Does a Torn Rotator Cuff Always Require Surgery?
Two million people suffer rotator cuff tears yearly. Some get surgery, but is it always necessary? Learn the answer to this question, how your shoulder works, and why this injury is so limiting, here.
As one of your body’s largest joints, your knee performs many important jobs. It allows you to do everyday things like walk, kneel, and bend, as well as fun activities like playing sports and dancing.
Your knee is prone to pain, however, from activity-related injury and the wear-and-tear that comes with aging.
Dr. Coleman’s years of treating professional athletes has familiarized him with every type of knee injury imaginable, and his caring team members at the practice make sure you get the best care possible, no matter which of their services you need.
Dr. Struan Coleman helps you to determine whether recovery will be reached through a more conservative treatment plan, or whether surgery may be necessary. He carefully assesses your history of pain, all of your symptoms, and creates a customized treatment plan that’s well thought out.
There are many types of knee injuries Dr. Coleman treats, including:
He may advise conservative treatments for most of these problems (aside from sepsis, which is an emergency), such as rest, pain medication, corticosteroid injections, or a course of physical therapy. Unfortunately, these approaches aren’t always successful, and in those cases, surgery is called for.
If Dr. Coleman advises knee arthroscopy for you, he has determined that you’re a good candidate for the procedure and can truly gain benefit from it. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, meaning the doctor only has to make a few small incisions, unlike traditional open surgery, which requires large incisions.
During the procedure, Dr. Coleman uses a very small camera attached to a long, thin, flexible tube — known as an arthroscope. His surgical instruments are also designed specifically for this type of surgery.
Amazingly, the arthroscope delivers real-time video images to a screen that Dr. Coleman can see during the surgery. He gets an “up close” view of your knee joint so he can perform the surgery with great precision and efficiency.
Dr. Coleman then uses his instruments to correct the problem you’re dealing with, whether that’s removing loose bone fragments, mending a meniscus tear, or treating an infection.
Minimally invasive surgery is associated with faster healing and less pain, scarring, and bleeding, as well as a lower risk for post-surgical infection. It generally takes less time for Dr. Coleman to perform a minimally invasive procedure than a traditional one. On average, a minimally invasive procedure takes about 30-60 minutes and is typically an outpatient surgery.
Knee arthroscopy may be just the solution for eliminating your knee pain and restoring your mobility. Call our Midtown, Locust Valley, or Philadelphia office to schedule an appointment, or connect with us through our website.
