Orthopedic Services: Expert Bone & Joint Care in Athens, GA
At St. Mary’s Health Care System, we provide comprehensive orthopedic care for patients throughout Athens-Clarke County, Oconee County, Madison County, and all of Northeast Georgia. Our experienced team diagnoses and treats a wide range of bone, joint, muscle, and ligament conditions using advanced techniques and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
Helping Northeast Georgia Stay Active, Mobile, and Pain-Free
Why Orthopedic Care Matters
At St. Mary’s Health Care System, we provide comprehensive orthopedic care for patients throughout Athens-Clarke County, Oconee County, Madison County, and all of Northeast Georgia. Our experienced team diagnoses and treats a wide range of bone, joint, muscle, and ligament conditions using advanced techniques and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
Orthopedics focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. You might consider seeing an orthopedic specialist if you’re experiencing ongoing joint pain, stiffness, limited mobility, or an injury such as a fracture, sprain, or sports-related issue. Whether your symptoms are new or have been building over time, early evaluation can help prevent further damage, reduce pain, and restore your ability to move with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthopedic Care
Orthopedic care focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions that affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This includes everything from fractures and sports injuries to chronic conditions like arthritis and back pain.
Orthopedic specialists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Arthritis and joint degeneration
- Fractures and broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and ligament injuries
- Back, neck, and spine pain
- Sports-related injuries
- Tendonitis and overuse injuries
Orthopedic care can include both non-surgical and surgical treatments, such as:
- Joint care and joint replacement (hip, knee, and more)
- Injury and trauma care
- Sports medicine
- Pain management therapies
- Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
You should consider seeing an orthopedic specialist if you experience:
- Persistent joint or muscle pain
- Difficulty moving or reduced range of motion
- Pain that interferes with daily activities
- Swelling, stiffness, or instability in a joint
- An injury that isn’t improving with rest
- Difficulty bearing weight on a limb
Early evaluation can help prevent further damage and improve long-term outcomes.
No, many orthopedic conditions can be treated without surgery. Treatment may include rest, medications, injections, bracing, or physical therapy. Surgery is typically recommended only when conservative treatments are not effective or when the condition is severe.
Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery uses smaller incisions and advanced techniques to treat joint and musculoskeletal conditions. These procedures often result in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery.
Robotic-assisted surgery uses advanced technology to help surgeons perform procedures with greater precision and accuracy. This is commonly used in joint replacement procedures to improve alignment, function, and overall outcomes.
Recovery depends on your condition and treatment plan. Some patients improve with a few weeks of physical therapy, while others, especially after surgery, may require a longer rehabilitation period. Your care team will guide you through each step of recovery to help you regain strength and mobility safely.
Yes, physical therapy is often an essential part of orthopedic treatment. It helps restore movement, improve strength, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries. Many patients begin therapy shortly after injury or surgery. Our Outpatient Rehabilitation Center is staffed and ready to assist you in your recovery.
You can support your musculoskeletal health by:
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Using proper form during exercise and lifting
- Stretching regularly
- Addressing pain or injuries early
Orthopedics at St. Mary's Health Care System
Certified by the Joint Commission
St. Mary’s Hospital is proud to be certified by the Joint Commission for Spine surgery.
The Joint Commission developed these specialty certification programs in response to the growing number of patients undergoing these procedures. Certification indicates that St. Mary’s adheres to the Joint Commission’s evidence-based patient care standards for safety, pain management, quality-of-life issues, functional mobility, and return to normal daily activities.
Spine Surgery
Spine surgery is an important component of orthopedic surgery. St. Mary’s is the first hospital in the Athens area to earn the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Spine Surgery.
Anterior Hip Replacements
St. Mary’s and our highly experienced orthopedic surgeons offer the anterior approach to hip replacement, an innovative method that can spare tissue and improve recovery time. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Anterior Hip Replacements at St. Mary’s, please call Beth Ricketson, RN, at (706) 389-3610.
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1500 Oglethorpe Ave Ste 200D
Athens, GA 30606
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