Orthopedic Care In Arizona: What Is Orthopedic Care?

Orthopedic care in Arizona involves treating diseases and injuries of the body's musculoskeletal system. Common areas of treatment include the bones, soft tissues and nerves within the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hands and spine.

Specialized treatments include:

-Joint Replacement
-Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery
-Articular Cartilage Restoration
-Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Surgery
-Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
-Musculoskeletal Oncology
-Orthopedic Traumatology
-Deformity Correction
-Fractures

Joint Replacement
A joint within the body refers to the spot where two bones come together. Examples include the knee, hip and shoulder. Basically, joint replacement is what the name implies. The surgeon removes a damaged joint and replaces it with a new one that usually lasts 10 to 15 years. Accordingly to industry statistics, approximately 773,000 Americans undergo hip or knee replacements each year.

Joint replacement is the treatment of choice when a patient is in regular pain. Typically, mobility and quality of life are adversely affected. Common causes include arthritis, wear and tear, disease or injury.

A replacement joint, or prosthesis, is made of plastic and/or metal components. Orthopedic care in Arizona replaces the joint in one of two ways. If a patient is older, less active, or has weaker bones, the replacement joint is normally cemented to the existing bones.

For younger, more active patients with strong bones, the replacement joint is not cemented to the existing bones. Instead, the bones grown and attach to the replacement joint.

Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery
Physicians providing sports medicine have specialized training in diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries from physical activity. Although commonly associated with athletes, sports medicine addresses health issues of all physically active people. Plus, innovations from sports medicine translate to treatment options for everyone, regardless of physical activity level.

Because physically active people put tremendous stress on their bodies, sports medicine pulls expertise from orthopedic surgery, primary care, physical therapy and nutrition. The goal with every sports medicine treatment is to get the patient back to his or her prior performance level in the quickest time possible.

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure orthopedic surgeons use in sports medicine. However, arthroscopy is now used routinely for all types of patients, regardless of age or activity level. The procedure is used to treat many types of orthopedic care in Arizona.

Articular Cartilage Restoration
All moving joints within the human body contain articular cartilage. The role of articular cartilage is to absorb shock between bones and facilitate smooth movement. In other words, it protects bones by keeping the surfaces of each bone apart.

Unfortunately, the function of articular cartilage can be damaged easily under heavy force. The resulting injury can vary in severity and cause pain, swelling and loss of function.

If left untreated, a patient can experience complete destruction of the affected joint. Fortunately, orthopedic care in Arizona provides many treatment options to restore articular cartilage.

Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Surgery
Since you use your shoulders and arms for daily activities, pain can be quite common. Arthritis is a major cause of discomfort. However, injuries, strains and fractures are other conditions requiring orthopedic care in Arizona.

The shoulder, elbow and hand contain complex networks of nerves, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin and bones. Conditions involving this area of the body may result in loss of sensation, movement or function. Therefore, these surgeries represent a specific field of medicine and require specialized expertise.

Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
As with the shoulder, elbow and hand, foot and ankle problems produce substantial pain and present complex challenges. Patients with foot and ankle conditions can lose their ability to walk. Therefore, treatment must be carefully planned by the most skilled orthopedic surgeons.

Musculoskeletal Oncology
Orthopedic physicians with specialized training manage musculoskeletal oncology. These specialists provide treatment for benign and malignant bone and soft-tissue abnormalities in the spine or extremities. Musculoskeletal oncology also treats patients whose cancer has metastasized to the bones.

Orthopedic Traumatology
A new specialty field with orthopedics, orthopedic traumatology treats complex and/or multiple injuries. Acquiring this expertise requires years of additional training.

For example, orthopedic traumatology increasingly cares for patients with pelvic fractures. Surgery by this type of specialist has provided better and faster results.

Orthopedic traumatology also addresses fractures from previous injuries that did not heal well. Patients with deformities after a fracture or bone infcctions are routinely being referred to a traumatologist.

Deformity Correction
Bones may become deformed for many reasons, including birth defects, abnormal growth or unsuccessful healing after a fracture. Fortunately, new technologies along with specialized expertise can correct even severe deformities. The goal with any deformity correction is better quality of life for the patient.

Orthopedic care in Arizona may begin with conservative options. For example, an orthopedic surgeon may initially try physical therapy and medications. If these treatments are ineffective in delivery the desired result, surgical options are explored.

Fractures, Also Known As Broken Bones
Fractures, or broken bones, are the most common orthopedic condition. In the United States alone, almost seven million patients require treatment for fractures. For people under age 75, the most common fracture involves the wrist. However, the most common fracture in people older than 75 is a broken hip.

The complexity of a fracture is determined by the strength of the affected bone and the force of the event leading to the break. The impact of a car crash on a bone will obviously create a more acute break.

Regardless of the type of orthopedic care in Arizona required, the common denominators include surgical precision, minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery and the least amount of scarring. The field of orthopedics continues to evolve. New techniques and advanced technologies will better meet these goals and contribute to improve patient care.