Common Orthopedic Surgeries

The human skeleton is the internal framework of the body. It is composed of around 270 bones at birth – this total decreases to around 206 bones by adulthood after some bones get fused together. When it comes to orthopedic surgery this equates to a lot of different potential injuries that may require medical assistance.

FYI: Orthopedics is a category of practiced medicine and surgery the deals with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. A sub-category of orthopedics is sports medicine, which deals with injuries sustained from physical activities.

The following are the most common orthopedic surgeries performed by US hospitals.

Total Joint Replacement

Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint.

Total Shoulder Replacement

Total shoulder replacement arthroplasty is a well-established surgery for restoring comfort and function to the arthritic shoulder. In this procedure the arthritic ball is replaced by a smooth met- al ball fixed to the arm bone (humerus) by a stem that fits within it.

Spine/Back Surgery

Back surgery is a procedure that aims to change a patient's anatomy, such as removing a painful herniated disc, with the purpose of providing pain relief. Back surgeries vary, with some procedures minimally invasive allowing for quick recovery and others more extensive requiring longer recoveries.

ACL Reconstruction

ACL reconstruction is surgery to reconstruct the ligament in the center of your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects your shin bone (tibia) to your thigh bone (femur). A tear of this ligament can cause your knee to give way during physical activity.