways to narrow it down even further. (more…)
A Brief Introduction on Comprehensive Spinal Care
It’s no wonder that we often use the term backbone to describe something that is of central importance. Your own backbone, or spine to be more precise, is central to the function of your body. The spine is made up of the spinal cord, cerebral spinal fluid, and the bones that protect them. These bones are made up of individual vertebra with spinal discs positioned between them. Your spine is what allows you to move and twist and is key to your mobility. Anyone who has experienced serious back pain, problems with spinal discs, or any other spine problems can tell you that when the spine is not functioning properly, mobility can be severely limited. You may have difficulty walking, turning your head, sitting, bending over, or picking things up. (more…)
Interesting Facts about Fractures
Hopefully, you never have a painful fracture. Broken bones are no fun. They take a long time to heal, make it difficult to do daily activities, and the cast isn’t a walk in the park. It’s itchy and smelly. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some interesting facts about fractures. Check out these 5 fun facts about fractures:
- Casts: Can you guess the most popular cast colors? If you said neon green or pink, you guessed right! Oh, and if you want to be on trend with decorating your cast, then break out the Bedazzler and some jewels. Make that cast sparkle and shine!
- Bone facts: The 5 most common broken bones are the humerus, the tibia, the ulna, the fibula, and the radius.
- Most painful break: That would be the femur bone.
- Top 5 causes of fractures is all sports, snowboarding, monkey bars, trampolines, and scooters.
- Male vs. Female: Who’s more likely to break a bone? According to surveys, 59% of fractures happen to males.
Have you experienced a broken bone and continue to have painful issues long after the break has healed? Contact Southeast Orthopedic Specialists. We specialize in physical therapy, hand and wrist issues, foot and ankle problems, sports medicine, spine care, and joint replacement. Our team of orthopedic specialists know how to treat recurring problems from past injuries. We evaluate our patients thoroughly and prescribe treatment regimens designed to get you relief not just fast but permanently. If you live in Jacksonville or another area of North Florida, contact Southeast Orthopedic Specialists today to schedule an appointment. Call us at (904) 634-0640 or visit us online at se-ortho.com.
Understanding the Three P’s of Joint Replacement Recovery
Joint replacement surgery is a long-term solution to minimizing knee pain. However, don’t expect relief immediately following the surgery. There’s recovery time that you must account for, and it won’t all be pain-free. As you prepare for joint replacement in Jacksonville, FL, make sure you understand the following. (more…)
Common Myths about Sports Related Spine Injuries
Spine injuries among athletes are more common than you know, especially in sports like mixed martial arts, wresting, football, and other extreme sports. At your local spine care clinic in Jacksonville, FL, you’ll see many people getting treatment for spinal injuries. As important as it is to learn as much as possible about spine injuries, it’s also important to dispel myths, especially if you participate in a sport that’s prone to these injuries. Learn more about these 4 spine injury myths. (more…)
What is Pain Management?
Living with chronic pain doesn’t just take a toll physically; it takes a toll mentally as well. Chronic pain can disrupt work, family life, and social engagements. Many orthopedic doctors are familiar with chronic pain symptoms, since the pain often stems from issues of the musculoskeletal system. If you’ve been living with untreated chronic pain, it might be a good idea to consult an orthopedic specialist. Narrowing down the source of the pain and setting up a pain management plan is an important part of relieving symptoms and restoring a sense of normalcy in your life. Pain management can take many forms. Below are some of the most common types of pain management treatment. Talking to your doctor will be the best way to come up with a successful plan. (more…)
Ways to Reduce Infection after Knee Replacement Surgery
Although infections after knee replacement surgery are rare, orthopedic surgeons in Jacksonville, FL, want their patients to be informed about the risks and how to avoid complications from infection. The more you know about these risks, no matter how low, the better prepared you’ll be when recovering from surgery. (more…)
4 Signs It’s Time to Consult an Orthopedic Hip Surgeon
Do you have pain or stiffness in your hips? If so, it might be time to consult with an orthopedic clinic. Many people associate these aches and pains with getting older, but severe pain and tightness should never be mistaken for the normal aging process. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your physician for a referral to an orthopedic center in Jacksonville, FL. (more…)
