Bayside orthopaedics Sunnybank (also spelled orthopedics) is the branch of surgery dealing with conditions of the musculoskeletal system. This includes treatment of trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Fairhope, Ala. – Infirmary Health and Gulf Orthopaedics have entered into a strategic affiliation with Bayside Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. The practice’s experienced and trusted physicians will continue to provide orthopaedic care in Baldwin County.
Knee Replacement
A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged cartilage and bone with metal and plastic implants to relieve pain, improve knee function, and restore your ability to walk and climb stairs. A knee replacement may be done at a hospital or surgery center, which is a separate location that focuses on same-day surgeries and often is not connected to a hospital.
You will be under general or epidural anesthesia during your surgery, which takes 1 to 2 hours. Depending on your medical condition and personal preferences, your surgeon may choose to use a long-stem or constrained tibial implant.
After your knee replacement, you will need to use assistive devices such as a cane or walker until your surgeon and physical therapist decide you can safely discontinue them. Using these devices can reduce your risk of falls and fractures. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take blood-thinning medications as prescribed to prevent blood clots in your leg during recovery.
Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery improves a patient’s quality of life, decreases pain and allows them to return to their normal activities. It is one of the most successful Orthopaedic procedures and has been shown to be cost-effective.
The hip is a ball and socket joint, with the metal “ball” at the top of the thigh bone (femur) fitting into a cup-like socket in the pelvis called the acetabulum. The joint is covered with smooth cartilage to help it move smoothly.
During hip replacement surgery, we replace the damaged femoral head and socket with an implant to restore your natural hip function. The operation can be performed through a variety of surgical approaches. A common technique is to use a direct anterior approach, which is performed through a 4-6 inch incision in the front of your thigh. Hip replacements can sometimes wear out, causing pain and reducing your ability to participate in the activities you enjoy. Failed hips can also dislocate, which requires further surgery to repair.
Shoulder Replacement
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint: the round head of your upper arm bone (humerus) fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle). If damage to this joint causes pain and limits your daily activities, you may need surgery.
Your orthopaedic surgeon will evaluate your shoulder pain and range of motion through a physical examination and imaging tests. These may include X-rays, a CT or MRI scan of your shoulder, and blood work.
In conventional total shoulder replacement, a plastic socket is fixed to the shoulder blade and a metal ball is attached to the top of the humerus. In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the socket and metal ball are switched. This allows other muscles -- especially the deltoid muscle -- to do the lifting instead of the damaged rotator cuff tendons.
Your surgeon will recommend a home exercise program and a plan to improve strength and flexibility. Most people are able to return to their jobs and other normal activities within one year of surgery.
Elbow Arthroscopy
The elbow is a complex joint that requires the interaction of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Injury, overuse and age-related wear and tear are responsible for many problems affecting the elbow joints. These include:
During elbow arthroscopy, your surgeon makes several tiny incisions in the treatment area and inserts an instrument with a light and camera on the end of a tube (an arthroscope). This gives your doctor a clear view inside your elbow joint. He or she may also use the camera to guide other small surgical instruments.
In some cases, the doctor may need to remove loose fragments of cartilage or scar tissue from the surface of your elbow joint. The doctor may also need to release a tight joint capsule.
Typically, your surgeon will perform elbow arthroscopy under general anesthesia and you will not need to stay overnight in the hospital. Before the operation, your doctor will review your MRI and X-rays to understand the structure of your elbow joint.