Medical Specialties
This page contains information about the most common procedures for which Dr. Lucey sees orthopaedic patients. For more general information about the Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics Center, including appointments, insurance and directions, please visit the SMOC Web Site at www.smoconline.com.
Knee Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy refers to a procedure in which a joint is viewed using a small camera. It allows Dr. Lucey to diagnose and treat knee disorders by providing a clear view of the inside of the knee. With improvements of arthroscopes and higher resolution cameras, the procedure has become highly effective for both the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of knee problems.
Signs that you may be a candidate for this procedure include swelling, persistent pain, catching, giving way, and loss of confidence in your knee. When other treatments, such as the regular use of medications, knee supports, and physical therapy, have provided minimal or no improvement, you may benefit from arthroscopy.
Total Knee Replacements: Sometimes knee pain, inflammation, deformity or stiffness do not substantially improve with treatments such as cortisone injections, physical therapy, or other surgeries. By resurfacing the damaged and worn surfaces of the knee, a total knee replacement can relieve pain, correct leg deformity and help patients resume normal activities. Whenever possible, Dr. Lucey utilizes a minimally invasive surgical approach for total knee replacements. With this technique, the incisions are approximately half the size of those used in a standard approach, often resulting in less pain, a quicker rehabilitation, and a shorter hospital stay.
ACL Reconstructions: A torn ACL will not heal without surgery. Most ACL tears cannot be sutured (stitched) back together. To surgically repair the ACL and restore knee stability, the ligament must be reconstructed. Dr. Lucey will replace the torn ligament with a tissue graft, which will act as a scaffolding for a new ligament to grow on. The goal of the ACL reconstruction surgery is to prevent instability and restore the function of the torn ligament, creating a stable knee, thus allowing the patient to return to full mobility. Because the regrowth takes time, it may be six months or more before an athlete can return to sports after ACL reconstruction surgery.
Shoulder Arthroscopy: Surgical intervention is considered when there is no improvement in pain or shoulder motion after an appropriate course of physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. In an arthroscopic examination, Dr. Lucey makes a small incision in the patient's skin and then inserts instruments that magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. This lets Dr. Lucey see the cartilage and ligaments to determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem, if necessary.
Candidates for shoulder arthroscopy include patients with chronic inflammation, rotator cuff tendon tears, impingement syndrome, and recurrent dislocations.
Hip Replacements: Osteoarthritis of the hip is the most common reason for a hip replacement. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of aging. It causes the cartilage covering the joint surfaces to wear out, resulting in pain and stiffness. Hip replacement surgery involves removing the head of the thighbone and replacing the ball-and-socket mechanism of the hip with artificial implants. This relieves pain and improves mobility. Some patients may be candidates for minimally invasive hip replacement, which allows Dr. Lucey to perform the hip replacement through one or two small incisions. Patients usually have less pain compared with traditional hip replacement surgery, and rehabilitation is faster.
