Orthopedic Surgery and Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Not every bone, joint, or muscle problem needs an operation, and at Penn Highlands Healthcare, we don't treat surgery as the first option. Our orthopedic team always starts with the most conservative treatment that gives your condition a real chance to improve. We only move toward surgery when it's genuinely the best path forward.
Whether you're dealing with an old injury that's finally caught up with you, an acute tear that needs prompt attention, or a hand or wrist condition that's making everyday tasks difficult, we'll walk you through every option, conservative and surgical, so you know what to expect before you decide anything.
What to Expect
Your visit starts with an exam and, if needed, imaging to get a clear picture of what's going on. From there, we'll talk through your options together, conservative treatment, surgery, or both in sequence, and what recovery looks like for each.
We typically give conservative treatment several weeks to work. If it provides meaningful relief, we’ll stick with it. Surgery becomes the right conversation when an injury is significant, when conservative care hasn’t helped enough, or when joint damage is seriously affecting your daily life. Acute injuries like ACL tears often call for a prompt orthopedic evaluation.
If surgery is scheduled, our pre-surgical team will confirm any needed clearances, such as from your primary care provider, in the weeks before your procedure. Physical therapy is often part of your recovery plan from the start.
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Fracture Clinic
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - State College
A Service of Penn Highlands Huntingdon
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - St. Marys
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois COE
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
University Orthopedics Center - Altoona
University Orthopedics Center - DuBois
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Fracture Clinic
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Philipsburg
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - St. Marys
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois COE
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - St. Marys
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics and Podiatry
Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery
Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Connellsville
A Service of Penn Highlands Connellsville
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Rostraver Township
A Service of Penn Highlands Mon Valley
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Uniontown
Orthopedic Surgery
University Orthopedics Center - DuBois
University Orthopedics Center And Spine Institute - State College
University Orthopedics Center - Altoona
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Sports Medicine
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Clarion
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois COE
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - St. Marys
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - State College
A Service of Penn Highlands Huntingdon
Orthopedic Surgery
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - DuBois COE
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - St. Marys
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Philipsburg
A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Orthopedic Surgery Options
Surgery becomes the right conversation when an injury is significant, when conservative treatment hasn't provided enough relief after several weeks, or when arthritis or joint damage has progressed to the point where it's seriously affecting your daily life. Acute ACL tears, in particular, often call for a prompt orthopedic evaluation.
When surgery is the right call, our surgeons favor minimally invasive techniques where appropriate, which can mean a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. That includes arthroscopic procedures for the knee and shoulder, done through small incisions with video guidance, and for eligible hip and knee replacements, our Mako robotic-assisted system.
Hand Surgery
Hand and wrist conditions tend to get worse without treatment, so an early evaluation matters. Our hand surgeons treat carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, thumb arthritis, tendon injuries, and ganglion cysts. We start with conservative options like splinting or injections whenever possible. When surgery is needed, many procedures can be done through small incisions.
Joint Replacement
When a joint is too damaged to repair, a total or partial replacement swaps the worn surfaces for metal and plastic components. We replace hips, knees, shoulders, and sometimes ankles. Robotic-assisted Mako SmartRobotics™ surgery is available at Penn Highlands Clearfield and Penn Highlands DuBois. For joint replacement specifics, visit our Joint Replacement page.
Carpal Tunnel Release
Releasing the carpal ligament relieves pressure on the median nerve, easing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and wrist. Minimally invasive release is available at select locations. For carpal tunnel release, visit our Carpal Tunnel Treatment page.
Fracture Repair
Some broken bones need surgery to realign and stabilize them so they heal properly. The bones are repositioned and held in place with screws, pins, plates, or rods. For fracture care, visit our Orthopedic Trauma page.
Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy
In arthroscopy, the surgeon uses a small camera and instruments inserted through a few small incisions to repair or remove damaged tissue. In the knee, it’s commonly used for meniscus tears. In the shoulder, it can treat rotator cuff tears, impingement, and instability.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Many orthopedic conditions, including arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis, respond well to conservative care. Your provider may recommend one or more of these treatments, often in combination.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can reduce or even resolve many types of orthopedic pain. It’s often paired with other treatments or used to recover after surgery. Depending on your needs, therapy may include:
- Balance, gait, and strength assessments
- Strengthening and range-of-motion exercises
- Splinting or taping
- Ice and massage
- Aquatic therapy and myofascial release
- Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
Learn more about Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce swelling. They’re also available as topical creams, and creams with capsaicin offer another option for pain relief. Pain relievers can help you sleep and stay active, but they mainly ease symptoms rather than treat the underlying problem. For nerve-related pain, your provider may prescribe a medication such as gabapentin.
Steroid Injections
A corticosteroid injection directly into the affected joint can relieve pain and swelling for about 4 to 6 months. Injections are most common in the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle, and can help smaller joints in the hands and feet. Because of steroid side effects, the number of injections you can receive is limited. For ongoing pain, our Pain Management specialists offer additional interventional options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orthopedic surgery treats injuries and conditions affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. It ranges from minimally invasive, arthroscopic procedures to joint replacement, and is typically considered after conservative treatments haven't provided enough relief.
It often comes down to how your condition responds to conservative care over a few weeks, and how much it's affecting your daily life. Your orthopedic provider will help you weigh the options honestly rather than rushing toward surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions, and, in some cases, robotic assistance or video guidance, which can mean less trauma to surrounding tissue, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Yes. Our team treats a range of hand and wrist conditions, from carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger to thumb arthritis and tendon injuries, starting with conservative care where appropriate and moving to surgery when it's the better option.
Recovery varies by procedure, but physical therapy is a common part of getting your strength and mobility back. Your care team will give you a specific recovery timeline and plan based on your surgery.
It depends on your insurance plan, and sometimes on location, so a quick call to your plan before scheduling can save you a surprise later. Prefer to skip that step? Our team can look into it for you.
