Orthopaedic surgery repairs damage to your musculoskeletal system. It provides routine maintenance to a range of different areas of the body and is a medical speciality dedicated to diagnosing, repairing and preventing conditions that affect your muscles, bones and joints.
Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, arthritis, or a degenerative condition, orthopaedic surgery offers solutions designed to restore function, reduce pain, and improve your overall quality of life.
Orthopaedic surgery covers a variety of procedures, including:
- Joint Replacement Surgery: Replacing damaged joints, such as hips or knees, with prosthetics to relieve pain and restore function.
- Arthroscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive technique used to diagnose and treat joint problems, often performed on knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles.
- Spinal Surgery: Procedures aimed at treating conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or scoliosis to alleviate pain and restore mobility.
- Trauma Surgery: Addressing fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries caused by accidents or falls.
Other common procedures include removing damaged ligaments to replace them with healthy tissue, repairing broken bones with screws, rods, plates or pins and adding plastic or metal caps to joints impacted badly by arthritis.
Orthopaedic surgery is a very common procedure that varies in length and severity depending on the damage and repair needed. Wait time ranges from days to weeks to months based on whether your issue is an emergency or not. For example, if you have a severe break or fracture, you may need immediate surgery, whereas an elective surgery may be scheduled in advance.
Benefits of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pain Relief and Improved Function: Orthopaedic surgeries are primarily designed to alleviate pain, whether from injury, arthritis, or other degenerative conditions. Procedures like joint replacement or arthroscopic surgery target the root cause of discomfort, providing long-lasting relief and allowing you to enjoy everyday activities without pain.
- Enhanced Mobility and Independence: Restoring movement and flexibility is a core goal of orthopaedic surgery. By addressing underlying issues, such as worn cartilage or damaged ligaments, these surgeries help you regain mobility, making it easier to perform daily tasks, maintain an active lifestyle, or engage in your favourite hobbies.
- Quick Recovery with Minimally Invasive Options: Many orthopaedic procedures are minimally invasive, resulting in smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery times. This allows you to return to your regular activities more quickly, with less discomfort and downtime.
- Long-Lasting Results: Modern orthopaedic implants and surgical techniques are designed to provide durable, long-term solutions. Joint replacements, for example, can last 15-20 years or more with proper care.
- Personalised Treatment Plans: Orthopaedic care is highly individualised, focusing on your unique medical history, activity level, and personal goals. Your treatment plan is tailored to ensure the best possible outcomes, whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing arthritis, or addressing a congenital condition.
How to Get Started with Orthopaedic Surgery
Taking the first step towards orthopaedic surgery is simple. Here’s what the process typically involves:
- Consultation and Assessment: Book an initial consultation with an orthopaedic specialist who will evaluate your condition, discuss your symptoms and goals, and determine the best treatment options for you.
- Customized Treatment Plan: Based on your assessment, a personalised treatment plan will be created, outlining the recommended procedure, recovery timeline, and any pre-surgery preparations or physiotherapy.
- Surgery Preparation: Your provider will guide you through any necessary pre-operative steps, such as medical clearance or specific exercises to strengthen the area being treated, ensuring you are in the best shape possible for surgery.
- Surgical Procedure and Recovery: The surgery will be performed under anaesthesia, with a focus on minimising pain and recovery time. Post-surgery, you will follow a tailored rehabilitation program to promote healing, regain strength, and hopefully return to your daily routine. Routine check-ups and exams are common, as well as imaging tests like an X-ray to see how your body is healing.
