Advances in orthopedics continue to develop every day, and these developments make a big difference in how medical professionals deliver care to patients. It also changes the way patients recover from injuries and surgical procedures.
Nowadays, you can recover faster and with less pain and complications, which means you get back to your normal activities sooner, whether it’s work, exercise, or sports.
Here, we discuss some of the greatest innovations in orthopedics that are enhancing patient care in the United States.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive procedures have redefined the landscape of orthopedic surgery. Traditionally, surgery often involved large incisions, substantial muscle and tissue disruption, and longer recovery periods.
Minimally invasive techniques rely on small incisions, specialized instruments, and advanced imaging technologies to perform complex procedures with precision and minimal tissue disruption.
What makes minimally invasive surgery revolutionary. Here are some specific benefits of minimally invasive surgery:
● Smaller Incisions
Minimally invasive procedures require smaller incisions. The size of an incision could be just a few millimeters in size. This reduces damage to surrounding tissues, which results in less pain, smaller scars, and a lower risk of infection.
● Enhanced Visualization
Advanced imaging tools provide surgeons a view of the surgical site. This improved visualization allows for precise navigation during surgery and better decision-making for the surgeon.
● Faster Recovery
With reduced tissue trauma, patients undergoing minimally invasive surgeries experience shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. Many can return to normal activities and work sooner than patients undergoing traditional open surgeries.
● Reduced Blood Loss
Smaller incisions and targeted approaches lead to less blood loss during surgery, further contributing to patient safety.
● Less Pain
Minimally invasive procedures often result in less post-operative pain due to smaller incisions and limited tissue disruption. This allows patients to manage discomfort more easily and often reduces the need for strong pain medications.
● Lower Complication Rates
The reduced invasiveness of these procedures can lead to fewer complications, such as wound infections and surgical site complications.
● Broad Applications
Minimally invasive techniques are applied across various orthopedic procedures, including joint replacements, spine surgeries, and ligament repairs.
Biologics
Biologics are a non-surgical approach to treating orthopedic patients that harness the body’s natural ability to heal. These techniques involve the use of components derived from the patient’s own body or donor sources to promote tissue repair and regeneration.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP involves extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and then injecting it back into the injured area.
The growth factors in PRP stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, making it particularly effective for soft tissue injuries like ligament sprains, muscle tears, and joint injuries.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are used to guide the development of new cells needed for repair. In orthopedics, stem cell therapy involves using cells from donor sources to promote cell regeneration.
This approach has shown promise in treating damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. It can be used in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, sprains and strains, shin splints, and more.
Advanced Orthopedic Care in Hartford County, CT & Springfield, MA
For comprehensive orthopedic care from board-certified orthopedic doctors, choose Advanced Orthopedics New England. We can relieve pain associated with most musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, and help you return to normal. Our physicians are trained in the latest non-surgical and surgical approaches to orthopedic treatment.
To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (860) 728-6740.
