Orthopedics

Orthopedics deals with the examination and treatment of structural changes and diseases in the human support and movement apparatus. This includes bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. This large system of organs is particularly susceptible to congenital or inherited malfunctions and degeneration. - Wear and malfunctions can, however, be addressed by orthopedic surgery.

The most important orthopedic operations are:

• Artificial Knee Joint | Knee Endoprosthesis
• Hip Replacement | Hip Joint Endoprosthesis
• Shoulder Joint Replacement | Artificial Shoulder Joint
• Spinal Disk Replacement | Spinal Disk Replacement

In modern times, signs of wear in the joints and joint systems count among civilisation's most common illnesses, and there are few people who have not been a patient of an orthopedic practice at least once, if not multiple times.

The causes for the multi-faceted and often painful symptoms that arise in conjunction with pain experienced when performing typical motions are in many cases congenital defective positioning. "Orthos" (Latin) means "straight" and "pedics" is the Latin word for "child". From this, it is easy to see that orthopedics initially dealt with the prevention of long-term consequences related to postural deformity. Today, diseases of the movement apparatus that have been inherited due to overloading, inappropriate biomechanical stress, lack of activity, poor nutrition, or metabolic disorders stand in the forefront of medical procedures. With increasing age and additional risk factors, such things as arthrosis or weakening of the hip joint are common reasons for operating. This illness is accompanied by strong pains in most cases and makes it almost impossible for those affected to participate in normal daily life. In such serious cases, those affected can no longer forego an operation. Depending on the progression and degree of severity of the degenerative destruction of the hip cartilage, modern surgical orthopedics distinguishes between two major procedures: in a joint-retention operation, an attempt is made to restore normal hip positioning to the extent possible through the rotation of the head of the hip joint in the hip socket, thereby preventing further deprecation of the hip cartilage. Among the most common procedures in this area is the installation of an artificial hip joint. For this procedure, various endoprosthetic models and anchoring materials are available and come into use based on the severity of damage and the age of the patient.

In the case of degenerative damage to the knee joint, likewise caused by congenital defective positioning, inappropriate biomechanical stress, or age-based deprecation, help can be provided, in many cases, in the form of a knee joint prosthesis. An artificial knee joint is thus operatively installed when pain-mitigating measures such as physical therapy, medications, or the use of orthopedic aids are insufficient. In some cases, pain can be mitigated through an arthroscopy. This procedure, which employs tiny instruments, is less demanding for patients than a large-scale, open operation on the knee.

In the area of shoulder orthopedics it is predominantly arthritic maladies, but also joint rheumatism or injuries, which may, in certain circumstances, make an artificial shoulder joint necessary. These operations also belong to the standard repertoire of modern surgical clinics. A spinal disc prosthesis can - in contrast to classical stiffening operations - in the case of advancing degeneration of a spinal disc in the lumbar area of the spine, return complete movement abilities to the patient. Here, however, very specific requirements must be met so that one's original stability and normal range of movement can be achieved.

Please be aware, however, that flymedic does not dispense medical advice and in no way replaces a personal conversation with your doctor.