Universal Care Surgery Center

When to Consider Shoulder, Knee, Hand or Elbow Surgery Arthritis, age-related wear (degeneration), sports-related injuries, overuse or over-extension injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and congenital disorders are just some of reasons why shoulder, knee, hand, or elbow surgery may be necessary. Surgery is rarely the first treatment recommended. If movements of the affected joint, bone, or muscle are affected, surgery often becomes a consideration. Surgery may also be an option when pain is becoming progressively worse or if pressure is being placed on nearby nerves. The compression of even one nerve may be enough to trigger radiating pain felt in arms, fingers, the neck or lower back, or legs. It’s this type of pain that can often be corrected with surgery.

Reduce inflammation with natural changes in your diet.

Incorporate chili peppers into your diet.

A microlaminectomy is a surgical option to relieve pressure on nerves or parts of the spinal cord.

Beets are an acquired taste, but great for fighting inflammation.

TIP: BEFORE ANY SURGERY, DITCH YOUR BAD HABITS Minimize alcohol consumption and stop smoking prior to your procedures. Smoking, in particular, can cause problems with how nutrients travel to tissues within your body, which may make it difficult to heal after surgery. There are studies that suggest excess alcohol may also have an impact on tissues and circulation.

DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS OR FEARS ABOUT YOUR SURGERY It’s perfectly normal to have concerns or fears prior to surgery, even if you’re having an outpatient procedure. Don’t be afraid to speak up or initiate a dialog with your surgeon or someone from your surgical team. In many cases, medical support staff can provide much-appreciated reassurances. If you know you’ll have to take it easy after surgery, ask friends and family members if they’d be able to help you out with tasks that involve frequent bending or lifting. It’s also wise to order any medications you may need post-surgery ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about a trip to the pharmacy. Additionally, don’t forget to make arrangements for a ride home.

HAVING A RELIABLE SUPPORT TEAM Seek support from family members and close friends. Select one or two people you absolutely know you can count on to provide emotional support, comfort, and reassurance. If you don’t have this type of support, consider joining a patient support group or seeking support online.

REASONS FOR EPIDURAL INJECTIONS Injections are usually recommended for one of two reasons: therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. When used for therapeutic purposes, additional medication is usually included with the shot to ease nerve irritation. For diagnostic purposes, epidural injections may be inserted into isolated nerves to determine whether or not that nerve is a source of local or radiating pain. A common example of this is when sciatic nerve is a suspected cause of discomfort extending to lower extremities.

Trigger point injections are a treatment modality that can offer prompt relief for those in pain.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARTILAGE RESTORATION Most cartilage restoration surgeries are performed with arthroscopic, or minimally invasive, techniques. Such procedures involve smaller incisions and the use of specialized tools, instruments, and cameras. Since there is often less trauma to the affected joint, many patients who have less-invasive cartilage restoration procedures report faster healing. Many surgeries of this nature can be done on an outpatient basis.

The purpose of a spinal fusion is to limit motion in a vulnerable part of the spine to ease pain.

Connecting the upper arm to the shoulder blade, the rotator cuff is one of the most common sources of a shoulder injury.