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An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. At Orthopedic Specialists, our doctors are orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle.
Physician assistants are licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine under doctor supervision. As part of the doctor/P.A. team, P.A.s diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. Their focus is patient care, which may include education and administrative activities. Physician assistants can also write prescriptions.
Total joint replacement means replacing both sides of the weight-bearing surfaces of the affected joint. In the knee, it means replacing both the thin cartilage surface on the lower joint surface, which is the tibia, and the upper joint surface, which is the femur. The joint surface under the kneecap is also replaced. This requires removing the thin cartilage surface and a thin surface of bone for replacement with an artificial implant. At Orthopedic Specialists, our surgeons specialize in reconstruction and replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder joints.
Arthroscopic surgery is a modern method of performing surgery inside the joint through very small incisions. The incisions are usually about a quarter of an inch in length with two or three incisions per joint as necessary. A tiny video camera is attached to the end of a long, thin microscope, which is placed through the incision. Other long, thin, frequently modernized instruments are used to perform surgery inside the joints. Knees and shoulders most commonly benefit from arthroscopic surgery, but other joints such as the ankle, hip, and wrist may also be done.
It is advised that you do not eat anything after midnight of the evening before your surgery as the anesthetic causes your body’s reflexes to temporarily stop. This means having food in your stomach during surgery could lead to vomiting or aspiration. Learn more about surgery preparation.
Ice should be applied as soon as possible after an injury and should only be used for short periods of time for around 10-15 minutes, but no longer than 20 minutes.
Tendonitis is an irritation or inflammation of a tendon leading to pain or discomfort. Common types of tendonitis include tennis elbow and DeQuervain’s.
A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone and aids in movement.
A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone and helps hold structures together and keep them stable.
Muscle cramps can be caused by a wide variety of things from dehydration to overuse of a muscle to being in the same position for a long time. Sometimes, muscle cramps can be caused by an underlying health condition.
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of injuries and health conditions resulting from sports or physical activity.
Physical therapy helps restore the function of our patients after injury, surgery, and illness. It can help patients experience improved mobility and movement, pain relief, and better balance. Learn about our physical therapy services!
Please bring your driver's license or a photo ID, your insurance information, and a copay if needed.
You can either request an appointment online or by calling (515) 955-6767.
You can select a provider best suited to care for your specific needs on our provider page or you may call (515) 955-6767. We can assist you in finding the best provider for you!
There are two types of medical schools: Allopathic, to obtain a doctor of medicine degree (M.D.), and Osteopathic, to obtain a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree (D.O.). Both have the same educational background and length of study and must pass state licensure requirements and examinations to practice medicine.
Physician assistants work in all areas of medicine with teams of physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They help to examine, diagnose, and treat patients.
We participate in most major insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicare, United Health Care, and United Health Care River Valley MCO. Get more information on insurance and billing.
Minimally invasive surgery utilizes small medical instruments and cameras that allow doctors to perform surgeries with smaller incisions than traditional surgery. This can help lead to faster recovery times and less scarring.
In general, artificial joints can last more than 15-20 years. However, this depends on individual factors such as weight and activity level.
In some cases, artificial joints may need to be replaced. This is known as revision surgery.
Check out our article “How to Know if you Should use Heat, Ice or Both” to learn more about injury treatment.
