Specialists Deliver Personalized Care

Orthopedic medicine focuses on conditions involving the muscles and bones (musculoskeletal system). Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical procedures to treat orthopedic injuries such as trauma, spine disease, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Find a Doctor for Orthopedic Care

If you need a referral to a physician at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, call our free physician referral service at 803-761-6970 or search for a physician online.

Orthopedic Services and Procedures

At Aiken Regional Medical Centers, board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize in the following services:

Total Joint Replacement

Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of a joint that are damaged by joint disease, arthritis or other injury are removed and replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device, known as a prosthesis, which is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint.

Total joint replacement procedures can help patients with arthritic joints and other conditions live fuller and more active lives. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of the joints that causes pain and stiffness. There are many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, septic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment options, such as total joint replacement, can relieve pain and help patients stay active.

For more information about the Joint Academy or to sign up for an information seminar, call 803-641-5450.

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery is considered one of the most successful operations in all of medicine, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Improvements in joint replacement surgical techniques and technology have greatly increased the effectiveness of total hip replacement. According to the Academy for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States.

The most common cause of chronic hip pain is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, osteonecrosis (injury) and childhood hip disease are the major conditions that can affect the hip joint.

Hip replacement may be recommended for patients who have hip pain that limits every day activity, continues while resting or causes stiffness that limits the ability to move or lift the leg, or if the patient has inadequate pain relief from anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy or walking supports.

In hip arthroplasty, or total hip replacement, the damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with prosthetic components.

Knee Replacement

The major types of arthritis that affect the knee are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic arthritis.

If simple treatments like anti-inflammatory medications and using walking supports no longer relieve the symptoms of knee arthritis, knee replacement may help. Knee replacement surgery can help to relieve pain, correct leg deformity and help patients resume everyday activity. In total knee replacement, damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with metal components that recreate the surface of the joint.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Also known as arthroscopy, arthroscopic surgery is performed on the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle or hip. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which a narrow scope (arthroscope) and specialized surgical tools are used to assess and treat a joint through tiny “keyhole” incisions.

Foot Surgery

Includes comprehensive care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including common to complex disorders and injuries.

Hand Surgery

Includes both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of conditions and problems in the hand or upper extremity, including injury or infection.

Spine Surgery

Also known as back surgery, this helps provide pain relief by removing a herniated disc, for example. Back procedures vary with some being minimally invasive, allowing for a quicker recovery, and other more extensive surgeries that may require more intensive physical therapy and a longer recovery time.

Sports Medicine

Deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. It is also for non-athletes who wish to learn exercises that can help them stay strong and engage in an active, healthy lifestyle.

Trauma Treatment

Orthopedic trauma includes any severe injury to the bones, joints and/or soft tissue that is often caused by a sudden incident, such as a car accident or fall.

The Orthopedic Team

Individualized Care From Surgery to Rehabilitation and Recovery

The orthopedic team at the Joint Academy at Aiken Regional Medical Centers includes board certified and board eligible orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, physical therapists and nurses, who work together to provide exceptional care in a healing and nurturing environment.

The Road to Recovery and Personalized Goals

The orthopedic team guides patients and coordinates care through preoperative, surgical and postoperative services. Orthopedic medical staff, primary care physicians, and orthopedic specialists, such as physical therapists, collaborate on the creation of individualized treatment plans, including pain management and rehabilitation.

A comprehensive patient education approach and a focus on “coaching” is a key element of the recovery process. The “coach” is typically a loved one or friend who continues to support the patient at home.

The overall mission of the Joint Academy’s progressive rehabilitation program is to help each patient achieve the highest level of independence through evidence-based therapies.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if minimally invasive surgery is right for you.