Orthopaedics – We Care Hospital

Orthopaedics

OVERVIEW

Trauma and orthopaedic surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions of the musculoskeletal system. this includes bones and joints and their associated structures that enable movement of ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. trauma and orthopedic surgery are often abbreviated to T&O surgery.

Nature Of The Work

There are two aspects to the work:

Trauma – injuries to the musculoskeletal system, such as broken, fractured, or dislocated bones and soft tissue injuries.

Congenital and degenerative conditions of the musculoskeletal system, as well as infections and tumors.

Trauma can range from low energy fractures (often in elderly patients) to multiple injuries such as those caused by a road traffic accident. Bone and joint infection can also require emergency admission and treatment.

T&O surgeons work with patients of all ages from babies to elderly people.

There can be many medical problems that can affect the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Bone Problems May Include

Bone deformities
Bone infections
Bone tumors
Fractures
Spinal deformities
Need for amputation
Nonunions: failure of fractures to heal
Malunions: fractures healing in a wrong position

Joint Problems May Include

Common orthopedic-related diagnoses based on body part include

Common Procedures/Interventions

Joint arthroscopy – a thin telescope with a light (arthroscope) is inserted into joints via a small incision to investigate joint problems. This is most commonly the knee but other joints can also be investigated in this way. The arthroscope can be used to look for signs of arthritis and show possible damage to cartilage or ligaments. Minimally invasive surgery can be performed to repair damaged tissue by removing floating cartilage, torn ligaments or tissue around the joint that has become inflammed.
Bone fracture repair – surgery to repair a broken bone using metal screws, pins, rods or plates to hold the bone in place. Many different techniques are used depending on the location, severity and type of fracture to ensure that the bones are stable, heal correctly and maintain function. A bone graft may be used where the bone has been shattered.
Arthroplasty – the replacement of whole joints following damage due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Knee and hip replacements are the most common operations. Newer techniques such as partial knee resurfacing are being used for patients in the early stages of osteoarthritis.
General repairs on damaged muscles or tendons – these could be acute injuries due to trauma, or chronic injury due to progressive deterioration of the tissue.
Corrective surgery – eg patella (knee-cap) realignment. These procedures correct problems of anatomical alignment which limit function and could cause long-term problems if left untreated. This surgery is often carried out on babies and children for congenital deformities.

TREATMENTS & SURGERIES

Imaging procedures can help diagnose or even treat many orthopedic conditions:

Surgical procedures used in the treatment of orthopedics include:

Amputation
Arthroplasty
Fracture care
Arthroscopic surgeries
Ligament reconstruction
Cartilage surgery to knee
Bunionectomy and hammer toe repair
Repair of torn ligaments and tendons
Cartilage repair or resurfacing procedures
Spine surgery, including discectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion