| Initially NHS treatment centres were set up away | | | | an artificial joint. If the whole knee joint is replaced |
| from hospitals in new purpose built treatment centres | | | | the procedure is known as a total knee arthroplasty. |
| to improve the speed and efficiency of minor | | | | Once again, you will usually remain in the treatment |
| operations. These related to cataracts primarily but | | | | centre for a period of approximately four days. |
| since they were first formed in 2005 other | | | | Arthroscopy. |
| treatments have become available. | | | | An arthroscopy can be carried out to the knee, |
| There are now a number of orthopaedic surgery | | | | shoulder, elbow, wrist or ankle and is a method of |
| treatments that are provided in treatment centres. | | | | investigating a joint to examine why pain is being |
| Here are some of the treatments covered and the | | | | experienced. It can also be used to carry out surgery |
| type of treatment you can expect. What Is | | | | to the joint in question. Hand Procedures |
| Orthopaedic Surgery? | | | | If you have experienced damage to the nerve in |
| Orthopaedic surgery generally relates to any | | | | your wrist, surgery can be carried out to reduce the |
| treatment involving bones (the skeletal system). | | | | pressure on the nerve. This is usually referred to as |
| Therefore, any treatment involving replacing | | | | carpal tunnel surgery. Whilst the procedure may be |
| defective bones or repairing broken bones may take | | | | carried out as a day release, the recovery can take |
| place as orthopaedic surgery. What Orthopaedic | | | | some time. |
| Treatment Is Available In An NHS Treatment | | | | When Is Treatment Carried Out? |
| Centre? | | | | If you elect for treatment in a treatment centre you |
| There are a variety of regular operations carried out | | | | will usually be seen by a consultant within three to |
| in orthopaedic centres including:- | | | | four weeks with surgery taking place four to six |
| * Hip replacements; | | | | weeks after your consultation. The benefit of a |
| * Knee replacements; | | | | treatment centre is that it is not designed to deal |
| * Foot and hand procedures; | | | | with emergency treatment and therefore the |
| * Arthroscopies; | | | | prospects of your operation being cancelled are much |
| * Shoulder procedures; | | | | lower. |
| * Other soft bone or tissue procedures. | | | | Who Will Provide Your Treatment? |
| We will look at each of these in more detail | | | | The treatment is normally carried out by an NHS |
| Hip Replacements. | | | | employee. Staff from hospitals can be employed or |
| Hip replacements can take place in NHS treatment | | | | overseas staff can be used to carry out your |
| centres and regularly do. The defective or diseased | | | | surgery. |
| part of the hip is removed and replaced with an | | | | What Happens If The Treatment Goes Wrong? |
| artificial bone (prosthesis). The technical name for the | | | | If there are complications with your treatment you |
| surgery is called Arthroplasty. | | | | may be transferred to a local hospital for further |
| Generally, you will stay in the treatment centre for a | | | | treatment. If long term pain is experienced as a result |
| period of approximately four days depending on your | | | | of your surgery not meeting the required standards, |
| recovery. | | | | you may be able to pursue a claim for medical |
| Knee Replacements. | | | | negligence against the NHS treatment centre in the |
| These are similar to a hip replacement and involve | | | | same way that you would do against an NHS hospital. |
| replacing damaged or diseased knee joint bones with | | | | |