What is an orthopedic traumatologist?

What is an orthopedic traumatologist? An orthopedic traumatologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, including performing such surgical procedures as arthroscopy. The competencies of a traumatologist-orthopedist include various injuries, as well as congenital and acquired diseases as well as deformities of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

When should you go to the orthopedic clinic? In case of injury, bruises, fractures, inflammation or joint injury, damage to ligaments, muscles, bones, limited range of motion. In this case, consultation will be provided by an orthopedic doctor.

What diseases does a traumatologist-orthopedist treat?

After explaining what an orthopedic traumatologist means , it is worth knowing what ailments he treats. The competencies of an orthopedic traumatologist include the following acute and chronic diseases and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system:

  • Deformations of the osteoarticular apparatus of the spine and lower limbs (osteochondrosis of the spine, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, valgus and varus of the lower limbs, flat feet, heel spurs, etc.).
  • Joint diseases: arthritis and arthrosis (rheumatoid, post-traumatic, dysplastic, etc.)
  • Tendon diseases (epicondylitis, styloiditis, etc.).
  • Inflammatory diseases of soft tissue structures (bursitis, etc.)
  • Aseptic necrosis (femoral head, femoral condyles, etc.)
  • Benign tumors and neoplastic diseases (giant cell tumors, osteomas, fibromas, osteochondral exostoses, fibrous dysplasia, bone cysts of various origins, etc.).
  • Consequences and complications of injuries (delayed healing of fractures, limb deformities, false joints, contractures, knee injuries, meniscus).

When might knee arthroscopy-meniscus be necessary?

Specialist orthopedic traumatologist sees patients in an orthopedic clinic , where you must always go when one of the cases described above occurs. Meniscus tears are the most common, and any accident leading to a painful sprain or fracture of the knee joint may cause damage to this cartilage structure.

Often such injuries require knee arthroscopy, the meniscus is sutured and its protective function is preserved. The more weight is placed on the knee at the time of injury, the more likely it is to injure the meniscus. The more the knee bends inward and the larger the X-curve becomes, the greater the risk of fracture.

Each knee joint has an internal and external meniscus An acute injury immediately causes severe pain, swelling and significantly limits the mobility of the knee when bending or straightening the leg. Sometimes patients of the orthopedic clinic experience the so-called knee lock. A worn meniscus makes itself felt through gradual ailments.

The scope of medical assistance of an orthopedic traumatologist includes both conservative and surgical treatment of the knee joint. If, after damage to the cartilage layers of the knee, the wound does not heal, the traumatologist performs arthroscopy of the meniscus , that is, he places a special suture in order to restore the cushioning function. For many patients , the price is important for arthroscopy, as private procedures are not reimbursed.

What can cause meniscus damage?

Meniscal rupture is the most common knee disease that can occur when the knee is stretched or broken. This injury is characterized by swelling and severe pain. In addition, it can accelerate the process of destruction of joint cartilage. Therefore , arthroscopy , or partial removal, is one of the most commonly used knee surgeries by an orthopedic traumatologist. There’s a whole range of injuries. Some minor injuries go away on their own and have no consequences. However, there are injuries that require immediate surgery to stabilize the knee and prevent cartilage wear and arthrosis.

Meniscus arthroscopy – salvage procedure

If a meniscal rupture causes severe pain in the knee and limits its mobility, meniscus arthroscopy should be performed immediately. Surgical procedures on the meniscus are most often performed arthroscopically, i.e. a minimally invasive technique. During this operation, the surgeon makes small incisions on both sides of the patellar knee joint, through which the camera is inserted through narrow tubes.

Laparoscopic surgery speeds up the wound healing process and reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications. Basically , an orthopedic doctor offers patients two treatment options for a meniscus tear: arthroscopy (suture) or partial removal.

Occasionally, meniscal rupture symptoms may resolve spontaneously with immobilization, physical rest, and accompanying physiotherapy. During the medical consultation and the necessary diagnostic tests, a decision is made as to whether meniscus arthroscopy is necessary . If the pain has become chronic and the joint is immobile, a meniscal rupture will be treated with surgery.

In the case of an operation such as arthroscopy, the price will depend on the price list of a given orthopedic clinic. For example, it can be stated that the knee arthroscopy – meniscus procedure involving suturing of the damaged meniscus without the use of implants costs about PLN 4,300. If an implant is used, the price will be PLN 1,000 higher.