Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery in Port Richmond, PA
Over the past several decades, minimally invasive procedures have become very common across all types of medical specialties, including orthopedics. New technologies and research have led to many enhanced orthopedic surgical procedure methods, like microscopic treatment for complex musculoskeletal disorders, arthroscopic sport injury repairs, and total joint replacement.
Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery in Port Richmond, PA refers to any type of surgical procedure where the surgeon performs the procedure through small incisions instead of a large opening. Patients experience less pain and a quicker recovery time with minimally invasive surgery than they do with traditional open surgery. Our team at NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help you determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.
What to Expect with Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery in Port Richmond, PA
During a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery in Port Richmond, PA, the surgeon will generally only have to make two to three small skin incisions, sometimes just a few millimeters wide. They’ll pass an endoscope, which is a thin, long tube with an attached tiny camera, through one of the incisions.
The endoscope projects images onto a computer monitor in the surgical room so the surgeon can get a magnified and clear view of the surgical area. They use the other small incisions for the proper tools required for surgery. These tools allow the surgeon to explore, remove, or repair whatever is wrong inside the patient’s body.
Types of Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery
These days, there are a number of minimally invasive orthopedic procedures designed for orthopedic injuries. Some common procedures include:
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Surgeons use this surgery to treat spinal conditions like scoliosis, nerve compression, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Various surgical approaches may be used to remove damaged tissue, spinal discs, or bone spurs that are causing pain and compressing the spinal cord and stabilize the spine.
Arthroscopy
This technique identifies and treats inflamed tissue, lesions, bone spurs, tears, and other damage inside joints. Arthroscopy is commonly used on the wrist, knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, foot, elbow, and spine.
Total Joint Replacement
Typically, joint replacement has been an open surgery. However, advancements in surgical practices have led to total hip, shoulder, and knee replacements now being performed by surgeons through minimally invasive orthopedic procedures.
Benefits of Port Richmond, PA Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Options
There are many advantages of minimally invasive procedures, including:
1. Smaller Incisions
To perform minimally invasive procedures, surgeons don’t have to make big incisions. Instead, they can make smaller incisions that are just big enough for them to insert tubes, cameras, and other small surgical instruments.
2. Reduced Risk of Infection
With smaller open wounds, the risk of viruses and bacteria entering the body and resulting in infection is decreased.
3. Fewer Complications
Smaller incisions decrease the amount of swelling and bleeding during surgery. Also, since surgeons don’t have to cut through muscle to create large incisions, this means there will be less trauma and damage to surrounding nerves, muscles, organs, soft tissues, and tendons.
4. Shorter Hospital Stay
Certain minimally invasive procedures don’t even require a hospital stay. However, when procedures are done in a hospital, those individuals who have minimally invasive procedures done instead of open surgeries will experience a shorter hospital stay. Most won’t even need to spend the night.
5. Less Downtime and Recovery
Most individuals who have minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries in Port Richmond, PA have shorter recovery periods with fewer activity restrictions. They also experience less postoperative swelling and pain and can go back to their regular activities within a few days. Since they experience less pain, they don’t require prescription narcotic medication following their procedure. Not only this, but smaller incisions don’t require many stitches and there’s less scarring after you heal.
Are You the Right Candidate for Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery?
For many orthopedic conditions and injuries, traditional surgery and non-surgical treatment options might still be the best course of treatment. Not all people are candidates for minimally invasive surgery. Health criteria and medical conditions should be met prior to undergoing any procedure. Your doctor will take your health, weight, age, and diagnosis into consideration before they determine if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive orthopedic surgery.
When it comes to minimally invasive spine surgery, your surgeon may recommend spine surgery only as a last resort after you’ve tried other approaches with no success, such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. In most cases, those individuals who aren’t good candidates for traditional surgery often find out that they’re great candidates for minimally invasive surgery.
Contact the Experienced Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic Today
The skilled Port Richmond, PA minimally invasive orthopedic surgery specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic have access to the most innovative diagnostic instruments and tools that can help identify the cause of the problem. We then will sit down with you and come up with the most effective treatment plan to help get you back to living your normal life again. Our Concierge Team can also help you streamline your travel and appointments.
Our orthopedic specialists will know whether you require a traditional approach or if you’re a good candidate for a minimally invasive approach to relieving your pain and other symptoms. To learn more and schedule an appointment, call us at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our online form.