There are many orthopedic surgery options that your doctor might discuss with you, depending on why you are seeing an orthopedist. When it comes to an orthopedic surgeon, Fox Valley residents want to choose the right surgeon and make sure that they understand the surgery they are going in for to help them alleviate their anxiety about having surgery.
Knee Arthroscopy
This surgery can be done for a number of reasons, both to treat and diagnose certain conditions. During the procedure, a small incision is made that is just large enough to insert a tiny camera. The camera is used to help the surgeon to visualize the knee on a screen. The surgeon can see any issues that might be present and can usually make small corrections of the condition, which is relatively simple and easy to fix.
Carpal Tunnel Release
A carpal tunnel release is done to help alleviate the pain and other symptoms that can come with carpal tunnel syndrome. The surgeon makes a small incision at the palm’s base to best visualize the transverse carpal ligament. When this is cut, it helps to alleviate the pressure that is being put on the median nerve. Once this nerve has more space, the symptoms tend to alleviate.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Just like a knee arthroscopy, this is done to both treat and diagnose certain problems that can affect the shoulder. Your surgeon will make a very small incision that allows him or her to insert a small camera into the area of the shoulder joint. They will look at a screen to see what everything looks like. He or she can make small repairs during this procedure or get valuable information about bigger problems that might require a more extensive surgery.
Joint Replacement
Just like it sounds, this is a surgery to replace a joint. A number of joints can be replaced using this type of surgical technique, but the three joints most commonly replaced include the shoulder, knee and hip. In most cases, since you have two of each of these joints, only one is replaced at a time. If both need to be replaced, either of the following can happen: two surgeries are performed, leaving enough time in between for the first replacement surgery to heal first; both procedures are done at once (bi-lateral replacement).
Hammertoe Correction
There are a few procedures that might be done and will depend on whether the hammertoe is fixed or flexible. With a fixed hammertoe, joint resection of fusion can be performed to alleviate the pain and stiffness. If the hammertoe is flexible, a tendon transfer surgery is often helpful for working to straighten the toe.
Now that you know more about the common orthopedic surgeries, you want to choose the right orthopedic surgeon. Make sure to ask questions and make sure that you understand why you are having the procedure.
If you would like to request a consultation with one of the orthopedic specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute (OSI), please call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online. OSI is Northeast Wisconsin’s exclusive provider of Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery for Hips & Knees. OSI has convenient locations to serve you. In addition to the flagship facility in Appleton, you will find outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere. The Appleton location also has a walk-in clinic that provides care for new orthopedic injuries.
For post-surgical recovery and rehabilitation, Recovery Inn is located on the campus of the Orthopedic & Sports Institute in Appleton (OSI). This skilled nursing facility was the first orthopedics-only recovery facility in the nation attached to a surgery center. At OSI, you can have your surgery and recover without leaving the building. Physical and occupational therapy take place steps from your room, where you will be rehabbing with the nationally recognized therapists from Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Recovery Inn Executive Director Shaena Van Handel at (920) 560-1066.
OSI is a proud member of NOVO Health.