Carpal tunnel specialists at The Bone & Joint Surgery clinic offer ultra–minimally invasive carpal tunnel release under ultrasound guidance.
But what exactly is this surgery, and why is it better?
Did your last tennis game leave you with an extensive shoulder injury? Maybe you’ve torn your rotator cuff or injured your knee on the basketball court. You want to get back into the game as soon as possible. For many knee injuries, arthroscopic knee surgery is a viable treatment option that is minimally invasive and highly effective.
At Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we’re proud to offer the latest, state-of-the-art arthroscopic surgical treatment to help us treat and diagnose problems within your joints. It also produces successful outcomes, especially for arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery.
Not sure what to expect after arthroscopic knee surgery? We’ve got the answers you need as well as 8 distinct advantages of utilizing this minimally invasive surgical technique.
This procedure is instrumental in diagnosing joint problems. It involves making a narrow incision and inserting a thin tube (called an arthroscope) that is attached to a tiny, fiber-optic video camera. Then the images are relayed to a video monitor so one of our orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh can carefully evaluate the problem area.
Depending upon the extent and scope of the injury, your surgeon may be able to repair the problem using small surgical instruments that are also inserted through very small incisions. It’s particularly useful in arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at eight of the main advantages of arthroscopic surgery.
Because the arthroscope only needs a tiny incision, your recovery is faster. There’s also less blood loss as compared to an “open” procedure where larger incisions have to be made.
Due to its minimally invasive technique, arthroscopic surgery can be performed as an outpatient. This is not only more economical, but it also means that you can return home several hours after the surgery.
Not only can you return home a few hours after your procedure, but in general, many patients resume work and regular activities within a few days. (However, athletes and those who are very active in sports may need to wait a few weeks before returning to their routine.) This is one of the key benefits of arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery.
With a traditional, “open” procedure, some tissue may need to be cut to give the orthopedic surgeon access to the problem area.
Because arthroscopic surgery is conducted using tiny incisions, it minimizes scar tissue because the surgeon is able to easily adjust the tiny tools to get access to the problem area. This means less damage to healthy tissue.
When the procedure is completed, you’ll only have evidence of a small incision where the arthroscope was placed.
Because the incisions are so small, less internal tissue is exposed, which greatly reduces the risk of infection.
It’s common to experience some discomfort and pain after any surgery. However, with arthroscopic surgery, the postoperative pain is much less because the incisions were so small. It’s one of the great benefits of arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery.
After arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery, patients find that they have lost less blood than they would have with an “open” procedure. This is because arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive.
Arthroscopic knee surgery and recovery varies according to each patient’s individual situation. There is no magic formula to determine how long it will take you to fully recover.
However, we have compiled this general guideline on what to expect after arthroscopic knee surgery.
The week of the surgery, you’ll find that you may be able to walk with minimal pain. As we discussed, this is because the arthroscope uses small incisions instead of one large “open” incision. During this first week, you’ll likely need to use a walker or cane. This will help take some of the pressure off your knee.
During this time, we’ll examine you to monitor how your healing is progressing. At this point, we may recommend physical therapy, depending upon your individual situation.
This is perhaps the most common question we receive, and there is no one answer. A lot of it depends upon the type of work you do. For example, someone who has a desk job will be able to return to work sooner than someone who has a job that requires a lot of manual labor. In general, you can return to work within two to six weeks after surgery. The most important thing to remember is to speak with us before you begin working. Failure to do so could cause you to re-injure yourself.
Within three to four months after surgery, you’ll notice great improvements in both your strength and range of motion. While you still may have swelling and pain, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying some of your regular activities. However, please speak with us before you engage in any high-contact sports, as these could lead to reinjury.
All of our board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh have received extensive training and are experts in arthroscopic surgery. We’ve worked with hundreds of area patients to help them return to the activities they once loved. Because arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, you can expect to return to work faster with minimal pain and scarring.
Want to discover more? Just contact us to schedule an appointment.
Partial Knee replacements have given millions of Americans a new outlook on life, enabling them to return to the activities they love. It’s one of the most innovative, successful procedures in medical history.
Our Raleigh knee surgeons have performed more knee replacements than any other group in the Triangle area. It’s always rewarding to watch our patients retain their functionality, enabling them to once again participate in their favorite sports or hobbies.
We’ll examine some aspects of this procedure in greater detail, including how to know if you need a knee replacement and what happens during partial knee replacement surgery.
A partial knee replacement occurs when only a portion of the knee is resurfaced, replacing damaged cartilage with metal and plastic components. It’s an ideal solution when the damage is limited to a particular area of the knee. You may also hear this procedure referred to as a “unicompartmental knee replacement.”
In a total knee replacement, the entire joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one.
There are several advantages to this type of surgery, including:
Most candidates come to our knee replacement surgeons as a result of osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage in the knee starts to wear away. This cartilage is vital for cushioning the ends of your bones, and when it is damaged, it causes pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to complete everyday activities.
If not treated in a timely manner, the pain can become worse as the damage continues.
Sometimes, non-surgical treatments such as medication or corticosteroid injections can reduce the pain. Physical therapy may also help.
However, when these measures are not successful, a knee replacement surgery or partial knee replacement may be in order.
The key in determining whether or not you’re a candidate depends upon the extent of the arthritic damage to your joint. For a partial replacement, the arthritis must be limited to a certain area.
To be eligible, you can NOT have any of the following conditions:
Not sure if you’re a candidate? Don’t worry. We will work with you to determine if surgery is a good option for you or if you would be best served through nonsurgical techniques. We recognize that each patient is different, and that’s why we’re dedicated to creating an approach perfectly tailored to your needs.
Once one of our knee surgeons in Raleigh has pinpointed the exact compartment of the knee that has been damaged, we’ll start creating a surgical plan.
Typically, the procedure takes from 1 to 2 hours. You’ll be under general anesthesia, meaning you will be “asleep” for the surgery.
Our knee surgeon will make a small incision and then use specialized surgical saws to remove damaged cartilage from your knee. It’s then replaced with metal coverages that will recreate the joint’s surface. Our knee surgeons use a special type of surgical cement to adhere the metal to the bone.
Afterward, a spacer is inserted. Its purpose is to ensure there is a smooth surface around the metal components. This enables the knee to glide effortlessly.
Not everyone who has osteoarthritis of the knee will need a knee replacement. Often, we can provide solutions through nonsurgical treatment. However, if you do need a total or partial knee replacement, we will create a detailed care plan for your surgery and recovery.
For decades, we’ve been the leading orthopedic practice in the Triangle area—and one of the few that are independent and community-based.
We believe patient choice is important, and that’s why our knee surgeons are affiliated with 5 local hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. This provides our patients with options of where they would like to receive their care.
We would welcome the opportunity to help you get back to the life you love. Please contact us for an appointment.
As an Orthopaedist (or Orthopaedic Surgeon), I can diagnose a lot of problems and injuries by listening carefully to your symptoms, how you got them and by doing a thorough examination. Other times things like X-rays and MRIs are necessary to be more thorough.
The first and best way to stay comfortable after hand and wrist surgery is to fully understand the human body’s response to the surgery itself. Our cells, nerves, tendons, and muscles see and respond to surgical procedures in the same way they respond to an accident or injury.
It was a shoulder condition that ignited Dr. Nelson’s interest in orthopaedics.
While at the University of Dallas, he played starting flanker for the university’s rugby football club. This was when he developed problems with his shoulder that ultimately needed surgery. This gives him a unique perspective from the point of view of both doctor and patient.More
If you have considered or perhaps scheduled shoulder replacement surgery with your orthopedic surgeon, chances are you have been struggling with shoulder pain and discomfort for a long time.
3801 Wake Forest Road,
Suite 220 • Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 872-5296
