If you suffer from any kind of orthopedic injury such as hip dislocation, knee injury, broken elbow or rotator cuff, and if you experience pain or numbness that persists or worsens by any physical activity, you may be a candidate for orthopedic surgery.
Overview
Orthopedic surgery deals with the correction of injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system and its attachments- bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, peripheral nerves and connective tissue.
The term orthopedics encompasses a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments for all musculoskeletal and athletic injuries and conditions.
Some of the popular orthopedic operations include arthroscopic surgery of the knee, hip replacement, replacement of knee, partial replacement of knee, shoulder surgery, spine surgery, carpal tunnel release, back surgery and repair of fractures in hand, foot and ankle.
Surgery to repair rotator cuff tendons, reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), disc surgery, debridement of a joint surface and neck & elbow replacement are also common procedures.
Today, a majority of orthopedics operations are performed arthroscopically, in which an orthopedic surgeon makes only a small incision and uses delicate instruments to make the repairs.
An orthopedic fast facts page by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests that musculoskeletal symptoms including pain, soreness, discomfort, cramps, limitation of movement, stiffness and swelling were the second biggest reason for hospital visits in 2006. It also states that more than one in four Americans are living with musculoskeletal symptom, with back and knee injuries the most prevalent impairments.
Risks and Complications
Undoubtedly, orthopedic surgery can be an ideal answer to fractures, dislocations and injuries that arise in the skeleton and its attachments.
However, orthopedic surgery, like all other surgical procedures, involves risks of excessive bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to anesthesia. Risks specifically associated with this surgery include inflammation at the site where foreign objects like pins, implants or wires are implanted inside the body, surgical wound infection, and damage to nerves or to the spinal cord during the surgery.
The patient may also experience persistent pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding and infection in the surgical area, which may result in slow healing and incomplete or no restoration of pre-surgical function.
Understandably, it is of utmost importance that you get your orthopedic surgery done at the hands of a highly skilled, well experienced and board certified orthopedic surgeon, who is trained to assess and treat disorders of the bones, joints, and ligaments of the human body.
For a successful surgery, a person's willingness to comply with rehabilitative therapy post surgery is equally important. The length of time that rehabilitation is needed depend on many factors, including the patient's age & general health, severity of the injury and extent of the surgery.
Cost
Orthopedic surgery and treatment cost may vary from country to country and clinic to clinic. As well, the price also depends on factors like what type of surgery you choose as well as experience of the surgeon and the reputation of aesthetic clinic you elect to get the surgery done.
In the Western and European countries the typical waiting time for an orthopedic surgery is up to three or six months, and to have this operation done privately it would cost you a fortune.
Getting the surgery done abroad can be the solution to this problem. In many developing and newly industrialized countries like India, Thailand and Mexico you can expect to pay only a fraction of the cost in your native country.
By travelling to these countries for orthopedic surgery such as knee or hip replacement surgery, shoulder surgery, spine surgery, back surgery and hand & foot surgery, you could make substantial savings even after adding in the cost of flights, holiday, accommodation, meals and local transportation.
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