Orthopedic Surgery at SOCH
Specialized Techniques….Expert Care
At SOCH, a skilled team of orthopedic surgeons are using sophisticated techniques to improve the quality of life for people with disease or injury to the body’s musculoskeletal system. This complex includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves and allows you to move and be active.
This talented group of physicians specialize in:
- complex joint replacement surgery
- arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery
- bone fractures and dislocations
- torn ligaments, sprains and strains
- tendon injuries, pulled muscles and bursitis
- care for people with bone tumors, arthritis and osteoporosis
The SOCH team also includes neurosurgeons who specialize in spinal surgery to repair compression fractures, as well as surgery to help people with other conditions that cause chronic pain in the lower back or neck, such as a herniated intervertebral disc.
Specialization in Sports Medicine
Jason Wong, D.O., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at SOCH who received fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopy from Temple University Hospital, is skilled in surgical procedures designed to get athletes back on their feet. However, he notes that not all injuries that fall into the sports medicine category occur on the track and field.
“Injuries to the knees and shoulders are certainly common among runners or people who play football or baseball,” said Dr. Wong. “I also treat dancers who have sprains or fractures to the ankles and feet, shoulder injuries that may have occurred from heavy lifting and ligament or cartilage injuries that happen as a result of long-term wear and tear on the knees.”
According to Dr. Wong, the shoulder, in particular, is susceptible to dislocation and instability with trauma. The upper arm bone sits in a saucer-shaped part of the shoulder blade. A circle of ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage form a capsule around the joint to maintain flexibility.
“Trauma or overuse can cause these soft tissues to stretch or tear,” Dr. Wong explained. “Then a feeling of looseness may develop, and the shoulder may pop out during active use. The pain can not only interfere with sports but with work and sleep as well.”
At SOCH, Dr. Wong performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to repair many types of shoulder injuries. During this surgery, Dr. Wong will insert an arthroscope through a tiny incision, which projects images of the shoulder interior onto a screen. He then inserts instruments through other small incisions to make the necessary repairs.
In some cases where a sports injury has resulted in the loss of cartilage in the knee, Dr. Wong performs ostearticular transplant surgery to transplant cartilage from a healthy part of the knee to the area where the knee is damaged.
The benefits of arthroscopic surgery include shorter hospital stays, faster recover and less scarring.
Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery
David Rodricks, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at SOCH, received fellowship training in minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California.
“Candidates for hip replacement surgery may have warning signs of serious hip damage. These include crippling hip pain, night pain, leg length discrepancies and loss of hip motion,” said Dr. Rodricks. “By now, most people have heard about minimally invasive hip replacements and may know someone who has had one, but it is important to be evaluated by a doctor to learn if this technique is right for you.”
Here are the facts. According to Dr. Rodricks, traditional hip replacements involved a three to four week hospital stay, a 12 to 15 inch incision, and months of rehabilitation and recovery. Patients were unable to fully bear weight on their hip for one to two months after the procedure.
“New implants, improved instrumentation and modification of traditional principles have revolutionized a previously painful procedure,” Dr. Rodricks explained. “The incision is now three to four inches long, and there is no need to cut and release any muscles. Patients can be discharged after a two or three day hospital stay, and benefit from a short stay in a rehab facility. By one to two weeks, almost all patients are walking either with a cane or on their own.”
Dr. Rodricks also uses minimally invasive techniques to perform partial or total knee replacement surgery. Thanks to modern instrumentation, the muscle-sparing minimally invasive knee replacement can be performed with the same precision as with larger, more invasive surgery.
After Your Surgery: Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation
After most types of orthopedic procedures, your surgeon will prescribe physical therapy or sports rehabilitation to help you return to your normal level of activity as soon as possible.
Comprehensive rehabilitation services are available at SOCH, at the Ocean Club on Route 9 in Stafford Township; and at the SOCH Centers for Health in Little Egg Harbor and Forked River.
For more information about orthopedic surgery at SOCH or about rehabilitation services, call SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400.
Date posted: 06/28/07 @ 3:18 pm
Current News • News
Archives |
