Elbow pain can be the result of a condition that has developed over time, such as osteoarthritis, or of a recent injury, such as a fall.

The onset of osteoarthritis, a condition involving the degeneration of joint cartilage, often occurs in people with a history of elbow injuries.

The most common cause of pain in the elbow can be related to a recent injury. Elbow injuries commonly occur during:

• Sports or recreational activities
• Work-related responsibilities
• Home improvement projects
• Falls

Elbow pain can also be caused by overuse. Overuse injuries of the elbow, such as tendonitis (medically referred to as tendinitis), tennis elbow, or golfer’s elbow, lead to inflammation, which can cause considerable pain in the elbow and forearm.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, we understand that pain in the elbow can make everyday activities challenging.

Our elbow experts know that proper diagnosis is paramount in determining the most effective treatment plan for your individual condition.

Wrist and Elbow FAQs

How should I sleep with wrist and elbow pain?
If wrist and elbow pain disrupts your sleep, try lying on your back with your arm supported by a pillow in a neutral position. If you prefer to sleep on your side, lie on your non-affected side with your affected arm supported by a pillow in a relaxed, extended position.

How long does it take for a broken elbow and wrist to heal?
Healing a fractured elbow and wrist can take several months before you can return to daily activities, and full recovery may take a year or more.

Elbow Fracture: An elbow fracture may be cast for up to six weeks, with a return to normal activities typically within four months.
Wrist Fracture: A wrist fracture can take 6-12 months to heal, and sensitivity can last several months afterward.
How can injuries to the wrist and elbow be avoided?
Wrist and elbow injuries are often caused by slips, falls, direct blows, or overuse. To prevent these injuries, consider the following safety measures and habits:

Prevent slips and falls outside your home by adding lighting and hand railings in walkways.
Use mobility aids and anti-slip mats on slippery floors inside your home.
Wear elbow pads and wrist guards during extreme sports.
Improve your workstation ergonomically to maintain good posture.
Practice using your non-dominant hand to avoid straining your dominant one.
Set regular breaks to avoid overworking your wrist and elbow.
Perform regular exercises to strengthen and stabilize your arms.
What causes pain in the wrist and elbow?
Pain in the wrist and elbow can arise from various factors:

Wear and tear of joints, ligaments, and tendons from overuse.
Traumatic injuries such as falls.
Metabolic issues like gout.
A healthcare provider can help diagnose the exact cause of your pain. Visit our clinic to receive assistance from our medical team.

Why is my sprained wrist still hurting?
If your sprained wrist isn’t healing with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication, consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and early medical treatment.

What not to do with a sprained wrist?
Don’t “tough it out”: Using your wrist for daily activities after a sprain can worsen the injury and pain.
Don’t take too much medicine: Over-the-counter medication can help relieve inflammation, but excessive use can cause side effects and mask symptoms.
Don’t return to daily activities too early: Rest and recovery are crucial to healing and preventing re-injury.
Don’t use heat too early: Apply cold packs during the first 1-3 days after injury to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Don’t skip seeing a doctor: Pain from a fracture or torn ligament can be mistaken for a sprain. Consulting a doctor ensures proper diagnosis and treatment.
Should I sleep with a wrist brace for a sprain?
Yes, wearing a wrist brace to bed for a sprain can be beneficial. The brace maintains the wrist in a painless and neutral position. Ensure the brace does not cut off circulation.

How long does it take for a sprained wrist to heal?
The healing time for a sprained wrist depends on the severity of the injury:

A mild sprain can take up to two weeks to heal.
A complete tear requiring surgery can take several months.

Pain in the knee can be the result of a condition that has developed over time or from overuse, such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, and runner’s knee or from the occurrence of a recent sports injury, such as a meniscal tear or dislocated kneecap.

In some circumstances, and if not identified early on, conditions such as knee arthritis may create extreme bone and joint discomfort, making knee surgery, such as knee replacement, total knee arthroplasty, or knee arthroscopy, possible options to relieving your knee pain.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of knee pain, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible before your knee injury or condition worsens.

• A popping or snapping noise in or around the knee
• Feel like your knee gave out while walking, running, jumping, or turning
• Have severe joint pain, pain in the knee, pain in the kneecap, or pain behind the knee
• Cannot bend or move the knee
• Begin limping or are unable to walk comfortably
• Have swelling of the knee, joint, or calf area

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, we understand that pain in the knee can make everyday activities difficult.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our joint doctors are the leading experts in performing joint replacement procedures.

Over time, the constant stress, weight-bearing, and demands our joints endure can wear down the protective cartilage within our joints, causing severe joint pain and discomfort. Though conservative treatment methods may provide temporary pain relief, joint replacement may be a more rewarding option for long-term relief and restoration of mobility.

If you’re considering a joint replacement, Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics’ specialty-trained surgeons are second to none in performing joint replacements.

Who Needs Joint Surgery

Persistent joint pain is the most common reason patients decide to undergo joint replacement. Whether the result of a prior injury or a degenerative disease, joint replacement may be the answer. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, and conservative treatment methods have failed to alleviate your pain, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery:

• Severe joint pain
• Joint pain that prevents you from resting or keeps you awake at night
• Joint pain that prohibits you from activity
• Joint pain that disrupts necessary and daily functions, such as climbing stairs or walking
• Joint replacement requires an experienced and skilled surgeon.

Our talented joint replacement surgeons have undergone specialized training in joint replacement surgeries. At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our surgeons are committed to optimal outcomes and will work with you to customize a treatment plan to accommodate your individual needs.

Types of Joint Surgery

Joint replacement surgery can be performed with different joints, such as the hip, knee, and shoulder. Each of these joint surgeries has its own sub-types as well, such as partial or total hip replacements and knee replacements. Depending on the type of condition or injury that has affected the joint, and the extent of damage the joint has suffered, any of these surgeries may be recommended:

• Total Hip Replacement: In this procedure, the damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one made of metal, ceramic, or plastic components. The ball at the top of the thigh bone (femoral head) and the socket in the hip bone (acetabulum) are replaced.
• Partial Knee Replacement: Also known as unicompartmental knee replacement, this surgery replaces only the damaged part of the knee joint, preserving healthy bone and tissue. It is performed when arthritis affects only one compartment of the knee.
• Partial Hip Replacement: In hemiarthroplasty, only one part of the hip joint is replaced, typically the femoral head. This procedure is commonly performed for fractures where the hip socket remains healthy.
• Total Knee Replacement: This surgery involves replacing the damaged surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic components. The ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) are resurfaced, and a plastic spacer is inserted between them to provide smooth movement.
• Total Shoulder Replacement: This surgery replaces the damaged shoulder joint with artificial components made of metal and plastic. The head of the humerus (upper arm bone) and the socket of the shoulder blade (glenoid) are replaced to restore function and alleviate pain.

Due to their dynamic nature, sports injuries require specialized methods of treatment.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a high school, college, or professional athlete and obtain an injury, you need to see a doctor with the highest level of training and experience in sports medicine.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our sports medicine doctors take a team approach in helping you return to your favorite sports and activities.

Interventional spine care is a multidisciplinary branch of medicine focused on diagnosing the source of spine and musculoskeletal pain and employing nonsurgical treatments to effectively reduce or alleviate pain.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our interventional spine specialists are dedicated to helping patients who suffer ongoing pain and discomfort from conditions such as low back pain, muscle pain, shingles, sciatica, complex regional pain syndrome, and various spine and other general musculoskeletal conditions, including sports-related injuries.

Conditions Interventional Spine Medicine Treats

The practice of interventional spinal care employs a wide range of treatment methods because the pain experienced can vary from mild to excruciating, episodic to continuous, and can be inconvenient to completely incapacitating.

Common sources of pain that interventional spinal specialists treat include:

• Herniated Discs: When the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through the tough outer layer, it can compress nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root canals, leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It often causes pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: This condition involves the breakdown of spinal discs due to aging, wear and tear, or injury, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Facet Joint Syndrome: Facet joints are small joints located between each vertebra in the spine. When these joints become inflamed or irritated, it can cause localized pain and stiffness, often aggravated by movement.

• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) to the pelvis. Dysfunction or inflammation in these joints can cause lower back pain and buttock pain, often worsened with sitting, standing, or walking.
• Sciatica: Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. It is commonly caused by compression or irritation of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
• Compression Fractures: Compression fractures occur when a vertebra collapses or becomes compressed, often due to osteoporosis or trauma. These fractures can cause sudden onset of severe back pain and may lead to loss of height or curvature in the spine.
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Some patients continue to experience persistent pain or develop new pain following spinal surgery.

Pain has many forms and classifications—from mild to severe, sharp to dull, sporadic to perpetual. Because pain can be generated from any number of injuries and/or conditions, specialists employ a wide range of treatment methods. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of the source of your pain is an imperative prerequisite to determining a course of treatment.

Common Interventional Spinal Procedures

There are several surgical and non-surgical treatment options within interventional spine medicine, treating conditions like sciatica, herniated discs, lumbar stenosis, and others.

Common nonsurgical treatments include:

• Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): These injections deliver steroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord and nerve roots to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy.
• Facet Joint Injections: Facet joints are small joints located between each vertebra in the spine. Injections into these joints can provide relief from pain caused by arthritis or mechanical stress.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or Rhizotomy: This procedure uses heat generated by radio waves to disrupt nerve function in specific areas of the spine, particularly in the facet joints or along the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals.
• Medial Branch Blocks: Similar to facet joint injections, medial branch blocks target the nerves that supply the facet joints. These injections can help diagnose the source of pain and provide temporary relief.
• Sacroiliac Joint Injections: Injections into the sacroiliac joint, located at the base of the spine where the sacrum meets the ilium, can help alleviate pain caused by inflammation or dysfunction in this area.

• Trigger Point Injections: These injections target specific areas of muscle spasm or tension along the spine, providing relief from localized pain and improving range of motion.
• Intradiscal Procedures: Techniques such as intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) or intradiscal biacuplasty involve applying heat or energy directly to the intervertebral disc to reduce pain and promote healing.
• Pulsed Radiofrequency Therapy: This newer technique involves applying pulsed radiofrequency energy to nerves associated with chronic pain, providing relief without damaging surrounding tissue.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): SCS involves implanting a device that delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord, interfering with pain signals and providing relief for chronic pain conditions.
• Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: These minimally invasive procedures involve injecting bone cement into fractured vertebrae to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain caused by compression fractures.

Interventional spine medicine primarily focuses on nonsurgical treatments for spinal pain and related conditions. However, there are some cases where minimally invasive surgical techniques are necessary:

• Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD): This procedure involves removing small portions of bone and tissue to relieve pressure on spinal nerves in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Lumbar Microdiscectomy: While technically a surgical procedure, microdiscectomy is minimally invasive and involves removing a portion of a herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.
• Percutaneous Discectomy: This minimally invasive procedure involves removing portions of a herniated disc using specialized tools inserted through a small incision.

• Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: These procedures involve injecting bone cement into fractured vertebrae to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain caused by compression fractures.
• Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation: While primarily nonsurgical in nature, the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator involves a minor surgical procedure to place the device under the skin and connect it to leads that deliver electrical impulses to the spinal cord.

These procedures involve surgical techniques, but they are considered minimally invasive and typically have shorter recovery times with lower risks compared to traditional open spine surgery.

As the most versatile joint in the human body, our shoulder joint provides us with a tremendous amount of flexibility. However, this range of motion can lead to shoulder pain or discomfort.

In most cases, pain in the shoulder can be the result of one of four main causes: inflammation, instability, arthritis, or a fracture.

Symptoms of a possible shoulder condition or injury include:

• Pain and stiffness in or around the shoulder joint
• Limited shoulder mobility
• Difficulty and/or inability to reach overhead
• Shoulder joint pain that keeps you awake at night
• A popping or grinding feeling when using the afflicted shoulder

Whether you’re suffering from a recent injury, such as a rotator cuff tear or shoulder dislocation, or the pain in your shoulder has developed over time from shoulder tendonitis (medically referred to as tendinitis) or bursitis, our shoulder doctors at Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics understand your desire for pain relief.

Occupational medicine is a medical specialty that deals with the prevention and treatment of conditions and injuries in the workplace. Our occupational medicine doctor is an expert in the comprehensive treatment of a wide array of conditions and injuries for the worker and in developing dynamic plans to return to work and healthy activity.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our experts understand that conditions and injuries affecting your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments can make working or getting back to work difficult. Our occupational medicine doctor will work with you to assess your injury or condition and develop a return-to-work plan custom-tailored to each individual patient.

What is Occupational Medicine?

Occupational medicine focuses on the health and well-being of workers within the workplace by managing workplace injuries or illnesses and promoting employees’ health and safety. The goal of the field is to promote overall worker health and productivity by taking a preventative approach to injuries or occupational disease that workers could be exposed to, and how to mitigate them.

What Does an Occupational Healthcare Provider Do?

An occupational physician, or occupational medicine specialist, is focused on the treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses. An occupational doctor doesn’t only treat injuries or diseases that are tied to their workplace but may help to develop health policies for companies and address concerns for preventing occupational stress.

Specialists in occupational medicine can work in an array of environments, from hospitals to government agencies, with duties that include:

• Workplace Health Assessments: Occupational physicians assess the workplace environment to identify potential health hazards, whether they are physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, or psychosocial. They may conduct site visits, review work processes, and recommend measures to mitigate risks.
• Pre-Employment Examinations: Before individuals start a new job, occupational physicians may conduct pre-employment medical examinations to ensure that the prospective employees are physically and mentally fit for the specific demands of the job.
• Health Surveillance: Monitoring the health of workers who may be exposed to specific occupational hazards. This includes regular medical check-ups and screenings to detect and address potential health issues early on.
• Injury and Illness Management: When employees experience work-related injuries or illnesses, occupational physicians are involved in their medical care and rehabilitation. They work with other healthcare professionals, employers, and insurers to facilitate a safe and timely return to work.
• Disability Management: Occupational physicians assist in managing disabilities and determining appropriate accommodations to support employees in returning to work after an injury or illness.
• Health Promotion and Education: Developing and implementing health promotion programs aimed at improving the overall well-being of the workforce.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that workplaces comply with occupational health and safety regulations by guiding the development and implementation of safety policies and procedures.
• Advisory Role: Serving as advisors to employers, employees, and other healthcare professionals on matters related to occupational health, such as creating a safe work environment and promoting employee well-being.

Common Types of Medical Conditions and Work-related Injuries

Physicians who practice occupational medicine often deal with a wide range of work-related injuries, and the specific types can vary depending on the industry and the nature of the work, including:

• Musculoskeletal Injuries: Strains, sprains, and repetitive strain injuries are common in many workplaces, especially those that involve manual labor, heavy lifting, or repetitive motions.
• Traumatic Injuries: Accidents and injuries resulting from slips, trips, falls, or being struck by objects are common in various work environments.
• Back Injuries: Improper lifting techniques, poor ergonomics, and heavy physical work can contribute to back injuries among workers.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, or food services may be at risk of cuts and lacerations from tools, machinery, or sharp objects.
• Burns and Scalds: Workers in industries involving chemicals, hot surfaces, or open flames may be at risk of burns and scalds.
• Respiratory Issues: Exposure to hazardous substances, dust, fumes, or gases can lead to respiratory problems, including occupational asthma or other respiratory conditions.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to loud noises in certain industries, such as construction or manufacturing, can result in hearing loss.
• Occupational Dermatitis: Contact with irritants or allergens in the workplace can lead to skin conditions, such as dermatitis or eczema.
• Eye Injuries: Workers in industries with potential eye hazards, such as construction or manufacturing, may experience injuries from foreign objects, chemicals, or other hazards.
• Work-Related Stress and Mental Health Issues: Occupational physicians may also address mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression, that can arise from workplace factors such as high job demands, long hours, or interpersonal conflicts.
• Work-Related Infections: In certain healthcare or laboratory settings, there may be a risk of exposure to infectious agents, leading to work-related infections.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as PM&R or physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the nonsurgical treatment of injuries and disorders and the pain that accompanies them. Physiatrists, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, are specialty-trained to employ conservative methods to alleviate pain in the neck and spine as well as many other types of pain.

The physiatric approach to patient care looks at the whole person and not just one symptom or condition.

What is PM&R (Physiatry)?

PM&R focuses on enhancing and restoring functional abilities and the quality of life for patients with physical impairments or disabilities. Physical medicine is a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to patient care, focusing on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of rehabilitation rather than strictly treating medical issues or conditions.

What do Physiatrists Diagnose and Practice?

Physiatrists aim to optimize function, minimize disability, and improve the overall well-being of their patients, and their medical practices apply to a wide array of medical conditions from neurological to orthopedic. Here is an overview of what physiatrists practice:

• Functional Assessment: Physiatrists assess the impact of a medical condition on a person’s ability to perform daily activities. They evaluate the patient’s functional abilities, mobility, strength, coordination, and overall quality of life.
• Rehabilitation Planning: Physiatrists design and coordinate comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored to the specific needs of each patient. These programs often involve a combination of therapeutic interventions, exercises, and other approaches to improve function and independence.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: Physiatrists collaborate with a team of healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation nurses, and others, to provide comprehensive care.
• Pain Management: Physiatrists use a variety of techniques such as medications, physical modalities, and interventional procedures to improve pain control and overall function.
• Musculoskeletal Medicine: Physiatrists can diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries, degenerative disorders, and inflammatory conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments.
• Neurorehabilitation: They focus on optimizing neurological function and facilitating recovery for patients who have neurological disorders or injuries, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
• Electrodiagnostic Testing: Using tests like electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to evaluate the function of muscles and nerves, aiding in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders.
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: Physiatrists play a critical role in the rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injuries, addressing mobility, function, and independence.
• Pediatric Rehabilitation: Some physiatrists specialize in pediatric physiatry, focusing on the rehabilitation needs of children with congenital or acquired disabilities.
• Sports Medicine: Physiatrists with a sports medicine focus are involved in the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries, as well as performance enhancement for athletes.

Common Physiatry (PM&R) Treatments

Common treatments and interventions provided by physiatrists include:

• Physical Therapy (PT): Physiatrists often prescribe physical therapy, which involves exercises, stretches, and hands-on techniques to improve mobility, strength, and coordination. PT is commonly used for musculoskeletal conditions, neurological disorders, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
• Occupational Therapy (OT): Occupational therapists work with patients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and enhance fine motor skills. OT is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries.
• Rehabilitation Medicine: Physiatrists specialize in designing comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored to the individual needs of patients. These programs may include a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other interventions.
• Electrodiagnostic Testing: Physiatrists may use tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to assess the function of muscles and nerves. These tests help diagnose conditions like peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and muscle disorders.
• Interventional Procedures: Performing various interventional procedures to manage pain and improve function, which may include joint injections, epidural injections, nerve blocks, and other minimally invasive techniques.
• Spasticity Management: Working with individuals who have conditions causing muscle spasticity, such as cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. They may use medications, botulinum toxin injections, and orthotic devices to manage spasticity.
• Prosthetics and Orthotics: Physiatrists play a role in the prescription and fitting of prosthetic limbs and orthotic devices to enhance mobility and function for individuals with
• limb loss or musculoskeletal disorders.
• Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Devices: Recommending or prescribing assistive devices and adaptive equipment to improve independence and function for individuals with disabilities.
• Counseling and Education: Providing education and counseling to patients and their families, helping them understand their conditions and develop strategies for managing challenges and achieving optimal function.

As a recognized leader in orthopedic care, Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics is committed to providing patients with access to the latest treatments and advanced techniques, such as electrodiagnostic testing. The knowledgeable physiatrists of Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics are trained and experienced in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating physical discomforts due to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

Whether you have radiating neck pain, back discomfort, physical numbness and weakness, muscle fatigue, or muscle cramping, our experts provide conservative methods and techniques for restoring your health and function.

In order to discover the source of your nerve and muscle pain, our doctors will perform an electrodiagnostic consultation. The test consists of a comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal exam, which tests how well signals travel along a nerve and helps find the cause of abnormal nerve function.

At Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, our goal is to effectively treat your bodily aches and pains and return you to enjoying your favorite activities.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, our dedicated physiatrists will help find a solution to your ailments and help you get back to enjoying activity again.

CORI® Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgery

Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics offers Partial and Total knee replacement using robotic-assisted surgical methods. As one of the first orthopedic groups in the Puget Sound Region to adopt robotics, we have had extensive experience with the technology since 2016.

Robotic-assisted knee replacement is an innovative treatment option for adults living with osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee, allowing for consistently reproducible precision in performing Partial and Total knee resurfacing. Read on to learn more!

What is Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement?

Similar to traditional knee replacement surgery in how it’s performed, the only meaningful difference is that the operation is done with the assistance of a robotic arm, which allows for greater precision.

Robotic-assisted surgery can be used for both Partial and Total knee replacements. By selectively targeting the portion of the knee that has been damaged by osteoarthritis, Partial knee replacements resurface only the arthritic areas of the knee without compromising the healthy bone and tissue surrounding it.

We at Proliance Skagit Northwest Orthopedics use the CORI Surgical System, which provides an additional layer of pre-surgical planning, allowing for improved precision for both partial and total knee replacement procedures. This allows for the surgeon to create a highly individualized plan that is specific to both the unique shape and motion of the patient’s knee and being able to without a CT scan to create a surgical guide.

Advantages of Robotic-Assisted Knee Joint Replacements

Compared to traditional knee replacement surgery, there are several benefits that highlight the advantages of having robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery:

• Greater precision: Robotics enhances the orthopedic surgeon’s expertise and ability to be more precise during surgery, such as with tissue removal and implant placement.
• Greater joint alignment: Robotic technology enables the surgeon to better align and position the knee implant, creating a more natural feeling and less friction with the new joint.
• Better preservation of healthy tissue: The robot can be programmed to differentiate between damaged and healthy tissue, allowing surgeons to only remove what’s necessary, potentially leading to a more conservative surgery.
• Quicker rehabilitation: Due to the minimally invasive nature and precision of robot-assisted surgeries, patients might experience faster recovery times, and begin rehabilitation earlier.
• Decreased blood loss: Minimally invasive techniques often result in less blood loss during surgery.

Robotic Knee Replacement Procedure

The procedure is outpatient, allowing many patients to get back on their feet in just one day. The joint replacement surgery, with robotic assistance, differs from the traditional in that navigation pins are placed into the bone to guide the robotic-assisted instruments. These navigation pins provide sensory feedback and assist the surgeon in their precision while removing damaged bone, cartilage, and placing the prosthetic joint. Beyond the navigation pins guiding the robotic arm, the procedure is highly similar to traditional knee replacement.

Your Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics Knee Arthroplasty Surgeons perform Partial and Total knee replacements using the CORI Surgical system. The CORI robotic-assisted surgery system does not require a pre-operative CT scan, unlike most other systems. Eliminating the need for a CT scan saves time, cost, and radiation to the patient.

In orthopedic medicine, surgery is usually only part of the formula for success. Often physical therapy can be just as important to the outcome of each case.

Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics’ physical therapy programs are designed to provide patients from neighboring areas with the best outpatient rehabilitation experience possible. Our physical therapists specialize in orthopedics, manual physical therapy, and lymphedema treatment. They are trained to treat the full spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions.

Whether a patient is recovering from a health condition, an injury, or an operation, the Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics physical therapy staff has the knowledge, skill, and compassion to assist each individual in realizing their highest level of function.

The Proliance Surgeons Skagit Northwest Orthopedics physical therapy staff treats patients of all ages and activity levels, working closely with the most prominent physicians and orthopedic surgeons in the Puget Sound region. The practice’s comprehensive rehabilitation programs include therapeutic exercise, hands-on treatment techniques, neuromuscular re-education, modalities and patient education.