Procedures
Shoulder
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Shoulder instability reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to restore stability to a shoulder that frequently dislocates or feels unstable. The shoulder joint's high mobility makes it susceptible to dislocations, especially after an injury or repeated strain. During the surgery, damaged tissues, such as the labrum or ligaments, are repaired or tightened arthroscopically to keep the shoulder joint in place. The goal is to prevent future dislocations, reduce pain, and restore a full range of motion, allowing you to return to daily activities and sports with confidence.
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Shoulder labral repair is a surgical procedure to fix tears in the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket (glenoid) and helps keep the joint stable. Labral tears can occur from injuries, such as a fall or dislocation, or from repetitive shoulder movements, particularly in overhead sports like baseball, tennis, or swimming.
During the procedure, small incisions are made around the shoulder, and an arthroscope—a tiny camera—is used to guide the repair. The torn labrum is debrided or reattached to the bone using anchors and sutures to restore the function of the shoulder joint. This minimally invasive approach reduces pain and recovery time while improving the overall outcome.
The goal of shoulder labral repair is to stabilize the shoulder, reduce pain, and restore function, allowing you to return to your daily activities and sports with confidence.
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Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure to fix tears in the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that help lift and rotate your arm. These tears can occur due to an injury or wear and tear over time, leading to pain, weakness, and difficulty with everyday activities.
During the procedure, the torn tendons are reattached to the bone using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. This often involves arthroscopy, where small incisions and a camera are used to guide the repair, resulting in less pain and a faster recovery.
In addition to traditional repair methods, the latest techniques in surgery and orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), may be used to promote healing and improve the quality of the repair. These cutting-edge approaches help enhance recovery, reduce pain, and increase the chances of a successful outcome, allowing you to return to your daily activities with a stronger, more functional shoulder.
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Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons or bursa in the shoulder become compressed, leading to pain, inflammation, and limited movement. This condition is often caused by repetitive overhead activities or structural abnormalities in the shoulder. If left untreated, impingement can worsen and lead to rotator cuff tears.
Surgical treatment for shoulder impingement involves increasing the space around the rotator cuff by removing inflamed or damaged tissue and, sometimes, a small portion of bone. This relieves pressure on the tendons and allows for smooth, pain-free movement.
Cartilage injuries in the shoulder, which can result from trauma, repetitive stress, or degenerative conditions, may cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Depending on the extent of the injury, treatment may involve arthroscopic surgery to remove loose fragments, smooth rough surfaces, or stimulate cartilage repair through techniques like microfracture. In some cases, advanced orthobiologic treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), can be used to support healing and improve outcomes.
The goal of these treatments is to reduce pain, restore mobility, and allow you to return to your daily activities and sports with improved shoulder function.
ELBOW
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Elbow ligament reconstruction, commonly known as the Tommy John procedure, is a surgical technique used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow. The UCL is crucial for stabilizing the elbow, particularly during activities that involve throwing or repetitive arm motions, such as in baseball. A torn UCL can lead to pain, instability, and loss of throwing velocity or accuracy.
During the Tommy John procedure, the damaged UCL is replaced with a tendon graft, which is typically taken from another part of the patient’s body, such as the forearm or hamstring. The graft is carefully threaded through tunnels drilled into the bones of the elbow and secured in place, creating a new ligament that can restore stability and function to the joint.
The goal of elbow ligament reconstruction is to relieve pain, restore stability, and allow athletes to return to their sport with a fully functional and strong elbow. With proper rehabilitation, most patients can resume their activities at the same or even higher levels of performance.
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Elbow arthroscopic decompression is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to restore movement in an elbow that has become stiff or limited due to conditions like arthritis, trauma, or overuse. When tissue or bone fragments build up inside the elbow joint, they can restrict motion, cause pain, and make everyday activities difficult.
During the procedure, small incisions are made around the elbow, and a tiny camera called an arthroscope is inserted to guide the surgeon. Using specialized instruments, the surgeon removes scar tissue, bone spurs, or loose fragments that are causing the joint to become compressed and stiff. This decompression relieves pressure on the joint and allows for a greater range of motion.
The goal of elbow arthroscopic decompression is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help you regain full use of your elbow, allowing you to return to your daily activities with greater ease and comfort.
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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) are conditions that cause pain and tenderness in the elbow due to overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons. Tennis elbow affects the outer part of the elbow, while golfer's elbow impacts the inner part. These conditions often result from repetitive motions, such as gripping, lifting, or swinging, which strain the tendons and lead to small tears and inflammation.
When non-surgical treatments like rest, physical therapy, and medications don’t provide relief, surgery may be considered. The surgical treatment involves removing the damaged tissue and reattaching healthy tendons to reduce tension and promote healing. This can be done through open surgery or minimally invasive techniques like arthroscopy, which uses small incisions and specialized instruments, allowing for quicker recovery.
The goal of surgical treatment for tennis elbow or golfer's elbow is to alleviate pain, restore strength, and improve function, enabling you to return to your daily activities and sports without discomfort.
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Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a condition where a small segment of bone and cartilage in the elbow's capitellum (the rounded part of the humerus) begins to separate due to a lack of blood flow. This condition is common among young athletes who engage in repetitive overhead or throwing activities, such as baseball or gymnastics. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and limited range of motion in the elbow.
If the condition is severe or does not improve with non-surgical treatments, surgery may be necessary. Surgical options include:
Debridement and Microfracture: In this procedure, loose or damaged bone and cartilage are removed (debridement), and small holes are drilled into the bone to stimulate the growth of new cartilage (microfracture).
Fragment Fixation or Removal: If a piece of bone and cartilage has detached but remains viable, it can be fixed back into place using screws or pins. If it is not viable, it may be removed to prevent further joint damage.
Osteochondral Grafting: For larger defects, a graft of healthy cartilage and bone from another part of the joint or a donor may be used to fill in the damaged area.
The goal of treating elbow OCD of the capitellum is to relieve pain, restore joint function, and prevent further damage, allowing you to return to your normal activities and sports with a fully functional elbow.
KNEE
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Knee ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure to repair or replace torn ligaments in the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), or medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). These ligaments play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee during movement, and injuries to them can lead to pain, instability, and difficulty with everyday activities and sports.
During the procedure, the damaged ligament is replaced with a graft, which is usually a tendon taken from another part of your body or from a donor. The graft is carefully positioned and secured to restore the knee's stability and function. The specific techniques used may vary depending on which ligament is being reconstructed, but the overall goal is the same: to provide a strong, stable knee joint.
The goal of knee ligament reconstruction is to restore stability, reduce pain, and allow you to return to your normal activities and sports with confidence. With modern surgical techniques and rehabilitation, most patients can achieve a full recovery and regain full function of their knee.
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Knee meniscus surgery is performed to treat tears or damage to the meniscus, the cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones of the knee joint. Meniscus injuries are common, especially among athletes, and can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.
There are several types of meniscus surgery:
Meniscus Repair: In this procedure, the torn meniscus is stitched back together to heal. This option is typically chosen for younger patients or when the tear is located in an area with good blood supply, allowing it to heal properly.
Meniscectomy: If the tear cannot be repaired, a partial meniscectomy may be performed, where the damaged portion of the meniscus is removed. This helps relieve pain and allows the knee to function more smoothly.
Meniscus Transplant: In cases where the meniscus is severely damaged or removed, a meniscus transplant may be considered. This involves replacing the damaged meniscus with donor tissue to restore the knee's cushioning and function.
The goal of knee meniscus surgery is to relieve pain, restore knee function, and protect the joint from further damage, helping you return to your daily activities and sports with improved knee stability and comfort.
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Cartilage restoration is a set of surgical procedures aimed at repairing or replacing damaged cartilage in the knee. Cartilage is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, allowing for smooth, pain-free movement. When cartilage is damaged due to injury or wear and tear, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and arthritis.
There are two primary techniques for cartilage restoration:
Microfracture: This minimally invasive procedure involves creating tiny holes, or "microfractures," in the bone beneath the damaged cartilage. These microfractures stimulate the body to produce new cartilage-like tissue, which can fill in the damaged area and improve joint function.
Cartilage Transplant (Autograft/Allograft): For larger or more severe cartilage defects, a cartilage transplant may be necessary. In an autograft, healthy cartilage is taken from another part of your own knee and transplanted to the damaged area. In an allograft, donor cartilage is used. This procedure aims to restore the joint's smooth surface, reducing pain and improving mobility.
The goal of cartilage restoration is to relieve pain, improve joint function, and delay or prevent the onset of arthritis, helping you return to your normal activities with a healthier, more functional knee.
