What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon in Hilton Head, SC can perform surgical procedures for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. As much as possible, an orthopedist will recommend non-surgical approaches to treat your condition, such as:
- Braces, casts, boots or sleeves
- Complementary therapies
- Home exercise programs
- Ice or heat therapy
- Massage therapy
- Muscle relaxants
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Ointments
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
- Steroid injections
When non-surgical treatments do not improve your condition, your orthopedic doctor may recommend surgical options for your case. Total knee and hip replacement are among the most common surgical procedures in the country. As people live longer and stay healthier later in life, it has become more important than ever that we can help you hold onto your mobility and independence.
Here are some of the procedures our orthopedic doctors in Hilton Head Island may perform:
Artificial Disc Replacement
Spinal discs serve as cushioning between the small bones that make up your backbone, providing shock absorption, maintaining stability and allowing pivot movement. A damaged spinal disc may cause chronic low back pain. Artificial disc replacement aims to replace the damaged disc with an artificial disc made from any of these materials:
- Ceramic
- Cobalt-chrome alloy
- Polyethylene
- Polyurethane
- Stainless steel
- Titanium alloy
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery is an invasive procedure that allows an orthopedic surgeon to inspect the interior of a damaged joint. The surgeon makes a small cut in the patient’s skin and inserts small, specialized instruments with a camera and lighting. The image of the joint’s interior is projected on a monitor. The surgeon uses this to plan treatments.
Bone Grafting Surgery
Bone grafting is a bone surgery procedure wherein a surgeon takes a bone from your other body parts to transplant to the damaged bones.
Fracture Repair Surgery
A fracture or broken bone may heal incorrectly if not treated as soon as possible. A surgeon returns a damaged bone into its proper anatomical position in fracture repair surgery.
Joint Replacement Surgery
Arthroplasty is another term for joint replacement surgery. It is commonly done on the shoulder, knee and hip, where the surgeon reconstructs and replaces damaged joints using prostheses. For instance, in hip replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged hip joint part and replaces them with new artificial joints that will simulate the function of a typical joint.
Replacement surgery may be total or partial, depending on joint damage. It should be the final step in orthopedics treatment if less invasive procedures are ineffective. X-ray evidence of a damaged joint is one of the criteria orthopedics use to qualify a patient for joint replacement surgery. A candidate should have one of the following:
- Severe pain during simple physical activity, such as walking or getting up from a chair
- Pain that prevents a patient from performing routine activities
- Pain at night that prevents a patient from sleeping
Hilton Head Hospital also offers the CORITM Surgical System. CORITM is a robotics-assisted navigation technology designed to help orthopedic surgeons perform partial and total knee replacement surgery. The surgical system works in tandem with your surgeon’s skilled hands to achieve precise positioning of the knee implant components during surgery.
Why Choose Hilton Head Hospital
Our orthopedic providers develop personalized, end-to-end surgical and nonsurgical treatment plans designed with one thing in mind: you, living without pain. Our staff is dedicated to providing you with quality care in a supportive, compassionate environment. Your health and comfort are our primary concerns while you are with us.