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Having surgery can be scary. 

Understanding Orthopaedics hopes to help calm (or at least reduce) your fears by giving you a glimpse into how things work in the world of Orthopaedic Surgery. 

When you or a loved one is considering or undergoing surgery, a little extra information can help you understand what your surgeon is doing and why. 

Here are a few starting- points you can choose from. These articles are not meant to teach you everything about orthopaedic illnesses and conditions… rather to give you an idea of what goes on in your surgeon’s mind. 

Of course, you should always talk to your surgeon and ask the questions that fill your own mind. 

All the best!

JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Knees, Hips, Shoulders, Elbows, Ankles…. even some of the finger joints can be replaced when they are almost completely worn out. Learn more about joint replacement here:

1. Repair or Replace
2. Thoughts on Replacing Knees

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ARTHROSCOPY (JOINT SCOPES) & SPORTS INJURIES

Arthroscopy is Minimally-Invasive surgery where a tiny (4mm) camera is placed into the joint to look inside (and repair) an injured joint. Sports injuries are common nowadays… even in not so sporty people. Learn more here:

1. The Torn Meniscus (Knee)
2. ACL and Ligament Injuries (Knee)
3. Rebuilding The Unstable Knee

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TRAUMATIC INJURIES

Falls and accidents are the most common cause of injury in the young… and the not-so-young. Of course, no one wants to have an injury, but for the times when the unexpected happens, it’s wise to have some information at hand. Learn more here:

1. Breaking Bones
2. The Smashed Elbow

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KNEE INJECTIONS FOR ARTHRITIS

Many of my patients ask me about gel injections for their knees. But injections are not just about gels. There’s PRP and PRGF… and a whole range of different injections made for nearly every joint in the body. Let this information be your compass in the wilderness of the world of joint injections:

1. Knee injections: An Introduction
2. Lubricants & Gels
3. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) & Growth Factors
4. Stem Cells
5. Knee injections: What to expect?

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PROBLEMS OF THE HAND

Our hands are small. But, in a way, they are a direct extension of our mind. They allow us to create the things our brains imagine. So when they hurt, it can be a big problem.

1. Trigger Finger

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SPINE AND BACK TROUBLES

Back pain is one of the most common reasons to visit the doctor (in the whole world). So, it’s really a matter of WHEN rather than IF we will get it. Click here to learn more about back problems:

1. Lower Back Pain
2. The S shaped Spine (Scoliosis)

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LIFESTYLE IN ORTHOPAEDICS – by Dr Yvonne Chuon

Lifestyle Medicine is not orthopaedics. But patients with nearly all orthopaedic problems would greatly benefit from changes in their lifestyle. Our guest Lifestyle Medicine Physician- Dr Yvonne Chuon, writes on how we can change simple things in our lives to improve our health. Learn more here:

1. 5- Foods to Avoid in Arthritis (Hip, Knee, Ankle, Spine)

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THOUGHTS ON SURGERY 

Surgery can be scary. And not just for the patient. It really can be mind over matter, and sometimes, the courage to do what we do comes from the dedicated team of staff that we rely on (and the hand of God that guides us always). This section explores what goes on in the mind of your surgeon- behind the scenes.

1. Surgical Synergy (Teamwork in Surgery)
2. The Air of Surgical Mystery (Deciding to Undergo Surgery)
3. Behind The Drapes

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COVID-19 AND SURGERY 

2020 will go down in history as the year that almost completely disappeared. And 2021… well that remains to be seen.. Lots has changed in recent times, including how surgery is done. Working in a level-1 Trauma centre AND a full-fledged COVID Hospital has given me valuable insights into the terrifying effects of the new coronavirus. Learn more here:

1. The Viral Situation
2. COVID in the Air
3. Of Madness and Hope
4. The Eye of the Needle

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MEDICINES IN ORTHOPAEDICS 

Doctors use medicines to help relieve suffering in their patients. But not all patients fully understand what medicines they are given and why they need to take them. This short list of articles explores some of the common medicines used by Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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LIFE IN ORTHOPAEDICS 

There is more to life than work, even in orthopaedics. Like it or not, life is what happens behind the scenes.

1. No Barber, No Matter
2. To Nurse With Love
3. Forgotten Stories
4. The Mark of the Flower
5. Growing…. wiser?
6. Looking Death in the Eye (New)

Dr Putra Vatakal can be found at:

Beacon Hospital, Petaling Jaya – 03-77872998 / 0111 – 0530627

or on Facebook at: putra.vatakal.orthopaedics