5 Most Common Orthopedic Surgeries

Orthopedic surgeries, surgeries involving the bone, muscle, ligaments and tendons in the body, are some of the most common. Hospitals and private surgical practices perform millions of orthopedic surgeries a year, and that number is expected to increase to 6.6 million by 2020!

With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why orthopedic surgeries have such great outcomes; these surgeons are highly experienced and have all the resources they need to help their patients feel better.

Out of those millions of surgeries, there are a few common orthopedic surgeries. Below is a list of the 5 most common orthopedic surgeries and what they entail.

1. Arthroscopy

Using a scope (a small tube-like instrument with a camera), orthopedic surgeons can make a small incision and explore a patient’s damaged joint. Some arthroscopies can also repair some damage to a joint while the surgeon is in there, preventing secondary surgery and reducing recovery time. Millions of arthroscopies are performed each year with great success. 

2. Ligament and tendon repair

These are considered “soft tissue” surgeries, but ligaments and tendons require a lot of finesse to repair. That’s because these tissues are responsible for helping to move your joints and prevent dislocation, subluxation, etc. These surgeries often take place in the shoulder, knee, ankle, and wrist. This includes ACL repair, which is a common knee injury in athletes. 

3. Joint replacement

In patients who have severely damaged a joint or who have age- or disease-related degeneration, joint replacement is a last resort. There are millions of people who undergo total knee and total hip replacements each year, and many have great success. Generally, a joint is replaced with a metal or plastic hybrids that are attached to existing bone. Hip replacements include artificial hip sockets and ball joints, while knee replacements often include artificial knee bones. 

4. Joint replacement upgrades

In some cases, joint replacement materials are recalled, better technology becomes available, or a patient may damage their existing joint “prosthesis,” all of which require a replacement for their original replacement. There are many of these surgeries that take place each year and, because there is likely scar tissue and/or damage to the existing structure, they are also highly specialized. 

5. Spinal surgeries and fusions 

Whether a patient has a herniated disc, severe scoliosis, or degenerative diseases that cause the spinal column to compress, back surgery may be necessary. Spinal fusion is a very common form of spinal surgery, as is surgery after a vertebral fracture. Orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spinal surgery are experts in their field and know how to repair or strengthen a spine without damaging nerves or cerebrospinal fluid.

Finding the right surgeon for your needs

If you need orthopedic surgery, the good news is that there are millions of other people who undergo these procedures each year. They have easy recoveries and often feel better than before their surgeries. Finding an orthopedic surgeon who performs the procedure you need is the best way to ensure the best outcomes, so make sure you do your homework. 

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119