A fracture is a broken bone and when a bone is fractured, it is broken. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in many different ways. It could break cross-wise, length-wise, or in the middle.

What causes a fracture?

Fractures happen from a variety of things and in many ways. The three most common causes of fractures include:

Trauma – Injury from trauma accounts for most fractures. This involves a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or an injury during a sporting event.

Osteoporosis – This condition can contribute to fractures. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that results in thinning of the bone. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis become fragile and break easily.

Overuse – This sometimes results in stress fractures, breaks that are common among athletes.

How are fractures diagnosed? … read more

The upper portion of your arm bone is shaped like a ball. Muscles and ligaments hold this ball against the cup-shaped part of the shoulder bone. Orthopedic specialists perform a shoulder replacement when this area is damaged from arthritis or trauma.

Before the Procedure

During surgery the anesthesiologist will use general anesthesia which means you will be unconscious. Occasionally, your orthopedic specialist prefers to use regional anesthesia, meaning you won’t be able to feel the area he is working on and you will be sleepy but awake during the surgery.

The choice of which kind of anesthesia will depend on your overall health status, what you prefer, and what your anesthesiologist chooses. Also, you will be given antibiotics during and after your surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Many times our orthopedic surgeons want you to get your dental work completed before you have shoulder replacement surgery.

During the Procedure

A total shoulder replacement is done to replace the ends of bones in a damaged shoulder joint. This procedure creates new joint surfaces. During surgery, the orthopedic specialist will replace the ends of the damaged upper arm bone (called the humerus) and the socket (called the glenoid). The surgeon will cap these areas with artificial surfaces made plastic and metal. Shoulder joint components that are placed into the joint must be held in place with cement or they may be made out of a special material that allows new bone to grow into the joint components over time and hold them in position.

Basically, for shoulder joint replacement, your orthopedic specialist will make an incision over the front of your shoulder joint to open up the area he will be working on. Then he will remove the top of your upper arm bone, cement the new prosthetic head and stem in place, and smooth or replace the surface of the old socket. He will then close the incision with staples or sutures and place a bandage over your wound. This surgery usually takes anywhere from one to two hours to complete.

After the Procedure

Right after surgery you will have an intravenous (IV) and antibiotics going through this for one or two days. You will also receive medications that will prevent blood clots and relieve pain. Keep in mind that you will not feel yourself for a few days after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia. You may be constipated, have an upset stomach, and feel groggy or tired.

When you wake up from the procedure you will have a bandage on your shoulder and possibly a drain to collect fluid and prevent it from building up in the joint area. A physical therapist will begin to work with you to perform gentle exercises on your shoulder on the day of surgery or the day after. The sooner you work your shoulder, the better.

A hand fracture happens when one or more of the small bones of the hand are broken. The hand is composed of several small bones that come together to make up the hand’s supporting framework. Most fractures of the hand occur as a direct result of trauma to the hand. If the hand strikes an object, is struck by an object, or an object falls onto the hand, a fracture can occur. Hand fractures can occur in the long bones of the hand, known as the metacarpals, or they can occur in the small bones of the fingers, known as the phalanges. … read more

How you stretch, why you stretch, and when you stretch are the keys to making stretching work for you. Stretching before physical activity improves flexibility, enhances athletic performance, and decreases the risk of activity-based injuries.

The more flexible you are when you exercise the more protected you are against injury by helping your joints move through their full range of motion. If a tendon is not stretched out, you could increase your risk of tendinopathy or tendinitis. When you adequately stretch out your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, you decrease the risk of microtrauma to your body’s structures and avoid overload and injury. … read more

What is knee arthroscopy?

During the last two decades, the diagnosis and treatment of knee joint problems have improved thanks to a minimally invasive procedure called knee arthroscopy. This surgical technique allows orthopedic specialists to see inside the knee and to carry out diagnostic and treatment measures through tiny incisions. This approach to surgery reduces pain, minimizes scarring, and helps speed up the recovery period when compared to traditional “open” knee surgery.

How does arthroscopy of the knee work?

Arthroscopy involves the orthopedic surgeon to using a device known as an arthroscope. This instrument is a tiny, pen-shaped device that has a small video camera attached to the end. The arthroscope is inserted into the knee through small incisions and the camera relays images to a computer screen. Our orthopedic specialists can use these images to diagnose knee problems. Once that is done, the doctor can carry out the appropriate procedure in the same surgical setting.

What does knee arthroscopic surgery treat?

Orthopedic specialists can use arthroscopic surgery to perform a variety of procedures. These include the repair or reconstruction of torn ligaments, the removal of small loose bits of bone. The hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst… or cartilagecartilageThe hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion, and repair or resection of torn meniscus tissue. Many of these conditions arise due to a knee injury or degeneration.

What are the benefits of arthroscopic surgery of the knee?

There are many benefits of knee arthroscopy when compared to traditional “open” surgery. With this procedure, you likely to experience less pain after the surgery and you have a lower risk of developing certain complications like infections or scarring. In addition, the hospital stay is shorter as most knee arthroscopic surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis in a freestanding surgery center. The greatest benefit is usually a quicker overall recovery.

What are the risks of knee arthroscopy?

All medical and surgical procedures have some risk. With knee arthroscopy, the risks are minimal and our orthopedic specialist will discuss these with you prior to your surgery. These risks depend on your current state of health, the type of surgery performed, and the extent of your injury or knee problem.

What should I expect before surgery?

Prior to an arthroscopic procedure, depending on your overall health you might have to see a primary care health professional for a general physical examination. In addition, you will need to tell the doctor about any medications you are taking and he may advise you to stop some of these before the procedure.

What should I expect after surgery?

You will need to start exercising the knee immediately after your procedure to restore range of motion and strength to the joint. While many patients get back to normal activities without much difficulty, plan to discuss this issue with your orthopedic specialist, as he may have a specific rehabilitation program for you to follow.

Immediately after your knee arthroscopy you will experience some swelling and discomfort of the knee. This will usually only last for a few days, however. Your doctor will prescribe specific medications that work to alleviate these symptoms and help you get back on your feet.

Also, you should expect to feel a little stiff when performing exercises early after surgery. Any activity that leads to significant discomfort should be stopped immediately and your orthopedic specialist should be notified. Our orthopedic surgeons request that you elevate your leg frequently and use ice to reduce swelling.