ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY

Some of the most frequently performed procedures include:

• Joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder)
• Arthroscopy (minimally invasive joint surgery)
• Fracture fixation
• Spinal decompression or fusion
• Ligament reconstruction (e.g., ACL)

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The surgeon makes a few small incisions and inserts a tiny camera (arthroscope) to view, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint (commonly the knee, shoulder, hip, or ankle).

Recovery varies greatly depending on the procedure, the patient’s age, and their overall health. It can range from a few weeks (e.g., simple arthroscopy) to several months or even a full year (e.g., total joint replacement or complex spinal surgery).

Modern joint replacements are very durable. Studies show that over 85% of knee and hip replacements last for 20 years or more. Longevity depends on the patient’s activity level, weight, and adherence to precautions.

Common signs include:

• Severe pain that limits everyday activities (walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair).
• Chronic pain that keeps you awake at night.
• Significant stiffness and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest or medication.
• Joint deformity (e.g., bowing of the legs).
• Failure to get relief from injections or physical therapy.

A knee replacement is surgery where the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial components made of metal and plastic.

• Total Knee Replacement: All three compartments of the knee joint are resurfaced.
• Partial Knee Replacement: Only one damaged compartment of the knee is replaced. It involves a smaller incision and quicker recovery but is only suitable for patients with arthritis confined to one area.

Yes, this is called a bilateral procedure. It means one hospital stay and one recovery period, but it is a more demanding surgery on the body. The decision depends on your age, heart health, and overall fitness. Many surgeons prefer to stage the surgeries several months apart.

A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone near the hip joint. Surgery is usually required to:

• Relieve pain
• Help you stand and walk again
• Prevent complications from lying in bed too long

Depending on the fracture:

• Screws or plates
• Rod (nail) inside the bone
• Partial or total hip replacement

In some cases, particularly for low-demand individuals who do not participate in pivoting sports, a torn ACL can be managed non-surgically with physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles. However, for athletes and active individuals, surgery is often recommended to restore knee stability and prevent future meniscus tears.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee. Not all meniscus tears require surgery. Small tears on the outer edge of the meniscus (which has a good blood supply) can sometimes heal on their own. Surgery is often needed for larger tears or those that cause the knee to lock, catch, or give way.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. A tear can be a partial or full-thickness tear, often caused by acute injury or degenerative wear and tear. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and difficulty raising the arm.

It depends. For some injuries (like an open fracture), emergency surgery is needed. For others, like an ACL tear, surgeons often recommend waiting until the initial swelling goes down and range of motion returns (usually 2-6 weeks) to reduce the risk of post-operative stiffness.

Common reasons:

• Slipped disc (herniated disc)
• Nerve compression
• Spinal instability

Severe back or leg pain not relieved by other treatments

• Discectomy (removal of disc material)
• Laminectomy (removal of bone pressing on nerves)
• Spinal fusion (joining two or more vertebrae)

Back surgery is typically considered for:

• Severe, debilitating pain that has not improved after 6-12 months of non-surgical care.
• Progressive weakness or numbness in the legs.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina syndrome), which is a surgical emergency.
• Spinal instability or deformity (like scoliosis).

It’s a condition where the soft, jelly-like centre of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear in the tough outer layer. This can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

• Spinal Fusion: The surgeon connects two or more vertebrae permanently to eliminate motion between them, stabilizing the spine. It can limit flexibility.
• Artificial Disc Replacement: The damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial one, preserving motion at that spinal segment. It is typically for younger patients with single-level disc disease.

Possible risks include:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Nerve or vessel injury
• Implant loosening or failure
• Stiffness or persistent pain