The simple doesn’t have to hurt

Using breakthrough procedures and technology, our specialists treat a full range of conditions with methods that include:

• Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin tube to access your affected joints, enabling your physician to repair the damage
• Rehabilitation therapy, including splinting, exercise programs, whirlpools, and pain management
• Hand therapy
• Minimally invasive nerve surgery, small incisions used to help relieve pain

Our wide range of treatments include:

• Hip or knee replacement surgery
• Hip resurfacing, replacing damaged surfaces with highly durable material
• Hip or knee revision to replace damaged implants
• Infected joint treatment and replacement

The back, neck and spine pain our specialists address include:

• Herniated Disk

Most people suffering from a herniated disc respond well to non-surgical treatment which includes rest, prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medication, physical therapy, applying heat or ice, massage, and exercises to strengthen the back.

If non-surgical treatment does not relieve your pain, you may need surgery. Our surgeons will work with you to determine the least invasive and most effective surgical option which include traditional open, minimally invasive and endoscopic discectomy.

• Spinal fractures
• Disk replacement surgery
• Cervical Radiculopathy or Myelopathy
• Spinal Stenosis

If non-surgical treatments, including anti-inflammatory or pain medications, steroid injections, or physical therapy, do not relieve the pain, surgery may be an option. We are extensively trained in the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures to treat spinal stenosis, including:

• Laminectomy, or decompression, removes the bones or ligaments that press on the nerves or spinal cord.
• Spinal fusion unites vertebrae together to help stabilize the spine.

Our specialists have deep experience in the following conditions:

• Osteosarcoma and other primary tumors of the musculoskeletal system
• Metastatic cancer to the bone
• Benign orthopedic tumors

Benign orthopedic tumors put pressure on healthy tissue but do not spread. They pose minimal risks and are considered non-cancerous. Giant cell tumors, chondroblastomas and aneurismal bone cysts are often treated with the same therapy, including a combination of:

• Curettage, where the tumor or cyst is scraped out during a surgical procedure
• Cryosurgery, where the tumor or cyst is frozen with liquid nitrogen and destroyed
• Reconstruction, where the remaining bone is repaired with metal rods, cement and bone graft

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just an active person suffering from repetitive motion, our shoulder specialists treat a wide variety of shoulder conditions including:

• Shoulder Arthritis
  We offer nonsurgical treatments as well as the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures, including total shoulder replacement surgery and reverse total shoulder replacement surgery.
• Frozen Shoulder
  Anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy treatment is successful in 90 percent of cases. For those who don't experience relief for two to three years, surgical options are explored.
• Rotator Cuff Conditions
  Treatment includes reducing pain and inflammation. A physician may provide corticosteroid injections, recommend physical therapy and in the most severe cases, perform surgery.
• Rotator Cuff Tear
  Treatment may include physical therapy or our physicians may recommend  arthroscopic repair.
• Shoulder dislocations
• Shoulder Instability
  Most cases respond well to conservative treatments involving intensive rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and help hold the shoulder in place. In cases where nonsurgical methods are unsuccessful, surgical options—including arthroscopic Bankart repair and coracoids transfer for shoulder instability—are explored.
• Shoulder or Proximal Humerus fractures
• Shoulder Separation
  Depending upon the severity level of the separation, treatment can range from rest, ice, and a sling to surgical procedures.

Sprains & strains: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is injured, while a sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn. Some strains and sprains may be severe enough to require surgery to repair them but most respond well to conservative therapy, including R.I.C.E. and rehabilitation.

R.I.C.E. therapy is best applied in the 48 hours after an injury and includes:

• Rest and reduction in activities
• Ice applied for 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day
• Compression, such as with elastic bandages
• Elevation above the level of the heart to decrease swelling. Over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help decrease pain and inflammation.
  Rehabilitation varies according to the injury, but may include special exercises and a gradual increase of activity until healing is complete.

Ligament injuries: The knee has four main ligaments: the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. When the knee is suddenly twisted or directly impacted, these ligaments can be injured.

• Cruciate ligament injuries may respond to conservative treatment; however, many require surgery. Our experienced specialists will discuss the best treatment choices with you.
• Collateral ligament injuries are more likely to respond to nonsurgical treatments, but severe injuries or injuries that also involve the cruciate ligaments usually require surgery.
  ACL injuries: The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament—and not just by athletes. More than 250,000 ACL injuries occur annually within the general population.

To initially manage ACL injuries, our specialists focus on obtaining a full range of motion of the knee and allowing the swelling to subside. Once these have been achieved, both conservative and ACL surgery treatment options can be considered:

• Conservative treatment involves muscular strengthening and often bracing to help stabilize the knee. This is best for people who are older or less active and those who do not plan to return to athletic or vigorous activity.
• Surgical reconstruction offers a better alternative to prevent recurrent instability and allow for return to function.
  Meniscus injuries: The knee meniscus is a piece of cartilage that serves as a “shock absorber” between the ends of the leg bones, helps lubricate the joint and distributes body weight across the joint. Meniscal tears are typically caused by twisting or hyperflexing the joint. 

These tears can also occur due to degenerative processes caused by aging. Occasionally, these tears may occur simultaneously with an ACL injury, resulting in pain, swelling and often clicking or catching within the knee.

Minor tears may be treated with therapy and strengthening exercises. More extensive tears often require surgery to reattach the meniscus, replace it with donor cartilage or remove it. Most procedures can be performed using the minimally invasive arthroscopy techniques. Hip Pain- Our sports medicine physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating athletic related hip pain and specialize in cutting edge techniques for its treatment including hip arthroscopy.

A sudden traumatic injury, including a broken or fractured bone, can happen to anyone, despite age, gender, or activity level. Often caused by an accident, such as a motor vehicle collision or a fall, trauma comes unexpectedly and can cause severe pain and damage to the body. Not only this, but sometimes, you could experience a complication following a traumatic injury, such as an infection, bone failing to heal or healing crooked, or painful hardware.

Our fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma specialists provide fracture care for not only acute fractures but also any and all problems that come up after you’ve broken a bone. The MedStar Orthopedic Institute orthopedic trauma specialists are:

• Specially trained to deal exclusively with trauma, including broken bones, bones that heal incorrectly, infections, and complex fractures
• Knowledgeable and experienced in using the latest technologies and address your personal needs for any kind of bone break
• Able to provide access to a sophisticated rehabilitation program to give you the best possible outcome

The MedStar Orthopaedic Institute general orthopedic specialists treat the complete range of common conditions that affect the hands, feet, hips, knees, and arms. We offer conservative approaches to care whenever possible, and have extensive experience in orthopedic surgeries. When your condition requires more complex or specialized care, we refer you to the subspecialists on our team.