What is Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with acute, chronic, traumatic, and overuse injuries and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This would include the neck, back, shoulders, knees and hips.

What questions should I ask before choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon to make sure he/she is qualified to operate on me?
Preparing a checklist of questions can help ensure the safety and quality of your procedure.

Questions to ask are:

• What are your credentials?
Verify the doctor’s medical licensure, education, training and board certification. Doctors level of experience, expertise and training vary, in order to make the best choice for yourself, it is vital that you review with the doctor that you chose. If US experience or training is important to you, be sure to ask.


• Are you certified as an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Again, it is vital that you verify the doctor’s credentials. When the doctor claims to be board-certified, ask by which board.


• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery?
Some surgical procedures can be performed in the doctor’s office or other outpatient facility but it is important to find out if the doctor has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure you are having. Before granting operating privileges, many hospitals have review committees that evaluate a surgeons training and competency for specific procedures.


• Where will you perform my surgery?
If it’s in an office-based facility, ask if it’s accredited. If it is at a hospital, find out which facility and verify its credentials.


• How many procedures of this type have you performed?
Also ask what training has been completed, especially in new techniques. Ask to see certificates of training.


• What are the risks involved with the procedure?
There are risks with any surgical procedure. Find out what they are, how often they occur, and how they will be handled if they do occur.


• What is the expected recovery time?
Be sure to discuss postoperative restrictions on activity and typical time periods for resuming work.


• What is your policy on surgical revisions?
Some cases may require revisions to achieve the desired results. Find out about any costs for which you may be responsible.

Please contact us so that we may discuss your specific questions and needs.

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure for patients with severe arthritis or another debilitating knee condition.

Knee replacement is generally for patients who suffer from ostearthrosis and show the following:

• Daily pain
• Pain interferes with job, recreational activities and daily chores
• Considerable stiffness
• Instability
• Considerable deformity

The goal of the surgery is to replace the knee thus allowing to alleviate pain. An artificial knee is not a normal knee, but it can make all the difference between a limiting lifestyle and a fully enjoyable life without movement restrictions. Preparation is essential for Knee replacement surgery, detailed medical information in the form of a medical questionnaire, any previous Orthopedic Evaluation, diagnostic testing and studies are necessary to provide to the physician for review and recomendation. All of this information will allow the doctor to determine your eligibility for the procedure. Your doctor abroad will give you specific instructions about any changes or activity restrictions you should follow before surgery. Additional diagnostic testing may be carried out by the doctor when you arrive.

The Procedure

During this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon will cut away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and replace it with an artificial joint (prosthesis).

The prosthesis used for this surgery is made up of several parts:

• A metallic part adjusted to the femur
• A smaller metallic part adjusted to the tibia where a high-density polyethylene spacer will be placed to function as the new joint’s cartridge.
• A circular polyethylene part to replace the the undersurface of the kneecap.

Knee replacement surgery takes approximately two hours, and is usually performed under spinal anesthesia.

On average, a two day hospital stay is usually required and additional prolonged recovery period locally. Adherence to post-operative recovery plan is essential for best results.

Hip Resurfacing is a type of hip replacement which replaces the two surfaces of the hip joint. This operation is primarily intended for use in people who are in need of a hip replacement at a younger age and therefore are likely to be more active. There are certain causes of arthritis of the hip for which this technique cannot be used - namely those which have resulted in extreme deformity of either the head of the femur or the acetabulum.

For people needing a replacement under the age of 55, regular consideration is given for this procedure. People aged between 55 and 65 who are very active and otherwise fit may also be suitable and this will be determined by their bone quality and activity level. Patients who need to have hip replacements under the age of 50 - 55, assuming they have normal life span, have a very high chance that the conventional hip replacement will wear out and need to be replaced during their lifetime - hence the resurfacing procedure offers potentially significant advantages in this group.

Preparation is essential for Hip resurfacing surgery, detailed medical information in the form of a medical questionnaire, any previous Orthopedic Evaluation, diagnostic testing and studies are necessary to provide to the physician for review and recomendation. All of this information will allow the doctor to determine your eligibility for the procedure. Your doctor abroad will give you specific instructions about any changes or activity restrictions you should follow before surgery. Additional diagnostic testing may be carried out by the doctor when you arrive.

The Procedure
The procedure is very bone conserving as the head of the femur is retained. Instead of removing the head completely, it is shaped to accept an anatomically sized metal sphere. There is no large stem to go down the central part of the femur and the surface of the acetabulum (the socket) is also replaced with a metal implant, which is press fit directly into the bone.

The resurfacing components are made of 'As Cast' cobalt chrome which is finely machined to produce a very high quality surface with a low friction finish, hence low wear.

Hip resurfacing surgery takes approximately three hours. On average, a three day hospital stay is usually required and an additional prolonged recovery period locally will be required. Strict adherence to post-operative recovery plan is essential for best results.

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed to examine or repair the tissue inside or around the shoulder joint.

Preparation is essential for shoulder arthroscopy, detailed medical information in the form of a medical questionnaire, any previous Orthopedic Evaluation, diagnostic testing and studies are necessary to provide to the physician for review and recomendation. All of this information will allow the doctor to determine your eligibility for the procedure. Your doctor abroad will give you specific instructions about any changes or activity restrictions you should follow before surgery. Additional diagnostic testing may be carried out by the doctor when you arrive.

Shoulder arthroscopy allows the physician to visualize, through small incisions, two anatomical areas: the joint itself and the subacromial space.

The Procedure

This type of orthopedic surgery follows a procedure that uses a camera called arthroscopy, inserted in the body through a small incision. If the doctor has to repair a joint, he will also use small surgical instruments.

Shoulder arthroscopy is usually done on an out-patient basis. Surgery takes around 2 hours and does not requires you to stay more than 1 day in the hospital.

If you would like to learn more about these procedures, or if you would like information about any other Orthopedic procedure, please CONTACT US.