AOS FAQS

Our list of FAQS grows every day. Members may submit a FAQ on the "Get In Touch" section of our site.

What's New?

ICD-10 new coding system biggest change in 30 years-are you ready? [article]

AAOS touts four new PSA's for 2012! [1] [2] [3] [4]

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Current News

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Obama's Health Care Overhall [article].

Recent Events

AOS President-Elect, Dr. Frederick N. Meyer from USA in Mobile, testified before the Alabama House Health Committee on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, in Montgomery, in opposition to a PT Direct Access Bill. Pictured with Dr. Meyer are (L-R): Drew Ferguson, UAB Sports Medicine Director; Dr. James Robinson from Tuscaloosa; Rep. Ron Johnson, Member of the House Health Committee; Mark Jackson, MASA Governmental Relations; and Dr. Meyer. The Committee is expected to vote on this legislation on Wednesday, March 14.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the treatment for a Herniated Disc?
What are the risks involved with Spinal Surgery?
What are the most common causes of Hip Pain and loss of Hip Mobility?
Am I a candidate for Hip Replacement Surgery?
What is Orthopaedic Surgery?
How can I tell if I have a Torn ACL?
Do I really need surgery for a Torn ACL?
How long will it take to return to sports after surgery for a Torn ACL?
What is Scoliosis?
What are the treatment options for Scoliosis?

What is the treatment for a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is treated with conservative therapy unless there is a spinal deformity or neurological defect. Conservative therapy can include physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, Pilate's, ultrasound, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and short course of steroids. If these do not work, the next steps include a steroid epidural or facet joint block. Surgical intervention is the last resort. If surgical intervention becomes necessary, a microdiscectomy is the most common procedure.

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What are the risks involved with Spinal Surgery?

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. The risks for spine surgery include, but are not limited to, inter operative complications, infection, bleeding, and hardware failure.

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What are the most common causes of Hip Pain and loss of Hip Mobility?

The most common causes of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

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Am I a candidate for Hip Replacement Surgery?

Whether to have hip replacement surgery should be a cooperative decision made by you, your family, your primary care doctor, and your orthopaedic surgeon. The process of making this decision typically begins with a referral by your doctor to an orthopaedic surgeon for an initial evaluation. Although many patients who undergo hip replacement surgery are 60 to 80 years of age, orthopaedic surgeons evaluate patients individually. Recommendations for surgery are based on the extent of your pain, disability, and general health status-not solely on age. Your orthopaedic surgeon will review the results of your evaluation and discuss whether hip replacement surgery is the best method to relieve your pain and improve your mobility.

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What is Orthopaedic Surgery?

Orthopaedics is a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The physicians who specialize in treating injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are called orthopaedic surgeons or orthopaedists. Orthopaedists treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including such common injuries as fractures, torn ligaments, dislocations, sprains, tendon injuries, pulled muscles, and ruptured discs. They also treat conditions such as low back pain, sciatica, knock knees or bow legs, bunions, and hammer toes.

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How can I tell if I have a Torn ACL?

Sometimes it's tough to tell, even for the doctors. When you tear your ACL, it feels a lot "looser" than your good knee. It almost feels like it could pop out of place at any minute. The stability just isn't there. When some people tear their ACL, they hear a "pop" when it happens. It's usually pretty loud and noticeable. If you have a torn ACL it also usually swells up immediately...the pain isn't always severe, but swelling is a tell-tale sign.

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Do I really need surgery for a Torn ACL?

There are several things that will affect this answer. Do you plan on playing sports or are you happy giving them up and doing things less stressful on the knees? If you can give up the sports that are rough on the knees, you might get by without surgery. Does your knee "go out" a lot? If it does and you have little control over it, surgery would probably be your best option.

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How long will it take to return to sports after surgery for a Torn ACL?

Everyone recovers at a different rate. The most standard answer that you will hear from the doctor is six months. It's possible to return sooner than six months, but the risks for re-injury are higher. It takes about 12-18 months for your new ACL to be in peak condition. At six months, it's about 80-85%.

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What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a common condition that affects many children and adolescents. Simply defined, scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Instead of a straight line down the middle of the back, a spine with scoliosis curves, sometimes looking like the letter "C" or "S." There are several different types of scoliosis that affect children. By far, the most common type of scoliosis is "idiopathic," which means the exact cause is not known.

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What are the treatment options for Scoliosis?

In planning your child's treatment, your doctor will take into account how severe your child's curve is and where it occurs in the spine. Your child's age is also an important factor--if your child's spine is still growing, it will affect treatment choices. Your doctor will determine treatment options to meet your child's specific needs. Most scoliosis surgeons agree that children who have very severe curves (50 degrees and higher) will need surgery to lessen the curve and prevent it from getting worse.

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"THE INFORMATION LISTED IN THIS SECTION IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, BUT IS TO BE USED ONLY AS AN AID IN UNDERSTANDING ORTHOPAEDIC PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION."