Surgical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

A primary trend in orthopedic surgery has been the evolution of surgical approaches that get patients moving as soon as possible. For example, arthroscopy, a procedure that uses a fiberoptic instrument to repair the interior of a joint, often produces more successful outcomes than traditional joint surgery.

Joint reconstruction surgery, in general, has undergone changes to get patients up and about soon after surgery. Ten years ago, patients undergoing joint reconstruction at Central Maine Medical Center were hospitalized for nearly two weeks – today most are ready to head home in an average of less than six days.

Advances in anesthesia and surgical techniques, and the coordinated teamwork of operating room staff, nurses, physical and occupational therapists have contributed to shortened hospital stays for orthopedic patients. CMMC, for example, has become a regional leader in reducing the length of hospitalization for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.

Many orthopedic surgeons – physicians who diagnose and treat problems of the musculoskeletal system –develop an area of expertise within their broader scope of practice.

When a joint remains immobile for an extended period, the resulting atrophy of muscles and cartilage make it harder to regain its full use. So a primary trend in orthopedic surgery in has been the evolution of surgical techniques and protocols for care that get patients moving as soon as possible, mobilizing the joint that has undergone surgery.

Arthroscopy, a surgical procedure that uses a fiberoptic instrument to examine and repair the interior of a joint, minimizes tissue damage and results in a faster, easier rehabilitation. Because arthroscopy allows weight-bearing more quickly, the results are generally more successful than traditional approaches to joint surgery. Arthroscopy is the orthopedic cousin to a host of other minimally invasive surgeries that have developed in recent years.

Among the most common arthroscopic procedures are reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, a common athletic injury; and removal of a torn portion of meniscus, the cartilage on the inner and outer knee between the upper and lower leg bones. Arthroscopy is also used for shoulder, elbow and ankle surgeries.

Joint reconstruction surgery has also undergone changes to get patients moving as soon as possible after surgery. Ten years ago, patients undergoing joint reconstruction at Central Maine Medical Center were hospitalized for nearly two weeks – today most are ready to head home in an average of less than six days.

Advances in anesthesia and surgical techniques, and the coordinated teamwork of operating room staff, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and surgeons working together to maximize care during the patient's time in the hospital and facilitate recovery at home, have contributed to shortened hospital stays. The Medical Center has become a regional leader in reducing the length of hospitalization for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.

Hip replacement involves cutting, shaping, and resurfacing the upper end of the femur (upper leg bone) with stainless steel, and resurfacing the socket with polyethylene backed with metal. The prosthesis may be secured with either an adhesive or natural bone growth. Joint reconstruction surgery restores mobility without pain for most patients and often increases their overall independence as well.

Hand surgery is a delicate business, given how tightly tendons, nerves and other tissues are packed in a small space and the degree to which we rely on our hands for daily activities. The most common orthopedic procedure performed on the hand is carpal tunnel release used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, in which repetitive use of the hand or forearm causes ligament thickening in the wrist, nerve compression, and numbness in the fingers.

The procedure can be done endoscopically, which often gets the patient back to work sooner but is more complicated than traditional surgery. If the wrist is stiff or recovery time is not important, traditional surgery may be considered.