Understanding your orthopedic treatment options 

Whether you’ve sprained an ankle, injured a tendon or have a joint damaged by arthritis, orthopedic treatment can help relieve pain and improve movement. At Sutter, your care team will consider your diagnosis, overall health and recovery goals to develop a personalized treatment plan. When appropriate, treatment may start with nonsurgical options before moving to surgery.

Providing some support

Some sprains, strains and fractures need additional support while they heal. Depending on your injury, your orthopedic and sports medicine specialist may recommend:

• A brace
• A sling
• A cast
• A walking boot
• Shoe orthotics

A shot at pain relief

Medication and injections may be part of a nonsurgical treatment plan for certain musculoskeletal conditions. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend an injection directly into the affected area to help relieve symptoms.

Options may include:

• Corticosteroid injections to temporarily reduce inflammation, swelling and pain
• Hyaluronic acid injections, which may be used to help relieve pain from osteoarthritis in certain joints through its natural shock-absorbing and lubricating effects.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which use a concentrated portion of your own blood containing cells that release anti-inflammatory mediators and growth factors may be used for certain orthopedic and sports medicine injuries or conditions.
• Other biologic therapies, including stem and fat cell injections as well as umbilical source regenerative treatments may be offered for certain orthopedic and sports medicine conditions; research into their effectiveness is ongoing with numerous publications already available to the public, these therapies aren’t FDA-approved to treat musculoskeletal conditions at this time.

Ask your orthopedic or sports medicine specialist which treatments may be appropriate for your condition as well as what benefits and risks to expect and how long any relief may last. 

The role of physical therapy

Physical therapy can be an important part of orthopedic treatment, whether you’re trying to avoid surgery, preparing for a procedure or recovering afterward.

Deryk Jones, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Sutter, says physical therapy may also be required before an insurance company approves certain procedures. And for some conditions, it can be very effective in curing the clinical problem.

“Seventy-five percent of partial rotator cuff tears will get better with physical therapy,” he offers as an example.

At Sutter, physical therapists work with people who have orthopedic injuries and those preparing for or recovering from joint replacement and other orthopedic procedures.

During physical therapy, you may work on building strength, improving range of motion, learning safe movement techniques and reducing your risk of future injury. Your therapist will consider your goals and help you reach milestones that allow you to safely progress toward your usual activities. 

Surgery to repair and replace

If nonsurgical treatments aren’t enough — or surgery is the most appropriate treatment for your condition — your care team will discuss your surgical options with you.

Most orthopedic procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, while others require a hospital stay. Your overall health, the procedure you’re having and the support you have at home can all influence where your surgery and recovery take place.

“Maybe you have a heart condition or muscle atrophy, or maybe you don’t have anybody at home to help you out after surgery,” Jones says. “Those factors are all evaluated before surgery.”

Orthopedic surgeons can repair complex fractures using screws, pins, plates or rods. Surgery may also be used to treat certain spine conditions and repair or replace damaged joints, tendons and ligaments.

Common orthopedic procedures include:

• Arthroscopy: A surgeon inserts a small camera and surgical instruments through small incisions to see and treat problems inside a joint. Arthroscopy may be used to treat certain injuries involving the rotator cuff and other tendons as well as the labrum, meniscus, articular cartilage and ligaments in numerous joints in the body.
• Joint replacement: When a joint is severely damaged, a surgeon may remove damaged portions and replace (resurface) them with artificial components made from materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic. Hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle joints as well as disc spaces are among those commonly replaced.

Your orthopedic and sports medicine team will explain which treatment options are appropriate for you and help you understand the potential benefits, risks and recovery involved.