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Then you might be a candidate for endoscopic sinus surgery.

This quick and, relatively, painless surgery has been shown to correct chronic sinusitis in 90 out of 100 adults.

The Procedure

This procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting under general or local anesthesia. It typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes. The surgery itself is relatively straightforward. An endoscope is inserted into the nose, letting the doctor see the patient’s sinuses. Other instruments such as scalpels, lasers and burrs are used to remove blockages, tissue, polyps and bone that might be blocking the sinuses.

Once the blockages are removed, the nose is packed with gauze and you are typically sent home with orders to rest and heal.

After Surgery

A full recovery can take up to three weeks after surgery. During that time, you might experience some discomfort and bleeding while your sinuses heal. During the recovery period, you make be asked to:

• Take your antibiotics as ordered.
• Use a steroidal nasal spray to reduce inflammation.
• Irrigate your nasal passages with a saline solution to keep them moist while they heal.
• Refrain from blowing your nose, performing strenuous exercise or bend forward for several days. This is to prevent excessive nosebleeds.
• Make use of a humidifier to keep the air in your room moist while you sleep.

What Are the Risks?

Endoscopic surgery is a very safe procedure. Now, as with any surgery, there are risks, but the chance of any major complications is less than 1 out of 100 patients. For many patients, the surgery is worth it, and they report a great increase in quality of life. They breathe better. They sleep better. They have more energy. They no longer dread and fear allergy season.

If you’re considering endoscopic surgery to alleviate chronic sinusitis, please consider OSE. Call us today to arrange a consultation.

The post Chronic Sinusitis? Consider Endoscopic Sinus Surgery appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

It Could Save You Money – A Lot of Money

With most insurance carriers, you have all year to make your deductible. Once you pay it, the cost of healthcare – and surgery – goes WAY down. Unfortunately, your deductible resets on the first of the New Year. So, it follows that if you have spent all year paying down your deductible, you should go ahead and have your surgery before it resets, saving you quite a chunk of change.

So, having surgery over the Holidays can save you a significant amount, and you can use those savings to buy a few extra gifts.

Paid Vacation AND Paid Sick Leave

Many people get paid vacation over the Holidays. That’s great. Many people also get paid sick leave, but it’s for a limited period. What if you could combine the two for a longer period in which to heal and get ready to return to work? Well, if you opt to have your surgery over the Holidays, you can take advantage of both paid holiday vacation and sick leave. You get the ability to rest and heal without the added stress of getting back to work as soon as possible.

Your Friends and Family Are Already Planning a Visit

There’s nothing like friends and family stopping by when you’re healing up. Well, over the holidays, your friends and family are in a giving and visiting mood. You’re sure to have plenty of visitors coming by to check on you. They will bring the holiday cheer to you

See? There are some powerful reasons to have surgery over the holidays, but make sure to weigh the pros and cons fully. You will be less than able over the holidays, and for some, getting out and going to visit family and friends is much more important than saving money. Contact OSE today to discuss your options and determine what is best for you going forward.

The post 3 Reasons You Should Opt for Surgery Over the Holidays Rather Than Putting It Off appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

Hopefully, by the time you’re finished reading this blog, some of your fears will subside.

Why Check Your Colon?

The answer is simple: Colorectal Cancer. It’s a cancer that starts in the rectum, and the best way to test for it is to get in there and take a look. Pretty straightforward.

According to the American Cancer Society, 135,430 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2017 and 50,260 people will die of complications due to colorectal cancer. These numbers are sobering.

The symptoms of colorectal cancer involve how your bowels move — or don’t move. If you are experiencing persistent diarrhea, constipation, unsatisfying bowel movements (feeling like you didn’t get everything “out”), or persistent cramps or gas, it’s time to get checked.

Wouldn’t you rather know? After all, the survival rate is 90% if caught early.

What Is the Actual Procedure?

To prepare for a colonoscopy, the patient needs a clean colon. So, the patient is required to drink a powerful laxative the night before the procedure and refrain from eating or drinking.

During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a flexible, hollow tube with a camera attached directly into the patient’s rectum. Most of the time, the patient will be sedated. The doctor uses the camera to take pictures of the colon to look for polyps that can be early signs of colon or rectal cancer. If the doctor finds polyps, he can remove them during the examination.

When Should You Have Your First Colonoscopy?

Most doctors suggest that you get your first colonoscopy at the age of 50. Your doctor may suggest you get a colonoscopy earlier if you have a relative who has had colorectal cancer. African Americans are more susceptible to the disease, so if you are an African American, your doctor could ask you to undergo to the procedure before the age of the 50. After your first colonoscopy, if everything comes back ok, you don’t have to have another for ten years. That’s a relief, right?

Are There Other Options?

The colonoscopy is the best test available for diagnosing colon cancer in its early stages, but there are other tests out there. If your fear of the procedure is overwhelming or you have other reasons you cannot have this procedure performed ask your doctor about these tests:

Fecal Occult Blood

Fecal Immunochemical Test

CT Colonography X-Ray

Sigmoidoscopy

Ready to schedule your screening? Call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation. We  are happy to help in any way we can.

The post Is It Time to Get a Colonoscopy? appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

But that’s the issue. It’s often caught too late because of the lack of routine screenings and general awareness among the population.

So this month, we wear BLUE to bring awareness to the dangers of prostate cancer and the benefits of prevention and early diagnosis.

But Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is more than just wearing blue, it involves getting off the couch and getting yourself checked (or insisting your partner get checked out). Prostate cancer IS TREATABLE IF CAUGHT EARLY.

So what does a prostate cancer screening involve?

There are two accepted forms of Prostate Cancer Screenings: The PSA Test and a DRE.

The DRE (The Digital Rectal Exam) is the procedure that most people are familiar with. The procedure is straightforward. A nurse or doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the patient’s rectum and feels for lumps on the prostate and gauges whether the prostate is enlarged or not. From a physical examination, your doctor will be able to determine whether further testing is necessary.

The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test measures the level of prostate antigens — produced by the prostate — in the blood. There is a correlation between high levels of PSA in the blood stream and prostate cancer. A PSA test is not enough on its own to determine if the patient has prostate cancer, but your doctor can take elevated PSA levels into account along with other factors to determine if further testing is necessary.

The only surefire way to determine the presence of prostate cancer is a biopsy, but because a biopsy is an inherently painful process, most physicians will perform one or both of the above tests before ordering a biopsy.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So, this month, wear your blue to promote prostate cancer awareness and get yourself checked.

Ready to schedule your screening?

Call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation.

We are happy to help in any way we can.

The post September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Wear Your Blue! appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

Overall numbers in the American Hospital Association Trendwatch Chatbook back this up.

There were 786,874 reported in 2014 as opposed to 901,056 beds in 1994.

Admission rates per 1,000 visits dropped from 118 to 103.7 over the same period.

Of the 2.3 MORE patients treated in 2014, they spent a total of 26.7 million fewer days in the hospital.

So, here we see that the number of patients, adjusted for population, making use of inpatient services has decreased and of those that are admitted to the hospital have shorter hospital stays.

In fact, many hospitals are no longer offering any inpatient services in lieu of larger emergency and surgical centers.

What Is Driving This Trend?

In a single word: Cost.

Outpatient surgeries and aftercare are simply less expensive than inpatient care. A study published by Orthopedic Reviews in December of 2016 found that cost savings averaged at 16.6% to 57.6% for most procedures, with savings primarily coming due to the lack of nursing and room costs.

Government and insurance companies, realizing the lower costs of outpatient services over inpatient services, are encouraging this trend through wellness programs as part of their overall coverage. Also, as patients are asked to bear a greater portion of their overall healthcare costs, they are being much more judicious in what kind of and how often they seek treatment.

One cannot overlook the advances in medical technology as another driving force behind the growing trend of outpatient surgery over inpatient. From remote monitoring services to advancements in surgical technology, we are simply better at performing these procedures and facilitating aftercare than we were in years past.

Are you considering a surgical procedure? Would you like to know if it can be performed as an outpatient rather than inpatient surgery? Contact Outpatient Services East to arrange a consultation.

The post Improvements in Medical Tech Lead to Shorter Hospital Stays — or No Hospital Stay appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

If you suffer from chronic back pain, surgery is not your only option. There are injections that can help to alleviate the pain without the long recovery time associated with surgery.

Here are a few:

Epidural Steroid Injections

This is the most common of the chronic back pain injections. In an epidural injection, the physician injects directly into the dura sac, the sac around the nerve roots where you find the cerebrospinal fluid. This markedly reduces inflammation and can have a flushing effect, getting rid of proteins that cause inflammation.

This is procedure is commonly used for those with spinal stenosis, disc herniation or degenerative disc disease.

Selective Nerve Root Block

Nerve roots occasionally become compressed and inflamed. This can cause moderate to severe lower back and/or leg pain. An SNRB can ease the pain associated with a compressed nerve, as well as help the doctor isolate which nerve is causing the pain in the first place.

An SNRB is performed at the foramen level, the area between the vertebral bodies. The injection involves a steroid, lidocaine and a live X-ray (this is to make sure the injection is delivered to the correct area). If the pain is reduced or eliminated, that means the that the root targeted is the specific root causing the pain.

Facet Rhizotomy

A facet rhizotomy works by disabling the nerve that is sending pain signals to the brain. In a facet rhizotomy, a needle and probe are inserted just outside the facet joint. Radio waves then heat the probe and the heated probe is applied to the nerve to disable it. Once the nerve is deadened, the pain should cease.

Sacroiliac Joint Block

Sacroiliac Joint Blocks are performed for a specific issues associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. With the use of a live X-ray guidance the surgeon inserts a needle into the SI joint and injects lidocaine and a steroid. This is not an easy procedure and requires the skills of an expert surgery.

In order for this procedure to be successful, the patient must follow a post-procedure physical therapy and chiropractic treatment plan.

Experiencing chronic back pain? Call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation. We  are happy to help in a

The post Suffering From Chronic Back Pain? An Injection Might Be the Answer appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

You may be suffering from CTS without even realizing it. Do your hands tingle often? Do you feel a radiating pain in your arms in your hands — especially at work? Have you noticed weakness in your arm and hand? That you cannot grip objects like before?

If the answer to these questions is, “Yes,” you may suffer from CTS. It is a progressive condition that can begin as a minor inconvenience and become a major issue in short order.

CTS is caused by pressure applied to the median nerve, that’s why it causes a radiating pain throughout the arm. There are non-surgical methods to relieve the pain, but in the event these do not work, Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery is an option.

Non-Surgical Methods to Relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Surgery is not always the best option. There are other methods to relieve the symptoms of CTS. Over the counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve pain, as well as the tried and true ice pack. Your physician can recommend a steroid or cortisone shot in the affected area.

Physical therapy may also help. Most physicians tell patients to refrain from the repetitive  activities (like typing). These can make CTS worse and prevent recovery. Some doctors may ask that you wear a splint to give your median nerve time to relax and heal.

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

In the event that non-surgical methods don’t work, your doctor will perform an electromyogram (EMG) to assess the level of electrical activity in your muscles. Abnormal electrical activity correlates with CTS.

There are currently two types of Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Open Carpal Tunnel Release and Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release.

Open Carpal Tunnel Release

With Open Carpal Tunnel release surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision near the bottom of your palm, near your wrist. Then, he cuts the carpal ligament and relieves the pressure on the median nerve. He then closes the wound with a few stitches and a bandage.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

With Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release, the surgeon makes a small incision at the bottom of your palm, near your wrist, and inserts an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a light and camera. This allows the surgeon to see what is going on in your wrist. He will use other tools to clean out your wrist and cut the carpal ligament to relieve pressure on median nerve.

Recovery

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery is an outpatient procedure, but there is a recovery period. You will likely be asked to wear a splint for the first week after surgery. You will also be prescribed pain medication and a schedule regarding icing your wrist to reduce swelling and pain.

How long it will take you to recover depends on how damaged the median nerve was. So, the earlier you can catch it the better.

Considering Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery? Call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation. We  are happy to help in any way we can.

The post Need Release? Carpal Tunnel Release That Is appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

If you believe surgery is your only option, it’s time to speak to a surgeon at Outpatient Services East about your options and what you can expect.

However, until that time, here is a brief list of common shoulder surgeries, what they involve and what you can expect.

Arthroscopic Debridement

Debridement is a procedure when all other procedures (such as physical therapy, injections and oral pain medications, etc.) have failed. In short, it involves poking two to three tiny holes around the shoulder and “cleaning out”  the inflamed tissue, scar tissue and any bone spurs. This allows healthy tissue to grow and function. The surgeon will also clean out any debris from the shoulder joint. The procedure and recovery time are comparatively short at less than an hour and two to four weeks, respectively.

Shoulder Stabilization/Bankart Procedure

This procedure is associated with the trauma of a dislocated shoulder. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. This allows you a wide range of motion when it comes to your hand, but there is a drawback. The joint is relatively shallow and in order to keep the “ball in place” the body develops a soft tissue “bumper” around the joint. You can guess what happens to this soft tissue when the joint dislocates: It tears.

Sometimes the body heals on its own, but sometimes it doesn;t. When the pain persists, surgery might be the right choice. Typically, the Bankart Procedure is successful in stabilizing the shoulder. The procedure involves placing anchors into the shoulder socket, looping thread around the capsule and labrum and allowing the shoulder the stability needed to heal properly. This surgery takes roughly an hour, and the recovery process runs between four to six weeks, with full recovery within four months.

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Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator Cuff tears happen, especially as we get older. The cause could be something as benign as an awkward stretch or as traumatic as a fall. Sometimes, we don’t even know what caused the tear. We know it HURTS and it’s debilitating.

When your rotator cuff is working , you have a full range of motion and strength. When it isn’t, the upper portion of the arm bone is bumping against the roof of the shoulder making it difficult to move your arm above your head(or worse) and causing a loss of strength. Imagine not being able to grab a soda from the fridge and pop the top. That’s how bad it can get.

The means of repairing a rotator cuff tear is similar to the Bankart Procedure. Small anchors are placed in the bone and the shoulder is stabilized via loops of thread tied back to the bone. The procedure takes about an hour and a half with the typical recovery taking four to six months with full recovery taking up to a year.

Shoulder Replacement

Once cartilage is gone; it is gone. There’s nothing to do to regrow cartilage. It’s at that point, it’s time to consider shoulder replacement surgery. There are three types of shoulder surgery: hemi-arthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder replacement. The recovery time for each of these surgeries is three to four months with a full recovery made within a year. Consult with your doctor to determine which is right for you.

Considering shoulder surgery? Call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation. We  are happy to help in any way we can.

The post Common Shoulder Surgeries: Is It Time? appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

The reason tonsillectomies are often performed in childhood is that the risk factors and recovery time increase as you get older. Like most things, it’s easier to bounce back when you’re young rather than old (relatively).

But, there are steps you can take to ensure a smoother recovery.

Plan Ahead

As an adult, you don’t heal as fast as a child. It’s not your fault. Your tonsils are more developed and harder to “get at” than a child’s. Expect to be recovering for at least two weeks, maybe four. That means your only job is to lay around and get better. Many adults have a problem with this. Make your before surgery. Inform your employer and employees you will be out of commission, stock up on approved food and get ready for some extended time on the couch or in your recliner binge watching Netflix.

Follow Instructions

Do you know the primary reason children do better after surgery than adults? THEY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! Or their parents make them follow instructions. Think about it, you tell a child to sit on the couch, watch tv, and eat popsicles and yogurt for two weeks, they don’t argue. They just do it. They take their medication on time because that is what they are supposed to do.

After this surgery, you need to return to a childlike state. Don’t think you are the exception and can go back to work, stop taking your pain medication, and be back to normal after a week. This might be the case, but why risk it? Take your time. There’s no rush when you’re recovering from surgery. Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and you reduce your chances of complications that will keep you away from work for even longer. Play it safe.

Take Medications as Directed

Yes, this falls under the “Follow Instructions Umbrella” but it bears repeating. Your doctor gave you those medications for a reason, and he means for you to take them as instructed. If you want to heal quickly and avoid as much pain as possible, don’t stop taking your medications because you “feel better”. You will discover that you’re not as far along as you thought.

Drink Plenty of Water

If there’s one thing that will reduce complications and downtime after a tonsillectomy it is staying hydrated. Sounds simple, but when the act of drinking is awkward and painful, it’s easy to dehydrate. That’s not good. Force yourself to drink plenty of water during the initial period after your surgery.

If you are considering an adult tonsillectomy, please call Outpatient Services East at 205-838-3888 to schedule a consultation. The caring staff and doctors at OSE are here to help you.

The post Considering an Adult Tonsillectomy? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.