Section of Comprehensive Orthopedic Procedures and Education (SCOPE)
Orthopedic surgery is often required when you experience an injury to a bone, tendon, joint, ligament or muscle. This can happen in a variety of circumstances, from playing sports to the natural process of aging. No matter how you were injured, the board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Richmond University Medical Center will deliver exceptional care and treatment to help relieve pain, improve mobility and restore quality of life.
Sports Injuries
One of the most common ways in which people suffer injuries that require consultation with an orthopedic surgeon is playing sports. The cause of these injuries usually fall into two categories:
- Acute: This type of injury occurs through a sudden trauma to a body part, such as a collision with another player or piece of equipment, resulting in sprains, fractures, contusions or other injuries.
- Overuse: These injuries happen because of repeated activity that doesn’t allow an injured body part to properly heal. This commonly affects ligaments, muscles and tendons, but can also result in stress fractures.
Depending on the type and severity, sports injuries can be treated through physical therapy, surgery, bracing, strengthening exercises or some combination of these options. These injuries require an examination by a doctor so a proper treatment plan can be devised.
Arthroscopic Surgery
One way a doctor can examine your injury is through arthroscopy. This procedure involves making a small incision at the affected joint and using small tools to visualize the interior onto monitor. Doing so allows the doctor to get a good look at the joint and diagnose the problem. Arthroscopy can be used to treat both acute and chronic conditions. Typically, advanced radiographic imaging is used in conjunction with the physical examination to allow your physician to plan the appropriate surgical procedure.
Arthroscopy allows your doctor to treat complex surgical issues with smaller incisions. Because arthroscopy is minimally invasive, you’ll receive a general or local anesthetic before the procedure and require only minimal pain medication afterwards. In some cases, patients can return to their normal routine in just a few days.
Joint Replacement
When the cartilage that lines the ends of your bones is damaged, this can cause the bones to rub together and cause pain and wear on your joint. This cartilage damage can stem from numerous conditions, like arthritis or a previous injury and most frequently happens in the knees or hips. However, damage can also occur in the shoulder, wrist and in other joints throughout the body.
A joint replacement involves removing the affected cartilage and replacing it with a prosthetic made of metal or plastic. These prosthetics will allow for normal motion like that of a healthy joint. Physical therapy may be required after the operation to help you regain motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint.
Spine Center
The Spine Center is a dedicated unit that provides evaluation and treatment for a variety of spinal conditions. Depending on your complication, evaluation can be conducted by a physiatrist, pain management specialist, spine surgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Some of the conditions we treat include:
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
- Sports injuries
- Back pain and injuries
- Chronic pain
Comprehensive Care in a Specialized Environment
Patients seeking orthopedic surgery at Richmond University Medical Center will benefit from care provided by our dedicated orthopedic surgeons with a variety of subspecialties. Our designated orthopedic patient rooms will deliver a comfortable, supportive environment for you to recover as well. If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about orthopedic surgery, call 718-81-SCOPE.
