fbpx

FAQs About Orthopedic Surgery

An orthopedic surgeon is here to help individuals who are suffering from pain, injury or disorder in their musculoskeletal system. Patients working with these medical professionals likely have many questions ranging from what to expect before surgery to the overall cost of care.

Learning about orthopedic surgery

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions that patients often pose to an orthopedic surgeon.

What are common orthopedic surgeries?

Among the many types of orthopedic surgeries available, these are the most common:

  • Joint replacement
  • Arthroscopic surgery
  • Soft tissue repair

Soft tissue repair involves the healing of damage done to ligaments or tendons and can be helpful if a patient tears a tendon and needs it surgically secured for recovery. Joint replacement usually happens because a joint is damaged either due to injury, arthritis or other diseases. This harmed joint is surgically removed and replaced with an artificial one.

Arthroscopic surgery usually involves the elbow, wrist, knee, shoulder, hip or ankle. Due to its minimal invasiveness, heal time is quick.

Will an orthopedic surgeon always suggest surgery?

Surgery is considered an option for conditions that are too severe to be treated by alternative methods. If other methods were tried first and failed, surgery may also be considered as a last resort. However, most orthopedic surgeons attempt to treat an injury with medication, activity modification or physical therapy before resorting to surgery.

How long does it take to heal from surgery?

This depends on the surgery performed. Some, like arthroscopic surgery, are so minimally invasive that patients can leave the hospital on the same day. Others, such as joint replacement, can take several weeks to heal from and may involve a hospital stay of several days up to a week.

Other factors that can affect the healing time include a person’s physical health, age, exercise and eating habits, and how well they take care of themselves after the procedure is over. Those who follow the surgeon’s orders usually heal much faster than those who do not.

What are the benefits of surgical procedures?

Surgeries frequently have long healing times and are often considered invasive. However, these treatments can be an effective way to permanently fix a problem in the musculoskeletal system. In some cases, surgery may offer relief that no other treatment has and cure issues that were previously something that a patient was simply resigned to living with.

Is orthopedic care affordable?

Many orthopedic surgeries are covered under insurance. However, it is up to each individual patient to ensure that a particular insurance plan covers the surgeon before opting for treatment. Otherwise, they might end up stuck with a huge bill that might be difficult to afford.

Conclusion

An orthopedic surgeon is not only there to help fix physical ailments related to the musculoskeletal system. These medical professionals are also able to help guide patients toward the healthcare options that work best for them. Sometimes the best option may be surgery. Other times, alternative therapies may be just as effective.

Request an appointment here: https://www.barbertotaljoint.com or call Matthew D. Barber, M.D. at (251) 410-3600 for an appointment in our Mobile office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

What Is PRP?

PRP is a form of regenerative medicine that uses a person's own blood to promote healing and relieve pain. The blood is drawn from the patient and then placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors. The concentrated platelets are then injected back into the patient's body at the…

Understanding Knee Pain And Joint Health

Due to the knee's large articulating surface and weight-bearing properties, it is no surprise that it is one of the most commonly injured joints. In fact, in the United States alone, knee pain accounts for over 1 million ER visits and more than 1.9 million primary care outpatient visits each year. The natural aging process causes…

What You Should Know About A Knee Replacement

Thousands of people undergo knee replacement per year in the United States. The doctor will replace the degenerating joint surfaces and bone pieces with metal and plastic implants for the process. The procedure is often recommended for those whose mobility or daily functions have been impeded due to knee issues. If you have been scheduled…

Signs You May Need A Knee Replacement

Every year, more than 600,000 Americans undergo knee replacements. By 2030, that number is expected to increase by nearly 200%. Knee replacement, also called knee arthroplasty, is a relatively common, cost-effective, and elective surgery for people suffering from knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or a knee injury.Knee arthroplasty can give people a new lease on life…

Recent Posts

What Is PRP?

What Is PRP?

PRP is a form of regenerative medicine that uses a person's own blood to promote healing and relieve pain. The blood is drawn from the patient and then placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors. The concentrated platelets are then injected back into the patient's body at the…

Understanding Knee Pain And Joint Health

Understanding Knee Pain And Joint Health

Due to the knee's large articulating surface and weight-bearing properties, it is no surprise that it is one of the most commonly injured joints. In fact, in the United States alone, knee pain accounts for over 1 million ER visits and more than 1.9 million primary care outpatient visits each year. The natural aging process causes…