When to Consider Hip Replacement Surgery DC

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

Not as mobile as you used to be?  Suffered an injury and can't get back on your feet?  Hip replacement surgery DC may be a good option to increase your mobility and regain your independence.  If you or a loved one is suffering from immobility, you know how hard it can be to have a normal day.  Talk to your doctor about replacement at your next appointment.  If you don't have one, it's time to make an appointment.

During your initial appointment, talk to your doctor about replacement and whether or not you would be a good candidate for the surgery.  He or she will talk to you about your particular situation and if they believe it to be a good idea, and will likely recommend you to a specialist who will begin the necessary pre-screening to determine whether or not you're a good fit for the surgery. This will likely include an interview about your medical history, x-rays and CAT scans, as well as a plan for pre and post operative care. As the surgery takes a few weeks to recover from, it's important to have a plan in place to start building strength for the replacement as soon as possible.

What to Expect with Hip Replacement Surgery DC

Decided that getting surgery is the best option?  You may wonder what to expect as you move forward towards the operation date.  That being said, it's important to remember that replacement is a process.  After your initial surgery, you will need to repair yourself to be on rest for 4-6 weeks.  During this time period, you may need extra assistance around the house and if you are still working, will need to plan for that time off.

Once the initial recovery time has elapsed, you should expect to attend a few months of physical therapy to help you build strength with the replacement.  Though you may never go extreme skydiving again, it's certainly a liberating feeling to be back on your feet and regain your independence.  The recovery process will be challenging but well worth the work!

Who Will You Meet When You Visit Vascular Surgery Washington DC?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

The most important people that you will meet is your medical team. That can range from just your nurse and surgeon at first to the whole team that will be taking care of you. The great thing about vascular surgeons is that they try to inform their patients on all of their options even if it includes the decision to not do a surgery. At that point the team can monitor your progress as you go through the program that they give you to follow. So, if you were thinking, "well in that case why would a surgeon still see me?", it is true that surgeons do in fact do surgeries, but at the end of the day they are also doctors and help treat patients who do not need surgeries as well. Many vascular complications can be treated by simply exercising more and or taking medication. You can also see results from cleaning up your diet and eating less fatty foods that can clog your blood flow. One doctor is on record saying, "I spend 80 percent of my time trying to talk my patients out of surgery." Why not visit Vascular Surgery Washington DC and get an opinion from an expert.

The Reason to Visit Vascular Surgery Washington DC

You can have many different symptoms that might cause you to visit a specialist for your vascular system. It can be anything from restricted blood flow to a bodily function to irregular blood flow. As an example, vascular surgeons can treat blocked carotid arteries in the neck to peripheral, a disease that mainly effects the lower regions of your body like legs and feet. They can even do vein surgery to areas that are affected by varicose veins. For those who don't know a varicose vein, it is a vein that is a damaged blood valve that overlaps itself and in some cases creates a back flow in blood. There's a very good chance that you will run into an interventional cardiologists. These cardiologists are highly specialized in their field to detect, diagnose, and putting a plan together to treat a range of cardiovascular diseases through the method of catheter-based procedures. Some procedures might even be minimally invasive surgery and case by case for each and every patient.

ACL Repair and Achilles Tendon Repair

Written By: Sara Loch

Sports participation can help keep you healthy, but can also lead to injuries.  Minor sports injuries can be treated at home, but more serious injuries may require surgery.  Two common surgeries for sports injuries are ACL repair and Achilles tendon repair surgery.

ACL surgery Washington DC

Of the four main ligaments in your knee, the ACL is the one most often injured.  Sometimes, a minor ACL injury can be treated with rest, ice, and elevation; but more severe injuries will need ACL surgery Washington DC.  ACL repair Washington DC is usually done one of two ways: by replacing the injured tendon with a tendon grafted from a different part of the body, or by repairing the existing tendon.  When a tendon graft is used for ACL reconstruction Washington DC, the new tendon is threaded through tiny holes in your femur and tibia.  With the type of ACL surgery Washington DC that repairs the tendon, your surgeon will suture the tendon back together and place a braided suture alongside it to give you additional support.  Both types of ACL surgery Washington DC can usually be done using a minimally invasive procedure.  You can learn more about ACL surgery DC at www.medstarwashington.org.

Achilles tendon surgery

Your Achilles tendon is a long, fibrous cord in the lower leg.  It connects the muscles in your calf to your heel.  It is the largest tendon in your body and helps you walk, run, and jump.  The Achilles tendon can tear or rupture if it is hit with a sudden, strong force.  It can also degenerate overtime due to overuse.  Symptoms of damage to your Achilles tendon include pain, stiffness, or swelling along the Achilles tendon and the back of your heel.  During Achilles tendon repair surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the back of your calf.  If the tendon is ruptured, he or she will sew it back together.  If the tendon has degenerated, the damaged part will be removed and the rest sewn back together.  If the damage is extensive, the surgeon may need to replace all or part of the Achilles tendon with a tendon from a different part of your foot.

Vascular Surgery Can Lower Risk of Stroke

Written By: Sara Loch

Stroke is when blood flow to part of the brain is stopped.  It is a very serious condition because brain cells need a constant supply of oxygen and start to die within minutes of losing blood flow.  Once brain cells have died, they cannot come back and the victim can lose the function that those brain cells controlled.  Sometimes, vascular surgery can be done to make stroke less likely.

Carotid arteries

The main blood vessels that carry blood to the brain are called the carotid arteries.  They are located in the neck, and when they become narrowed they may require vascular surgery DC to minimize risk for stroke.  Narrowing of these arteries is usually due to a condition called atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty substances or calcium on the inside lining if the arteries.  Without vascular surgery Washington DC, this build up makes it more likely that a clot will get stuck and block blood flow to the brain, causing a stoke.  Without vein surgery DC, the build up can also cause a stroke if a piece of it breaks off and travels to the brain.

Symptoms that vein surgery DC is needed

Sometimes, there is no indication that vascular surgery DC is needed on the carotid arteries until a stroke or TIA happens.  A TIA is sometimes called a mini-stroke.  It is when blood flow to the brain is interrupted only briefly and the person fully recovers.  Symptoms of a stroke or TIA should not be ignored because they can mean that you need vein surgery DC.  These symptoms can include:

• Sudden weakness, clumsiness, or paralysis of an arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
• Numbness in face or in an arm or leg
• Temporary loss of vision
• Slurred speech

After a person suffers a stroke or TIA, the risk for a second stroke is very high.  At a vascular surgery center Washington DC, they may do a procedure to open the carotid arteries to lessen this risk.  During this vascular surgery DC, the arteries are opened and the plaque is cleaned out.  They may also place a stent to keep the artery open.