Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD

Orthopedic surgery is an area that has undergone a lot of changes over the last few decades.  The capacity to completely replace certain parts of the body, such as the hip joint, is one of the many wonderful advances.  In the days before it was possible to have a total hip replacement Baltimore MD,  individuals with broken or otherwise degenerated hips would face a very lengthy recovery.  Some folks never did recover very well and spent the rest of their lives disabled and in chronic pain.

Hip Replacement Surgery Baltimore

Hip replacement surgery was first performed in 1960.  It is now common for people who have damaged hip joints due to accidental injury or bone diseases like osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis to receive a prosthetic hip joint that functions almost just like the natural one.  Hip replacement is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries available.  Here is what happens during the operation:

• The patient usually receives a general anesthetic so that they are not aware of anything that is happening during the surgery itself.  Some individuals who have other conditions that make it risky for them to receive a general anesthetic may get a spinal block instead.
• The surgeon makes an incision in the hip area in order to reach the joint.  The femoral head, which is the large ball at the top end of the thigh bone (the femur) is removed and the prosthetic ball is inserted into the femur, often using an adhesive product.  Alternatively, the part of the prosthetic joint that goes into the femur may be made of a porous material that will allow the bone to naturally grow into it and hold it in place.
• A part of the pelvic bone is then removed and replaced with the other part of the prosthetic hip joint, which is usually also attached with adhesive.
• The surgeon closes the incision and the patient is taken to the recover room until they are fully conscious.
• Recovery from surgery takes a bit of work and the involvement of professionals like a physical therapist.  Click here to learn more about total hip replacement Baltimore.

Recovery from Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD

There are many different kinds of back surgery available to individuals who have chronic back pain or unstable spines due to degenerative bone diseases, tumors, accidents or other reasons.  Usually, a less invasive kind of treatment will be tried before surgical options are considered.  Some alternatives include pain medications or non-traditional therapies like yoga or acupuncture.  A spinal fusion Baltimore MD surgery is one of the more common types of back surgery because there aren't a lot of good ways to otherwise correct an unstable spine.  Some patients are reluctant to consider this type of surgery because the recovery can be kind of difficult.

Spinal Fusion:  Post-surgery Expectations

Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore (https://www.medstarunionortho.org/treatments/back/spinal-fusion/) is performed under general anesthetic, so the patient is not aware of what is happening at any time during the procedure.  Here is a brief timeline of what to expect in terms of post-operative recovery.

• Spinal fusion patients normally spend about four days in the hospital after surgery.  Pain levels can be pretty intense at this time, so pain medication can be provided through an IV if needed.  It is also important to make sure that bowel and bladder functions have returned to normal after surgery.  These are slowed or stopped by general anesthesia.
• The first four weeks post-operative are crucial for the healing of the spine.  Because a graft of bone was added to the spinal column, it is important that this bone mass is allowed to grow and fuse the vertebrae without too much disruption.  Therefore, activities like lifting, bending and twisting are to be extremely limited during this time.  Pain can continue throughout this time period and is usually controlled with oral medications.
• At about six weeks after surgery, outpatient physical therapy can begin.  It is necessary to learn new ways to walk, sit, stand and lie down safely with a newly fused spine.  With the supervision of a physical therapist, an exercise program can be developed that moves from very simple activities like short walks to more intense activities like swimming lifting light weights.   The physical therapist can teach exercises that specifically contribute to strength in the part of the back that has been surgically fused.

Total Knee Replacement Baltimore MD for Joint Injurie

The knee is a vulnerable joint that is made up of three parts: the femur, the tibia, and the patella.  Your knee takes stress from everyday activities, and even more stress from high-impact activities so knee injuries are common.  Sometimes these can be treated with rest and nonsurgical methods, but sometimes they need total knee replacement Baltimore MD.

Knee injuries that may need knee surgery Baltimore

Common knee problems can be the result of normal aging and wear and tear or they can be due to an injury or sudden movement.  Some common knee problems that may require knee replacement surgery Baltimore include:

• Ligament injury: There are 4 main ligaments in the knee and they can become stretched or torn.
• Tendonitis: Tendons in the knee can become inflamed due to overuse.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition where the cartilage that is meant to absorb shock and protect your knee breaks down.

Diagnosing knee injuries

Symptoms of knee trouble that may need knee surgery Baltimore usually include pain, swelling and limited range of motion.  The specific cause of the symptoms will be diagnosed with imaging tests such as x-rays and MRIs.  Sometimes, a procedure called arthroscopy is also used in diagnosis.  During this procedure, a small, lighted tube is inserted into the joint and images are projected to a screen so your knee replacement doctor Baltimore can see what is damaged.

Nonsurgical treatments

If the injury to your joint is not severe, your knee replacement doctor Baltimore may recommend rest, ice, compression, and a knee brace.  If these do not provide relief or the damage is extensive, your doctor may recommend knee replacement Baltimore.  Most knee conditions are treated with the nonsurgical methods, but the most common knee condition to require knee replacement surgery Baltimore is osteoarthritis.

Total knee replacement Baltimore MD

During knee replacement surgery Baltimore, your surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and the damaged parts of bone and replace them with prostheses.  These are usually made of metal with either plastic or ceramic and are cemented in place.  It can take several months to recover from knee replacement surgery Baltimore and your doctor will tell what activities you should avoid at different stages of your recovery.

Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD

Sometimes, as people grow older, their bone structures start to degenerate in various ways that leave them in chronic pain.  This degeneration can be a result of diseases like osteoarthritis.  Bone loss can also result from a lack of exercise, or a poor diet that does not contain enough calcium.  When degeneration occurs in the spinal column, it impacts the small, bony structures that are stacked on top of one another from the base of the skull to the lower back.  When the vertebrae become weak, they may not be able to stay in place and stabilize the spinal cord and other structures of the central nervous system that are contained within.  This can result in chronic pain, especially in the lower-back area.  Sometimes the pain extends down the thighs and legs.  This kind of pain is called sciatica.

Lumbar Fusion for Back Pain and Sciatica

Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD is an operation that is intended to fuse together two or more vertebrae in the lower back in order to minimize the movement of vertebrae that may be too "loose", therefore allowing for pinching of the spinal cord or other nerve structures.  The fusion creates a kind of solid "bridge" in the lower back.  While it may seem like it would be uncomfortable to have two or more vertebrae fused together, many patients report that they barely notice any restriction of movement.  Most people are surprised to learn how much of bending is actually done from the hip area and not the lower back itself.

Sometimes, a posterior lumbar fusion Baltimore surgery requires a bone graft.  This may be the case if the existing bone structures have been weakened or broken down too much through injury or disease.  Often, bone is used from the patients own body.  This is called an autograft.  This bone can be harvested from the area of the spine where the surgery is being performed, or from another part of the body, such as the hip.  In some cases, it is also possible to use bone from a donor cadaver.  This is called allograft bone.

Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD for Fractures and Arthritis

A damaged hip joint can make everyday activities such as walking difficult.  Two common causes of damage to a hip joint are a hip fracture and arthritis.  Often, a total hip replacement Baltimore MD is needed to provide relief.

Total hip replacement Baltimore MD to treat fractures

Your hip is a ball and socket joint.  A hip fracture is when there is a break in the bone that has the “ball” part of the joint, called the femur.  The majority of hip fractures happen in people who are over age 60 and falls are the most common cause.  Overtime, bones become thinner and weaker from calcium loss (called osteoporosis) and that is often a factor in hip fractures.  Symptoms of a hip fracture that may need total hip replacement surgery Baltimore include: hip pain, low back pain, inability to stand or walk, and bruising and swelling.

If the fracture is 3-4 inches away from the joint, it will most likely be treated with surgery that places metal devices at the break to stabilize and strengthen the joint.  Hip fractures that are closer to the joint sometimes need hip replacement surgery Baltimore.

Arthritis can require hip surgery Baltimore

The most common type of arthritis to affect the hips is osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that causes the breakdown of cartilage.  Symptoms of osteoarthritis that may need hip replacement surgery Baltimore include pain and limited range of motion in the hips.  Before doing hip surgery Baltimore, your doctor will try to treat osteoarthritis of the hip with medicine, physical therapy, and assistive devices.

Total hip replacement surgery Baltimore

A hip fracture or arthritis in the hip that cannot be treated with other methods may need hip replacement surgery Baltimore.   During this procedure, your total hip replacement doctor Baltimore removes the damaged parts of your joint and replaces them with a prosthesis.  After the 3-6 month recovery time, most people have more movement and less pain in their hip.  The artificial joints usually last 15 or more years, but you will have to be careful to avoid falls and other activities that may injure the joint.

Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD for a Stronger Back

Spinal fusion Baltimore MD is a procedure that permanently joins 2 or more vertebrae.  This limits motion between vertebrae and can provide support for the back and relief from symptoms of several different back conditions.

Conditions treated by a spinal fusion doctor Baltimore

Conditions that are sometimes treated with spinal fusion surgery Baltimore can include:

• Fractured vertebrae: This usually happens from a fall or other trauma and is more common in those who have osteoporosis.
• Scoliosis: A normal spine appears straight when viewed from the back.  Scoliosis is when the spine has a curve when viewed from the back.
• Bulging or herniated disc: The cartilage between vertebrae can sometimes bulge, pinching nerves.
• Arthritis: This chronic joint disease causes the breakdown of cartilage.

Before spinal surgery Baltimore

Your spinal fusion doctor Baltimore will diagnose your back condition with physical exams and imaging tests.  If the condition is not too severe, he or she may try other treatments before spinal fusion surgery Baltimore.  These can include:

• Medication: Anti-inflammatories can reduce swelling, sometimes relieving pressure on nerves.  Anti-biotics can help if there is an infection causing the symptoms.  Pain relievers are also often used.
• Assistive devices: Walkers, braces, or other assistive devices may help provide relief.
• Activity limitations: If certain activities make your symptoms worse, you may have to avoid them.

Spinal fusion Baltimore MD

During your spinal fusion surgery Baltimore, bone grafts are placed around the vertebrae.  Your spinal fusion doctor Baltimore usually takes the bone from your pelvis, but sometimes artificial bone is used.  The bone connects adjacent vertebrae and promotes bone growth.  This bone growth will take several months and will continue to evolve for years.  Your spinal fusion doctor Baltimore will place metal implants around the spinal fusion to provide stability while the bone grows.

Spinal fusion recovery Baltimore

You will need to spend several days in the hospital for your spinal fusion Baltimore.  It will take about 6 weeks for the bones to begin to fuse, and it will be several months until the fusion is solid.  You will have activity restrictions during your spinal fusion recovery Baltimore, and you should discuss these with your doctor before your procedure so you can plan ahead.

Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD Recovery

Total hip replacement Baltimore MD can provide relief from hip pain, but for the best results it is important that you follow all of your doctor’s instructions for recovery.

Hip surgery Baltimore requires hospital stay

Hip replacement Baltimore usually requires a 3-5 day hospital stay.  The procedure is done under general anesthesia, and you may still be very tired when you wake up.  As soon as you are fully awake and your pain is controlled, you may be asked to start moving your hip joint to begin building strength and mobility.  Your doctor will most likely recommend that you do not drive for several weeks after your hip surgery Baltimore, so arrange ahead of time for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

Medication after total hip replacement Baltimore MD

You will be given pain medication while you are in the hospital and more pain medicines will be prescribed to you when you go home.  Depending on your circumstances, you may also be prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine or anti-biotics.  Blood clots are sometimes a risk after hip replacement Baltimore, so you may also be prescribed blood thinners.  It is important that you take these medicines exactly as directed after your hip surgery Baltimore.

Early recovery from hip surgery Baltimore

You may have trouble moving in the weeks immediately after your hip replacement Baltimore, so if possible you should arrange for someone to help you around the house.  Your doctor and physical therapist will give you a list of specific activities that are helpful and specific activities that may be harmful after your hip surgery Baltimore.  The prescribed helpful exercises are vital for building strength.  Movements that should be avoided after hip surgery Baltimore include:

• Bending your hip more than 90 degrees

• Twisting your hip

• Swiveling on the ball of your foot

• Crossing your legs over each other

• Sitting on low chairs and toilet seats

After full recovery from hip replacement Baltimore

Full recovery usually takes 3-6 months.  Many people who are in good overall health and have been working to strengthen their hip joint can return to low-impact physical activities such as biking, walking, and swimming after hip replacement Baltimore.  You may have to avoid high-impact activities such as football, volleyball, and basketball because these can damage the artificial joint.

Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal narrows and pinches nerves.  It is sometimes treated with non-surgical methods such as physical therapy and injections, but sometimes spinal fusion Baltimore MD is necessary.

Spinal stenosis

People over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for spinal stenosis because aging can cause the ligaments in the spine to become thick and calcified, narrowing the spinal canal.  Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore to correct spinal stenosis also sometimes needs to be done due to the breakdown of cartilage discs that cushion the vertebrae and bone spurs (growths that form on the bones).

Symptoms of spinal stenosis that may need spinal fusion surgery Baltimore can include:

• Difficulty walking
• Clumsiness or frequent falls
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
• Leg pain
• Back pain that lessens when you lean forward

Before spinal fusion Baltimore MD

Before spinal fusion surgery Baltimore, your doctor will most likely try non-surgical treatments that can include:

• Posture changes: Slouching or stooping can strain the ligaments in your back.
• Physical therapy: This can help strengthen back muscles so the spine is better supported.
• Medicine: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can help relieve symptoms.
• Spinal injections: A steroid injection directly into the spinal canal is sometimes necessary.

Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore

If non-surgical treatments do not provide significant results, you may need spinal fusion surgery Baltimore.  Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore is a procedure to permanently attach 2 or more vertebrae to prevent them from moving.  An incision is made at the affected part of the spine, and your surgeon will use tiny tools to remove damaged discs.  He or she will then use a piece of bone (usually taken from the hip) and use that to fuse the vertebrae together.  Sometimes in spinal fusion surgery Baltimore, an artificial bone-like substance will be used instead of real bone.  Often, special screws and roads are attached to the spine to provide stability while the fusion of small back bones Baltimore is healing.  Full recovery after spinal fusion surgery Baltimore can take several months and may include a rehab program and special exercises.  You can learn more about spinal fusion surgery Baltimore at www.medstarunionortho.org.

Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD and Protecting your Back

When the spongy discs that cushion the vertebrae of your spine become damaged, the vertebrae can grind against each other causing serious pain, numbness, and weakness.  The damage to discs is usually caused by aging and normal wear and tear.  Severe cases can be treated with a posterior lumbar fusion Baltimore MD, but you can limit damage to your back by taking care to use body mechanics that protect your back every day.

Proper lifting to prevent need for spinal fusion Baltimore

Lifting is a common cause of back injury and regularly doing it incorrectly can lead to the need for spinal fusion surgery Baltimore.  To limit your risk, follow these guidelines for proper lifting:

• Face the object you need to lift, do not twist.
• Lower yourself to the floor with your back straight.
• Keep the object close to your body.
• When you set the load down, bend your knees to lower it rather than bending at the waist.

Protecting your back at night

You can even help protect your back and possibly limit your risk for spinal fusion surgery Baltimore while you are laying in bed.  The muscles and ligaments in your back relax while you are sleeping, so make sure that you choose a mattress that provides support for the natural curve of your spine and consider replacing it every 10 years.  Your pillow should support the natural curve of your neck.  A pillow that is too high can strain your back and overtime may cause damage that needs spinal fusion Baltimore.  Regardless of whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach; try to keep your ears, shoulders, and hips aligned to reduce stress on your back.

Posterior lumbar fusion Baltimore MD

Taking care to protect your back everyday can lower your risk, but there is no sure way to completely prevent damage to your back.  Injury, disease such as arthritis, or normal wear and tear may still damage the cushioning discs in your back, allowing your vertebrae to move against each other painfully.  Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore can permanently join 2 or more bones in your back, preventing movement.  After spinal fusion Baltimore, it is especially important to take steps to protect your back to prevent further damage.  Learn more about spinal fusion Baltimore at https://www.medstarunionortho.org/treatments/back/posterior-lumbar-fusion/.

Lumbar Laminectomy Baltimore MD Treats Damaged Disc

Your spinal column is made up of 33 vertebrae that are separated by discs for cushioning and support.  If these discs become damaged, a procedure called a lumbar laminectomy Baltimore MD may be necessary.

Symptoms treated by a lumbar laminectomy Baltimore MD

Discs can be damaged due to injury, but most often it is the result of aging and normal breakdown.  If the disc loses fluid and becomes dried out, it can become compressed.  This pressure leads to the break down of the outer ring of the disc, which can allow the soft inner part to bulge, called a bulging disk.   A herniated disc is when the disc continues to break down, allowing the inner nucleus to rupture out from the center of the disc.  Symptoms of a bulging or herniated disc that may need lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore include pain, numbness, and tingling.  These symptoms usually come from nerve pressure, so where in the body the symptoms are felt can depend on which nerves are affected.

Other treatments

If the symptoms are mild, it is likely that your doctor will try other treatments before a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.  These treatments can include limiting activities that make the symptoms worse and physical therapy.  Other treatments that are often attempted before a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore include medicines.  These can be medicines to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory medicines, and muscle relaxants.

Lumbar laminectomy and disectomy Baltimore

If the symptoms are severe and other treatments have not helped, you may need a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.  During a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore, your doctor accesses your spinal column by making an incision and spreading the back muscles.  He or she will use tiny tools during a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore to remove as much of the damaged disc as possible.

Lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore

Lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore often requires a few days in the hospital.  Full lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore can take several weeks and your doctor will require follow up appointments before you can be cleared for too much physical activity.  Visit www.medstarunionortho.org to learn more about lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.

Spinal Fusion Baltimore MD for Different Conditions

Spinal fusion Baltimore MD is a procedure that attaches 2 or more vertebrae together to prevent them from moving.  It can be used to treat many conditions, such as arthritis, scoliosis, and a herniated disc.

Spinal fusion Baltimore for arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes pain and swelling in joins and connective tissue.  The most common type of arthritis to affect the back and require the fusion of small back bones Baltimore is osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions joints.  It is usually caused by age and normal and wear and tear.  Symptoms of osteoarthritis that may need spinal fusion surgery Baltimore include back pain, stiffness in the back, and a crunching feeling in the back.  Spinal fusion surgery Baltimore can help because once the vertebrae are attached, they no longer grind on each other.

Scoliosis and spinal fusion Baltimore

A normal spine is straight when viewed from behind.  Scoliosis is when a spine appears to have a curve when viewed from the back.  Symptoms can include asymmetry in the body such as hips or shoulders that are not level and arms that hang differently.  If the curve is not severe, treatment will include monitoring to ensure that it is not getting worse.  If the curve is more than 45 degrees or appears to be getting worse, the fusion of small back bones Baltimore may help prevent further curving and deformity.  During spinal fusion surgery Baltimore for scoliosis, bones in the curved area of the spine will be attached.  Often, spinal fusion surgery Baltimore will include special hardware such as screws and rods to give stability and prevent the curve from getting worse.

Spinal fusion surgery for a herniated disc

A herniated disc is when the breakdown of the hard outer part of a disc allows the softer inner part to bulge out.  Often, a bulging disk will press on nerves in your spine, causing pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness.  A procedure called a lumbar laminectomy Baltimore can be done to remove the disc, and often this needs to be followed with spinal fusion surgery Baltimore.  Once the disc is removed, spinal fusion surgery Baltimore is often needed to prevent the vertebrae from grinding.