Blog

Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine – What Is It & Do I Qualify?

Patients
Stem cell injections and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment are two forms of regenerative medicine, a non-surgical alternative to traditional orthopedic treatments. These treatment strategies accelerate the body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair and restore damaged tissue, for example in the knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow. Stem Cell Therapy Stem cells have the potential to replace cells in many different body tissues such as tendons or cartilage. Stem cell therapy involves extraction of stem cells from adult non-controversial sources, such as blood or bone marrow, and then injection near the injury site. The stem cells then transform into the same type of cell as the injured tissue and speed up healing. Stem cell therapy can be used in lieu of traditional treatments such as physical therapy, steroid injections, and pain…
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FREE MRI Scan Review – Why Should I Get One?

FREE MRI Scan Review – Why Should I Get One?

Patients
If you saw a doctor about neck or back pain, they may have recommended that you get a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. These give your doctor a picture of your bones, joints, and soft tissue (e.g. muscle or cartilage) so that your doctor can diagnose the source of your neck or back pain. The scan can be used to identify the presence of a herniated disc, a pinched nerve, spondylolisthesis, or a number of other spine abnormalities that may be the cause of your pain. Why Get An MRI Scan Review? If you’ve already had your MRI scan, a doctor specializing in spine treatment can use your MRI image to determine the best treatment for you. Our spine doctors have been helping the Chicago and Orland Park communities get…
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Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Surgeon Before Surgery

Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Surgeon Before Surgery

Patients
Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Surgeon Before Surgery Going to a surgeon can be an intimidating process. You may feel a bit vulnerable putting yourself in their hands, especially when you don't know the surgeon well or don't feel well informed about your different treatment options. Below are a list of questions that you can ask your orthopedic surgeon to make sure that you are getting the best surgeon, understanding your condition, and selecting the right treatment option. About the Surgeon How long have you been in practice? Are you board certified? Have you seen this condition before? How many times have you performed the recommended procedure? Will there be other physicians assisting you in the operation? Are they board certified? Where can I get a second opinion? About your…
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Relieving Patient Preoperative Anxiety as a Surgeon

Relieving Patient Preoperative Anxiety as a Surgeon

Surgeons
Relieving Patient Preoperative Anxiety as a Surgeon Those of us who work in healthcare marvel at the low complication rates and rapid speed of today’s outpatient surgery procedures. But for patients, who are less familiar with what goes on beyond the clinic room, the word “surgery” can induce a lot of anxiety. In fact, research shows that over two thirds of patients experience preoperative anxiety. As a surgeon, here are a few strategies for helping patients overcome that anxiety and prepare for their operation: Help patients regain a sense of control. Patients generally don't have your level of medical training and are deferring to you about their options even when they make the final choice. During a period of pain or illness, which may have already caused them to feel a…
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New Endoscopy Equipment: Arthrex Synergy UHD4

New Endoscopy Equipment: Arthrex Synergy UHD4

Surgeons
New Endoscopy Equipment: Arthrex Synergy UHD4 Ambulatory surgery centers focus on reducing the cost and burden of surgery for their patients. One way to do this is by ensuring our surgeons operate with the best equipment, which is why we just added the Arthrex SynergyUHD4 Imaging Platform to the arsenal for our Orthopedic and Spine surgeons at Preferred Surgicenter. Outpatient Surgery Magazine points out that having 4K video equipment, which offers four times the resolution of traditional HD, can help surgeons take minutes off of their procedure times. Not only is this great for surgeons that have multiple procedures in one day, but it is also easier on friends and family of the patient that may be waiting anxiously.To learn more about or to see footage of procedures with the Arthrex SynergyUHD4, check out their…
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Surgery at ASC’s is a Better Alternative to Surgery in Hospitals For Many Patients

Surgery at ASC’s is a Better Alternative to Surgery in Hospitals For Many Patients

Patients
Surgery at an Ambulatory Surgery Center is a Better Alternative to Surgery in a Hospital For Many Patients Ambulatory or outpatient surgery centers (ASCs) are state-licensed facilities that perform single-day, outpatient procedures within specialties including orthopedic, gastrointestinal, pain management, and cosmetic medicine. Physicians at ASCs are the same ones you would see at a hospital, but they choose to perform your surgery at an ASC for the benefits outlined below. If you have a surgery coming up, ask your physician if it can be performed at an ASC. The Benefits of an Ambulatory Surgery CenterASCs are cheaper and have transparent pricing. Patients save over $5 billion annually in lower deductibles and coinsurance payments by choosing to have their surgeries in ASCs.1 Because ASCs are smaller facilities and perform a limited range of…
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Operating at ASC’s Improves Surgeon Reviews Online and It Matters

Operating at ASC’s Improves Surgeon Reviews Online and It Matters

Surgeons
Operating at an Ambulatory Surgery Center Improves Surgeon Reviews Online and It Matters If you were headed to surgery today, how would you pick your surgeon? You may simply request the surgeon referred by your physician. You may ask friends or family who have had a similar procedure performed. Or perhaps you fall into the 59% of patients that a 2012 JAMA study found considered physician review or rating websites as “very important” or “somewhat important."1The study found that, 35% of patients that visited physician review sites selected a physician based on good ratings and that 37% avoided a physician because of bad ratings. A more recent study by Software Advice found that 84% of patients use online physician reviews when selecting their physician and that 47% of patients would select…
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