Dr. Todd Dietrick on Side Effects, Knee Replacement
Biography
Dr. Dietrick’s practice in joint replacement and reconstructive arthritis surgery focuses on minimizing pain and restoring normal function. While joint replacement is a highly successful procedure, Dr. Dietrick has noticed that traditional techniques are often painful and require prolonged recovery periods. Through less invasive techniques, he finds patients have better pain control and a rapid return to function. During hip replacement, Dr. Dietrick utilizes an anterior approach to the hip joint, which does not cut muscles or tendons. This technique, which has been used successfully in Europe for decades, allows for better initial pain control and earlier return of hip function. Dr. Dietrick has applied the same principle of tissue-sparing surgery to his knee replacement practice. With the help of computer-assisted navigation, he is able to recreate the patient’s normal alignment without cutting muscle or tendons, thus improving the overall alignment and range of motion after surgery. In combination with an advanced anesthesia protocol, which minimizes early post-operative pain, patients are able to recover more quickly than with traditional techniques. Dr. Dietrick gained a particular interest in the emerging fields of joint preservation and cartilage transplantation of the hip and knee while at UCSD. He continues to perform research and give lectures on these topics. In his clinical practice, Dr. Dietrick chooses to focus on joint replacement surgery of the hip and knee, including primary and revision hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and computer assisted navigation. Fellowship University of California at San Diego Residency USC School of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery Internship USC School of Medicine Education USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, M.D. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
- The Journey
- The Stories
Tip
Watch videos by "Journey" through each diagnosis or by "The Stories" of each contributor involved!
Introduction Expand for videos
Discovery Expand for videos
Treatment Expand for videos
Side Effects Expand for videos
Support and Communication Expand for videos
Barry Schaffer Orthopedic, Physical Therapist
Bernard, 66 Knee Replacement patient
Carol, 70 Knee Replacement patient
Cynthia, 69 Knee Replacement patient
David, 67 Knee Replacement patient
Dianna, 57 Knee Replacement caregiver
Dr. Todd Dietrick, Knee Replacement M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Hip and Knee Replacement
Dr. Todd Dietrick, Hip Replacement M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Hip and Knee Replacement
Dr. Larry Door MD Orthopedic Surgeon, Hip replacement
Helen, 60 Hip Replacement patient
Jeri Ward R.N. BSN, PHN Orthopedic Nurse Certified
Karen Expand for videos
Leanne, 58 Hip Replacement patient
Liza, 59 Hip Replacement patient
Mike, 71 Knee Replacement patient
Mimi, 65 Hip Replacement patient
Richard, 62 Hip Replacement patient
Susan, 69 Knee Replacement patient
Wendy Keller Occupational Therapist
Biography
Dr. Dietrick’s practice in joint replacement and reconstructive arthritis surgery focuses on minimizing pain and restoring normal function. While joint replacement is a highly successful procedure, Dr. Dietrick has noticed that traditional techniques are often painful and require prolonged recovery periods. Through less invasive techniques, he finds patients have better pain control and a rapid return to function. During hip replacement, Dr. Dietrick utilizes an anterior approach to the hip joint, which does not cut muscles or tendons. This technique, which has been used successfully in Europe for decades, allows for better initial pain control and earlier return of hip function. Dr. Dietrick has applied the same principle of tissue-sparing surgery to his knee replacement practice. With the help of computer-assisted navigation, he is able to recreate the patient’s normal alignment without cutting muscle or tendons, thus improving the overall alignment and range of motion after surgery. In combination with an advanced anesthesia protocol, which minimizes early post-operative pain, patients are able to recover more quickly than with traditional techniques. Dr. Dietrick gained a particular interest in the emerging fields of joint preservation and cartilage transplantation of the hip and knee while at UCSD. He continues to perform research and give lectures on these topics. In his clinical practice, Dr. Dietrick chooses to focus on joint replacement surgery of the hip and knee, including primary and revision hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and computer assisted navigation. Fellowship University of California at San Diego Residency USC School of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery Internship USC School of Medicine Education USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, M.D. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
-
Video Description
There have been many advances in orthopedic pain management. An anesthesiologist is able to keep a patient relatively pain free. Dr. Dietrick stresses that it is extremely important to keep the swelling down. For knees this means keeping the leg elevated. With physical therapy, working on range of motion and strengthening muscles are key. Dr. Dietrick says that scarring from incisions are usually unnoticeable after a period of time. He likes to see his patients get back to their recreational activities after about four months after surgery though some patients may get back sooner than others.
More Related Videos
-
Contributor
01:39 -
Contributor
02:59 -
Contributor
04:59 -
Contributor
14:19
HIPAA disclaimer:
Remember that your posts are public. Please do not include information in the text of your comment that personally identifies you, such as your your location, financial information, or other private information.
Other disclaimers:
PatientTalk reserves the right to delete comments that are vulgar, offensive or abusive, or which incite violence or contain fraudulent info, spam, porn, personal attacks or graphic images. Individual comments and responses do not necessarily reflect the views of PatientTalk.