Orthopedic Doctors Kirkland
Chronic pain affects millions of people across the US. Although it can occur for different reasons, constant discomfort can have a huge impact on your life quality and force you to take painkillers on a daily basis. Fortunately, many of the conditions and injuries that cause chronic pain can be addressed via orthopedic treatment.
At OPA, our team of orthopedic specialists provides quality services in Kirkland and surrounding areas. From diagnostics right down to surgical implants, we offer a wide range of solutions that help identify the issue and find the best alternatives for your particular case.
Our physicians are known for being innovators and they have received certifications in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physiatry. At the same time, our specialists have fellowship training in trauma, sports, joint replacement, feet and ankle, and spine health.
We have become one of the premier orthopedic clinics in Washington and our reputation has allowed us to work with prestigious organizations like USA Rugby and the Seattle Seahawks. If you are looking for a knowledgable orthopedic doctor in Kirkland, our team of experts will be glad to help.
Additional areas we serve:
Cartiva Implant Specialists in Kirkland
Arthritis pain can affect any part of your body, including your big toe. And, even though it may not seem too severe, this can actually reduce your mobility and completely alter your daily routine.
The good news is that cartiva implants pose a great alternative that can help reduce the painful episodes without compromising your ability to bend your big toe. Cartiva implants are made from an organic material which is compatible with the human organism. By placing these in the right area, our Kirkland orthopedic doctors can diminish the pain for a long period of time.
What is Osteoarthritis?
As you probably know already, all of our joints have a padded division made from cartilage. This cushion stops your bones from making contact, but it loses its thickness as we get older. If the padding becomes too thin, your bones may come into contact and produce intense pain, which is a condition known as osteoarthritis.
As we mentioned before, this condition can affect any of the joints in your body. But, when it affects your big toe, it can produce more than intense pain. Osteoarthritis in the big toe can result in bone spurs, which can limit your mobility and intensify the pain when wearing shoes. Today, cartiva implants provide a safe alternative that can reduce the pain and allow you to go back to your regular routine in no time.
Comparing Fusion and Cartiva Surgery
The conventional treatment for osteoarthritis in the big toe is fusion surgery. During fusion surgery, the remaining cartilage is removed by the surgeon. The two individual pieces of osseous matter are attached, and after a few weeks, they become a single bone. This process completely eliminates the painful episodes, but it also takes away the ability to bend your toe.
For the last few decades, fusion therapy has been the only accepted treatment for osteoarthritis pain. That said, cartiva implants have completely changed the way physicians can address this condition because it takes care of the pain while still allowing patients to return to their regular activities.
How Does Cartiva Surgery Work?
During cartiva surgery, our surgeons follow a three-step process that usually takes less than an hour to complete. To begin, we make a 3-inch incision on the top of your big toe. This will give us access to the toe’s capsule. After this step, we remove any bone spurs that may have formed. Finally, we drill a hole and carefully place the implant in your toe.
Recovery Time
Fusion surgery has a long recovery time when compared to cartiva. After a fusion procedure, you need to wait up to 12 weeks before the new bone formation can support your body weight. Cartiva, on the other hand, is strong enough to support your weight as soon as it’s placed.
Orthopedic Diagnostics in Kirkland
The only way to diagnose an injury or condition is to carry out a series of rigorous tests. At OPA, we also provide a complete set of diagnostic services that help our physicians identify the cause of the pain. Our experienced technicians use innovative equipment and will aim to conduct tests the same day you get the order, whenever possible.
As long as there is no scheduling conflict, we will conduct tests right away to find the best solution quickly. Our team of diagnostic specialists can carry our a wide variety of medical exams, including:
X-Rays
X-rays can help our orthopedic specialists identify fractures and similar injuries. This type of image testing utilizes a small radiation beam and sends it through the affected body part. A film is placed on the opposite end, which collects the image that will be assessed by your physician.
Needless to say, x-rays are among the most common types of image testing conducted at OPA, but it can’t be used to treat all conditions. This type of test only shows a 2-dimensional image, which isn’t ideal for all types of injuries of conditions. Plus, it doesn’t show soft tissue, so this test can’t be used for ligament or muscle diagnostics.
EMG
Some muscle dysfunctions and nervous system problems can produce tingling, numbness, pain weakness, cramping, and body-wide discomfort. Folks who experience one or more of these symptoms can now turn to electromyography tests, also known as EMGs, to help identify the problem.
PedCAT
As mentioned before, regular x-rays only produce a 2-dimensional image, which means that it can’t be used in certain scenarios. However, our PedCAT testing equipment uses radiation at a low dose in order to create a 3-dimensional visual of the injury or condition, which translates to a more accurate diagnostic.
Ultrasound
Ligament, tendon, and muscle problems are harder to diagnose because they can’t be seen in x-rays. Ultrasounds employ inaudible sound waves to produce a detailed image of your tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue in your body. This, in turn, allows for faster diagnostics and more effective treatment.
MRI
An MRI employs a magnetic field in order to make a 3-dimensional image of the affected area. This magnetic field causes the molecules in your body to vibrate, and the movement is used to create an elaborate render of the area being tested.
Kirkland MAKOplasty Clinic
In order to identify the best orthopedic doctors in Kirkland, WA, you need to find a clinic that offers innovative solutions. At OPA, we conduct MAKOplasty surgeries through the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System in order to deliver the best results.
Defining MAKOplasty
Osteoarthritis doesn’t only affect small joints in your body. This condition can also occur in your knees, and when the pain is too intense, the only long-term solution is replacement surgery.
As with other types of surgery, the more invasive the procedure, the longer the recovery time. But, thanks to the innovative robotic arm, we can conduct a knee replacement surgery in a less invasive manner. This means that it has a shorter recovery period, but it delivers a more natural sensation once you fully recover.
MAKOplasty Surgery Explained
The first step before the procedure begins is the carry out a CT scan. The results of the test are typed into the equipment, which creates a 3-dimensional model of the injured area. This image is used by your orthopedic doctor to decide the placement of the implant.
After the initial steps are completed, the surgeon will proceed to clean the affected joint. It’s important to note that we try to maintain as much as the original structure as possible. Then, the robotic arm is used to properly position the implant.
Recovery Time
One of the reasons MAKOplasty surgery is becoming more and more popular is because it has a short recovery time. In most cases, people can start walking as soon as the surgery is completed, so many choose to have it as an outpatient. Folks who decide to stay as an inpatient only spend an average of one to three days in the hospital and start driving after two to three weeks.
PRP Treatments
PRP treatments have become extremely popular over the last few years, and for good reason. Also known as platelet-rich plasma therapies, these procedures use your body’s own healing ability to help promote faster recovery in joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendon.
At OPA, we specialize in delivering PRP treatments in Kirkland and surrounding areas, so get in touch with us today if you want to learn more about our services.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
Platelets are a type of cell that’s found in our blood. These cells are responsible for clotting our blog and repairing the damaged tissue whenever we have a wound, so they have powerful healing properties. When platelets are isolated and collected, they can give your organism a natural boost without any additional chemicals.
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Why are PRP Treatments So Popular?
Though they may sound complex, PRP treatments are actually quick and simple. The first step is to withdraw blood from the patient. The blood is placed in a centrifuge, which isolates the platelets from the rest of the components. Then, the platelets are withdrawn with a syringe and applied to the area that’s being treated.
Work with a Reliable Orthopedic Doctor in Kirkland
Living with chronic pain and relying on pharmaceuticals are not the only alternatives. If you have arthritis or constant discomfort caused by a similar condition, our team of orthopedic specialists may be able to help.
Get in touch with OPA today and our team of orthopedic doctors in Kirkland will be glad to help.