Orthopedics

At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, orthopedics is a center of excellence, offering leading edge surgical and non-surgical treatment for the full range of musculoskeletal injuries in adults and children. For our doctors, orthopedics is a truly rewarding specialty, because new technologies, prosthetics and rehabilitation techniques can make an extraordinary difference in our patients’ quality of life.

Comprehensive Services

We diagnose and treat the full range of orthopedic injuries and congenital problems, including:

1. Sports injuries
2. Orthopedic trauma in adults and children 
3. Arthritis and chronic pain
4. Congenital orthopedic problems such as scoliosis
5. Carpal tunnel and other overuse injuries
6. Back pain and spinal injuries

State-of-the-art diagnostic technologies

Advanced diagnostic tools, including the latest X-ray, MRI and 64-slice CT scanning equipment, enable our doctors to pinpoint the damage to bones, joints and soft tissue. If surgery is necessary, this precise diagnostic imaging allows highly targeted, minimally invasive intervention. 

Non-Surgical Treatment

Whether mending a torn ligament, treating back pain or replacing a worn-out knee, the orthopaedic surgeon’s goal is the safe and rapid restoration of comfort and mobility.  Surgery is always a last resort – considered after other medical treatment and therapy have proven ineffective. Most orthopedic problems are treated without surgery with a combination of medication and physical therapy using state of the art equipment & techniques. 

Orthopedic Surgical Specialties

Most orthopedic surgery performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is minimal incision surgery – which means faster recovery, less discomfort and fewer complications for our patients. Common procedures include:

1. Total joint replacement of all major joints
2. Hand and wrist surgery to repair damage caused by trauma, carpal tunnel, arthritis and nerve compression 
3. Foot and ankle surgery to treat trauma, tendon injuries, complications from diabetes, arthritis, neuromuscular deformities
4. Shoulder surgery, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
5. Spine surgery, including minimally invasive discectomy
6. Alternatives to knee replacement such as osteotomy, cartilage transplantation and partial replacements

Sports Medicine

Whether you’re a youthful player, a seasoned athlete or a “weekend warrior,” you want fast, effective treatment that gets you back in action as quickly as possible. Our  orthopedic physicians understand the special needs of athletes, and they work closely with athletic coaches at area high schools and colleges to both prevent and treat. 

1. Screenings/evaluations for student athletes
2. Sport-specific physical therapy and strength training 
3. Injury prevention education 
4. Emergency care – 24/7
5. Surgical repair and post-surgical rehab with the athlete’s goals in mind.

Physicians affiliated with us include:

A Team Approach to Treating Back Pain

Diagnosing and treating back pain is especially challenging for both patients and physicians, because the causes of chronic pain can be varied and difficult to pinpoint.  At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach gives patients the benefit of a comprehensive, holistic approach to their back problem. 

Our approach involves collaboration among our staff of:

1. Orthopedic surgeons  - with expertise in repairing bones and connective tissue
2. Neurosurgeons - with expertise in treating the nerves and spinal cord
3. Anesthesiologists -  with expertise in pain management
4. Physiatrists - with expertise in rehabilitation of physical injuries and impairments

If surgery on the spine is necessary, an orthopedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon often perform the operation as a team.

Joint Replacement Program

At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, our patient outcomes for joint replacement are second to none for restoration of mobility and speed of recovery.

Thanks to innovations in surgical technique as well as prosthetic joint technology, we routinely and safely replace all major joints, including hips, knees, shoulders, ankles and elbows. Our comprehensive program integrates pre-op education, innovations in anesthesia, state-of-the-art surgical techniques and post-operative rehabilitation.

For many years, Portsmouth Regional Hospital has been an international joint replacement training site for foreign surgeons. 

Our integrated team approach to joint replacement begins with the Rehabilitation Services staff teaching patients (before their surgery) the exercises they will need after their operation. After surgery, epidural anesthesia is often continued until the day after the operation. With the pain control this provides, patients can have a continuous passive motion machine begin exercising the new joint immediately after the surgery is completed.

With aggressive physical therapy, joint replacement patients are discharged sooner than ever before. Even patients having both knees replaced are often discharged directly home without the rehabilitation hospital stays that were often required in the past.

Please visit the following Web site pages for more information:

• Surgery
• Rehabilitation Services