Different types of Orthopedic Surgeries

Due to our increased active lifestyles, orthopedic surgeries have become commonplace in sports medicine. This kind of surgery is usually performed by a certified, highly experienced, well-trained professional orthopedic surgeon. 

Orthopedic surgeries are aimed at tackling medical complications that may develop in the bones, muscles/tendons, ligaments and skeleton, among others after an injury. While engaging in sports can cause unmeasurable excitement for athletes, it can also result in minor, mild or severe sports injuries that may require an orthopedic surgery, whether aninvasive surgery or non-invasive orthopedic surgery.

Which are the most common orthopedic surgeries in sports medicine?

They are;

1.     Total Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder injuries are very common in sports activities such as rugby, wrestling, boxing, javelin, swimming and weight lifting. It is wise to seek medical assistance after suffering this kind of sports injury. Your doctor will inspect the extent of your shoulder damage before recommending a method of treatment from simple rehab to a full-on shoulder replacement orthopedic surgery. If surgery is required, an experienced orthopedic surgeon can effectively take you through the whole surgery procedure with minimal or without any complications. For a full shoulder replacement, a successful orthopedic surgery will ensure that all the damaged shoulder cartilages or bones are properly repaired or replaced with alternative metal/plastic implants to restore your shoulder joint movement.

2.     Total Joint Replacement

This is a common orthopedic surgery among athletes and non-athletes. It is not rare for those active in football, cycling, motorcycle/rally racing, rugby and running to develop severe joint damage due to overuse or injuries during an event or training. Arthritis is also known to lead to total joint replacement surgery. Patients needing this kind of orthopedic surgery have to ensure that they work with a reputable, vastly experienced, skilled and qualified orthopedic surgeon for their best treatment possible. An orthopedic surgeon will work tirelessly to replace severely damaged joints with plastic or metal parts that are shaped and designed to restore normal function or knee movement effectively.

3.     Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction

Many professional football players, rugby, or basketball players, cyclists, runners, dancers and gymnastics enthusiasts have suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In order to continue engaging in their professional sports careers, they seek medical assistance from reputable sports medicine experts. A severe ACL injury may certainly trigger an orthopedic surgeon to recommend ACL reconstruction surgery so as to restore an athlete’s knee movement. Experienced Orthopedic surgeons have the ability to reconstruct a severely ruptured ligament through surgery, even using your own or donated tissues successfully. While your knee may take some time to completely heal after undergoing this type of orthopedic surgery, the procedure can quickly improve your knee's movement, and relieve pain and discomfort efficiently.

4.     Spine Surgery

Although spine injuries are rare in major sports activities such as football, soccer, swimming, and boxing, this type of debilitating injury can be catastrophic for any athlete. Nevertheless, there have been unique cases whereby athletes participating in rugby, wrestling, skiing, snowboarding, and horse-riding have suffered spinal injuries. In such cases, an orthopedic surgeon may perform a spine surgery to boost the patient’s chances of moving again without experiencing excruciating pain. Most of those who suffer from severe spine damage may be advised against going back to active sports indefinitely or for a certain period of time.

Never underestimate the role orthopedic surgeons/surgeries play in Sports Medicine.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Importance of Orthopedic Care

The functionality of the human body can only be maximized when all the systems that control it are working well.  The musculoskeletal system is one of the most wonderful systems found on the human body. The system is liable for each movement a person makes like raising their arm, jumping, running and landing effectively back on one's feet. If the musculoskeletal system does not work properly, then a person’s range of motion could be majorly curtailed. If this happens then one may need to look for orthopedic care.

Orthopedic care is a field of medicine that deals with preventing, identifying and treating injuries, ailments and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal system consists of tendon, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that makes is possible for our bodies to lift an arm, run or even throw a ball. Orthopedic care can be conducted in either a surgical or non-surgical manner to treat a number of ailments that affect the musculoskeletal system. Among the many diseases and injuries that orthopedic care can treat, some include: sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, infection, congenital disorder, and degenerative diseases.

There are many processes that can be used to fix the above ailments. Some of the procedures that can be used to treat musculoskeletal diseases by using orthopedic care include use of splints, non-surgical procedures, traction, rehab and surgical procedures.

Many people tend to believe that orthopedic care is all about fractured bones which is not the case. This field of medicine also focuses on caring and repairing ligaments and tendons, which connect muscles to the bones or give stability to the joints.

Treating and diagnosing injuries is not the sole focus of orthopedic care. If you were born with congenital disorders which affect the musculoskeletal system or you have developed degenerative disease, you need orthopedic care. This is because you have not only suffered from an injury which has damaged your system, but you also have a weakened health system caused by the ailment.

Surgeons who specialize in orthopedic care can carry out a number of processes, which are meant to assist people recover from or combat diseases or injuries. These procedures include:

*Carpal tunnel release

*Hip replacement

*Shoulder decompression and arthroscopy

*Repair of trochanteric fracture

*Repair of the ankle fracture among others

Orthopedic care is dedicated to assisting persons who are facing diseases that are hindering them from enjoying a full range of motion in their daily lives. Athletes who have gone through some physical injuries have something to smile of because of the advancements in the field of orthopedic care. Older people who have had a deterioration of key joints like hip and knee can have their whole hip or knee replaced so as to enjoy life once again. So a big thanks to our orthopedic doctors and surgeons, along with sports medicine and rehab specialists for helping to keep out bodies in motion.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.