Orthopedic Surgery Specialist

Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine located in Bozeman, MT

Whether you need orthopedic surgery to repair injured tissues or replace a joint, you can depend on the extensive experience and exceptional skills of the board-certified surgeons at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Beyond their surgical expertise, you also receive comprehensive care under one roof. Their facility in Bozeman, Montana, includes an on-site outpatient surgery suite, The Orthopedic Surgical Center of Montana, where they perform minimally invasive total knee surgery. If you have questions about orthopedic surgery, request an appointment online or call the office today.

Orthopedic Surgery Q & A

When might I need orthopedic surgery?

Treatment for most orthopedic injuries and conditions begins with conservative therapies such as immobilization, activity modification, and physical therapy. 

There are some exceptions, however. For example, your provider at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine may perform immediate surgery to repair complex fractures and ruptured ligaments.

When conservative care isn’t enough, your provider talks with you about surgery. The musculoskeletal conditions most likely to need orthopedic surgery include:

  • Arthritis
  • Fractures
  • Dislocated joints
  • Tendon and ligament tears
  • Meniscus tears
  • Cartilage injuries
  • Labral tears
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Synovitis

This list isn’t comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of the wide range of problems that may end up needing surgery. Orthopedic surgery ensures optimal healing and restores full strength and function so you can return to competitive sports and the activities you enjoy.

What type of orthopedic surgery is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique using small incisions. This type of orthopedic surgery is possible with today’s advanced instruments that are narrow enough to fit through tiny incisions. 

The most important instrument is the arthroscope, which contains a tiny camera and light. After your provider inserts the arthroscope into your joint, it sends magnified images to a monitor, allowing them to closely examine the tissues.

The team at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine uses arthroscopic surgery to accurately diagnose joint problems and to perform surgery to:

  • Repair or remove torn cartilage
  • Reconstruct ligaments
  • Repair or release tendons
  • Remove loose bodies in the joint
  • Remove infected or injured tissues
  • Realign and stabilize fractures

In many cases, Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine performs joint replacement surgery using minimally invasive techniques.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive orthopedic surgery?

The small incisions cause significantly less trauma compared to traditional open surgery. In many cases, your provider can avoid cutting muscles, leaving the muscles intact by gently separating them just enough to insert instruments.

The benefits you gain include:

  • Less bleeding during surgery
  • Less pain after surgery
  • Lower risk of complications
  • Shorter recovery period
  • Faster return to sports and daily activities
  • Minimal scarring

One of the best benefits is that most minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries occur on an outpatient basis, so you can go home the same day.

To learn more about orthopedic surgery, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online.