Nonsurgical Treatments
Non Surgical Orthopedic Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, FL
At South Florida Orthopedic Group, formerly known as Meli Orthopedic Centers of Excellence, our highly trained physicians always consider nonsurgical approaches before turning to surgery. Our physicians are experts at diagnosing the cause of your pain and finding the most appropriate ambulatory aids for you. If surgery cannot be avoided, our skilled orthopedic surgeons and caring staff will walk you through the decision-making, surgery, and recovery process – we’re with you every step of the way.
To determine the best treatment options for you – both surgical or nonsurgical – we will perform a complete orthopedic evaluation including a medical history review and physical examination to assess your range of motion, stability, strength, and spinal alignment. In some cases, additional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, cultures, an MRI, or bone scan, may be recommended.
After an evaluation and diagnosis, we will discuss all possible treatment options with you. At South Florida Orthopedic Group, our physicians take time to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option, so you can make an informed decision.
South Florida Orthopedic Group physicians and staff provide a number of on-site services that include nonsurgical therapies. These may include conservative methods, such as the use of anti-inflammatory medications, the use of durable medical equipment (DME) like custom orthotics, and more.
Some of our most common nonsurgical treatments include:
Injections
Injections are typically provided to relieve joint pain and stiffness. The injections are administered right here in our offices for the convenience of our patients and to provide the fastest relief possible.
Most often, this involves corticosteroid injections, which consist of a powerful anti-inflammatory medication along with a local anesthetic. Reducing tissue swelling and inflammation can take pressure off nerves and other tissue in the area to relieve your pain.
Viscosupplementation may be used to treat knee osteoarthritis. It involves the injection of hyaluronic acid directly into the knee joint to lubricate and protect it.
Trigger point injections, much like corticosteroid injections, involve the use of an anti-inflammatory medication and local anesthetic. However, in this case, the injection is administered into knots of muscle. These clusters of knotted muscles are called trigger points, and they can be the cause of pain elsewhere in the body.
Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation (COOLIEF)
Radio frequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a needle electrode to destroy pain-signaling nerve endings. This signal disruption can effectively alleviate your pain. At South Florida Orthopedic Group, we utilize COOLIEF, which has been FDA-cleared to treat knee pain caused by wear-and-tear arthritis. Unlike other RFA methods, COOLIEF uses water to cool the targeted tissue, effectively enlarging the treatment area for more pain relief.
Our Nonsurgical Treatment Specialists
Orthopedic treatment involves more than just surgery. Find out what your nonsurgical treatment options are by contacting South Florida Orthopedic Group (formerly Meli Orthopedic Centers of Excellence). Call South Florida Orthopedic Group in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 771-8177. You can also request your appointment now.