Will arthroscopic surgery solve problems with knee arthritis?

July 13th — admin

I have some mild, but painful arthritis in my left knee. I’m thinking about having arthroscopic surgery done. The doctor wants to take a look inside and smooth out any rough edges. Will that take care of the problem?

Short-term results (six months to two years) after arthroscopic surgery for mild to moderate arthritis are good. Reports show at least 75 percent (three-fourths) of all patients get better. The have less pain and more function.

After three years, only half the patients stay pain free. Those with rough cartilage behind the knee cap (a condition called chondromalacia) often have return of painful symptoms. Patients who are overweight have pain much more often than patients of normal weight.

Patients with mild degenerative changes but no arthritis who aren’t overweight have the best results with arthroscopic surgery.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Should West Point cadet have open or closed shoulder surgery?

July 9th — admin

I’m a West Point cadet with a torn shoulder labrum in need of surgery. The doctors have told me about open versus closed methods of repair. Which is best to get me back to full speed ahead?

There are plusses and minuses for both operations. Closed surgery with an arthroscope is less invasive. There’s a reduced risk of getting osteoarthritis in that shoulder later.

The down side of the closed repair is a higher rate of recurrent dislocations or subluxations (partial dislocation). Researchers report about seven to 17 percent of the closed cases have this problem. Only three to five percent of the open repairs partially or fully dislocate.

Many surgeons advise using the closed repair for young patients or extremely active patients. It sounds like you might be in this group. Your surgeon will probably make a recommendation for you based on your age, the injury, and your goals for rehab.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Is it ever too late for surgery to repair torn rotator cuff?

June 22nd — admin

I have a large rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder. I’ve been putting off surgery and trying everything else first. I’m ready to throw the towel in and have the surgery. How do you know when it’s too late for an operation to help?

There’s nothing wrong with trying conservative care before going for a rotator cuff repair. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs help. In other cases, cortisone injections or physical therapy can make a difference.

But for patients who still have pain, loss of motion, and reduced function, surgery may be the best option. Many patients put it off for months and even years. They still report a good result after the operation.

New methods using arthroscopic surgery and tiny incisions have changed the results of this operation. Even full-thickness tears or tendons that have retracted far away from the place where they normally attach can have a good outcome.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Can all rotator cuff tears be repaired surgically?

May 27th — admin

Can all rotator cuff tears be repaired surgically?

Yes and no. Some doctors repair all types of rotator cuff tears that can be repaired. This depends on their location and if there’s enough tissue to cover the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). The decision is more complicated if more than one tendon is torn.

New surgical techniques using arthroscopy have changed things. The arthroscope is a long needle-like tool with a tiny TV camera on the end. It’s inserted into a joint and gives the doctor a view inside. The arthroscope has made it possible to repair tears that couldn’t be fixed in the past.

If a tear is left unrepaired for years, there may be too much damage to fix it later. This can happen when someone injures the shoulder, but recovers without seeing a doctor. If the joint needs replacing years later, the doctor may find the tear during the operation.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Shoulder surgery complications perhaps caused by fluid

May 6th — admin

My father-in-law had surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. Afterwards he had a lot of swelling on the back of his neck down into the back of his shoulder. What could cause this problem?

Swelling of the neck, nerve problems, and even death of skin tissue can occur after arthroscopic surgery. Evidently the surgeon pushes fluid into the joint during the operation. This helps keep the joint open. It also washes away any blood that might keep the surgeon from seeing what he or she is doing.

The longer the surgery takes, the more fluid is forced into the joint. This increases the chances of problems occurring. Surgeons are encouraged to shorten the operating time as much as possible to reduce the amount of fluid put into the joint.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Could shoulder surgery cause weight gain?

May 3rd — admin

Whoa! I had arthroscopic surgery on my shoulder yesterday. Home today. I jumped on the bathroom scale and I’ve gained 10 pounds. I wasn’t even in the hospital overnight. Is this from the operation? What’s going on?

You aren’t the first one to have scale shock after shoulder arthroscopy. Most folks notice between a two and 20-pound weight gain. The average weight gain is about 10 pounds.

A recent study from the University of Texas tracked weight change in patients before and after this surgery. They found the main cause was the fluid pushed into the joint to help separate the joint surfaces. It gives the surgeon a little more room to work in.

The more damage there is to the joint or the longer the surgery takes to finish, the more fluid is pushed into the area. This is the key factor causing the weight gain. Doctors have been advised to shorten the surgical time whenever possible.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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What the Bernoulli effect means to arthroscopic shoulder surgery

April 28th — admin

What is the Bernoulli effect? The doctor’s report on my shoulder surgery says “pressure was used to minimize the Bernoulli effect.” I’ve never heard of such a thing. What does this mean?

The Bernoulli equation comes from Newton’s laws of motion. It deals with flowing fluids and says that when a gas such as air flows, its pressure drops. For fluid in the joint the Bernoulli effect means the pressure is lower in a moving fluid than in a fluid that’s still.

In the shoulder during arthroscopic surgery, fluid is pushed through the tube of the scope into the joint. This technique helps with several things. First, it clears the joint of any blood obstructing the surgeon’s view. Second it pushes the joint open and gives the surgeon more room to work.

Finally, lower pressure means less damage in the joint. Each hole that is made in the joint capsule to allow the scope to enter the joint leaves an opening. Fluid can leak out of the joint into the nearby tissues. Keeping fluid flowing through the joint reduces pressure, and keeps the fluid from escaping.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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How long is the recovery period after shoulder surgery?

April 2nd — admin

I’m going to have arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. I really need full motion to do my job. How long will it take to get it back?

Right after surgery, you’ll probably be wearing a sling. This is kept on for a week to ten days according to your comfort level. You will be allowed to move your shoulder in two directions so long as it doesn’t hurt. The first is shoulder flexion (forward) and the second is outward rotation (elbow is held next to the body, hand moves away from the body).

By the end of the month, you may be given exercises using as much motion in all directions as pain will allow. Your full motion should be returned by 12 weeks. A recent study showed that patients who have a rotator cuff repair using only arthroscopic surgery regain motion faster. Patients who have an open incision get back their full motion, but it takes longer.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Steroid injections for pain relief – how long do they last?

March 9th — admin

I had a steroid injection into my shoulder for a problem with bursitis. I got immediate relief that lasted about a week. Now my symptoms are starting to come back. How long do steroid injections usually work?

There aren’t too many studies just on the duration of pain relief with steroid injections into the joints. Results range from one week as in your case up to 13 weeks.

It’s clear that steroid injections work better than placebo injections with saline solution. And studies show that some steroids work better than others. Long-term pain relief may require a higher dose of the steroid.

In some cases steroid injections are used to control pain and reduce rehab time after arthroscopic surgery. In a patient with recurring bursitis there may be other factors such as posture and overuse to be addressed. The injection may help calm the joint enough to work on improving alignment and motion. Combining physical therapy with steroid injection may be one way to improve overall results.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Tear in ligament often revealed only through arthroscopic surgery

September 30th — admin
I was in a car accident and broke my pelvis in two places. After the injury finally healed, I still had deep groin pain and my hip kept giving out on me. I had MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans done for my pelvis, and nothing ever showed up. Finally, I had arthroscopic surgery and the doctor found a tear in the ligamentum teres. Where is this and why doesn’t it show up on all these tests?

 
If you pull a chicken leg out of its socket, you’ll see a fibrous white ligament. That’s the equivalent of the ligamentum teres in the human. It helps hold the head of the femur (thigh bone) in the hip socket.

Traumatic or twisting injuries can cause this ligament to tear. Hip dislocation can stretch it to the tearing point, too.

Doctors don’t have a test to help them find this type of tear. In fact, it wasn’t until arthroscopic surgery came along that they even knew it occurs as often as it does. Now that we know it’s a problem, more studies will be done to find easier ways to diagnose it.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com. 

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