Category: Private

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Maximum Pain Relief

You shouldn’t have to drive hours away for the orthopedic care you need. At Coryell Health, our expert team combines cutting-edge medical technology with a personalized touch to perform minimally invasive joint reconstruction surgery, orthopedic spine surgery, robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery and more.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic joint pain or a recent surgery, Coryell Health is here to help you recover quickly with minimal disruption to your life. Click on the sections below to learn more about our minimally invasive surgical offerings.

Table of Contents

• Joint Reconstruction
• Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery
• Hip Replacement Surgery

 

Joint Reconstruction

How Does Joint Reconstruction Work?

Joint reconstruction restores and repairs your joint’s function through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Dr. Lance Ellis will make small incisions near the affected area and use a camera to view the inside of the affected joint. He’ll then trim cartilage and other soft tissues and remove any bone spurs. The procedure will help increase a stiff joint’s range of motion by relieving pressure from tight ligaments. If you’d like to start the conversation about joint reconstruction surgery with our team, give us a call at (254) 483-KNEE.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Joint Reconstruction?

Joint reconstruction surgery recovery time varies depending on the specific joint being operated on and individual patient factors. Generally, you can expect to resume light manual tasks within a few weeks, and it may take 12-14 weeks to resume more strenuous activities.

How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Joint Reconstruction?

Within the first few weeks following your procedure, you should notice significant improvements in your mobility and reduced levels of pain. Participating in physical therapy following the surgery also promotes healing and works to restore function.

Is Joint Reconstruction Covered By Insurance?

Please call (254) 865-8251 for any questions you may have about insurance and joint reconstruction surgery. Click here to see Coryell Health’s list of accepted insurance.

 

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

How Does Orthopedic Spine Surgery Work?

Dr. Ellis and his team specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery, which means smaller incisions, no damage to muscles and tissue near your spine, better results and a shorter recovery time compared to traditional spine surgery. If you’d like to start the conversation about orthopedic spine surgery with our team, give us a call at (254) 483-KNEE.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Orthopedic Spine Surgery?

The recovery time following orthopedic spine surgery varies depending on the cause of your symptoms and individual patient factors. For the first few weeks following your procedure, you should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting.

How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Orthopedic Spine Surgery?

Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, you may experience improved mobility and pain relief within a few days to a couple of weeks after your surgery. Dr. Ellis may recommend physical therapy to help improve your strength, mobility and flexibility.

Is Orthopedic Spine Surgery Covered By Insurance?

Please call (254) 865-8251 for any questions you may have about insurance and orthopedic spine surgery. Click here to see Coryell Health’s list of accepted insurance.

 

Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery

How Does Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery Work?

As part of our commitment to caring for patients using the latest medical technology, Coryell Health was the first Central Texas healthcare provider to begin using robot-assisted orthopedic technology to perform total knee replacement surgery. The ROSA® (Robotic Surgical Assistant) Knee System assists in performing total knee replacement surgery by providing information on how your soft tissue is responding and performing precise bone removal to restore your knee safely and with pinpoint accuracy. The ROSA provides your surgical team with data throughout the procedure, allowing them to tailor the placement of your implant to your unique anatomy. If you’d like to start the conversation about robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery with our team, give us a call at (254) 483-KNEE.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Following your procedure, recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most patients return to light activity within three to four weeks. Dr. Ellis will advise you on when you can return to certain activities.

How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

“These are the patients who usually hug me and talk about how great their life is and how different it is,” Dr. Ellis says. “One patient told me about a hike he went on with his two daughters that had several steep inclines that he couldn’t have done two months ago.” Many patients experience pain relief and improved mobility within a few weeks following their surgery.

Is Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery Covered By Insurance?

Please call (254) 865-8251 for any questions you may have about insurance and robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery. Click here to see Coryell Health’s list of accepted insurance.

 

Hip Replacement Surgery

How Does Hip Replacement Surgery Work?

Coryell Health’s orthopedic surgery team specializes in minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. During this procedure, one or more small incisions are made to reduce pain and improve recovery time. Your surgeon will cut the damaged bone and minimal tissue surrounding your hip to insert the precisely fitted implant. If you’d like to start the conversation about hip replacement surgery with our team, give us a call at (254) 483-KNEE.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Hip Replacement Surgery?

Although everyone’s body responds differently to hip replacement surgery, a full recovery typically takes a few weeks to several months, along with regular physical therapy.

How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Hip Replacement Surgery?

Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility within the first few weeks following hip replacement surgery.

Is Hip Replacement Surgery Covered By Insurance?

Please call (254) 865-8251 for any questions you may have about insurance and hip replacement surgery. Click here to see Coryell Health’s list of accepted insurance.

Meet the Doctor

 

If joint pain or spinal issues are holding you back, it may be time to consider a minimally invasive solution. Get back to feeling your best with help from Dr. Ellis and the rest of Coryell Health’s surgical team! Call (254) 483-KNEE to explore your options and start your road to recovery today.

Your Guide to Identifying Venomous Snakes, Treating Bites & Protecting Your Property

It’s summer in Central Texas, and while we’re out enjoying barbecues, hiking trails and boating, snakes are out, too. In North America, snakes are most active between April and October due to their reliance on external heat for warmth. July falls right in the middle of this 7-month period, making it the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from venomous snakes with our comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

• Common Snakes in Central Texas
• How to Treat a Snake Bite
• How to Avoid Snake Bites
• How to Snake Proof Your Yard

Common Snakes in Central Texas

The two main kinds of venomous snakes in the United States are pit vipers and elapids. Within these categories are the four kinds of venomous snakes found in Texas: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads and coral snakes.

Rattlesnakes are classified as pit vipers due to the heat-sensing organs, or “pits,” on their faces between their noses and eyes. The rattle they use to ward off predators means you may hear a rattlesnake before you ever see it. They possess the most potent venom of United States snakes, so steer clear. Texas has 10 species of rattlesnakes, with the Western diamondback rattlesnake being the most common.

Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are semi-aquatic and tend to live near a body of water. These snakes get their name due to the white inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened. The Western cottonmouth is both the one recognized subspecies of cottonmouth in the state of Texas and the world’s only semi-aquatic viper.

Copperheads, like rattlesnakes and cottonmouths, also fall into the pit viper category. Known for their copper-colored scales, a copperhead’s venom tends to cause less severe side effects compared to a rattlesnake’s or a cottonmouth’s venom. Commonly found in yards and wooded areas, there are three subspecies of copperheads in the state of Texas: the Southern copperhead, the broad-banded copperhead and the Trans-Pecos copperhead. For our Wacoans, copperheads are commonly found in Cameron Park and the Waco National Mammoth Monument, so watch your step.

Coral snakes are the only elapids found in Texas. While pit vipers are characterized by their heat-sensing “pits” and their large, hinged fangs, elapids have shorter fangs that are fixed to the roofs of their mouths. In other words, elapids’ fangs don’t fold back when not in use like pit vipers’ fangs do. A coral snake’s venom is neurotoxic, meaning that it affects your nervous system and may cause muscle weakness or paralysis. The Texas coral snake is the only kind of coral snake that lives in the state. It’s the only venomous snake in Texas with brightly colored red, yellow and black bands circling its body.

When faced with a snake with these colors, use the old adage, “Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, kill a fellow,” to determine whether or not the snake is venomous (this rhyme only applies to North American snake species). If the snake’s red and black markings touch, it’s a harmless, nonvenomous snake. If the snake’s red and yellow markings touch, you’re most likely looking at a venomous snake. Either way, it’s best not to approach or disturb any kind of snake.

How to Treat a Snake Bite

Symptoms of a snake bite may include:

• Pain and swelling around the bite area
• An abnormal blood count (of platelets, typically)
• Muscle weakness and/or paralysis if a snake’s venom is neurotoxic
• Trouble breathing and/or lowered blood pressure if you’re allergic to a snake’s venom

According to the Mayo Clinic, CroFab, Poison Control, Coryell Health EMS Director Daniel Lay and Cameron Park Zoo General Curator Gordon Henley, here is what to do and what not to do when treating a snake bite.

“When it comes to snake bites, time is critical. Coryell Health EMS is trained to respond rapidly and provide lifesaving care, but the best outcomes start with community members knowing how to prevent bites and respond appropriately. Don’t try to kill or capture the snake—just move away, stay calm and still, and call 911 immediately.”

– Daniel Lay, Director of EMS, Safety, and Emergency Management at Coryell Health

DO:

• Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
• Seek an ER carrying CroFab antivenin (antivenom) if you believe the bite is from a rattlesnake, cottonmmouth or copperhead (even if you’re not sure what kind of snake bit you, seeking an ER with antivenin is always a good bet)
• Remain calm, as an elevated heart rate may speed up the spreading of venom throughout your body
• Remove any jewelry or clothing near the bite area to avoid constricting any swelling
• Gently wash the bite area with soap and water
• Keep the bite at heart level to slow the spread of the venom

“It’s often hard to predict how severe a snake bite can become. These bites can become quite severe and life-threatening. I believe it’s always worth being evaluated in the event of a snake bite.”

– Landon Belcher, DO

DO NOT:

• Delay treatment to attempt to identify the snake that bit you

If you already have an idea of the kind of snake that bit you, that’s fine, but it’s not essential to know. 98% of venomous snake bites in the United States are from North American pit vipers (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads), and CroFab antivenin is specifically designed to target the complete range of toxins found in North American pit viper venoms.

• Use a snake bite kit for treatment

Suction devices, scalpels and other tools included in a snake bite kit are not only ineffective, but could make the injury worse.

• Apply a tourniquet

Tourniquets limit the venom to one limb and can lead to hemorrhaging, disfigurement or even amputation without actually stopping the spread of the venom.

• Cut open the wound and attempt to suck out the venom

“Although this often happens in the movies, it is completely ineffective and dangerous,” says Coryell County Medical Authority Diedra Wuenschel, DO. “Cutting open the wound can increase the risk of infection and cause possible tissue damage. Sucking out the venom also introduces bacteria from your mouth to the wound, and it’s pointless because the venom is already spreading through your bloodstream.”

• Use an electric shock to treat the wound

Like the idea of sucking venom out of a wound, using electrotherapy to treat a snake bite is junk science. Shocking yourself is dangerous and ineffective against the effects of a snake bite.

• Ice the affected area

Applying ice to a snake bite has been proven ineffective, and submerging the wound in ice water may cause further tissue damage.

• Take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation

Examples of NSAIDS include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) and naproxen sodium (Aleve®, etc.). Since NSAIDS and snake venom can both inhibit platelet function, taking NSAIDS to reduce pain and inflammation from a snake bite can increase the risk of bleeding.

How to Avoid Snake Bites

Snakes only bite when they’re surprised by your presence or feel threatened. They don’t care for humans and would actually rather retreat than go near you.

Although snakes don’t have external ear canals and eardrums like we do, they do have an inner ear that allows them to sense vibrations through their skull and jawbone. If they sense you coming, they will most likely freeze until you pass by and then make their escape.

All that to say, the best way to avoid getting bitten by a snake is to leave them alone. Snakes enjoy hiding in tall grass and brush and underneath fallen tree limbs, leaves and rocks, so watch your step and wear closed-toed shoes that completely cover your feet. They enjoy being out during the coolest times of day, so take extra caution when being outdoors in the early morning and at dusk.

Don’t get close enough to a snake to try to identify it. Stay safe by keeping your distance. If a snake does bite you, more harm than good comes out of trying to hunt or kill the snake.

How to Snake Proof Your Yard

1. Use natural snake repellents

Common natural snake repellents include ammonia, vinegar, citrus and marigolds. Snakes dislike the strong smell of ammonia, so you can soak rags in ammonia and leave them in unsealed plastic bags in the areas where you usually see snakes in your yard.

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has a pungent odor that also turns snakes off. Snakes generally don’t like citrus smells, so placing orange, lemon and lime peels around your property can be an effective snake deterrent.

You can also plant lemongrass and marigolds in your yard to ward off snakes. Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural snake repellent, and snakes also dislike the pungent smell of marigolds’ roots.

2. Eliminate food sources for snakes

Small rodents, lizards and birds are a large part of snakes’ diets, so remove any snake prey by removing what they like to eat. Don’t leave pet food outside, as it can attract rodents, and in turn, snakes. Don’t keep bird feeders in your yard, and clean your yard to remove any trash that could attract snake prey.

3. Remove possible snake shelters

Snakes enjoy hiding in tall grass and weeds, so it’s important to mow your lawn on a regular basis. Ensure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and get rid of any leaf piles, fallen branches, logs, large rocks and empty flower pots where snakes can live. Finally, seal any openings to your home, garage or shed with caulking or thin metal sheets to prevent snakes from coming inside.

Staying safe during peak snake season starts with awareness. By knowing what to do (and not to do) in the event of a snake bite, staying cautious around known snake hiding spots and learning how to identify Central Texas venomous snakes, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.

If you or someone you know experiences a snake bite, call 911 and Coryell Health’s EMS team is ready to help you when you need it most.