Living in Central Florida means living an active life. Whether you're golfing in Debary, hiking the trails near Blue Spring State Park, or just keeping up with grandkids at the theme parks, your body takes a lot of wear and tear. But when joint pain or an injury sidelines you, it helps to know exactly what an orthopedic surgeon can do to get you moving again.
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in the musculoskeletal system—your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. While many people think "surgeon" means immediate surgery, we actually spend much of our time managing conditions with non-surgical treatments first. From sudden fractures during hurricane prep to the gradual ache of arthritis, we handle a wide range of issues that affect your daily movement.
Here in Debary and Orange City, the humid climate and year-round outdoor season create a unique set of orthopedic challenges. We see specific injuries related to water sports on the St. Johns River and joint wear accelerated by our active, 12-month lifestyle.
How Do Orthopedic Surgeons Manage Arthritis in Florida?
In Florida, arthritis management focuses heavily on keeping you active despite the heat and humidity. Osteoarthritis—the "wear and tear" type—is the most common condition we treat. The high humidity in Central Florida can sometimes make joint pain feel more acute for some patients due to changes in barometric pressure, especially during our summer thunderstorms.
We typically start with conservative treatments. This might include physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint, anti-inflammatory medications, or corticosteroid injections. For patients looking for innovative non-surgical options, Amniotic Cell Therapy has shown promising results in reducing inflammation and aiding tissue healing. This therapy uses proteins and growth factors to help the body repair itself, which can be a game-changer for active residents who aren't ready for surgery.
When conservative measures stop working and your quality of life suffers—like if you can't walk around Gemini Springs Park without pain—we discuss surgical options. Total joint replacements have come a long way, but they are usually the last resort after we've exhausted other methods.
What Sports Injuries Are Most Common in Debary?
We treat rotator cuff tears, meniscus tears, and ACL injuries most frequently among local athletes. In Debary and the surrounding Volusia County area, golf and tennis are year-round pursuits, leading to specific overuse injuries.
Rotator Cuff Injuries:
Golfers and tennis players are prone to these. The repetitive overhead motion of a serve or the swing of a club can wear down the tendons in the shoulder. You might notice pain when lifting your arm or weakness when trying to rotate it.
Knee Injuries (ACL and Meniscus):
We also see plenty of knee injuries. While we don't have snow skiing, we do have wakeboarding and water skiing on the St. Johns River. A sudden twist or landing a jump incorrectly can tear the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or the meniscus. These injuries often require surgical repair to restore stability to the knee, followed by rigorous physical therapy.
Golfer's and Tennis Elbow:
Tendinitis on the inside (golfer's) or outside (tennis) of the elbow is incredibly common here. It’s caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. Rest, ice, and bracing are usually the first lines of defense, but persistent cases might need more advanced intervention.
How Are Fractures Treated?
Fractures range from simple breaks that heal in a cast to complex injuries requiring surgical fixation with plates and screws. A fracture is a break in the bone, and the treatment depends entirely on the location and severity of the break.
In our practice, we see a spike in fractures during two specific times: active summer months and hurricane season. Falls from ladders while putting up storm shutters are a surprisingly common cause of severe wrist, ankle, and hip fractures in Central Florida.
If the bone fragments are aligned, we can often treat the fracture with immobilization using a cast or splint. However, if the bones are displaced, an orthopedic surgeon Debary Florida residents trust will likely recommend surgery to realign them. This ensures the bone heals straight and functional. Healing times vary, but a typical ankle fracture might take 6 to 10 weeks to heal significantly, with full recovery taking months depending on physical therapy progress.
Can Back Pain Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes, the vast majority of back pain cases are resolved without surgery. Back pain is one of the top reasons patients visit us, especially those working in demanding local industries like construction or agriculture in the nurseries around DeLand and Apopka. Heavy lifting and repetitive bending take a toll on the lumbar spine.
We usually begin with a combination of:
- Physical Therapy: To strengthen core muscles that support the spine.
- Medication: To reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
- Injections: Epidural steroid injections can provide temporary relief from nerve pain.
We may also prescribe Durable Medical Equipment such as lumbar support braces to help stabilize your back while you heal. These braces reduce the strain on your spine during daily activities.
Surgery, such as a discectomy or spinal fusion, is typically reserved for patients who have nerve damage (like foot drop) or unrelenting pain that hasn't responded to months of conservative care.
When Is Joint Replacement Necessary?
Joint replacement is necessary when pain prevents you from performing basic daily activities and x-rays show advanced joint destruction. We perform replacements for hips, knees, and shoulders.
Modern joint replacement is far less invasive than it used to be. For example, with anterior hip replacement, we can access the hip joint from the front without cutting through major muscles. This leads to a faster recovery and less post-operative pain.
In Florida, recovery protocols are designed to get you back on your feet quickly. Most knee replacement patients are walking the same day of surgery. A typical recovery timeline might look like this:
- Day 1: Walking with a walker.
- Weeks 2-4: Transitioning to a cane; driving is often possible if surgery was on the left leg.
- Weeks 6-8: Returning to low-impact activities like swimming or golf.
How Do I Find the Right Orthopedic Surgeon in Florida?
finding a qualified surgeon involves checking board certification, experience with your specific issue, and local reputation. You want an orthopedic surgeon Debary Florida locals recommend—someone who understands the specific needs of our community.
Check Board Certification: This ensures the doctor has completed the highest level of training in the field.
Read Patient Reviews: Look for patterns. Do patients feel heard? Is the office responsive?
Verify Experience: If you need a hip replacement, ask the surgeon how many they perform annually. High volume generally correlates with better outcomes.
Also, look for a practice that has deep roots in the community. A surgeon who has been serving Volusia and Seminole counties for years is likely to be invested in their patients' long-term outcomes.
Getting Back to Your Florida Lifestyle
Whether it's a nagging shoulder from years of tennis or a sudden knee injury from a weekend on the water, you don't have to live with musculoskeletal pain. Orthopedic care is about restoring function so you can enjoy everything Central Florida has to offer. From the historic streets of DeLand to the bustling trails of Lake Mary, staying active is part of who we are.
If you're experiencing joint pain or have an injury that isn't healing, don't wait until it limits your life.
Need Help With Your Joint Pain?
Contact Central Florida Bone & Joint Institute at (386) 775-2012 to schedule an evaluation. We're here to help you get back in motion.