If you have suffered moderate or severe musculoskeletal trauma, there is a chance that orthopedic surgery performed by a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon is right for you. However, the severity of your condition is not the only factor that must be considered when determining whether now is the right time for surgery. Today, our orthopedic surgeons at Mattalino Orthopaedic in Phoenix, AZ are looking at when surgery may be appropriate.
When Is the Right Time to Have Orthopedic Surgery?
Generally, the right time to have orthopedic surgery is when you have tried more conservative methods to address your concerns but those methods have failed to produce the desired results. Resting the injured area, applying ice packs to it regularly, using compression therapy, and elevating the injured area for a couple of weeks may not be adequate. You may want to go to regular physical therapy sessions for six months before you consider an invasive procedure, however.
When Is the Right Time to Get Arthroscopic SLAP Repair?
Now may be the right time for you to get arthroscopic SLAP (superior labrum anterior-posterior) repair if you have torn the cartilage connecting your labrum and bicep tendon. Due to the minimally invasive nature of arthroscopic surgery, you don’t need a lot of time to commit to recovery.
However, you still need a thorough understanding of what to expect during the recovery process to help you determine if the time is currently right. For example, you should have someone stay with you to help you take care of your responsibilities for the first 24 hours post-op.
When Is the Right Time to Get Knee Arthroscopy?
Now may be the appropriate time for you to get knee arthroscopy if you have torn your ACL and need it reconstructed. This procedure may also be appropriate if you have inflamed synovial tissue that needs to be removed or an infection of the knee. This procedure is also recommended for individuals with patella problems, like a kneecap that pops out of its groove regularly.
How Should I Prepare for Knee Arthroscopy?
The first knee arthroscopy preparation step you must take is to attend an initial consultation. We’ll discuss more thoroughly in a minute what you can expect during your consultation. If we determine you are a good fit for knee arthroscopy, there are several other preparation steps you will need to take. For example, you will need to fast for eight hours prior to your minimally invasive surgery if you will be administered general anesthesia.
Another important preparation step you must take is to stop taking any drugs or supplements that can prevent your blood from clotting normally. Blood-thinning pharmaceuticals should also be avoided. Furthermore, it is very important that you do not smoke or drink alcohol for a couple of weeks pre-op, and you may want to come in wearing a comfy dress or basketball shorts so that changing is easier after your surgery.
What Should I Expect During My Procedure?
Before your procedure begins, we will clean the skin on your knee thoroughly to prevent a potential infection. We will also administer anesthesia to ensure you remain pain- and discomfort-free during your operation. Once your continuous comfort is ensured, we will make a few small incisions in your knee and fill your joint with a sterile solution to rinse away any cloudy fluid that may impair our vision.
Once that’s done the arthroscope will be inserted into your knee, and the image from the camera will be projected on a screen so we can see exactly what and where your problem is. Then, your knee problems will be corrected. For instance, we may repair a torn meniscus, remove an infection, or replace part of your joint. Once the repairs are done, your incisions will be closed with stitches or adhesive strips, and your knee will be wrapped with a soft bandage.
What Should I Expect After My Procedure?
If a reconstruction or repair is done during your surgery, you may be asked to wear a protective brace over your bandaged knee. Regardless, you will be sent to a recovery room for an hour or two before you can go home. However, you will not need to spend the night in a hospital if you are in pretty good overall health. Be advised that you will not be able to drive yourself home after your surgery, and you should have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours post-op.
Recovering from knee arthroscopy will go a lot smoother than recovering from open knee surgery. However, you should be aware that you will have to dedicate a lot of time and effort to it. For example, you must be willing and able to spend a lot of time resting. It is particularly important that your knee is elevated as often as possible for the first 72 hours post-op. You should also expect to attend physical therapy sessions and work on rehabilitation at home.
When Will I Be Able to Drive?
If the scope of your procedure was relatively minor, you may be back behind the wheel of your car in just one to three weeks. However, it may be longer before you can drive safely if major repairs were done.
Am I a Good Candidate for Orthopedic Surgery?
If you’re in the Phoenix, AZ area and want to find out if you are a good candidate for orthopedic surgery, you need to attend an initial consultation with a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon. During this consultation, we will verify that surgery will be safe for you by discussing your current health, medical history, and preparation and recovery guidelines. We will also verify that orthopedic surgery will be an effective solution for your concerns.
What if I’m a Poor Orthopedic Surgery Candidate?
Don’t despair if you’ve tried several conservative treatment methods but you’re not a good fit for surgery. You may be a better fit for regenerative medicine, like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections, OrthoBiologics, or viscosupplementation. PRP injections are a great way to heal damaged musculoskeletal tissue because the platelets in your blood have high levels of growth factors that facilitate rapid self-healing.
During PRP therapy, blood is removed from your arm and processed in a rapidly-spinning centrifuge. Once the device has separated your blood’s components by mass, the red and white blood cells will be removed. Then, the platelets are added to the plasma. After that, the platelet-rich plasma with plenty of oxygen and growth hormones are delivered right where they’re needed the most.
Who Is a Good Viscosupplementation Candidate?
There is a good chance that you will be considered a good viscosupplementation candidate if you are suffering from a limited range of motion, swollen joints, joint stiffness, pain, or other symptoms of arthritis. This non-surgical treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the area experiencing problems.
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule produced in regions of your body like your joints and skin. It attracts and binds to magnitudes more than its weight in water molecules, acting as a supportive cushion and lubricant.
Who Is a Good OrthoBiologics Candidate?
You may be a good OrthoBiologics candidate if a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon believes that your body is fully capable of healing itself but it needs a little help to speed up the process. However, you should know that the healthier you are overall, the more effective this healing therapy will be. You should also know that the location, nature, and severity of your injury affect how well you can expect this therapy to work for you.
For example, if you are fighting an infection, it may take you longer to see your ideal results. As another example, you can expect to get better results if you are treating a knee injury rather than the symptoms of arthritic hands. Some of the most common problems treated by OrthoBiologics therapy include meniscal tears, torn muscles, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation With a Phoenix Orthopedic Surgeon in Phoenix, AZ Today
Are you in the Phoenix, AZ area? Do you feel frustrated by chronic joint pain and a drastically reduced range of motion? If so, orthopedic surgery may be appropriate for you. To find out for sure, though, you need to meet with a Phoenix orthopedic surgeon to discuss your concerns and the conservative techniques you have already tried. Drop us a line now at Mattalino Orthopaedic in Phoenix, AZ to schedule your initial consultation.