Dr. Stanley Jones, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Head of Department
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have had to delay recommended but elective orthopedic surgical procedures, such as joint replacement surgery or knee arthroscopy.
As the number of COVID-19 cases dip in the country, Al-Ahli Hospital’s Orthopedic and Traumatology Department has started to resume its regular services in a safe atmosphere.
To keep those procedures safe for patients and orthopedic surgery teams now, and into the future, Al-Ahli Hospital’s Orthopedic and Traumatology Department have taken steps to reduce the type of contact that might transmit COVID-19, better plan surgical steps and tap into technology that supports safer and more efficient procedure.
Dr. Stanley Jones, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Head of Department has said that it is safe for guests to receive orthopedic services at the Al-Ahli Hospital. “During the course of the COVID-19 outbreak, our orthopedic surgeons have continued to provide critical emergency surgical care to patients both safely and effectively. Initially elective surgeries were postponed in compliance with guidance by the Ministry of Public Health,” he said.
“But now we have resumed elective surgeries,” he added. Dr. Jones also emphasised that Al-Ahli Hospital ensures the safety of guests and as part of the measures, it is compulsory for guests to Al-Ahli Hospital to have the Ehteraz contact-tracing app installed on mobile devices.
The app is inspected and the guests temperatures is checked as they enter the hospital. “Inside the clinics, guests and staff follow all safety measures, including wearing masks, gloves, personal protective equipment and keeping safe distances,” said Dr. Jones. In a message to guests, Dr. Jones said: “Don’t stay at home, suffer in pain and wait until the condition gets complicated. It is safe to come to our hospital to be examined than going to the malls.”
“We have created an environment that is much safer than being in public places, so patients can get the care they need and return to their normal lifestyles,” he said.
Al-Ahli Hospital’s Orthopedic and Traumatology Department benefits from a team of western trained, highly experienced Consultant Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons who are supported by a Team of experienced and well trained specialists and allied professionals.
“We are able to provide a complete orthopedic service to the adults and children we treat, through collaboration with all other departments within the hospital and particularly Physiotherapy, Radiology, Rheumatology, Neurology and the Emergency Department,” said Dr. Jones.
The Orthopedic and Traumatology Department commenced its full time services in January 2009. The Department has grown rapidly since then. In the Orthopedic Department, education and experience have been combined to ensure the staff of the Department are well equipped to assist guests on a day-to-day basis. The team have one goal that is to continually improve guest service, care and satisfaction.
“We use modern equipment and up-to-date minimally invasive surgical techniques to provide an extensive and fully inclusive service within the Orthopedic Department,” said Dr. Jones.
The Orthopedic Department runs a dedicated outpatient clinic from Saturday to Thursday, between 8am and 9pm. The Outpatient Clinic provides paediatric service, back pain management service, joint replacement service, sports injury service, trauma service and scoliosis service.
As part of the in-patient services, the highly experienced team of Orthopedic Doctors performs an extensive range of surgical procedures, including treatment for, spine, shoulder, elbow, hand , hip, knee, foot and ankle pathology. Echoing the motto of the clinic Dr. Jones said, “Mending your broken pieces, keeps you moving.”
Surgical procedures at Al-Ahli Hospital’s orthopedic department
Total joint replacement of the hip or knee, through a minimally invasive surgical technique.
Hip and knee joint replacement surgery is hugely successful in the treatment of degenerative joint disease ( osteoarthritis) affecting these joints. Joint replacement surgery brings a great improvement in pain relief and function.
After initial consultation your Orthopedic Doctor will arrange the necessary investigations to confirm the disease and degeneration within the joint.
If your Orthopedic Doctor recommends surgery, a minimally invasive surgery technique will be used. This type of surgery has proven benefits including a shorter hospital stay, less trauma, less scarring and a quicker healing time.
Arthroscopic Procedures of the shoulder, knee and ankle
Injury and degenerative disease of the shoulder, knee and ankle can damage the bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat the effects of injury or disease within the joint.
A small camera (pen sized) is inserted to view the joint and the Orthopedic Doctor can then see the condition of the joint, cartilage and ligaments. Damage within the respective joints can then be repaired as necessary. This technique can be used to treat rotator cuff tears, impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder, anterior cruciate ligament tears, meniscal tears, osteochondritis dessicans and loose bodies within the joint.
Elbows, Hands, Foot and Ankle
Al Ahli Hospital’s Orthopedic Department also treat conditions affecting the Elbows, Hands and Foot and Ankle.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
ESWT treatment is a great option for sufferers of chronic pain. The benefits of ESWT include a significant reduction in pain for a high percentage of patients receiving this treatment with many becoming completely free of pain.
ESWT is routinely carried out within the Orthopedic Department. It is a procedure directing shock waves to the area of pain and is a non-invasive treatment that requires no anesthesia, medication or surgery. It is a treatment thought to stimulate healing of the condition it is being used to treat.
Many conditions can be treated with ESWT including:-
Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis of the feet
Capsulitis and calcific tendinitis of the shoulders
Tennis elbow, Golfer’s elbow,
A course of 3-6 sessions of ESWT will be requested by your Orthopedic Doctor and these will be carried out on a weekly basis. A session will usually last between 15-30 minutes.
