This is a Key Hole Procedure done to visualize the joint and repair the torn ligaments. Most of the time it is a day case procedure. This new advancement has revolutionized surgery in the joints. This keyhole surgery is the ‘arthroscopy’ procedure.

Arthroscopy experts say “Arthroscopy has made procedures a lot simpler, easier and precise for us doctors. What was previously a procedure based purely on years of experience has now been given an additional eye to make it even precise and work on the nook and corners of the inaccessible areas.”

By attaching a camera to a fibre optic cable which helps project the image onto a miniature TV screen, the doctor skillfully guides the scope to the desired location and operates with minimum invasion. Unlike an open surgery which may require major cuts and incisions, arthroscopy requires only a minor cut. Hence the name ‘keyhole’ surgery. The cartilages, ligaments, tendons are visible to exactly determine the extent of injury and quickly perform the repair. Sometimes along with X rays additional tests such as MRI and CT scans will also be required.

Arthroscopic surgeries are done for the following acute/chronic nature

• Shoulder: Rotator cuffs, frequent shoulder dislocation – Bankart’s repair, impingement syndrome.
• Anterior cruciate ligament tear, Meniscal tear, Posterior cruciate ligament tear

The applications of this surgery are many and this revolutionary technique has made the dreaded word operation a much safer and simpler alternative. More and more patients all over the country are opting for arthroscopy for treating inevitable diseases such as Osteoarthritis and other old age/trauma related problems.

An arthroscopy has simply given the boon of a new vision to a physician with minimum injury. This keyhole surgery holds the key to better living and a better Quality of life for patients all over the world, and all it takes for the patient is to approach us as early as possible to set things right.

The spine is the most significant part of the body, helping you keep yourself upright or stand up. Giving your body the support and structure, it helps you to move freely and also bend easily. But what happens when there arises a problem where your movement gets restricted and there is severe pain that won’t go away? You definitely rush to professional help for pain relief. But then there are possibilities when you reach for traditional treatments or the nonsurgical ones, it may be that you are a little late for medications. Your doctor may provide you option for spine surgery. Before you approach and go in for spine surgery, here is all that you would like to know about spine surgeries and the various advantages.

Types of Surgeries

Foraminotomy – A foraminotomy is basically a surgical procedure. With the help of the procedure, the area around one of the bones in the spinal column is enlarged. The surgery greatly helps in relieving pressure on compressed nerves. Few parts of the bones that contain nerves get removed during this procedure. Tissues or bones that obstruct the passageway or that pinches the roots of spinal nerves, causing pain are also removed through this procedure.

Discectomy – In this surgical procedure, the damaged portion of the herniated disc in the spine is removed. Discectomy is proven to be an effective surgical procedure for treating the pain that radiates down the arms or legs when the herniated disk compresses the nearby nerves.

Spinal disc replacement – In this procedure, the damaged disc between two vertebrae is replaced with the help of a specially designed prosthetic disc. This helps and allows the spine to have normal function and movement.

Spinal Fusion – Spinal fusion is basically a procedure for correcting problems with the small bones found in the spine. In this procedure, the two or more vertebrae are fused together so that they heal into a single, solid bone. This is basically performed to eliminate the painful motion or to help restore stability to the spine.

What are the benefits of spine surgery?

Back pain can leave you physically immobile and you may over time become less productive. It can have an effect on your overall health. Going in for spine surgery can improve your health, both mentally and physically. Spine surgery is mostly advised only when your doctor pinpoints the source of your pain. The doctor will use imaging tests, like x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computerized tomography (CT) scans.

• You will be able to move better
• There will be an overall improvement in your mood and you need not take as much pain medicine
• You will be more productive at work
• You will be more physically fit
• You can easily go back to your regular work

If you do not want to undergo all that pain and blood loss, there is another type of surgery – minimally invasive spine surgery. Advancement in the field of orthopedics, in this surgery, is the smaller incisions that are done. The total time is taken and the recovery period after the surgery are very limited. Hence, if you are looking forward to this kind of surgery, you can consult Dr. Dhivaakar Vijayakumar and educate yourself on the minimally invasive spine surgery and the various benefits from it.

Arthritis is a term used to describe swelling or inflammation and deterioration in the joints. In the knee, the arthritis is a result from the damage to the gliding surface that is called by the name articular cartilage. Due to the damage caused, you may be not able to ordinary activities such climbing the stairs and walking. The damage to the knee joint cartilage and the underlying bone can result in deformity. The pain that is commonly in the knee may radiate till the thigh, calf or back of the knee. After long periods of immobility, the pain in the knee can worsen. Most of the knees wear out on the inside and then to the outside and kneecap

What is total knee replacement surgery?

A total knee replacement surgery is performed to remove the arthritic bone and the cartilage that is damaged from the knee joint. The damaged cartilage is then replaced with a metal and plastic covering that stimulates the natural cartilage. This helps in creating a smoothly functioning joint that does not pain or hurt. In this surgery, the natural muscles and tendons are left in the natural place so that the joints can function smoothly.

Who is the right candidate for knee replacement surgery?

People who suffer from painful knee deformities, advanced symptoms of arthritis are the right candidates for knee replacement surgery.

People who are eligible for this surgery have:

• Moderate to severe arthritis in the knee that is confirmed by the doctor with medical imaging
• Severe knee pain that interferes with daily activities and is not responding to appropriate non surgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, weight loss, exercise, steroid injections
• Ideal candidates for knee replacement will also have the following
• Knee deformity such as knock knees, bow legs that has been exacerbated by knee joint degeneration
• Swelling and inflammation of the knee that is chronic and cannot be controlled with medication or rest
• Difficulty in walking, climbing the staircase and
• Moderate to severe pain even when they are resting and that is affecting sleep

Knee replacement surgery can be indicated and performed by an orthopedic surgeon. The surgery helps people who suffer from severe pain that is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage in the knee find total knee replacement surgery. Total knee replacement surgery is highly beneficial and helps bring relief to patients who have severe pain caused by the degeneration of the cartilage in the knee. It also helps people who have serious knee injuries and advanced arthritis. Almost 90 percent of all total knee replacement surgeries that are performed are successful. It also depends on the patient’s total level of activity.

What are the various benefits of the surgery?

Knee pain and conditions can limit the daily activities of a patient due to the knee pain and limited mobility. Knee replacement surgery is highly beneficial for patients as it helps them get back to their normal life. But then it is all dependent on the patient’s overall health and the underlying condition.

Do I need physical therapy after the surgery?

Physical therapy is prescribed to the patient after they get discharged from the hospital and will start within a week of the surgery. The physical therapy will include knee strengthening exercises, various knee exercises to encourage range of motion and to reduce the scar tissue. The therapy will help in building strength and flexibility where the patient can eventually walk unaided.

What is the timeline for the surgery recovery?

After the surgery, most of the patients are able to resume their day to day activities within 6 to 7 weeks and within the timeframe of 3 to 5 weeks are able to drive also. But it may take a whole year to fully recover from the surgery and gain the complete benefit from the surgery.

There is a wide range of work that our shoulders perform and whenever there is something wrong with our shoulders, there is a lot of pain and discomfort, hindering our daily activities. Pain in the shoulder can happen due to the malfunction of the muscles around the shoulder, thickening or inflammation of the tissue around the shoulder; destruction of the joints from arthritis. Shoulder pain can also occur due to the reduced movement in the joint, mainly due to the condition called frozen shoulder or due to arthritis.

Causes of Shoulder Pain?

There were several factors that can contribute to shoulder pain. The most widespread causes include:

• Arthritis
• Ageing
• Torn cartilage
• Rotator cuff tears
• Swollen bursa sacs
• Tendons damage
• Bone spur
• A pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder
• Broken shoulder
• Frozen shoulder
• Dislocated shoulder
• Injury due to overuse or repetitive use
• Spinal cord injuries

Diagnosis of shoulder problems

A good history of the examination and condition can reveal the majority of shoulder disorders. Among the various tests that confirm the diagnoses include an x-ray of the shoulder that can help assess bones around the shoulder. As the majority of the shoulder problems happen due to problems of the soft tissues and therefore, an MRI scan of the shoulder is the best investigation. There are times when a dye is required to be injected into the shoulder before the scan is performed, so it is good to consult the doctor before the scanning is done.

Nonsurgical treatment for shoulder pain

For shoulder pains that may not require surgery, nonsurgical treatments are provided for the patients. Here are the few things that your doctor may suggest to relieve the symptoms of shoulder pain

• Physical Therapy
• Medicines
• Exercise
• Acupuncture
• Relaxation and breathtaking exercise
• Acupuncture

Surgical Treatment for Shoulder Pain

If the injury you have will not resolve on its own with the non surgical treatments, surgery may be recommended for you. Surgery is also advised if there are certain structural problems that are late to heal. This could include bone spurs, rotator cuff tear or loss of cartilage.

There are a number of shoulder surgeries that are available. Shoulder replacement surgery is quite successful in relieving pain and improving function in patients who suffer from shoulder arthritis. Surgical techniques for arthritic shoulders are also available that have rotator cuff tears such as reverse shoulder replacement, reversing locations of ball and socket in the shoulder.

Total Hip replacement surgery is generally performed to help cure arthritis that is in a progressive state. The doctor would advise you to go through the Hip replacement surgery if you have hip pain that would keep you awake at night, hip pain that limits to the ability to perform daily activities and even after trying out the other traditional methods, there is persistent pain that won’t go away.

What is hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement or total hip arthroplasty is a surgery where worn out or damaged hip joint is replaced. The old joint is replaced with an artificial joint, called the prosthesis. A prosthesis is basically composed of a ball and socket that is again made of metal, plastic or ceramic. Hip replacement surgery is a choice for the patient in case of severe pain due to arthritis or after a hip fracture.

Why does one need a hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery is the basic treatment for arthritis pain and disability in the hip. The most common reason in going for hip replacement surgery is osteoarthritis.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, it can cause loss of joint cartilage in the hip and also damage to the cartilage and limit your movement and cause pain. A patient should also go in for hip replacement surgery if arthritis limits your daily activities such as bending and walking if the pain is experienced even while they are resting and the stiffness in hip limiting a patient’s ability to move or lift the leg.

What are the various benefits of hip replacement?

The greatest benefit one can get from hip replacement surgery is the relief from pain and it is also the major reason for hip replacement surgery. There are various other benefits the surgery offers that include improved movement, better strength and coordination of the leg and torso. The patient who undergoes this surgery has the ability to walk, climb stairs and also is able to maintain an active lifestyle in greater comfort.

What is the recovery period after the surgery?

The main goal of the surgery is to restore joint function and also improvise the patient activity level as safely and quickly as possible. The complete program will include the following:

• Through a medical check-up
• Counseling to the patients
• Minimal invasive surgery
• Advanced and Exclusive pain management
• Physical Therapy
• Postoperative advanced rehabilitation
• Long term and regular follow up

Our trauma care centre is equipped with state of the art facilities and staffed with expert doctors to provide care for patients who are suffering from major traumatic injuries which include falls, burns, motor vehicle accidents, violence or gunshot wounds.

We provide a high level of professional world-class surgical care for every patient visiting our trauma centre with traumatic injuries. We have a 24*7 orthopaedic trauma department where we treat all major and minor trauma emergencies Led by Dr. Dhivaakar Vijayakumar and his professional team. Our team of trauma surgeons are well-experienced to handle a wide range of orthopaedic trauma cases.

At our trauma centre, we treat various kind of trauma cases that includes cases of bones, joints and their associated structures that enable functional movements – tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. This includes bones and joints and also the associated structures of both lower and upper limbs.

At our trauma centre, we treat trauma injuries that range from small and minor injuries that often found in elderly patients to major injuries caused by a road traffic accident. Here are some the trauma cases which include:

• Bone Fracture Treatment
• Fire burns
• Accidental Trauma
• Sports injuries
• Polytrauma
• Corrective surgery
• Arthroplasty
• Joint Arthroscopy

We truly understand that trauma cases are very delicate and quite challenging to treat due to the complexities and the severe nature of the injury with the limited time available to handle it. Our professional team of trauma surgeons are well experienced in treating complex trauma injuries. They also respond quickly to examine the damage and begin the treatment process right away.