Month: October 2022

Categories
Fibroids

Short or Long Recovery

The recovery from fibroid surgery can take months. Uterine Fibroid Embolization has a recovery period of about 1-2 weeks.

When it comes to procedures to remove fibroids, some result in shorter recovery periods than others.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, has a recovery period of about 1-2 weeks, with most women finding they can resume their normal activities after a few days. This is remarkable considering that most fibroid removal procedures are done surgically with a post-operation recovery period of several weeks or even months.

Not only that, but these surgeries such as a hysterectomy or a myomectomy, often require a few nights in the hospital following the procedure. This is not the case with Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

In order to get a better understanding of how groundbreaking UFE is as an outpatient fibroid removal procedure with a much shorter recovery period, we’re going to take a look at what can be expected following another common fibroid removal procedure: a myomectomy.

When it comes to the recovery period after electing to remove uterine fibroids through a major surgery such as a myomectomy, the recovery timeline varies. Unlike a hysterectomy, which can take weeks and even months to recover from and requires a hospital stay following the procedure, a myomectomy recovery depends on the severity of the fibroids and the approach taken to remove them while keeping the uterus intact.

As we’ve covered in previous articles about the surgical removal of fibroids, a myomectomy is a surgical procedure that removes uterine fibroids while keeping the uterus intact and is a treatment option for women who wish to have children after the fibroids are removed, or who wish to keep their uterus for other reasons.

As a quick recap- let’s take a look at the three main types of myomectomies, which are: laparoscopic myomectomy, abdominal myomectomy, and hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Abdominal Myomectomy

This is the most invasive method of performing a myomectomy and involved the administration of general anesthesia. During this procedure, the doctor will make an incision that starts at the lower abdomen and reaches the uterus. Then, using this incision, the doctor will remove the fibroids and then proceed to close the wound with stitches.

Laparoscopic Myomectomy

Similar to an abdominal myomectomy, though less invasive, this procedure also requires the use of general anesthesia. After making several small cuts in the lower abdomen, the stomach is filled with carbon dioxide gas in order to provide the doctor with a better look inside the abdomen. The doctor will then insert a thin lighted tube with a camera on top, called a laparoscope. Then, using special tools, the fibroids are removed, the gas is released, and the incisions are stitched up.

Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

This is the least invasive of the myomectomies and may use general or local anesthesia. It begins with the doctor putting a liquid inside of the uterus in order to make it widen, and therefore make the fibroids more visible. Then, using a lighted scope and a wire loop, which are entered through the vagina and cervix, the fibroids are shaved off of the uterus. Once finished removing the fibroids, the liquid is also removed, which gets rid of any fibroid fragments that remain.

Since a hysteroscopic myomectomy doesn’t involve any external incisions, the recovery time is much shorter than the other types of myomectomies.  And in general, women who have a hysteroscopic myomectomy generally experience fewer complications, while also experiencing a shorter recovery time than that of the other types of myomectomies. However, regardless of the type of myomectomy, it will still take a few weeks for the body to heal.

In our next article, we are going to look at exactly what is to be expected following a myomectomy in regards to the recovery time, so as to compare it to the recovery time that is to be expected following the non-invasive fibroid removal procedure, Uterine Fibroid Embolization. 

To learn more about Uterine Fibroid Embolization as a treatment for uterine fibroids, please call us today to set up a consultation. A myomectomy or a hysterectomy is not the only option. So call us today to find out more.

 

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Finding Relief From Knee Pain

It is estimated that over 800,000 Americans get knee replacement surgery every year and even more people experience daily knee pain.

It is estimated that 800,000 Americans get knee replacement surgery every year, however, the number of people that have painful knee osteoarthritis is significantly more.

This means that many people in this country and worldwide, are suffering from the debilitating knee pain that comes with untreated osteoarthritis.  Which as a result, can interfere greatly with their daily lives, and limit what they can and can not do.

No one deserves to live with the significant pain, limited physical capabilities, and reduced quality of life that comes from living with untreated knee conditions. Especially with the many treatment options that are available.

The most common method of finding relief from knee pain due to osteoarthritis is through the use of medications or injections.

Though these methods may be helpful for those with milder cases of knee osteoarthritis, these types of treatments only offer temporary relief, and often come with a slew of unwanted side effects, and other health risks.

The most common medications taken to provide some relief from knee pain belong to a class of medications called NSAIDs.

NSAID stands for “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”. Examples of these commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and some narcotics.

Though helpful in the short term, long-term use of these medications can lead to serious side effects.

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal problems, including stomach irritation and reflux. It has also been reported that in some cases NSAIDs can contribute to heart problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions.

Other side effects associated with using NSAIDs:

• Stomach irritation and ulcers
• Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• Increased potential for bruising
• Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
• Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots
• Kidney damage

Another NSAID that is used to relieve osteoarthritis pain is a prescription-strength medication called celecoxib, also known by its brand name Celebrex.

This medication is more likely to be prescribed to patients that can not take some of the other over-the-counter NSAIDs due to stomach issues, as celecoxib is less likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding. However,  there is evidence to suggest that celecoxib can contribute to the development of heart problems.

Some people can not take NSAIDs for a variety of reasons, in which case they might opt to take acetaminophen to relieve pain, also known by the brand name Tylenol.

Acetaminophen can relieve pain but does little to reduce inflammation. And, though it is widely used to treat pain, most doctors do not recommend acetaminophen as it is more likely to harm the liver than some of the other pain-relieving options that are available. In fact, too much acetaminophen can not only cause liver damage but can even lead to death.

Furthermore, some studies have even found that acetaminophen does little to help relieve osteoarthritis pain, especially when compared to the efficacy of NSAIDs.

When it comes to severe knee pain, another common pain reliever is a type of medication called an analgesic. These medicines are commonly known as “painkillers” and they work by blocking pain signals in the body. Though acetaminophen is technically an analgesic, the term is more often used to describe prescription painkillers such as tramadol, and opioids containing hydrocodone or oxycodone.

In our next article, we will dive deeper into looking at medications that are commonly used by those suffering from knee pain by focusing on their benefits as well as their risks.

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about a non-invasive procedure to treat knee osteoarthritis, so as to avoid knee replacement surgery and the overuse of pain relievers, please call us today to set up a consultation at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, 301-622-5360.