Even though total hip replacement surgery has been performed since 1962, new innovations continue to improve results and ease recovery. OAL doctors are performing a new “mini-incision” approach to total hip replacement in selected patients. This approach allows the standard total hip replacement to be done with two small incisions, without removing as much important muscle from around the hip joint. It also allows for more comfortable and earlier weight-bearing and a quicker rehabilitation.

Minimally Invasive

Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacements have also been done since the mid 1960s. OAL doctors are now doing this standard total knee replacement through a smaller incision and, more importantly, without splitting as much of the important quadriceps tendon. This technique requires the use of special instruments to assure that the fit and alignment of the replacement is precise and accurate. Although this approach is more difficult than the standard knee replacement, it is our hope that it will allow for a faster recovery, with less pain and stiffness.

Unicompartmental

Total Knee Replacement

A small group of patients have their arthritis limited to one side (medial, inside or lateral, outside) of the knee joint. In these selected patients, a knee replacement that resurfaces only the inside or outside of the knee can be performed by our OAL doctors. This procedure is done through a much smaller incision and usually results in a faster and less painful recovery.

“Locking” Plates for Bone Fractures

OAL doctors are using this newest technology to surgically fix broken bones.
When most fractures are fixed, screws and plates are used to hold the broken
bones together. The screws go through the plate but only “lock” into the bone.
With this new technology, the screws are not only threaded into the bone but
also are secured to the plate through a separate bolt-like thread. This new design construction allows for a more rigid fix of the fractures and increases the likelihood
of proper bone healing.

Body Imaging

X-ray

Mini C-Arm Imaging

When X-rays are necessary for your orthopedic diagnosis and treatment, our office has two state-of-the-art X-ray units and a staff of Registered Radiologic Technologists to perform the studies ordered by our doctors. These X-rays are reviewed by your OAL doctor and a report is issued.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Treatment

Osteoporosis is a serious healthcare problem. We are committed to its diagnosis and treatment. We offer, without charge, heel ultrasound screening, which may suggest underlying osteoporosis and the need for additional studies. Our staff and doctors also are available to offer this service, as well as appropriate counseling, at various health fairs.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Open MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) creates detailed images of soft tissue, muscles, nerves, and bones through the use of a powerful magnet, radio waves, and computer technology. This procedure assists our doctors in quickly and accurately diagnosing injuries and diseases of the shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, knee, ankle, and foot.

The MRI, or scanner, features a magnet which causes your body’s hydrogen atoms
to align with the magnetic field. A coil, which acts as a radio antenna, is placed near the area that is being examined. The scanner generates a radio signal, and your body’s hydrogen atoms return a signal which is processed by the computer and transformed into detailed images.

Our MRI is open and reduces anxiety that some patients feel during other MRIs due
to claustrophobia.

No special preparation is needed prior to the MRI exam. You may eat normally and take your normal daily medications. Due to the magnetic field, you will be asked to leave metal objects such as coins, keys, jewelry, watches, glasses, credit cards, or
any other metal objects in a locker outside the scanning room. You may be asked to war a gown to avoid magnetic interference from belt buckles or zippers. The procedure is painless; in fact, you won’t see or feel anything. A knocking sound will be heard as the images are being created. You will be asked to remain as still as possible throughout the procedure, which takes approximately forty-five minutes to one hour. You may bring a music CD with you to listen to.

Please inform your physician or technologist if you have a pacemaker, brain aneurysm clips, aortic clips, neuro-stimulator, insulin pump, hearing aides, joint replacement, foreign metal objects in eyes, shrapnel or bullet wounds, or permanent eyeliner. If you are pregnant we will not be able to do the exam.

After your exam, a board-certified radiologist will evaluate your images and
provide our physicians with a written report.

Physical Therapy

Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster provides personalized care in our friendly environments, in both our Lancaster and Willow Street offices, to enable our patients to return to their optimal level of functioning. We believe in a hands-on approach with a strong focus on manual physical therapy techniques—stretching, joint mobilizations, myofascial release, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation—to achieve a patient’s individual goals.

Our Physical Therapy office hours are:
Monday thru Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon

Sports Medicine

We specialize in treating grade school, high school, and collegiate
athletes as well as recreational and occupational injuries.

Treatments include:

• Spinal Stabilization Techniques
• Anti-Inflammatory Modalities: ultrasound, electrical stimulation,
  and iontophoresis
• Progressive Resistive Exercises
• Gait Training
• Sports-Specific Drills
• Isokinetic Strengthening

Orthopedic Trauma Surgery

Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster has participated in caring for orthopedic needs
of trauma patients at Lancaster General Hospital since the hospital became a trauma center in 1987. Since 2000, we have been the primary providers of orthopedic trauma care, which allows us to take care of all kinds of fractures and musculoskeletal injuries. This commitment to caring for the most severe orthopedic injuries gives us the experience to treat all types of orthopedic injuries with confidence using the most advanced treatment methods.