Orthopedic Surgery

What is orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery addresses problems with the musculoskeletal system, which consists of bones, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and nerves. Common musculoskeletal conditions include:

• Arthritis
• Nerve damage
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Sciatica
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoporosis
• Tumors
• Scoliosis
• Ligament sprains
• Tendon strains
• Cartilage tears
• Fractures and dislocations

Synchrony Medical Group’s experienced team has considerable expertise in orthopedic and spine surgery.

What are the most common spine surgeries?

Common spine surgeries include:

Decompression

Decompression is spine surgery where your specialist removes bone and ligaments to reduce nerve compression and pain.

Discectomy

In a discectomy, your surgeon removes a herniated disc pressing on a painful nerve. Microdiscectomy is similar but removes the damaged tissue rather than the entire disc.

Fusion

You might need fusion after a discectomy or decompression surgery. Fusing the vertebrae on either side stabilizes your spine but results in some loss of flexibility. Replacing a disc also stabilizes the spine, but you can retain more movement afterward.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which your provider injects bone cement into a collapsed vertebrae, typically because of vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. 

When the cement hardens, it stabilizes the fracture and reduces pain. Kyphoplasty is similar but uses a tiny balloon to raise the collapsed vertebra first.

What other orthopedic surgery might I need?

Other common orthopedic surgeries include:

Joint replacement

Artificial joints replace ones that are failing because of diseases like arthritis or severe injuries.

Tendon and ligament repair

A ruptured tendon or ligament can be painful and severely affect joint function. Sometimes, it’s possible to reattach partially torn tissues, but complete ruptures might require reconstruction. Your surgeon uses a graft to connect the torn ends and anchors ligaments to bones.

Carpal tunnel release

The carpal tunnel in your wrist can press on the median nerve running down the arm, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Release surgery cuts the thickened wrist ligament, relieving nerve compression.

Is orthopedic surgery right for me?

If conservative treatments haven’t reduced your discomfort, orthopedic surgery could be the best option.

To determine whether surgery is right for you, the Synchrony Medical Group team discusses your symptoms and medical history with you. They complete a physical exam, nerve tests, and diagnostic imaging procedures, then let you know if you’re a suitable candidate.

To learn more about orthopedic surgery, call Synchrony Medical Group or book an appointment online today.