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3 Minor Surgeries Which Could Improve Your Life
As we grow older, the physical tax of surgery becomes heavier. Many may choose to avoid surgery or even medical visits in order to retain the status quo, but certain medical procedures both have minimal impact on the body and can provide immense relief from pain. When a problem can be treated with a minor outpatient procedure, there is less reason to worry about bed rest or surgical complications. Instead, there is room to consider the benefits. Each of these minor procedures is over within minutes and can save a senior individual from unnecessary pain.
1. Joint Injections:
Joint discomfort is one of the most frequently reported complaints and a major cause of immobility and pain. A widely accepted out-patient treatment for chronic osteoarthritis pain to either knees, hips or shoulders is an injection of glucocorticoids and anti-inflammatory agents directly into the joint. Which type of medications and how frequent depend both of your medical history and severity/type of arthritis.
2. Abscess Drainage
If you have a lump on your skin that is painful and warm to the touch, most likely near your armpits, teeth, groin, or base of spine, then it is unlikely to go away on its own. Although an abscess starts as an infection, even antibiotics rarely alleviate the symptoms. In most cases, a minor surgery is needed to drain the abscess and allow it to finally heal.
An abscess is the body’s attempt to isolate an infection inside a natural capsule of pus. If left untreated, the infection may escape and spread to the rest of the body. Fortunately, the treatment is brief and relatively painless. If any of the following symptoms are present along with an abscess, please seek emergency treatment.
Fever of 102˚ or higher
Red streak between abscess and chest
Swollen lymph nodes between abscess and chest
An abscess located on the face larger than 1.5 centimeters
On the day of the procedure, the area will be given a local anesthesia. The doctor will make a small cut to drain the abscess, and then insert a filling to stop the bleeding. A bandage will be placed over the wound. Most patients feel better shortly after the procedure, though pain medication is given to those who need it.
3.Cryo-Therapy:
Cryo-therapy utilizes liquid nitrogen to safely, rapidly and effectively treat many common skin issues. Cryosurgery is typically used for removal of:
●Benign lesions (eg, warts, seborrheic keratoses)
●Premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses)
●Rarely malignant skin tumors
Cryotherapy causes cellular destruction to skin lesions through ice crystal formation, cellular dehydration, and subsequent protein and enzymatic denaturization. Destruction is more pronounced with rapid freezing and slow thawing cycles making this a simple, quick procedure that can be done as an out-patient in a providers office with little to no loss of work time.
Regardless of the severity of a surgery, it is important to be prepared and follow all of the doctor’s instructions. Please tell your doctor about any and all medications you may be taking in order to avoid complications with blood flow. As with many procedures, it is also beneficial to wear loose, comfortable clothing and to arrange for transportation home. Senior Medical Associates offers these minor surgeries to patients. Call (954) 659-9690 to schedule an appointment with a provider today!