Orthopaedic Surgery Abroad
ACL Reconstruction
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. It holds the bottom of the thigh bone (femur) to the top of the shin bone (tibia) so that it keeps the knee joint stable. The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.
ACL Reconstruction is a surgical tissue graft replacement of the ACL located in the knee. The torn ligament is removed from the knee before the graft is inserted using an Arthroscope and is then fixed to the femur and tibia.
Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)
Artificial Disk Replacement is a surgical procedure in which degenerated intervertebral discs in the spinal column are replaced with artificial ones in the lumbar (lower) or cervical (upper) spine. The procedure is used to treat chronic, severe low back pain and cervical pain.
Our surgeons are among an elite group of the most experienced Disc Replacement surgeons in the world, and have dedicated their careers to Disc Replacement. Multi-level Disc Replacements are performed with great success, and L3-4 or Cervical disc replacements are quite common. We can also offer Maverick Lumbar Disk Replacement, Spinal Kinetics M6 Implant and also the Prestige LP Cervical Implant.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to inspect and treat problems inside a joint and it allows a surgeon to look inside a joint and examine it closely so that they can determine what is wrong.
An arthroscope is a narrow tube with a light source attached to a tiny video camera, which transmits pictures back to a TV monitor. The arthroscope is passed through a small incision in the skin (arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure) and then used to light up and magnify the joint, so the surgeon can see any damage.
Arthroscopy can be used to investigate conditions such as arthritis, symptoms such as pain or joint weakness, and damage to cartilage or ligaments. Small instruments can be attached to the arthroscope to take a biopsy sample or to cut, trim or remove any loose fragments of tissue, bone or cartilage.
Arthroscopy is most often used to examine the knee joint, but techniques have been developed for using the procedure to examine other joints, including the shoulder, hip, ankle, wrist and the small joints of the fingers.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a relatively common condition that causes pain, numbness and a burning or tingling sensation in your hand and fingers. The carpal tunnel is a small tunnel that runs from the bottom of your wrist to your lower palm. Several tendons that help to move your fingers pass through the carpal tunnel. In cases of CTS, the space inside the tunnel shrinks, placing pressure on the nerve. Compression of the nerve results in symptoms of pain and numbness.
The surgeon will cut some of the ligament that surrounds the carpal tunnel in order to reduce the pressure.
There are two ways that carpal tunnel surgery can be carried out:
- Open Surgery - where the surgeon cuts through your wrist to release the nerve.
- Endoscopic Surgery - where the surgeon makes a smaller incision in your palm, and uses a machine called an endoscope to release the nerve.
Golfer’s Elbow / Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow is similar to Tennis Elbow. The primary differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to the injury.
However, both conditions are caused by the overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint. The main symptom of Golfer’s elbow is pain on the inner side of the elbow. The medical name for Golfer’s elbow is Medial Epicondylitis The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow. The medical name for tennis elbow is Lateral Epicondylitis. The operation involves removing the damaged part of the tendon in order to relieve the symptoms of pain.
Hip Replacement / Hip Arthroplasty
A Hip Replacement is the most effective treatment as a long term solution for joint pain and immobility. The surgery procedure involves replacing your hip joint with an artificial version.
The hip is a “ball and socket” joint which is susceptible to daily wear and damage.
This can be caused by various forms of arthritis (most commonly osteoarthritis), bone diseases, bone abnormalities, and any injuries to the hip joint.
Unfortunately in patients who have a hip problem, the pain and discomfort for the patient will usually only get worse over time.
A hip replacement operation to alleviate the pain and to increase the movement and mobility for the patient is normally the best treatment option.
The operation replaces both the natural socket (the Acetabulum) and the rounded ball at the head of the thigh-bone (the femoral head) with artificial parts. These parts replicate the natural motion of the hip joint.
For further information on having a Hip Replacement Abroad please visit here.
Hip Resurfacing
This is known as metal-on-metal hip resurfacing and it involves replacing the diseased or damaged surfaces in the hip joint with metal plating, which requires less prosthetics and less bone removal. This is a type of Hip Replacement which replaces the two surfaces of the hip joint.
Hip resurfacing can be considered for people with advanced hip disease. Resurfacing is likely to last longer than a conventional replacement joint.
The resurfacing components are made of “As Cast” Cobalt chrome which results in a high quality surface with a low friction finish, hence low wear.
“Birmingham Hip Resurfacing”
The BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing is ideal for younger or active patients considering hip replacement surgery as a treatment for hip pain or hip arthritis. Hip resurfacing is especially important for patients who are concerned about bone conservation.
Now, after a decade of use, the fixation and design of the BIRMINGHAM HIP is the gold standard of Resurfacing design.
Hip Revision / Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty
Hip Revision surgery, also known as Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty, is a procedure in which the surgeon removes a previously implanted artificial hip joint, or prosthesis, and replaces it with a new prosthesis.
Hip revision surgery has three major purposes: relieving pain in the affected hip, restoring the patient's mobility, and removing a loose or damaged prosthesis before irreversible harm is done to the joint.
Other less common reasons for hip revision surgery include fracture of the hip, the presence of infection, or dislocation of the prosthesis. In these cases the prosthesis must be removed in order to prevent long-term damage to the hip itself. Hip revision surgery may also involve the use of bone grafts.
Knee Replacement / Knee Arthroplasty
A knee replacement operation involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.
Knee Replacement is a routine operation for knee pain most commonly caused by arthritis and is usually necessary when a health condition or injury to the joint disrupts the normal working of the knee so that you mobility is reduced and you experience pain in the knee even whilst resting.
Modern knee replacements involve removing the worn ends of the bones in your knee joint and replacing them with an artificial version which is known as a Prosthesis.
There are two main types of surgery, depending on the condition of the knee: Total Knee Replacement and Half (Partial) Knee Replacement.
Whether you need a total or a partial knee replacement depends on how damaged your knee joint is. Total knee replacements are by far the most common.
For further information on having a Knee Replacement Abroad please visit here.
Total Knee Replacement
In a total knee replacement both sides of your knee joint are replaced.
Partial (Half) Knee Replacement / Unicompartmental Knee Replacement
If only one side of your knee is damaged, you may be able to have a partial, half-knee or unicompartmental knee replacement.
Kneecap replacement
If it is only your kneecap which is damaged then an operation called a Patellofemoral Replacement or Patellofemoral Joint Arthroplasty can be performed
Knee Revision / Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty
Knee Revision Surgery, also known as revision total knee arthroplasty, is a procedure in which previously implanted artificial knee joint, or prosthesis is removed and replaced with a new prosthesis.
Knee revision surgery may also involve the use of bone grafts.
Knee revision surgery has three major purposes: relieving pain in the affected hip, restoring the patient's mobility, and removing a loose or damaged prosthesis before irreversible harm is done to the joint
Meniscal Surgery
The Meniscus is a commonly injured structure in the knee.
Surgery will be done to remove or repair the torn portion of the Meniscus.
Surgeons use an arthroscope during surgery to perform this procedure.
Small incisions are made in the knee to allow the insertion of the camera into the joint.
Partial Menisectomy
This is a procedure to take out a damaged portion of the meniscus.
Meniscal Repair
Where possible surgeons prefer to repair a torn meniscus rather than removing even a small piece.
Surgeons sew the torn edges of the meniscus together. It is more suitable for younger patients who have a recent tear.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
A Shoulder Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to investigate, diagnose and treat a shoulder disorder.
There are 2 types of Shoulder Arthroscopy:-
Diagnostic Arthroscopy – investigation to find out what is wrong with a shoulder joint.
Therapeutic Arthroscopy – correction of an injury or fault within the shoulder joint.
Shoulder Replacement
The surgical replacement of the shoulder joint is the third most common joint replacement after replacement of the hip and knee joints.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint.
The shoulder 'socket' is shallow to allow a greater range of movement at the cost of bony stability. Shoulder joint replacement can be:
- Partial: one particular surface is replaced - the humeral head; also known as Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty.
- Total: both particular surfaces are replaced by prostheses; also known as Shoulder Arthroplasty.
- Reverse: both particular surfaces are replaced but with the 'ball' on the glenoid and the 'cup', or 'socket' on the humerus.
Spinal Surgery
Back surgery is normally done to relieve pressure on one or more of the nerves running between the vertebrae.
The spine (backbone) is made up of vertebrae (bones) which are linked together.
There are various types of Spinal surgery and the type of procedure you have depends on the cause of the pain:
- Laminectomy involves removing or trimming most of the bony arch, or lamina, of a vertebra in order to decompress the nerves that supply the legs and to widen the entire spinal canal through which the spinal nerves pass.
- Discectomy involves removing the damaged or bulging part of a slipped disc to relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Foraminotomy involves parts of the lamina and facet joints are removed to widen the gap in the side of the spine through which spinal nerves pass.
- Stabilisation Surgery involves the lamina being cut away and the spine is fused back together. Screws are fixed into the spine.
- Spinal Fusion Surgery involves an opening being made in the back, the curve of the spine is straightened using metal rods and hooks and the spine is fused into place using bone grafts.