[By Imran Akhtar, DO, St. Peter’s Orthopedics, a member of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates.]
If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering with joint, spine, back or other orthopedic pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Many manage their pain for years, working with their physician to determine what combination of medications, injections, weight loss, exercise, physical therapy and bracing offers the most relief.
A good orthopedic care program focuses on helping patients achieve their goal of returning to doing the things they love, pain-free, as quickly and safely as possible. The very best ones offer a team approach to orthopedic care that can dramatically change the prevention and recovery process for patients and families.
When you need orthopedic care, the best approach involves a combination of four steps:
Evaluation
The right program starts with listening to you and your concerns. You are more than just a patient; you are a person with complex needs. Helping you to identify the root cause of your pain and building a plan that’s right for you is a crucial first step.
Therapy First
Whenever possible, an exceptional orthopedic program looks to treat you conservatively, using proven techniques to relieve pain and restore function. This can involve a combination of physical and occupational therapies, as well as other specialty therapies.
Surgery When Needed
If surgery is the best path forward, you need reassurance the latest approaches are available, including minimally invasive techniques for faster, more precise recovery. The good news is, for many orthopedic surgical procedures, you no longer need to spend several days in the hospital, followed by a lengthy period of rest at home. With minimally invasive surgery, you can be home and on the road to recovery the same day as your surgery.
Recovery and Support
The right orthopedic program stays with you through every phase of your journey – from rehab to long-term follow up care – so you feel confident and supported every step of the way. If your condition calls for more specialized care, your team should have the resources to connect you directly with trusted experts for seamless, coordinated support.
Combined, these approaches help accelerate recovery by reducing post-surgery stress, providing better support during the healing process, and enabling you to move forward with care and getting you back to doing what you love.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, recently opened its doors at 1182 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 100, in Latham. The location is the new go-to for joint pain and injury, with on-site imaging, expert care, and personalized treatments to help patients move better, faster, and with less pain.
From everyday injuries to complex conditions, St. Peter’s Orthopedics provides relief from back and spine pain; repairs to hands, fingers, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, knees and hips damaged from sports injuries and everyday wear and tear; and robotic-assisted joint replacement techniques and custom planning for replacements that last longer and feel more natural.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics prides itself on its team approach to care: Surgeons, nurses, therapists, and case managers all working together to guide the patient’s recovery. From prevention to recovery — imaging, therapy, surgery and rehab — it’s all connected through St. Peter’s Orthopedics.
For more information, please call 518-269-4690 or visit St. Peter’s Orthopedics – Moves – Services | St. Peter’s Health Partners.
