Range of Services for a Range of Issues
Now and in the future, our surgeons are available for basic to complex needs - from simple fractures to the complex issues of trauma-related bone and joint disorders. Our diverse and experienced clinical staff is skilled in treating a broad spectrum of orthopaedic issues - from broken bones, to sports injuries, to hip and knee replacements, to spinal injuries and back pain, orthopaedic oncology and more.
Minimally Invasive Options
Having corrective surgery is about alleviating pain and regaining mobility faster. Akron General's Orthopaedic & Rehab Center offers minimally invasive techniques to do that. Arthroscopic surgery is an option for ligament tears, damaged cartilage and torn rotator cuffs. Our staff is experienced in a variety of other less invasive techniques, like the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) for complex arm and leg fractures, or microscopic diskectomies for herniated or ruptured spinal disks, and disk decompressions.
Complex Surgical Needs
When there are more complex surgical needs, such as joint repair and replacements of the shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow and knee, or bone fusion for injuries and congenital defects, we offer the latest technologies and equipment. In 2004, Akron General's Orthopaedic & Rehab Center performed over 600 total joint replacements. We continually strive to provide the best surgical options for patients through our techniques and choices in materials as more and more are available every day.
Innovation for Less Pain, More Life
Our orthopaedic surgeons performed one of the first ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacements in the U.S. - a new type of longer-lasting hip implant now available to younger patients. Applying innovation and understanding of the patient's needs and lifestyle produce better clinical outcomes and more lasting results for the patient.
Akron General's Orthopaedic & Rehab Center has a solid history of innovation, and research focuses on finding better ways to get our patients lives back into motion. At the Kenneth Calhoun Research Laboratory, surgeons and researchers continually assess techniques and materials used in surgery, allowing patients to potentially avoid additional procedures and live better - with less pain.
Rehabilitation - Getting Lives Back into Motion
An orthopaedic or sports-related injury often means time away from things you love, so getting our patients' lives back into motion is important to us. Orthopaedic rehabilitation is key in the success of most orthopaedic procedures - joint replacements, reconstruction, such as spinal fusion or ligament and tissue tears. Both inpatient and outpatient therapies are designed to return patients to their highest level of functional independence.
Our rehab specialists are also skilled in sports-related injuries, such as sprains, strains, contusions and fractures. Strengthening, range of motion and proprioceptive control are stressed for patients who have and have not had surgery.
Getting the Right Kind of Therapy
When you have chronic back or joint pain, it's hard to think about anything else. Sometimes surgery is the better option. Many times, though, it can be improved with physical therapy, occupational therapy and medication. Whether it's back or joint pain, Akron General's Orthopaedic & Rehab Center closely evaluates patients on an individual basis - to determine what's right for the individual. Our McKenzie-certified professionals take an approach to treatment, which emphasizes education and active patient involvement to manage treatment, decrease pain quickly, and restore function and independence. Our occupational therapists are also certified hand therapists, providing state-of-the-art care for hand injuries or disorders.
Orthopaedic Rehab is available at Akron General Medical Center, and also four other convenient Northeast Ohio community locations along with Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy in west Akron, Wadsworth, Stow, Green and Tallmadge.
The rehabilitation process is different for every patient. Sometimes it requires highly specialized types of therapy or different combinations of therapy including orthopaedic, brain injury and spinal cord rehabilitation. Through Akron General's Edwin Shaw Rehab, patients and their physicians have access to the region's only comprehensive, fully accredited facility specializing in rehabilitation and its two community locations, in Akron and Hudson.
When in-home rehabilitation is required, Visiting Nurse Service & Affiliates can provide physical therapy and skilled nursing along with additional services including traditional home care, private duty, equipment, infusion and more.
