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Helping you move through life pain-free.

For those living with pain, performing the simplest activities, such as walking through a grocery store or getting up from a chair, can be difficult. Whether your pain is the result of arthritis, a sports injury or simple joint wear and tear, the orthopedic surgeons at Delray Medical Center can help restore you to a comfortable and more active lifestyle.

The Center for Advanced Orthopedics is located on the third floor in the new Patient Tower of the Delray Medical Center campus. This beautifully designed expansion features private patient rooms and some of the latest technology to provide patients with the comfort and care they need for recovery. Orthopedic surgery patients can also enjoy the new spacious gym located in the tower, staffed with physical therapists seven days a week.

Hip, knee and shoulder replacements are becoming more common every day as men and women pursue an active life.

What Is an Orthopedic Emergency?

Orthopedic emergencies occur when a bone or a tissue is injured and requires immediate attention to prevent further trauma or injury. The most common orthopedic emergencies include the following:

  • Open Fractures
  • Closed fractures
  • Compartment syndromes (bleeding or swelling in muscles)
  • Neurovascular injuries (damage to the major blood vessels)
  • Dislocations
  • Septic joints

When an orthopedic injury unexpectedly pulls you to the sidelines, get back on track to recovery at Delray Medical Center or our freestanding Emergency Center in Lake Worth. The Emergency Center in Lake Worth is dedicated exclusively to 24-hour emergency care and offers the same high-quality treatment and diagnostic services as Delray Medical Center's emergency department.

Hospital Stay and Discharge

You may stay overnight at the hospital and return home the following day. The length of your stay may also depend on the speed of your recovery. Your doctor may declare your discharge once you accomplish the following:

  • Get in and out of bed on your own
  • Eat, drink and use the bathroom
  • Experience tolerable levels of pain
  • Perform recommended home exercises
  • Understand knee precautions advised for proper healing and to prevent injuries
  • Walk with an assistive device if prescribed any (e.g., cane, crutch or walker) and be able to climb up and down two to three stairs

What Is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.

What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do?

Our orthopedic doctors in Delray treat various musculoskeletal conditions that include the following:

  • Joint pain
  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Other congenital conditions

There are different types of orthopedic doctors:

  • Orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists use conservative treatment methods, but if the situation calls for it, they can perform surgeries.
  • Sports medicine doctors who focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries.

When Should I See an Orthopedist?

Long-term aches, pain and loss of mobility as well as injuries are the common reasons to see an orthopedist. Consult our orthopedists at Delray Medical Center to properly diagnose and treat you if you experience the following symptoms: 

  • Muscle, tendon and joint pain that lasts a few days
  • Swelling or bruising around a specific location 
  • Signs of infection (heat, inflammation, fever, redness, etc.) 
  • Joint deformity

Joint Replacement

A typical candidate for total joint replacement is someone who suffers from chronic joint pain caused by arthritis or by delayed and progressive joint pain as the result of a previous sports or traumatic injury. The Delray board-certified orthopedic surgeons affiliated with Delray Medical Center are specially trained to evaluate and treat hip, knee and shoulder problems. Their goal is to help relieve your pain, restore your mobility and enhance your freedom of movement. This procedure is performed by removing the arthritic or damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthesis (a device made of metal, plastic or ceramic to mimic the function of a healthy joint).

Spine Treatment

Neck, arm, back and leg pain that occurs as a result of injury, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis may be treated without surgery. However, surgery may be necessary if the pain is not resolved with conservative treatment or if symptoms such as weakness or loss of sensation occur. Our team of orthopedic spine surgeons in Delray Beach, Florida and neurosurgeons perform minimally invasive procedures for treating compression fractures and herniated disc microsurgery, as well as complex spinal surgeries involving the use of instrumentation systems for spine stabilization. 

Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in the state (May 2007) to offer O-arm surgical imaging technology for accuracy and precision in implant placement.

Sports Injuries

The orthopedic surgeons at Delray Medical Center treat and diagnose sports injuries accompanied by a dedicated focus on rehabilitation and prevention of sports-related injuries. Our multidisciplinary team works with patients to develop a personalized program designed to help return them to normal activities as quickly as possible to maintain a peak level of fitness and prevent further injuries.

Rehabilitation

Delray Medical Center offers patients comprehensive services for treatment and rehabilitation utilizing Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital, conveniently located on the Delray Medical Center campus. We also develop customized rehabilitation programs to help patients improve strength and mobility, decrease pain and optimize functional recovery.

Orthopedic Services

All Orthopedic Services Glossary

Why Choose Delray Medical Center?

Delray Medical Center has been named a Five-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment for 9 Years in a Row (2010-2018) by Healthgrades and is among the best orthopaedic centers in South Florida, providing specialized care for a wide range of orthopedic treatments, including knee and hip replacements.

Total Hip Replacement AwardSpinal Fusion Surgery AwardHip Fracture Treatment Award

Hear it from the source….

Who better to tell you about the orthopedic program at Delray Medical Center than a physician on our team? Hear what Dr. Pedro Piza, Orthopedic Surgeon has to say.

Find an Orthopedic Specialist

Request one of our specialists to get a second opinion, or a really good first one.
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More Information

5 Back Pain Emergencies

Lower back pain is one of the major causes of disability worldwide. In fact, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons says that 75-85% of Americans experience back pain in their lifetime. Back pain usually results from a problem in one or more parts of the lower back, including the muscles, nerves, ligaments and the spine.

Most cases of back pain are acute or short-term and may last for several days to a few weeks. Others develop chronic back pain which may continue for at least three months, sometimes even after treatment. Meanwhile, there are also back pain emergencies that require immediate care and at times, surgery. Here are some of their symptoms:

Common Symptoms of Back Pain Emergencies


Severe back pain
Weakness in limbs
Lack of bladder or bowel control

Sharp pain in arms or legs
Numbness or tingling in different parts of the body

Types of Back Pain Emergencies

If you experience any of the abovementioned symptoms, your condition may be related to any the following back pain emergencies.

1. Spinal Fracture

Spinal fractures are caused by accidents or high-energy trauma. One of its initial symptoms is severe back pain that gets worse with movement. If the nerves and/or the spinal cord are involved in the fracture, the person may also experience bladder or bowel dysfunction, tingling, weakness in the limbs and numbness.

2. Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)

Cauda equina (the Latin word for hose’s tail) is the bundle of spinal nerves at the end of the spinal cord. CES occurs due to spinal nerve compression which also disturbs the sensory and motor function of the bladder and lower extremities. At its worst, CES may lead to permanent paralysis. Symptoms of CES include severe low back pain, motor weakness, pain in one or both legs, sensory loss, inability to feel anything in body parts that sit on a saddle, urinary or bowel incontinence, sensory abnormalities in the bladder or rectum and loss of reflexes in the extremities.

3. Severe Herniated Disc

Bones in the spine are cushioned by round discs that serve as shock absorbers. Sudden injury and/or excessive strain may cause the inner portion of the disc to stick out through the outer ring which is called a herniated (ruptured or slipped) disc. The severe case of a herniated disk is a medical emergency because of intolerable pain and discomfort. Some of its symptoms include lower back pain, sharp leg or arm pain, loss of bladder or bowel control and numbness, weakness or tingling sensation in the foot and/or leg.

4. Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC)

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a complication of cancer that often requires emergency care. It happens when the cancer cells spread in or near the spine and press onto the spinal cord. One of its symptoms is severe back or neck pain that may worsen when you sneeze, lie down, cough, go to the toilet or lift. Other symptoms include arm and/or leg pain, difficulty in controlling your bowel or bladder, chest or abdomen pain and numbness or tingling in different parts of the body. When left untreated, MSCC may lead to paralysis.

5. Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Vertebral osteomyelitis is the most common kind of spinal infection which can be caused by spinal trauma and/or bacterial or fungal infection that spread from the blood. The inflammatory reaction may involve and destruct the cortex, bone marrow and other anatomical structures. Aside from severe back pain, the symptoms of this condition include fever, chills, weight loss, urination difficulties, muscle spasms, bowl and/or bladder incontinence and weakness and/or numbness of the legs or arms.

Final Thoughts

Back pain emergencies may be rare, but when they happen, be sure to call 911 immediately to get the treatment you need as soon as possible. Do not downplay your pain as our ER specialists and staff are ready to give excellent, compassionate emergency care 24/7.

On the other hand, if you need to consult an orthopedic doctor for a pre-existing chronic condition or for initial diagnosis, please click the button below to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.

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Sources:
World Health Organization
Healthline
National Library of Medicine
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Emory University School of Medicine
University of Utah Health