Orthopedic Surgery Center of Costa Mesa

Joint Replacement

Arthritis is the most common condition that eventually leads to the need for joint replacement, although the procedure may also be necessary if a joint has been severely damaged from an injury. Surgery for joint replacement often involves the use of tiny cameras and special instruments to allow the surgeon to see what’s going on within the joint to assess the damage. The replacement joint is made of some combination of plastic and metal and fashioned in a way to replicate the shape and function of the original joint. While hip and knee replacements are more common, joints of the elbow, wrist, ankle, and shoulder may also need to be replaced due to degenerative wear or damage.

Spine Surgery

Any of the bones, joints, or discs of the spine may require surgery to correct a deformity, fracture, or structural problem. One of the most common reasons for spine surgery is a herniated disc, referring to a situation where inner disc material pushes outward and presses on nearby nerves. Spine surgery is unique in that there must be some mechanical issue that has been clearly identified in order to proceed. Performed more than 400,000 times a year in the United States, spinal fusion is the most common type of spine surgery. It’s a two-step procedure that involves stabilizing the spine after a damaged disc is removed with screws, cages, and other hardware. Bone graft material is placed between each affected vertebra and a “fusion” develops over time.

ACL Reconstruction

Running diagonally in the middle of the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) provides stability to a leg by preventing the tibia from moving in front of the femur. An ACL tear is a common sports-related injury. The ligament can also be damaged from a sharp twist or hard fall. If conservative treatments aren’t providing relief or the damage, usually in the form of a rupture, is severe, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. Replacement involves removing the torn ligament and using either the patient’s own tissue or donor tissue to create a new ACL. Screws and other special devices are used to attach the new ligament to the bone. Bone tunnels created by the surgeon will allow the ligament to firmly attach itself during the healing process.

Shoulder Arthroscopy and Decompression

When a thick band of shoulder tissues (rotator cuff) becomes pinched or constricted by other structures in the shoulder, a procedure called a shoulder arthroscopy and decompression may be performed. The purpose of this type of orthopedic surgery is to take pressure off the rotator cuff tendons to restore range-of-motion in the shoulder and allow for pain-free movement. An arthroscopy is performed first to allow the surgeon to look at the affected area with a tiny camera to determine the exact source of the impairment. The type of decompression surgery performed after the arthroscopy may include:

• Removal of a swollen bursa (fluid-filled sac)
• Shaving of the acromion bone to allow more room for the tendon
• Removal of a flat triangular band supporting the shoulder joint (coracoacromial ligament)

Foot and Ankle Surgery

An orthopedist has added knowledge of how other structures in the body may affect parts of a foot or ankle, often resulting in a more accurate diagnosis for patients. Surgery may be necessary to correct damage to bones and joints of the ankle or foot from either a serious injury or a progressive condition such as arthritis. Frequently performed foot and ankle surgeries include artificial joint replacement, fusion (surgical stiffening) surgery to correct damaged bones or joints, and removal of lumps (osteophytes) on the joints of the arch of the foot.

Specialists at our orthopedic surgery center of Costa Mesa do more than perform surgery. Orthopedic surgeons also offer a fresh look at a patient’s condition and sometimes recommend additional non-surgical treatment options before recommending surgical solutions unless there is an urgent need for relief. When surgery does become a consideration, patients are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their goals to ensure that confident, well-informed decisions are made.