Hand and Upper Extremity Care and Surgery

Our services include treatment of conditions of the hand, fingers, wrist and arm. Our physicians are board certified orthopaedic surgeons with fellowship training or board certification in hand and upper extremity orthopaedics. In addition, our hand therapy is provided by certified occupational therapists. We treat a wide variety of traumatic injuries and chronic ailments with procedures including:
 
Treatment of fracture
Treatment of traumatic injuries to the hand and upper extremities
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (microsurgery)
Microsurgical repair
Wrist, elbow and shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure conducted with two, button-hole size incisions
Total Wrist Replacement Surgery
Congenital Abnormalities
An individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient to prevent dysfunction, restore function, or reverse the advancement of disease.

Foot and Ankle Care and Surgery

Foot and ankle services at Emory encompass treatment for conditions of the ankle and foot caused by diseases such as diabetes as well as traumatic injuries caused by an accident or fall.  A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is used in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders. Consultations with radiologists, neurologists, physical therapists, podiatrists, anesthesiologists, rheumatologists, and  other specialties are available within The Emory Clinic as needed for a complete evaluation of  complex problems.

Special treatment procedures include hyperbarics, a treatment that has been used for years as a natural treatment process in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This service is available at Emory-Crawford Long Hospital.

A wide variety of alternative, conservative treatment methods are available as well as surgical procedures.

Orthopaedic Trauma

The Emory Orthopaedics Center has a fulltime staff of physicians from orthopaedics and other orthopaedic subspecialties who work together to treat patients with major trauma caused by accident, falls or injuries. Our mission is to restore function in those patients with isolated extremity injuries including:

• Severe fractures of the upper and lower extremities
• Pelvic fractures
• Spinal fractures
• Complex femoral fractures
• Major trauma requiring hyperbaric oxygen (100% oxygen treatment provided in a pressurized chamber for natural healing)
• Orthopaedic Surgery

The Emory Orthopaedic & Spine Center has ambulatory surgery services for minimally invasive procedures that do not require an overnight stay. In addition, the Center's orthopaedic surgeons perform more complicated procedures at Emory University Hospital and Emory Crawford Long Hospital.

Our facilities at the center include state-of-the art procedure rooms in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

Joint Replacement

The Emory Orthopaedics Center's joint reconstruction or replacement service is dedicated to providing expert medical and surgical treatment of diseased and damaged joints. Joint replacement involves the removal of a severely damaged and dysfunctional joint due to a condition such as advanced arthritis. The bone ends of a joint are covered with a substance called cartilage which allows freedom of movement and range of motion. When the cartilage is damaged by a condition such as arthritis, the joints become stiff and dysfunctional. In joint replacement, the damaged portions of the joint are replaced with prosthetic materials made of metal or plastic. These devices will vary in shape and size depending on the joint to be replaced.

Joint replacement services at the Emory Orthopaedics Center include degenerative, rheumatologic, and post-traumatic arthritic conditions treated by a variety of conservative techniques as well as the following operative procedures: Arthroscopy, Osteotomy, Arthrodesis, Primary joint replacement, and Revision joint replacement.

Orthopaedic Oncology

The mission of the Emory Orthopaedic Oncology service is to evaluate and treat patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the bone and soft tissues. Metastatic tumors are cancers that have spread from other areas if the body into the bone.

Our staff includes a multidisciplinary team of orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists who, along with other physicians in The Emory Clinic, provide the following services in caring for patients with bone or soft tissue tumors:
 

• Diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, radionuclear scans)
• Radiation treatment
• Chemotherapy tumor resection
• Complex limb reconstruction

Geriatric Orthopaedics

The Emory Orthopaedics Center provides orthopaedic care for all ages, from childhood to late life. The processes of aging can be especially taxing on the musculoskeletal system. The Emory Orthopaedics Center Geriatric team works with all aspects of orthopaedic disease prevention, treatment and surgeries for the especially vulnerable over 65 age group - from bone mineral loss, which causes brittle bones and fractures, to degenerative joint disease.

• Geriatric Orthopaedics services include
• Arthritis treatment
• Joint replacement
• Osteoporosis
• Fractures and hip replacement

Pediatric Orthopaedics

Our pediatric specialists are board-certified in the field and are committed to serving the special needs of children with orthopaedic conditions, illnesses and injuries.  Our pediatric team works within a multi-disciplinary approach to assure collaboration that results in an evaluation of all medical options.  We appreciate the sensitivities of dealing with children and take special care to assure the highest quality care, provided with compassion and understanding.

• Pediatric services include:
• Acute injuries/fractures
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Scoliosis
• Limb malformation and lengthening

Occupational Medicine

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, over 147 million work days are missed each year due to orthopaedic injury. The Emory Orthopaedics Center Occupational Health team is dedicated to working with companies throughout the region to provide preventative health information for the workplace.
 
Disabling injuries in the work place are strongly related to job experience. New employees are far more likely to suffer injuries than those who are trained and experienced.  For that reason, training and education are critical to the prevention of on-the-job injuries.

Back injuries account for the largest number of disabling injuries in the workplace.  Laborers, truck drivers, stock handlers and nursing aids are jobs where disabling injuries most often occur.

However, other 'office job' related injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition of the nerve from the wrist to the thumb side of the hand, caused by repetitive forceful movements such as working at a keyboard. 

Rehabilitation

The department promotes wellness, prevention of dysfunction, and restoration and maintenance of function across the healthcare spectrum - dealing especially with orthopaedic rehabilitation.   We have a staff of rehabilitation specialists and a comprehensive rehabilitation center conveniently located within the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center facility.

Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Services

• General X-ray
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound

Ancillary Services

Physical Therapy
 
Prosthetics/Orthotics

Atlanta Prosthetics and Orthotics maintains a state-of-the-art facility with the Center for fabrication and fitting of braces and artificial limbs.
 
Ambulatory Surgery Center