Orthopedics

If you damage any part of your musculoskeletal system, orthopedic specialists ensure you make a fast, successful recovery. At Acute Care Orthopedics in West Hills, California, board-certified surgeons Umesh Bhagia, MD, and Nicolas Vardiabasis, DO, focus on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries. They provide fast access for patients 12 and older requiring expert orthopedic care. Call Acute Care Orthopedics today for more information on the services available, or book an appointment online. 

What is orthopedics?

The orthopedics medical specialty focuses on your musculoskeletal system. This includes your:

• Bones
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Joints
• Tendons
• Cartilage

Orthopedic disorders and injuries frequently cause pain and disability. Acute Care Orthopedics specializes in diagnosing and treating these conditions to reduce pain and restore function.

What orthopedic problems might affect me?

Many orthopedic problems are chronic, developing slowly and lasting many months or years. Chronic orthopedic conditions include arthritis and bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints).

Acute Care Orthopedics specializes in treating acute injuries and disorders. These happen suddenly, often from trauma, and include:

Fractures

Fractures are breaks in your bones. They can be superficial cracks or clean breaks. Your doctor protects the bones with a splint or cast after ensuring they’re correctly aligned. In some cases, you’ll need surgery to repair more severe fractures.

Dislocations

Dislocations happen when two or more parts of a joint separate. They can affect hinged joints like the knees and elbows but are most common in the hip and shoulder joints. These joints consist of a ball-shaped bone at the top of the arm or leg. The ball fits into the shoulder or pelvis socket.

Trauma can force the ball partially or entirely out of the socket. It can also damage the cartilage lining the socket and the soft tissues around the joint.

Sprains and strains

Sprains are injuries to the ligaments attaching the bones to each other in your joints. Strains affect the tendons, which hold muscles onto the bones, and the muscles themselves. These injuries happen when the tissue stretches too far and can involve tearing or a complete rupture.

Acute orthopedic injuries cause immediate pain followed by swelling, redness, and difficulties moving the affected area.

What treatments are used in orthopedics?

The treatment needed for an acute orthopedic injury varies according to each patient’s needs but can include:

• Fracture care
• Splinting
• Bracing
• Casting
• Ice and heat
• Anti-inflammatory medication

Acute injuries can develop into long-term problems without expert care and increase your risk of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. You’ll need surgery for more severe injuries. Examples include fracture repair and tendon and ligament reconstruction.

Call Acute Care Orthopedics today to book a same-day appointment, or go online to schedule a consultation.