The Shoulder
Common problems of the shoulder include fractures of the upper end of the arm (humerus), collarbone (clavicle), and shoulder blade (scapula); disorders of the rotator cuff; shoulder instability (dislocations and separations); and arthritic conditions of the shoulder. Ochsner can treat painful shoulder conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis, calcium deposits, advanced arthritis, tumors, rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder. The Ochsner Orthopedics Department also manages single and recurring dislocations of the shoulder, shoulder separations, muscle and tendon ruptures, and fractures about the shoulder, simple to complex, from collarbone to elbow. The department takes care of nerve injuries about the shoulder, bone and joint infections, congenital shoulder problems, sports and work-related shoulder problems, and complex reconstructive problems of the shoulder – in all age groups. It is also capable of arthroscopic shoulder procedures. The office treatment of these conditions may include physical examination by a specialist and various diagnostic procedures including plain x-rays, contrast x-rays (arthrograms) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once a diagnosis is established, a treatment plan focused on shoulder rehabilitation and pain relief is developed. This may include prescription medicines, physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise, injections, and possibly surgery. Many problems of the shoulder can be managed without surgery, but other conditions may require surgical intervention. The most common problems requiring surgery are certain complex fractures, complete tears of the rotator cuff, chronic or recurrent shoulder instability, and severe arthritis requiring shoulder replacement, which has become a predictable operation with results comparable to hip and knee replacement. Most operations about the shoulder have an excellent success rate, but may require extensive and at times lengthy postoperative recuperation. Recent advancements have resulted in more procedures that can be done arthroscopically, resulting in minimal discomfort, but most major shoulder procedures still require open surgery.
The Elbow
The Ochsner Orthopedics Department manages painful elbow conditions such as tennis elbow, elbow bursitis, advanced arthritis, tumors and muscle and tendon ruptures. It also manages single and recurring dislocations of the elbow, and fractures about the elbow from simple to complex. The department takes care of nerve injuries about the elbow, bone and joint infections, congenital elbow problems, contractures around the elbow, sports and work-related elbow problems and complex reconstructive problems of the elbow – in all age groups. The orthopedics team can also perform arthroscopic elbow procedures.
The Hand and Wrist
The Ochsner Orthopedics Department treats painful hand and wrist conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis, calcium deposits, advanced arthritis, tumors, muscle and tendon ruptures, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also manages single and recurring dislocations of wrist, thumb, and fingers, and fractures about the hand and wrist from simple to complex, as well as contracted fingers and painful locking of fingers. The department takes care of nerve injuries about the hand and wrist, bone and joint infections, congenital hand and wrist problems, sports and work-related hand and wrist problems, and complex reconstructive problems of the hand and wrist – in all age groups. It also performs reconstructive microsurgery of the hand and wrist, arthroscopic wrist procedures, and wrist replacements.
The Foot and Ankle
The Ochsner Orthopedics Department can treat painful problems of the foot and ankle resulting from trauma, athletic injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, acquired flatfoot deformity and other painful conditions of the foot and ankle. It can also provide care for diabetic and other neuropathic foot problems requiring surgical intervention to heal and/or prevent ulcerations and infection. Physical examination and current diagnostic methods are used to identify the source of pain and deformity. The department works to relieve pain and restore function using a variety of treatments. Most surgical procedures of the foot and ankle are performed on an outpatient basis.
Total Joint Replacement
Ochsner’s surgeons have been performing total hip and knee replacements for 25 years and continue to build upon and refine their techniques. They perform more than 300 joint replacements each year. A comprehensive program of medical management and rehabilitation is at the core of the Ochsner Joint Replacement Team, whose efforts have made the recovery from joint replacement surgery faster and more complete. Its multidisciplinary team also coordinates the physicians (surgeon, internist and an anesthesiologist), physical therapists, nurses and social services with each patient for the best possible diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Ochsner has special operating rooms, medications, surgical staffing and equipment dedicated to joint replacements. The Ochsner Joint Replacement Team is also experienced in all the major techniques for joint replacement. Your surgeon can outline the specific plan that is best for you. Some of the special areas available are:
- Ultra-clean air operating rooms
- Vacuum-mixing bone cement
- Non-cemented, porous ingrowth replacements
- New bearing surfaces, ceramics, and E-beam treated polyethylene
- Low friction arthroplasty
- Custom and modular components
- Bone grafting and restoration of lost bone
- Limb salvage
- Revision of failed total hip and knee surgeries
- Partial knee replacement on minimally invasive system
