- ArthritisUnlike osteoarthritis which follows a predictable pattern in certain joints, rheumatoid arthritis is a system-wide disease. It is an inflammatory disease where the patient’s own immune system attacks and destroys cartilage.
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Primary CareIf your insurance company requires primary care physician referrals, please schedule your appointment through your primary care physician. If we do not have your primary care physician information at the time of your appointment, or if you do not bring your x-rays or required records from a previous physician, we will need to reschedule your appointment.
- Emergency CareInjuries do not keep traditional office hours. When you or your loved one suffers an orthopedic-related injury after 5 pm on the weekday or on a Saturday, Ortho After Hours is open with fast and reliable orthopedic care. There is no need to drive to the Emergency Room or a general urgent care location, wait for an hour or longer in a waiting room. Go straight to the source for your diagnosis and treatment.
- Pregnancy
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeThe Center also continues to provide more traditional outpatient services like fracture repair, carpal tunnel, and bunion surgeries, making Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective orthopedic outpatient surgery options in South Carolina.
- EpilepsyA painless thickening and tightening (contracture) of the fibrous tissue under the skin of the palm that can cause the fingers to curl. These contractures develop gradually over years, and commonly affect the fingers. It often runs in families (hereditary) and is associated with drinking alcohol, diabetes, and epilepsy medications. It is more common in men over 40 years old, and those of Northern European or Scandinavian (Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish) ancestry, which is why it is also called “Viking’s disease”.
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- UltrasoundTreat tennis elbow with this minimally invasive technology for the treatment of chronic tendon pain, combining ultrasound imaging.
- MRILowcountry Orthopaedics conveniently offers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in-house, which simplifies scheduling as well as insurance authorization and filing.
- RadiologyWhen you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyCOMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN: After reviewing your x-rays, your doctor may recommend a CT scan of your leg. This is often done if there is a question of the fracture extending into either the knee or ankle joint. A CT scan shows a cross-sectional image of your limb. It can provide your doctor with valuable information about the severity of the fracture.
- OrthopedicsOrtho After Hours is conveniently located at 2880 Tricom Street, North Charleston, and treats the following kinds of acute orthopedics injuries...
- ArthroscopyA surgical procedure that uses a small fiber-optic camera (arthroscope) to see inside the wrist joint without making large incisions into the muscles. The wrist is a complex joint with eight small bones and many connecting ligaments. Injury or overuse to any of these parts can lead to pain. Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat the cause of pain at the same time. It is minimally invasive, and patients generally experience fewer problems and a more rapid recovery than with open surgery
- Pinched NerveRadiculopathy (pinched nerve): Causes pain in one or both arms and may involve numbness or weakness of the arms or hands
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryIt is important to understand that the decision to receive minimally invasive surgery is individualized to each patient and their symptoms. Please schedule your consultation to determine if minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgery is right for you.
- Bunion SurgeryIf your bunion has progressed to the point where you have difficulty walking, or experience pain despite accommodative shoes, you may need surgery. Bunion surgery realigns bone, ligaments, tendons, and nerves so your big toe can be brought back to its correct position. Orthopedic surgeons have several techniques to ease your pain. Many bunion surgeries are done on a same-day basis (no hospital stay) using ankle-block anesthesia. A long recovery is common and may include persistent swelling and stiffness.
- Joint ReplacementLowcountry Orthopaedics is pioneering same-day joint replacement surgery utilizing the most advanced robotic-arm assisted surgery technology. The first private practice in the Lowcountry to develop this program in an outpatient surgery center setting, the Mako Robotic Joint Replacement Program allows patients to have total joint replacement surgery and return home the same day. Patients benefit from eliminating the need for hospital admission and rehabilitating at home. The program that was once reserved for a few select patients is now approved to treat Medicare and most private insurers.
- Hand SurgeryHand surgery requires consideration of the entire hand up to the shoulder as an interconnected unit because of its’ unique complexity and intricacy. Whether treating fractures, arthritis, or deformities, a hand surgeon considers the entire hand, wrist, forearm, arm, and shoulder. The hand specialists at Lowcountry Orthopaedics treat conditions involving the bones, tendons, and muscles of the hands, wrist, elbow, shoulder, arm, and forearm.
- Orthopedic SurgeryThe benefits of an OAS include shorter wait times for surgery, lower infection rates, and lower costs. OASs also offer a more convenient experience for patients, as they do not require an overnight stay in the hospital. If you are considering orthopedic surgery, Lowcountry Orthopaedic Surgery Center may be the best choice for you.
- BunionsIf the joint that connects your big toe to your foot has a swollen, sore bump, you may have a bunion. More than half the women in America have bunions, a common deformity often blamed on wearing tight, narrow shoes, and high heels. Bunions may occur in families, but many are from wearing tight shoes. Nine out of ten bunions happen to women. Nine out of ten women wear shoes that are too small. Too-tight shoes can also cause other disabling foot problems like corns, calluses, and hammertoes.
- ArthroscopyWrist fractures. Small pieces of bone may stay in the joint after a bone breaks. Wrist arthroscopy can remove these, align the broken pieces by using pins, wires, or screws.
- Hip ReplacementIf medications, changes in your everyday activities, and the use of walking supports do not adequately help your symptoms, you may consider hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.
- Knee ReplacementIf your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while you are sitting or lying down. If nonsurgical treatments like medications and using walking supports are no longer helpful, you may want to consider a total knee replacement.
- Knee ArthroscopyOnce the initial healing is complete, your doctor will prescribe rehabilitation exercises. Regular exercise to restore your knee mobility and strength is necessary. You will start with exercises to improve your range of motion. Strengthening exercises will gradually be added to your rehabilitation plan.
- CornsShoes that narrow toward the toe may make your forefoot look smaller. But they also push the smaller toes into a flexed (bent) position. The toes rub against the shoe, leading to the formation of corns and calluses, which further aggravate the condition. A higher heel forces the foot down and squishes the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe. Eventually, the toe muscles become unable to straighten the toe, even when there is no confining shoe.
- Cyst
- CallusesClubfoot is a complex deformity that is readily apparent at birth and in some cases is diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. The goal of treatment is to obtain and maintain correction of the clubfoot so that the patient has a functional, pain-free, plantigrade foot, with good mobility and without calluses, and does not need modified shoes. Parents of infants born with clubfeet and no other significant medical problems should be reassured that their child when treated by medical experts, will have feet that are fully compatible with a normal, active life.
- Sports MedicineThe Lowcountry Orthopaedic and Pain Management practice, led by interventional pain specialists Shailesh Patel, MD, and Christopher Merrell, MD provides innovative and comprehensive pain therapies, including interventional spinal procedures, sports medicine, and regenerative medicine.
- Physical TherapyIt truly is a collaborative effort across multiple specialties including physical therapy, home care, pain management, coordinated nursing support, and an experienced spine surgery team. By working together, we are able to advance the field of spinal care for all of our patients.
- Occupational TherapyActive exercise is essential to permanent relief. Physical and/or occupational therapy are important in helping patients regain normal use patterns.
- Tennis ElbowDamage to the tendons of the forearm muscles that extend your wrist. Tendons are like rubber bands that attach these forearm muscles to a bone on the outside of the elbow. The tendon usually involved is called the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB). The tendons may become damaged from overuse or injury and can develop tears and scars which cause inflammation, swelling, and pain. Tennis players, painters, plumbers, mechanics, cooks, butchers, and carpenters are commonly affected.
- Shoulder Pain
- Heel Pain
- Neck Pain
- Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel becomes painful or inflamed.
- Bunions ProblemsMost bunions are treatable without surgery. Prevention is always best. To minimize your chances of developing a bunion, never force your foot into a shoe that doesn’t fit. Choose shoes that conform to the shape of your feet. Go for shoes with wide insteps, broad toes, and soft soles. Avoid shoes that are short, tight, or sharply pointed and those with heels higher than 2 1/4 inches. If you already have a bunion, wear shoes that are roomy enough to not put pressure on it. This should relieve most of your pain. You may want to have your shoes stretched out professionally. You may also try protective pads to cushion the painful area.
- Calluses
- HammertoesA hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, so that it resembles a hammer. Initially, hammertoes are flexible and can be corrected with simple measures but, if left untreated, they can become fixed and require surgery.
- Heel SpursWhen plantar fasciitis continues for a long time, a heel spur (calcium deposit) may form where the fascia tissue band connects to your heel bone. Your doctor may take an X-ray to see the bony protrusion, which can vary in size. Treatment is usually the same as for plantar fasciitis: rest until the pain subsides, do special stretching exercises and wear heel pad shoe inserts.
- Heel Pain
- Plantar FasciitisDoing too much running or jumping can inflame the tissue band (fascia) connecting the heel bone to the base of the toes. The pain is centered under your heel and may be mild at first but flares up when you take your first steps after resting overnight. You may need to do special exercises, take medication to reduce swelling, and wear a heel pad in your shoe.