News - The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic of Raleigh NC

How Long Does Swelling Last After Hand Surgery?

Swelling is normal after hand surgery, and it typically lasts for about one week.

Reducing swelling will not only help ease your pain, but it will also help you heal.

We’ll give you some tips on how to reduce swelling as well as explore some common hand surgeries and some things your hand surgeon at Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic wants you to know.

How to Reduce Swelling After Hand Surgery

As we mentioned earlier, it’s natural to have some swelling after the surgery, but this should not last for a prolonged period. You’ll find that as your swelling reduces, so does your pain. This is a sign that your hand is healing.

Following are some ways to help reduce hand swelling after surgery:

Elevation

It’s important to elevate your arm above your heart. Often, you can do this comfortably by lying on your back and gently resting your hand on several pillows. You should keep your hand elevated for several days after surgery.

You may find it challenging to find a good sleeping position after hand surgery. That’s why we’ve provided several useful tips in an earlier blog.

Ice

Applying an ice pack can also bring down swelling and inflammation. This also relieves pain by dulling the nerve signals sent to your brain.

Remember: Do NOT place ice directly on your skin. Instead, wrap it in a towel. You can use ice even if you have a splint or bulky dressing if you’re able to keep these completely dry.

Finger Movement

We need to place an important caveat here: This depends upon the type of hand surgery you have had and what parts of your hand have been affected. In general, if it’s okay to move the fingers, they will be outside the surgical dressing.

Gently bending your fingers toward your palm and extending them will help minimize swelling.

However, you should first speak with your hand surgeon to see if finger movement is permitted.

Common Hand Surgeries

Our hand and wrist specialists treat a variety of conditions. Some of the most common surgeries we perform include:

- - Carpal tunnel surgery
  - Treatments for fractures/ dislocations (if surgery is required)
  - Ganglion cyst removal
  - Trigger finger surgery. Trigger finger causes pain, stiffness and a “locking” sensation when you bend and straighten your finger.
  - Dupuytren’s contracture surgery
  - Joint replacements
  - Tendon and nerve repairs

However, we want to be clear that just because you’re having issues with your hand doesn’t always mean you’ll need a hand surgeon. We only operate when nonsurgical treatment options haven’t been successful.

3 Things Your Hand Surgeon Wants You to Know

1. Not every visit to the hand doctor results in surgery.

At the Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we take a conservative approach to medicine. This means that we will try nonsurgical methods to treat you first. It is only when those methods fail to provide relief that we will consider surgical options.

2. Don’t delay in getting treatment.

Sure, some minor aches and pains can resolve themselves with home treatment and support. But they shouldn’t last for three or four weeks. Delaying treatment can result in more extensive damage. If you have weakness or numbness, you should also give us a call.

In addition, you should always schedule an appointment if you can’t put weight on your leg or if you’ve heard a pop after a fall or injury.

3. It’s vital to follow through with physical therapy.

Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery. Following our treatment plan will ensure the best results and a smooth transition into regular activity.

Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic: Treating Hand Conditions to Get You Back in the Game

The hand is an intricate connection of bones, tendons and ligaments. When one of those is injured, it can not only affect your entire hand, but it can make your everyday tasks difficult or even impossible.

This is why it’s important to select a hand and wrist specialist in Raleigh with the extensive scope of experience, like our physicians at Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic. All our orthopedic surgeons are board-certified and maintain advanced training in their sub-specialties. Plus, we always have a physician on call 24/7 to help our patients.

But we also realize that medical excellence is only part of the equation: We are dedicated to providing the highest level of compassionate care that focuses on treating the whole patient. We want to get to the heart of your problem so you can begin your journey of healing.

For decades, we’ve been the leading orthopedic practice in the Triangle area—and one of the few that are independent and community-based.

We would welcome the opportunity to serve you. Please contact us for an appointment.

What Is a Partial Knee Replacement?

Knee replacements have given millions of Americans a new outlook on life, enabling them to return to the activities they love. It’s one of the most innovative, successful procedures in medical history.

Our Raleigh knee surgeons have performed more knee replacements than any other group in the Triangle area. It’s always rewarding to watch our patients retain their functionality, enabling them to once again participate in their favorite sports or hobbies.

We’ll examine some aspects of this procedure in greater detail, including how to know if you need a knee replacement and what happens during partial knee replacement surgery.

What is the Difference Between a Total and Partial Knee Replacement?

A partial knee replacement occurs when only a portion of the knee is resurfaced, replacing damaged cartilage with metal and plastic components. It’s an ideal solution when the damage is limited to a particular area of the knee. You may also hear this procedure referred to as a “unicompartmental knee replacement.”

In a total knee replacement, the entire joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one.

What are the Advantages of a Partial Knee Surgery?

There are several advantages to this type of surgery, including:

Smaller incisions
Faster recovery
Less time in the hospital
A quicker return to regular activities

Why Would You Need a Partial Knee Replacement?

Most candidates come to our knee replacement surgeons as a result of osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage in the knee starts to wear away. This cartilage is vital for cushioning the ends of your bones, and when it is damaged, it causes pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to complete everyday activities.

If not treated in a timely manner, the pain can become worse as the damage continues.

Sometimes, non-surgical treatments such as medication or corticosteroid injections can reduce the pain. Physical therapy may also help.

However, when these measures are not successful, a knee replacement surgery or partial knee replacement may be in order.

Who Is a Candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement?

The key in determining whether or not you’re a candidate depends upon the extent of the arthritic damage to your joint. For a partial replacement, the arthritis must be limited to a certain area.

To be eligible, you can NOT have any of the following conditions:

Extensive stiffness in your knee
Damaged ligaments
Inflammatory arthritis

Not sure if you’re a candidate? Don’t worry. We will work with you to determine if surgery is a good option for you or if you would be best served through nonsurgical techniques. We recognize that each patient is different, and that’s why we’re dedicated to creating an approach perfectly tailored to your needs.

What Happens During a Partial Knee Replacement?

Once one of our knee surgeons in Raleigh has pinpointed the exact compartment of the knee that has been damaged, we’ll start creating a surgical plan.

Typically, the procedure takes from 1 to 2 hours. You’ll be under general anesthesia, meaning you will be “asleep” for the surgery.

Our knee surgeon will make a small incision and then use specialized surgical saws to remove damaged cartilage from your knee. It’s then replaced with metal coverages that will recreate the joint’s surface. Our knee surgeons use a special type of surgical cement to adhere the metal to the bone.

Afterward, a spacer is inserted. Its purpose is to ensure there is a smooth surface around the metal components. This enables the knee to glide effortlessly.

Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic: The Treatment You Need with the Compassionate Care You Deserve

Not everyone who has osteoarthritis of the knee will need a knee replacement. Often, we can provide solutions through nonsurgical treatment. However, if you do need a total or partial knee replacement, we will create a detailed care plan for your surgery and recovery.

For decades, we’ve been the leading orthopedic practice in the Triangle area—and one of the few that are independent and community-based.

We believe patient choice is important, and that’s why our knee surgeons are affiliated with 5 local hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. This provides our patients with options of where they would like to receive their care.

We would welcome the opportunity to help you get back to the life you love. Please contact us for an appointment.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Back Surgery?

Back pain is persistent and back surgery recovery is often a strenuous process.

It’s unrelenting and transforms your everyday life, making it difficult to perform even the most mundane tasks.

Our back surgeons are the leading experts helping alleviate back pain, enabling you to get back to the activities you once enjoyed.

Every patient is different, and therefore, each back surgery recovery is an individual journey. That’s why our back surgeons tailor our approach to fit you and your specific needs. However, we’d like to take a moment to talk about surgical recovery in general and when you can expect to return to your normal routine.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy and How Can It Help You?

Imagine that a devastating injury has kept you from the sport you love, and a college scholarship hangs in the balance.

Or perhaps you had to give up running a marathon after months of training.

Or it could be that everyday tasks have grown increasingly difficult due to arthritis.

These are some of the situations where patients can benefit from PRP.

We’ll take a closer look at Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy, what it is, how it helps you and how to determine if you’re a candidate.

What Is PRP Therapy?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma therapy.

We were one of the first orthopedic practices in the Triangle to offer this effective and revolutionary treatment. PRP therapy falls into a category of medicine called regenerative medicine, in which your body’s own cells are used to repair itself naturally.

To fully understand the process, we first have to examine how your body reacts to an injury.

How Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Assists in Healing

Your blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Platelets are cells in the blood that act like the “first responders” for tissue repair. They are vital for forming clots that stop bleeding. They are also an important component in the body’s healing process by providing the cell growth to enable the body to repair itself.

During a PRP injection, we supply a concentrated growth factor of 4 to 8 times what the body produces naturally. Using an ultrasound for guidance, we target the damaged tissue and inject the PRP cells directly to the problem area.

When the area is injected into a damaged area, it prompts your body to start an inflammatory response. This inflammation is the first stage of healing.

What Is PRP Therapy Good For?

This treatment helps both professional athletes, weekend warriors and those who have sustained a sports or repetitive motion injury. It helps those who have arthritis or other joint problems, and it’s a wonderful alternative to surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy treats several common conditions such as:

Spinal disc or joint diseases
Osteoarthritis
Ligament sprains
Torn ligaments
Tendonitis
Issues involving the rotator cuff
Golfer or tennis elbow

Talk to us for more information so we can determine how this innovative treatment can help you.

What Happens During Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment?

First and foremost, we take time to get to know you. We recognize that every patient is different, and we strive to treat you as an individual by creating a plan tailored to you.

This is why we promise that we’ll always have time to answer all your questions—please don’t hesitate to ask us anything.

We’ll talk to you about how your issue is affecting your everyday life, including hobbies, activities, work and tasks of daily living. If you’re a weekend warrior, we want to know the injury or condition has transformed your performance.

Then, we’ll take an image of your injury or problem area—this may be an X-ray, MRI or an ultrasound.

We will then draw some blood from your arm and process it. This is necessary to separate the platelets from the other components of your blood. We then take this platelet solution and, using an ultrasound-guided needle, we carefully inject it directly into the damaged tissue.

Typically, the process takes around 30 minutes.

How Long Does It Take Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy to Work?

The answer depends upon the severity of the problem or injury. There are also different protocols to follow after treatment to successfully treat various injuries.

For example, suppose you have a chronic overuse injury such as tennis elbow. A PRP injection will help relieve the pain and repair the tissue, but you will also need to adjust your movement and technique, so you aren’t at risk for developing another overuse injury in the future.

Depending on injury and body part, multiple injections are required for complete relief.

Studies have proven Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy to be more beneficial than steroids and placebo.

Who Can Benefit From PRP Therapy?

Anyone who has had an acute injury or chronic pain stemming from a tendon, muscle or ligament can find relief through this treatment.

Studies have consistently shown that PRP therapy has a success rate of more than 80 percent, resulting in long-term relief for these patients.

How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Compare to a Steroid Injection?

Steroid injections will eliminate pain, but often don’t treat the underlying problem. Therefore, this prompts the need for more steroid shots over a longer period of time.

While they eliminate discomfort, they only provide temporary relief because they do not treat the underlying problem.

How Long Have PRP Injections Been Used?

PRP therapy was originally started in the 70s by dentists who used the technique to help rebuild bone around the teeth. Gradually, its use expanded to sports medicine and professional athletes.

Can PRP Therapy Be an Alternative to Surgery?

Yes!

In most cases, particularly when tendons, muscles, or ligaments are involved, PRP can be an effective, safe alternative to an operation.

PRP therapy can be a more efficient and economical option because it often eliminates the need for surgery, and it also eliminates dependence on repeated steroid injections.

At the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we take a conservative approach to surgery—we want to exhaust all non-surgical options before we consider an operation.

Is PRP Stem Cells?

No. PRP is not stem cells. It uses the elements from your body’s own blood to speed healing through tissue growth.

To be clear, PRP is NOT putting new cells in your body. It is using your body’s own platelets to help itself naturally.

Is There Any Danger of Tissue Rejection?

Because the platelet cells used come from your own blood, there is no possibility that your body will reject them. Therefore, this is an extremely safe course of treatment that offers tremendous benefits.

The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic is the Triangle Area Leader in PRP Therapy

Searching for PRP Therapy in the Raleigh or Triangle Area? It’s important to select a provider who has performed the procedure extensively in order to ensure that you get the results you need.

At The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we have performed thousands of PRP procedures and have a track record of successfully helping patients throughout the Triangle with a variety of injuries.

So, if you’ve torn a ligament due to an accident or injury, if you’ve severely injured a muscle due to sports, or even if you’ve experienced issues related to repetitive motion tasks, this therapy can dramatically transform your life to get you back to the activities you enjoy without pain and without surgery.

But we offer something else at The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic—personalized treatment.

We believe in being partners in your medical care. This is why we carefully evaluate each individual situation and provide the education you need to make an informed decision. We work together as a team to start you on your journey of healing.

See why we are the leading orthopedic physicians of choice in Raleigh and the surrounding areas.

5 Important Things to Expect When Having Knee Replacement Surgery

At first, the cortisone shots helped with your knee pain and discomfort. However, recently, they’ve become less effective.

You’ve realized this is not a long-term solution.

It’s time.

After months – or maybe even years—of coping with joint pain, you and your physician have decided that knee replacement surgery will give you the new lease on life that you want and deserve.

We’ve performed thousands of knee replacements for Triangle residents, and we’re often asked what to expect after surgery. We believe these five important elements will provide the information you need.

5 Things to Expect When Having a Complete Knee Replacement

1. You’ll be on your feet the day of your knee surgery

You may be surprised to learn that most patients will go home the same day of surgery.

We’re often asked, how long does knee replacement surgery take? While there may be some variation based upon each individual case, in general, it takes around two to three hours. After the surgery, we’ll help ensure that any pain is well-controlled so you can start rehabilitation that same day.

After the procedure, you’ll wear compression stockings in order to prevent blood clots. You may also have breathing exercises to ensure your lungs are clear.

Your physical therapist will come to your hospital room and will help you stand. They will work with you to assist you as you take those first steps with your new knee. They’ll also show you how to get in and out of bed and how to use assistive devices.

You’ll also have a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. This device will gently move your joint in order to prevent stiffness and scar tissue.

2. You’ll have physical therapy “homework” to help rehabilitate the knee that was replaced.

Your physical therapists will work closely with you to get you back to your normal routine as soon as possible. Often, this means doing a lot of exercises both with the therapist and while you’re at home.

These exercises are designed to help you regain your normal range of motion. Following these instructions diligently and to the letter will help you get back to your regular level of functioning faster.

Your pain should be well-controlled, but if any of the exercises cause pain or discomfort, you should let your doctor and your physical therapist know.

3. Tools and things you need at home after a knee replacement

It will take time for your knee to heal, and in the interim, you need to be sure that your home is safe for you to easily navigate. This could mean as part of your knee replacement recovery you may need:

- - To use handrails
  - Purchase a shower bench
  - Remove any loose cords in the house
  - Secure any rugs or items that could be a tripping hazards

4. Your new knee should last 20 to 30 years (or more!)

How long does a knee replacement last? While there’s no one answer for every case, studies indicate that for 90 percent of knee replacements, the joint is still functioning well for 10 to 15 years after they’re implanted.

New knees don’t really have a “lifespan;” with proper care, many may last up to 40 years.

At the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we are consistently on top of the latest medical developments and implement the most recent innovations into our practice. You can be assured that you’re receiving the latest state-of-the-art care.

5. Knee Replacement Recovery Time Varies from 3 to 6 months

We understand that while the surgery may be over, your journey is still unfolding. It can take up to three months before you’ll be able to return to your activities. In certain cases, it may be six months before your knee is strong and resilient enough to take on demanding sports. Strength improves for a year.

We’ll work with you throughout your knee replacement recovery to ensure you are progressing well.

What Not To Do After Knee Replacement

It’s also important to know what not to do after you’ve had knee replacement surgery. We’ll work with you to ensure you have all the details you need to aid you in your recovery. But for your recovery to successful, you should avoid the following things after a knee replacement:

Don’t do heavy weight training after knee replacement surgery

Any type of heavy lifting is going to place pressure on your knees, particularly if you’re doing squats. Your physical therapist will have some suggestions for some safer exercises you can do if you’re concerned about staying in shape.

Avoid high-impact sports when you’ve just had your knee replaced

Anything that puts additional pressure on your knee or joints can cause damage. Even worse, in sports such as basketball, football and soccer, there’s always a chance that you can fall or hit other players and cause damage to your new knee. Skateboarding and rollerblading are also not allowed after you’ve had knee replacement surgery.

Is a Knee Replacement the Right Choice for You? Contact Us to Find Out

Knee replacements are one of the most successful procedures in the history of medicine. Each year, there are more than 700,000 Americans get a new lease on life through a knee replacement.

For nearly 50 years, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh have helped residents throughout the Triangle. We are one of the few independent, community-based orthopaedic practices in the area.

We consider it a privilege to be able to help our patients return to the activities they once enjoyed without pain.

Don’t let knee pain hold you back, contact us today.

Introducing our Joint Replacement Bundle Program

We are pleased to introduce our Total Joint Bundle Program! “Bundle” programs have been created by insurance companies to simplify the patient experience by centralizing or “bundling” all elements of the surgery in one place- “bundling” them. This puts the surgeons/practice in control of the procedure, and greatly simplifies the patient experience. The surgeon can pick and choose the preferred avenues of treatment to improve and streamline patient care. From a patient’s point of view, the experience is much simpler, with only one bill for all of the surgical services, anesthesia, physical therapy, etc. There is much more communication between the patient and surgeon practice as they are in control of the process.

5 Ways to Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatic Nerve pain refers to nerve pain that originates in the low back, or the lumbar region of the spine, and can cause pain to the hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet and toes. It can begin just as low back pain, with occasional sciatic flares to the legs, or it can just be leg pain without any back pain at all. The best way to start treating the symptoms is early management at home.

Do I Have to Have Surgery For a Rotator Cuff Injury?

Do you suspect you may have a rotator cuff tear? Have you been examined by a doctor who told you your rotator cuff may be torn? Perhaps you had an MRI that showed rotator cuff tearing or tendonitis?

What You Need to Know When Going to the Orthopaedic Surgeon

I have been involved in orthopaedics for decades — in fact, pretty much all my life. I remember my orthopaedist as well as I remember my pediatrician. Showing up for being pigeon-toed, bow-legged, multiple injuries and eventually coming full circle and being allowed to work with him as a medical student.

Why Did My Orthopaedic Surgeon Order An MRI?

As an Orthopaedist (or Orthopaedic Surgeon), I can diagnose a lot of problems and injuries by listening carefully to your symptoms, how you got them and by doing a thorough examination. Other times things like X-rays and MRIs are necessary to be more thorough.

Continue reading “Why Did My Orthopaedic Surgeon Order An MRI?”