|
OFFICE/INSURANCE QUESTIONS
How soon can I get an appointment with your office?
What insurance plans do you accept?
Do I need a referral to see an orthopaedic physician?
How much will a visit to an orthopaedic physician cost?
What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is the field of medicine concerned with injuries sustained in athletic endeavors, including their prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
What is arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. Arthroscopic surgery took off in the 1980s as advances in camera and fiber optic technology made it possible to see vivid, high definition video of the inside of joints. It was initially used as a diagnostic tool, to look into a joint so that a formal, open surgery could be performed. As equipment and surgical technique have continued to advance over the last 30 years, arthroscopy has expanded from a diagnostic tool used exclusively in knees, to a technique that can allow very complex surgeries in knees, shoulders, hips, wrists, ankles, and elbows. Among the common procedures that are now performed arthroscopically are ligament reconstruction (anterior cruciate ligament), cartilage and lose body removal, and rotator cuff tendon repair.
What are the advantages to arthroscopy?
Arthroscopic surgery uses tiny incisions in the skin, through which small cameras and mini instruments are placed. By using small incisions and less tissue dissection, arthroscopic surgery allows for less post operative pain and quicker recovery.
What is the recovery like after arthroscopic surgery?
The recovery after arthroscopic surgery depends on the complexity of the surgery being performed. The small skin incisions usually heal within a week. The general irritation of the operated joint usually takes several weeks to improve. Complex tendon and ligament surgeries may take months to fully recover. Although the outside arthroscopic skin incisions may appear the same, each patient undergoes a unique surgery, and thus, only your surgeon can predict full recovery time. In addition to the surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation is often used to help maximize recovery.
What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
Both injuries occur where ligaments connect bone to bone and tendons connect bone to muscles. The difference between the two is that a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon while a sprain affects ligament tissue. Both are minor injuries with no fracture of the bone.
What are the possible causes of tendonitis and how is it treated?
Tendonitis occurs when the tendons (which connect bone to muscle) become inflamed and movement becomes stiff and painful. It usually occurs close to a joint such as a knee, hip, elbow, wrist or shoulder. Many times treatment is simply immobilization with a brace or splint to rest the affected area. Medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen can sometimes east the pain. Sometimes steroid injections are used to control the pain. When the tendon is healthy, physical therapy that stretches and strengthens the tendon prevents future injuries.
What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and how is it injured?
The ACL is one of four ligaments in the knee joint and provides stability to the knee and minimizes stress across the joint. Overstretching the ACL may cause the ACL to tear. Movements such as sudden stops, twisting, or a “blow” to the front of the knee can cause the ACL to overstretch. Instability, pain and swelling can be a sign of a tear in the ACL.
What are bones made of?
Although bone may seem like a hard, lifeless structure, it is actually very complex and performs many functions. Bone is made of two main components –osseous tissue and collagen. The osseous tissue is made of calcium complexes and is what gives bone its rigidity and strength. Collagen provides the framework of the bone and gives it elasticity and bend. Without collagen the bone would be very brittle. Living cells in bone constantly break down old bone and rebuild it with new bone. In addition to providing the frame to support our bodies, bones produce red and white blood cells and store minerals.
What are the different types of fractures?
There are many different types of fractures. The type of fracture that is produced during an injury depends on the specific characteristics of the individual bone and the force and direction applied to it. Bending, twisting, and axial compression will all create different fracture patterns. Important in assessing any fracture is whether or not the joint surface is fractured. Fractures that do involve the smooth joint surface are termed intra-articular fractures.
How are fractures treated?
The way that a fracture is treated depends on the specific type of fracture pattern. Broken bones, like cut skin, need a calm, stable environment in order to heal. If a broken bone is acceptably aligned, it can often be immobilized in either a cast or brace until it heals. Breaks that involve the articular surface of the joint or are significantly displaced or angulated often need surgical reduction and fixation. Plates, screws, bands, and external fixators are common methods to fix a fracture. The fixation device is only needed to stabilize the fracture in acceptable reduction until the bone heals, and once the fracture heals the hardware actually doesn't give the bone any additional strength. Hardware is usually left in the body unless there is a specific reason to remove it.
When is heat used to treat an injury?
Heat treatment is usually used for more chronic pain such as long-term spasm. Heat treatment stimulates blood flow to the affected area which relaxes and loosens tissues. Never use heat treatment equipment (pads, hot pack, hot tub, paraffin wax, etc…) for extended periods of time.
When is ice used to treat an injury?
Ice treatment is usually used for acute injuries that have happened within 48 hours. Ice helps keep swelling and pain to a minimum. Ice, like heat, can be used for chronic pain, but never apply ice to a chronic injury before activity.
Didn’t find the answer? Use our Ask a Specialist Form to submit a question to our providers.
OFFICE/INSURANCE QUESTIONS
How soon can I get an appointment with your office?
You can typically be seen by our providers within a few days. Call our office at 928-773-2280 (Dr. Moezzi) or 928-773-2472 (Dr. Botti) to schedule an appointment or visit our Request Appointment page to have an office representative contact you.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Please see our Request Appointment page to verify if we are in network with your insurance plan.
Do I need a referral to see an orthopaedic physician?
Some insurance plans require that you obtain a referral from your primary care physician before being seen by an orthopedist. HMOs, and Medicaid are examples of these. If you are in doubt about whether your insurance requires you to bring a referral to your appointment, please call the customer service number on your insurance card to verify this information.
How much will a visit to an orthopaedic physician cost?
The cost of your visit will be subject to the level of your care. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be responsible for meeting a deductible, co-insurance, or co-pay. If you have questions regarding your coverage, contact your insurance company at the number listed on your insurance card. For patients without insurance, we offer a cash discount for all services provided at our facility. |
