Orthopedic Care

As Augusta’s River Region’s most specialized orthopedic group, each of our orthopedic doctors works on a dedicated team that focuses solely on treating a specific part of the body. It’s that focus that helps us deliver expert care. We offer:

• Expertise: Our orthopedic doctors are nationally renowned experts in treating hands, shoulders, spines and sports injuries. We are also home to Augusta’s River Region’s only complex spine surgeons, orthopediconcologists, orthopedic trauma surgeons, osteoporosis specialist and clinic, and sports medicine program.
• Advanced treatments: We offer ultrasound-guided injections for hips, knees and shoulders, which we deliver in our orthopedic clinics. We also offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat sports injuries.
• Teamwork: Our orthopedic doctors work together to diagnose and treat conditions through tumor board meetings and trauma review boards. The entire care team, including specialists, advanced practice providers and nurses, meet weekly to discuss complex cases and treatment planning.
• Collaboration: Our team works with other Augusta University Health specialists from multiple fields of medicine, such as anesthesia, emergency medicine, neurology, osteoporosis, radiology, rehabilitation and rheumatology. This diverse team of experts allows us to deliver the complete orthopedic care you deserve.
• Level I trauma center: We offer Augusta’s River Region’s only Level I trauma center, the highest designation for trauma centers, which means that the center is equipped to treat the most complex injuries. Our orthopedic doctors’ skills remain sharp because of the high volume of difficult cases the center receives.
• Walk-in clinic for emergencies: We offer same-day appointments for emergencies at our Ortho On-Demand Skip the urgent care or emergency department visit, and come straight to us for the specialized orthopedic care you need.
• Clinical trials: We’re working to improve existing treatments, such as total joint replacement product design and wear, and identify new options. Our ongoing involvement in clinical trials gives you access to leading-edge orthopedic treatments first.

Individuals across Augusta’s River Region and beyond trust us to care for the most challenging orthopedic conditions, which means you can also trust us with the most routine. We treat a full range of orthopedic conditions using the latest technology, including:

• Arthritis, or joint inflammation occurring in one or more joints
• Bone cancer, including cancer that forms in the bones (primary bone cancer), soft-tissue cancers, cancer that spreads to the bones (metastatic bone cancer) and cancer-related bone issues
• Foot and ankle problems, such as bunions, corns and calluses, sprains, and fractures
• Hand, wrist and elbow problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow
• Chronic injuries, such as strains, sprains and tears of soft tissue near a bone or joint
• Complex injuries, including fractures, dislocations and trauma
• Hip problems, such as arthritis and soft tissue pain or referred pain
• Knee problems, such as arthritis, strains, sprains, tears and inflammation of tendons
• Osteoporosis, which means “porous bone” and occurs when the bones become weak because of reduced density and quality, leading to fractures
• Shoulder problems, such as arthritis, fractures, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears
• Spine problems, such as sciatica, slipped disc and spinal stenosis
• Sports injuries, which involve any orthopedic injury that occurs as a result of physical activity, including concussion
• Work-related injuries, which involve any orthopedic injury that occurs while on the job

When you’re experiencing pain or reduced function, it’s important to get the diagnostic testing you need so healing can begin. We combine our diagnostic expertise with the latest technology for the most accurate results and timely treatment.

We offer all types of diagnostic tests and procedures, including imaging, blood tests and knee and hip arthroscopy:

• X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to produce images of bones and tissue inside the body to look for fractures and tumors.
• Bone density tests measure how strong the bones are to look for osteoporosis. They use X-rays to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals present in part of one or a few bones.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of bones and tissue inside the body to look for injuries and tumors.
• Ultrasound uses soundwaves to produce images of your bones and tissue to look for cysts, injuries to tissue, and tumors.
• Computed tomography (CT) uses a small amount of radiation, and sometimes injected contrast dye, to produce multiple X-ray images of the bones and tissue to look for injuries and tumors. A computer then combines the images to give your doctor a cross-sectional view so they can see inside the body.
• Blood tests involve collecting a small amount of blood that undergoes laboratory testing to determine if you have conditions, such as arthritis and bone cancer.
• Arthroscopy allows your doctor to see inside a joint, such as the hip and knee, to diagnose joint problems. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves guiding an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube that includes a camera and light attached to it, through a small incision. During the procedure, the camera sends the images to a monitor for your doctor to view in real time.

We offer a full range of noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments and surgical procedures, all of which use the latest technology. Our orthopedic doctors partner with you to choose the right treatments for you and your lifestyle.

Whenever possible, we explore using the least invasive options first. We work with you to choose the treatments that will enhance your quality of life as quickly as possible.

Noninvasive treatments

Noninvasive treatments can provide the strength and stability you need to prevent injury or treat a condition or injury. We offer a full range of noninvasive treatments:

• Canes and crutches help you stay mobile while allowing an injured and healing leg to heal.
• Custom bracing, booting, casting and splinting immobilize a joint and realigns and supports bones and tissue to treat chronic conditions and injuries.
• Physical therapy treats an orthopedic condition or injury by building strength and mobility either on its own or after surgery.
• I.C.E., which stands for “rest, ice, compression and elevation,” is used to treat injuries.

Minimally invasive treatments

Minimally invasive treatments are also effective with treating conditions and injuries, with little or no downtime. We offer a wide range of minimally invasive treatments:

• Arthroscopic joint surgery, also called arthroscopy, is the same procedure as the diagnostic test. This minimally invasive surgical procedure is performed on joints, such as the ankle, elbow, hip, knee and shoulder.
• Injections, such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid and local anesthetics, treat inflammation and pain in the joints. We also offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat sports injuries.
• Imaging-guided injections, including those guided with ultrasound and fluoroscopy, help us administer certain medications that we must deliver with precision to avoid certain structures. We perform ultrasound-guided injections conveniently in the clinic.
• Labral repair surgery uses arthroscopy to repair and reattach the labrum to the joint in hips and shoulders or correct any abnormalities that may have caused the tear.
• Medications, such as corticosteroids, muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and osteoporosis drugs, provide comfort and healing for a wide range of orthopedic conditions and injuries.

Surgical procedures

We believe that surgery should be a last resort. But if you need surgery, we offer the expertise you need. We offer a full range of surgical procedures:

• ACL reconstruction treats torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by removing the torn ligament and replacing it with another tendon. The replacement tendon can come from your own knee or that of a deceased donor.
• Carpal tunnel release surgery involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament, which spans across the inside of your wrist and creates the space called the carpal tunnel. Cutting this ligament creates additional space within the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve and reduce symptoms, such as pain and loss of function.
• Rotator cuff repair surgery involves detaching your shoulder muscle so your orthopedic doctor can get to the rotator cuff tendon to reattach it to the bone.
• Total joint replacement involves removing a joint that has arthritis or is damaged and replacing it with an artificial one. We offer joint replacement for elbows, hips, knees and shoulders. We also offer three-dimensional custom implants for those with bone cancer who need them.

Support services

When you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, you deserve a team that is dedicated to helping you get back to living your life as fully and quickly as possible. Our occupational and physical therapy services offered through our rehabilitation services play an important role in preventing injury and improving function.

We will work with your rehabilitation care team to address your needs at home and at work to ensure your comfort and safety. We will also involve your caregivers in this conversation if you wish.