Surgery Options (Types of Surgery)

Understanding Types of Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeon studying scan of patient’s knee

Orthopedic Surgery Procedures in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

Southlake Orthopaedics is committed to helping patients experience less pain and more living. The team understands the importance of personalized care. When patients require surgery, physicians leverage the appropriate orthopedic surgery to treat the condition. Southlake Orthopaedics treats patients throughout central Alabama at locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview.

Types of Orthopedic Surgery at Southlake Orthopaedics

Southlake Orthopaedics takes a conservative approach to treating orthopedic conditions. However, in some cases, surgery is necessary. The team treats conditions affecting different areas of the body, with orthopedic specialties in:


Patients can trust the board-certified surgeons at Southlake Orthopaedics to deliver compassionate and personalized surgical care. The different approaches orthopedic surgeons may take include:

Endoscopic

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive approach to surgery that uses small, tube-like instruments to access the inside of the body. Endoscopies may require a small incision, but these incisions are smaller than what is necessary for open surgery. These procedures often coincide with fewer risks and a shorter recovery time than open surgery. Southlake Orthopaedics takes an endoscopic approach for the following orthopedic surgeries:

Carpal Tunnel Release

This endoscopic procedure relieves pressure on the median nerve in the wrist that causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The procedure treats a band of tissue called the transverse carpal ligament, which spans across the carpal bones of the hand to form the carpal tunnel. By dividing the ligament, the orthopedic surgeon creates more room in the tunnel and removes pressure from the median nerve.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is another less invasive approach to orthopedic surgery. This procedure uses a small camera to get a better view inside the joints. The orthopedic surgeon uses small incisions to insert the arthroscope into the joint, which translates images onto a monitor. This helps orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat conditions. Surgeries include:

Diagnostic Ankle Arthroscopy

Orthopedic physicians typically use X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans to examine ankles affected by injury or disease. These scans might not always deliver the most accurate picture of the problem. Diagnostic ankle arthroscopy enables surgeons to better understand what is happening inside the ankle joint. This helps determine the best treatment plan.

Hip Arthroscopy

Injury or a range of conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can cause painful symptoms. Hip arthroscopy enables an orthopedic surgeon to access the hip joint with only a small incision. It can relieve pain but requires less recovery time than other surgical methods.

Meniscus Repair

Knee arthroscopy for meniscus repair involves inserting a small camera into a small incision, providing the orthopedic surgeon with a better view inside the knee. The surgeon then can repair a torn meniscus.

Rotator Cuff Repair

The arthroscopic approach to rotator cuff repair involves making small incisions near the rotator cuff in the shoulder to correct a tear.

In some situations, endoscopic or arthroscopic procedures will not resolve symptoms. This is why Southlake Orthopaedics also performs other types of orthopedic surgery to meet all patients’ needs. With open surgery, we can make an incision and perform the surgery in a traditional way, or it is sometimes possible to replace a joint with a man-made piece of hardware, and this procedure is called an arthroplasty.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Endoscopy and arthroscopy offer minimally invasive alternatives to other surgical procedures. Patients undergo smaller incisions, which often means less visible scarring. There is less pain following surgery, and the recovery takes less time. Patients also experience less risk for complications than when receiving more invasive surgeries.

Orthopedic Surgery Procedures for Patients in Central Alabama

At Southlake Orthopaedics, patients receive complete orthopedic care from diagnosis to surgery to rehabilitation. The team includes experienced physicians who provide orthopedic and sports medicine services. Patients can access an osteoporosis clinic and full-service, surgeon-led orthotics lab, plus an in-house physical therapy department, which includes Certified Hand Therapists. With locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, Southlake Orthopaedics serves patients throughout central Alabama. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the different types of orthopedic surgery available.