Medical terminology is the means of communication within the healthcare industry. The importance of fluency in medical terminology cannot be overlooked, as Medicine is a language of its own, and knowing the terminology is the foundation of practicing any healthcare-related career. Medical terminology eases clinical proceedings and enables everyone involved in the process of treatment and care to perform more efficiently for the patient’s benefit.
Within the clinical environment, medical terminology is composed of abbreviations and understanding them makes documentation much faster and easier. The majority of terms are derived from science-based Greek and Latin vocabulary, and very often, medical terms sound or look the same confusing people who don’t have medical knowledge.
Mastering this language is a complex task, but with the right resources and some valuable tricks, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to learn medical terminology quickly and effectively.
Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy:
The terms Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy are two minimally invasive surgeries which treat a range of problems, often with your joints. A traditional or open surgical procedure is one that opens up an area fully. Minimally-invasive procedures encompass both small incision surgeries and those with minimally invasive techniques that do not open up an area fully.
Hip Arthroscopy:
Not to be confused with the term arthroplasty, an arthroscopy, meaning “to look within a joint,” is a surgical procedure done, in order for the orthopedic surgeon to see and diagnose issues that are occurring inside a joint within your body. Your doctor may recommend hip arthroscopy if you have a condition that does not respond well to non-surgical treatment but has not progressed so far as to indicate a total hip replacement is needed.
During a hip arthroscopy procedure your surgeon makes a small incision near the hip joint and inserts an arthroscope, a slender telescope with lighting attached to a camera that displays the interior of the joint on a video screen. Your surgeon uses these images to guide small surgical instruments that aid in treating problems with your hip. Arthroscopy can treat conditions such as Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), Dysplasia, Snapping hip syndromes, Synovitis, and Hip joint infection.
Hip arthroscopy can be quite painful post-op, and may require the use of strong pain medications. You may be using crutches at first to get around, and be encouraged to take it easy the first week, not being able to bear weight on your hip. After a few days, you will return to your doctor’s office to change the bandage and assess your progress. As your recovery progresses, you will be encouraged to do some exercises to help strengthen the muscles surrounding your hip.
Hip Arthroplasty:
The goal of an arthroplasty is to reduce your pain and restore the function of a joint through resurfacing, realigning or replacing the joint. Also known as joint replacement surgery, arthritic or damaged surfaces of bone are removed and replaced with something called a prosthesis. The joint can also be remodeled or realigned during this procedure.
Other types of arthroplasty include knee and shoulder replacement. The procedure is used to treat conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint injuries, osteonecrosis, and other joint damage from disease or injury. Joint Replacement is usually done after nonsurgical treatment and physical therapy have failed, and the replacement can be partial or total.
To learn more information about these two procedures and if you may be a candidate, call OrthoSurgeons at (800) 336-2412 to request an appointment.
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