Arthroscopic surgery is a surgical procedure in which a small camera called an “arthroscope” is used to view the inside of a joint. Arthroscopy can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of joint problems. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and as such it is preferable to open joint surgery in many cases.

How it Works

During arthroscopy, the doctor makes a tiny incision near the joint and inserts the camera. The camera is connected to a television in the operating room, so that the doctor can see a real-time image of the joint. Pictures can be taken as the procedure progresses. If arthroscopy is being performed for diagnostic purposes, visualization may be all that is done during the procedure.

If treatment is to be performed, the doctor will make one or more further incisions near the joint. Through these incisions, small tools are inserted, allowing the doctor to operate on the joint. Complex procedures can be performed through arthroscopic surgery.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery has a number of advantages over open joint surgery, although both types of surgery are appropriate in different situations. Some advantages include:

• No large incision – Only tiny incisions are required during arthroscopy, as opposed to the large incisions required to open up the joint. This can also mean that there is no large scar.
• No hospital stay – Every case is different, but most patients who have arthroscopic surgery don’t need to stay in the hospital. Instead, the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and most patients can return home the same day.
• Lower risk of certain side effects – Thanks to the smaller incision and lack of hospital stay, the risk of certain side effects, like bleeding and infection, is lower. However, the overall risk of complications with both types of surgery is low.
• Shorter recovery time – The recovery time varies heavily based on individual healing times and the nature of the condition. However, the recovery time from arthroscopic surgery is usually shorter than with open joint surgery.

Uses

Theoretically, arthroscopy could be used on any joint in the body. However, it is most frequently used on larger joints to treat certain conditions.

• Knee – Arthroscopy can be used to treat ligament tears, meniscal tears, and damage to the cartilage.
• Shoulder – Arthroscopic surgery is often used for rotator cuff tears, impingement, and recurrent dislocations.
• Hip – Femoroacetabular impingement, dysplasia, synovitis, and loose bodies can all be treated with arthroscopy.
• Wrist – Arthroscopic surgery can be used for carpal tunnel syndrome, ligament tears, and wrist fractures.
• Spine – Herniated discs, bulging discs, bone spurs, and a number of other spine conditions can be treated using arthroscopic methods.

In some cases, fuller access to the joint is needed than can be provided by arthroscopy. For example, while arthroscopy is great for treating most ligament tears in the knee, a full knee replacement cannot be performed without opening up the knee.

Who is a Candidate?

Each case is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any orthopedic problem. A skilled physician should evaluate the condition and work with the patient to formulate a plan of treatment. The benefits and risks of any potential treatment should be discussed in detail. Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to speak with you about your orthopedic injuries.

You can Follow Dr. Howard Marans Tumblr for more complete explanation of treatment whether non-surgical or surgical.

Dr. Howard J. Marans graduated from the Univ of Toronto, Fac of Med, Toronto, and Ont, Canada in 1982. He works in Fountain Valley, CA and specializes in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Marans is affiliated with Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Marans's Specialties
Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine

Dr. Marans's Education & Training
Medical School: Univ of Toronto, Fac of Med, Toronto, Ont, Canada; Graduated 1982

Dr. Marans's Accepted Insurance

• Aetna Basic HMO
• Aetna Choice POS II
• Aetna HMO
• Aetna HMO Deductible Plan CA members only
• Aetna Managed Choice POS Open Access
• Aetna Savings Plus of CA
• Aetna Signature Administrators PPO
• Aetna Vitalidad Plus CA con Aetna
• BCBS Blue Card PPO
• Blue Cross CA Advantage PPO Preferred DirectAccess Plus

Dr. Marans's Office Information & Appointments
Office Locations
Howard J Marans Md
11190 Warner Ave Ste 306
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 979-8981

Dr. Howard Marans is an expert in sports medicine and has treated hundreds of elite and thousands of amateur athletes over the course of his career. Athletes are at an increased risk of orthopedic problems due to the nature of their lifestyle, and they have unique needs when it comes to recovering from injuries. That’s why seeing a sports medicine doctor is so important.

Athletes Have Unique Needs

When it comes to treatment for orthopedic problems and injuries, athletes have unique needs from the rest of the population. Some examples of this include:

• Athletes are typically in peak physical condition
• More prone to injury due to training (especially in cases of over-training or incorrect form)
• Education on ways to prevent future injury is essential
• Restoring full functionality to the injured body part is a priority

Approach to Treatment

One of the major ways in which athletes differ from other patients is that they require full use of the injured part in most cases. Although sometimes an orthopedic injury is so severe that the athlete will be unable to ever return to their previous level of achievement, in many cases it is possible to restore full functionality.

Because of this, sports medicine tends to be more aggressive in treating injuries than general orthopedic medicine. While an older or less active patient may receive treatment aimed at relieving symptoms in the least invasive way possible, athletes usually want to be able to perform strenuous physical activity over many years.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is often a cornerstone of sports medicine, whether or not surgery is also used. Physical therapy can restore flexibility to stiff joints and strengthen muscles that weakened due to injury. In addition, physical therapy can help athletes develop the good form that they will need to prevent future injuries.

Surgical Treatment

Many common sports injuries, like shin splints, muscle sprains, and simple fractures, can be treated without ever entering the operating room. However, conditions that are unlikely to heal on their own may need surgery, especially given that restoring full functionality is a priority.

Many sports injuries, like ACL tears and rotator cuff tears, can be treated using arthroscopic surgery in an outpatient setting. For more severe and extensive injuries, it may be necessary to perform traditional, open procedures, which might require a hospital stay.

Prevention of Future Injuries

In sports medicine, preventing future injuries is an important part of treatment. After sustaining an injury, athletes are often eager to get back to training. Under the guidance of a physician, athletes can do this in the safest way possible.

The first step to preventing injury is to wait until it is safe to do so to start training again. The physician will carefully monitor the patient’s progress as the injury heals and physical therapy restores strength and flexibility. Starting before the doctor gives the go-ahead can put athletes at risk of developing another injury. Depending on the injury, this could be anywhere from a few days to several months.

The next step is to change the training regimen to prevent future injury. In some cases, incorrect form contributed to the original injury; in such cases, the doctor, physical therapist, and coach should work with the patient to correct the form.

Over-training is another major issue. One way that patients can avoid injuries caused by over-training is to take up a cross-training regimen, in which case their normal training is supplemented by the use of other types of training at times.

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Internal fixation is a procedure in which a device is attached to a bone to stabilize it and help it heal. Internal fixation is highly effective at aligning bones and promoting healing. Pins, plates, screws, and rods can all be used to fixate a bone internally.

How it Works

During internal fixation, the patient is taken into the operating room and the area that will be operated on is sterilized. The doctor makes an incision above the bone. Once the bone is accessed, the first step is to place the bone in its natural position (open reduction). Then, the bone is stabilized and kept in that position through the use of special implants.

Implants that can be used in internal fixation include:

• Plates – Internal splints that are connected to the bone with screws. Plates are often left in place after healing is complete.
• Screws – Screws can be used along or in conjunction with other implants. Screws may either be left in place or removed after healing.
• Rods – Rods are inserted through the hollow center of a bone, typically a bone with marrow in the center, especially shinbone and thighbone fractures. Rods are secured with screws at the top and bottom, to prevent the bone from shortening or rotating. Rods may be left in or removed after healing.
• Pins – Used to treat bones that are to small for screws. Pins are usually removed after healing.

There is typically a hospital stay of 1-7 days after an internal fixation. This varies on the type of fracture and age/health of the patient.

When It’s Necessary

Simple fractures in which the bone is cracked but stays in place can often heal without surgery, simply by casting and immobilizing the bone. However, in cases where the bone is fractured in many places or where the pieces of the bone separate significantly, internal fixation may be required.

Fractures are usually immediately apparent after they occur, and internal fixation is usually performed on an emergency basis, as soon as medical imaging confirms that the nature of the fracture requires open reduction and internal fixation.

Prompt Treatment of Fractures is Essential

The importance of prompt treatment for fractures cannot be overstated. If a fracture is suspected, it is always best to seek medical treatment. Signs of fractures include severe pain, visible or palpable bumps on the bone, and an inability to move a joint.

Without prompt treatment, a number of significant complications can occur due to a fracture. Examples include:

• Compartment syndrome – A life-threatening and limb-threatening condition in which pressure in a muscle compartment builds up to dangerous levels. Compartment syndrome is an emergency that requires surgery. It can occur even with prompt treatment, but prompt treatment is essential to prevention and treatment.
• Nonunion – Nonunion occurs when the bone fails to heal at all.
• Malunion – Malunion occurs when the bone heals in a misaligned manner. For example, bones that are not properly set may heal shortened or crooked. It is much harder to treat nonunion and malunion than to treat the fracture when it initially occurs.
• Nerve damage – If the bone moves so that it presses against surrounding structures, it may press against the nerves. If not treated promptly, nerve damage may occur.
• Infection – Infection can occur in the bone, especially if the bone pokes through the skin. Without prompt treatment, the bone and surrounding area are vulnerable to infection.

If you have symptoms of a fracture, you should call your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately.

Want to know Arthroscopic Surgery by Dr Howard Marans MD?

Dr. Howard Marans MD

Specializes in Orthopedic Surgery
• Male
• Age 57

Hospital Quality Matters

If you’re like most people facing a health condition that requires hospital care, you’re not thinking about the hospital where you’ll be treated. You’ll go to the closest hospital or where your doctor sends you, and it will be fine. It’s not that simple. Don’t confuse healthcare convenience and quality. Where you’re treated matters—every bit as much as the doctor providing the care does.

1. All Hospitals Are Not the Same

All hospitals are not the same—at least when it comes to the quality of care they provide. Some offer significantly better care than others, and the difference to patients can be dramatic. How dramatic? Your chances of surviving heart bypass surgery could be 85.6% higher at one hospital than at another hospital just down the road. Your chances of sailing through a total knee replacement without complications could be 63.4 % higher. These statistics are based off of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Medicare-enrolled patients.

2. It’s All About Outcomes

Hospitals are required to report the results of the treatments they provide. This information tells us if patients at a particular hospital are more or less likely to have a successful medical outcome. When it comes to hospital care, success is defined in two ways. Mortality—Did patients die during or after their care? Complication rates—Did patients experience unexpected health issues, such as an infection or blood clot that required additional medical care? Reviewing a hospital’s performance based on objective measures of quality can increase your chances of a good outcome.

3. How We Rate Hospital Quality

Health grades rates hospital quality based solely on objective measures of performance—mortality and complication rates. First, we calculate the mortality and complication rates a hospital is expected to have for a range of common conditions and procedures—from maternity care to knee replacements. Then we calculate the actual (observed) rates at the hospital. After comparing the expected and actual rates, hospitals are placed into one of three categories for their performance on each procedure or condition: better than expected outcomes (5 stars); as expected outcomes (3 stars); and worse than expected outcomes (1 star).

4. What Quality Ratings Mean to You

There are few no-brainers in healthcare—but this is one of them: If you’re treated at a hospital with 5 stars in your condition or procedure, you have a much lower risk of dying or experiencing a complication than at a lower-rated hospital for that condition or procedure. In fact, mortality and complication rates for a given condition or procedure can vary considerably from one hospital to another just a few minutes down the road.

5. How to Ensure You Get the Best Care

First, you need to learn which hospitals in your area perform better than expected (5 stars) for the care you need. To help you do that, Health grades provides objective quality ratings for virtually every hospital in the nation. Health grades hospital quality information is free, publicly available, and easy to understand. Next, you need to find a doctor who can treat you at a hospital with 5 stars for the care you need.

6. Your Doctor Determines Your Hospital

Doctors have admitting privileges—permission to treat patients—at certain hospitals. That’s right. You can’t choose any doctor you want and expect to be treated at any hospital you want. If your doctor’s hospital falls short in quality, you should find a doctor who treats patients at a hospital likely to offer you the best possible outcome. In other words, you may need to limit your search to doctors who can treat you at a hospital with 5 stars for the treatment you need. Healthgrades shows you the doctor’s hospital affiliation(s) so that you can make clear choices.

7. Quality, Not Geography Matters

It’s tempting to choose a hospital right around the corner, particularly if your condition requires frequent hospital visits. In a recent survey, 97% of Americans agree having the right information is the key to making good healthcare decisions, yet 71% admit they are more likely to choose a hospital based on convenience. But if that hospital doesn’t have 5 stars in your treatment or condition, you should look for a hospital that does. While the hospital down the street may be convenient—this does not mean it’s the best choice for high-quality care.

8. Insurance Coverage Is a Practical Matter

When you’re preparing for a hospital stay, your first concern should be getting the best healthcare. But you also need to understand what your medical insurance covers and doesn’t cover. To receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a hospital that participates in your plan. You should still consider hospital quality as you select an in-network hospital. If you’re selecting a plan at work or buying insurance through the new health insurance marketplace, you have a great opportunity to choose a plan that covers services at a hospital with 5 stars in the treatment or condition that applies to you.

9. Informed Decisions Are Essential for Your Best Health

Making an informed decision about your hospital is not difficult and clearly it can make an enormous difference to your health. Focus on hospitals with 5-stars in your treatment or condition—hospitals that show a commitment to high-quality healthcare. Remember, where you’re treated matters every bit as much as the doctor providing the care.

Howard J. Marans, M.D. 11190 Warner Ave. Suite #306

Fountain Valley, CA USA 92708

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Phone 714-979-8981

Fax 714-432-9988





Monday 8:30am - 12:00pm

Tuesday on call

Wednesday 8:30am - 12:00pm

Thursday on call

Friday 8:30am - 12:00pm

Saturday on call

Sunday on call

Our Specialties

As a leading whole orthopedic care provider, OC Orthopedic specialists consider each patient unique and work with them to understand their special needs and concerns. We treat the whole patient by getting to know them as we gather insights and information to help us select an appropriate course of treatment.

• Arm
• Foot & Ankle
• Hand & Wrist
• Knee
• Shoulder Surgery

• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Complete in 1983

Dr. Marans' Care Philosophy

“Dr Howard Marans believe that all patients are entitled to quality orthopedics surgical care and do my best to ensure that he live up to that standard. He treats most conditions of the upper and lower extremities and if he feels it is necessary will refer patients out for further, more specialized care when indicated. It is often difficult for patients to be seen quickly by an Orthopedic Surgeon. He can always see patients within 1-2 days and often on the day of injury. It is also common for patients to wait for hours to see the doctor once they arrive. He endeavors to keep waiting times to a minimum. “

Specialties

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Adult Orthopedic Surgery
• Adult Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery
• Orthopedic Arthroscopy
• Orthopedic Fracture Care
• Orthopedic Knee Surgery
• Orthopedic Shoulder & Elbow Surgery
• Orthopedic Sports Medicine
• Orthopedic Trauma Surgery

Board Certifications

• Orthopedic Surgery
• University Of Toronto
• Graduated in 1982
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Complete in 1983
• Gallie Orthopaedic Surgical Residency
• Complete in 1989
• Orthopaedic and Arthritic Hospital
• Complete in 1990
• Royal Adelaide Hospital/Sportsmed SA
• Complete in 1991
• University Of Toronto / Faculty of Medicine
• Graduated in 1978
• University Of Toronto/Master’s Degree
• Complete in 1985

Procedures Dr. Marans Performs

• Achilles Tendon Reconstruction
• Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair
• Achilles Tenotomy
• ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Surgery
• All Shoulder or Elbow Replacement Procedures
• Ankle Arthroscopy
• Ankle Fusion
• Ankle Ligament Reconstruction
• Ankle Surgery
• Arthrocentesis
• Arthroscopic Joint Reconstruction
• Arthroscopic Joint Surgery
• Arthroscopic Labrum Repair
• Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
• Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
• Arthroscopic Shoulder Reconstruction
• Arthroscopic Surgery
• Arthroscopic Wrist Surgery
• Bicep Repairs
• Bursa Injection
• Carpal Tunnel Release
• Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery, Endoscopic
• Cartilage Transplant
• Casting
• De Quervain's Release
• Elbow Arthroscopy
• Elbow Surgery
• Elbow Tenotomy
• Excision of Scapula, Clavicle, Rib, or Sternum
• Excision of Tibia or Fibula

• Foot and Ankle Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
• Foot and Ankle Fracture Treatment, Open
• Foot and Ankle Ligament and Tendon Repair
• Fracture Care
• Glenoid Labrum Repair
• Hand and Wrist Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
• Hand and Wrist Fracture Treatment, Closed
• Hand and Wrist Fracture Treatment, Open
• Hand Surgery
• Joint Drainage
• Joint Injection
• Knee and Leg Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
• Knee and Lower Leg Fracture Treatment, Closed
• Knee and Lower Leg Fracture Treatment, Open
• Knee Arthroscopy
• Knee Cartilage Repair
• Knee Ligament Reconstruction
• Knee Surgery
• Lateral Meniscus Repair
• Ligament Reconstruction
• Medial Meniscus Repair
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Partial Shoulder Replacement
• Patella Tendon Repair
• Posterior Tibial Tendon Reconstruction
• Quadriceps Tendon Repair
• Rotator Cuff Surgery
• Shoulder Arthroscopy
• Shoulder Dislocation Treatment
• Shoulder Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
• Shoulder Fracture Treatment
• Shoulder Surgery
• Splinting
• Sports Medicine Surgery
• Steroid Injection
• Subcromial Decompression
• Synovial Biopsy
• Tricep Repair
• Trigger Finger Release
• Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate
• Worker's Compensation Evaluations
• X-Ray

Conditions Dr. Marans Treats

• Achilles Tendinitis
• Adhesive Capsulitis
• Ankle Disorders
• Ankle Fracture
• Ankle Sprain and Achilles Tendon Sprain or Rupture
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear
• Arm Fracture (incl. Elbow and Shoulder)
• Arthritis
• Arthritis of the Ankle
• Bursitis
• Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
• Carpal Fractures
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chondromalacia of the Patella (Runner's Knee)
• Clavicle Fracture
• De Quervain's Disease
• Elbow Bursitis
• Elbow Disorders
• Enthesopathy of Knee (incl. Bursitis of Knee)
• Extremity Malunions
• Extremity Nonunion
• Foot Fracture
• Foot Sprain
• Fracture
• Fracture of Hand (incl. Fingers)
• Ganglion Cyst
• Ganglion of Wrist
• Glenoid Labrum Tear
• Hand Fracture
• Hip Fracture

• Internal Derangement of Knee
• Knee Dislocation (incl. Meniscal Tear)
• Knee Fracture
• Knee Sprain
• Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis (Tennis and Golf Elbow)
• Leg Fracture Above Knee (incl. Hip)
• Leg Fracture Below Knee (incl. Ankle)
• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Tear
• Metatarsal Fracture
• Non-Unions and Malunions of Fractures
• Occupational Injuries
• Orthopedic Trauma
• Osgood Schlatter Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis of Hand or Wrist
• Osteoarthritis of Knee
• Osteoarthritis of Shoulder
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome or Knee Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Pseudoarthrosis
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Rotator Cuff Tear
• Scapular Fracture
• Shoulder Dislocation
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Shoulder Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis
• Sports Injuries
• Sprains and Strains (incl. Muscle Tear)
• Stress Fracture of Foot
• Tibia and Fibula Fractures
• Tibia or Fibula Stress Fracture
• Trigger Finger
• Work-Related Injuries

Education & Training

MEDICAL SCHOOL

• University Of Toronto
• Graduated in 1982

INTERNSHIP HOSPITAL

• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Complete in 1983

RESIDENCY HOSPITAL

• Gallie Orthopaedic Surgical Residency
• Complete in 1989

FELLOWSHIP HOSPITAL

• Orthopaedic and Arthritic Hospital
• Complete in 1990
• Royal Adelaide Hospital/Sportsmed SA
• Complete in 1991

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS

• University Of Toronto / Faculty of Medicine
• Graduated in 1978

OTHER EDUCATION

• University Of Toronto/Master’s Degree
• Complete in 1985

Languages Spoken by Dr. Marans & Staff

• English
• Spanish

Awards & Recognitions

• Healthgrades Honor Roll

Recognized Doctor

Health grades Recognized Doctor designation identifies leading doctors who:

• Are board certified.
• Have not had their license surrendered or revoked since health grades started collecting data in 2000.
• Have no malpractice judgments, adverse arbitration awards, or monetary settlements for the last five years in the states in which health grades can collect malpractice data.
• Are free of state or federal disciplinary actions (sanctions) for the last five years.
  

Health grades updates the Recognized Doctor list quarterly based on board certification data. Health grades also receive sanction and malpractice data throughout the year, depending on how frequently the state medical boards release updates.

We remove a newly sanctioned doctor from the Recognized Doctor list as soon as we receive the information. However, it is important to note that malpractice information is publically available in only 14 states.

Arthritis is a broad term that refers simply to inflammation of a joint, or a place at which two or more bones meet. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of arthritis cases can be managed non-surgically, and most people with arthritis are able to live full lives not limited by their condition.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It refers to the degeneration of a joint, and occurs most commonly in older adults. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage at the end of the bones breaks down, causing friction that leads to inflammation. Joints may also lose some of the fluid that keeps them lubricated.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis is inflammation of a joint that occurs after an injury to the joint. Post-traumatic arthritis is very common among athletes, but it can also occur in people who have been in a car accident or sustained a fall.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive condition that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and joint deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in the hands and feet and tends to affect the same joints on both sides of the body, one factor that distinguishes it from other forms of arthritis.. This condition is most common in women of childbearing age.

Other Forms of Arthritis

There are a variety of other forms of arthritis which are much more rare than the three described above. Examples include:

• Infectious arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Reactive arthritis

Non-Surgical Treatments

In most cases, osteoarthritis can be treated without resorting to surgery. It’s preferable to avoid surgery whenever possible, since surgery comes with its own set of risks and costs which should always be taken into account.

Some non-surgical treatments that Dr. Howard Marans uses for osteoarthritis include:

• Physical therapy – Physical therapy strengthens the muscles that support the joints and restores flexibility to stiff joints. Patients should keep doing the exercises they learn at physical therapy at home as often as recommended.

• Lifestyle changes – Remaining active, avoiding high-impact activities, and maintaining proper body alignment can all prevent flare-ups of symptoms.

• Weight loss – Excess weight places stress on the joints, which can exacerbate symptoms of osteoarthritis. For obese patients, losing as little as 10% of the body weight can produce a significant reduction in symptoms.

• Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common class of drugs used to treat osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are available over the counter, but you should only use them occasionally unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Taking NSAIDs on a regular basis increases the risk of bleeding and stomach ulcers.

• Steroid injections – Injections of steroid medication into the joint can reduce inflammation dramatically.

Surgery

In some cases, it is necessary to operate on a joint to restore function and control symptoms of arthritis. For example, if a large joint such as the knee or hip has sustained serious damage, it may be necessary to replace the damaged cartilage with a prosthesis.

Knee surgery and hip replacement surgery are invasive procedures, but Dr. Howard Marans recommends such procedures in cases where the condition is unlikely to respond to conservative treatments and the quality of life will be significantly increased by surgical treatment.

Finding the right treatment for your arthritis depends on the type of arthritis and its severity. OC Orthopedic can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Dr. Howard J. Marans graduated from the Univ of Toronto, Fac of Med, Toronto, and Ont, Canada in 1982. He works in Fountain Valley, CA and specializes in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Marans is affiliated with Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.

Patient Satisfaction Matters

Knowing a doctor’s professional qualifications is critical. But to truly understand what a visit to that doctor might be like—from the doctor’s “bedside manner” to the friendliness of the office staff—it’s helpful to learn what others have experienced under that doctor’s care. Learn about how Health grades patient satisfaction scores can complement objective clinical information.

1. It’s an Industry Standard

Patient satisfaction surveys are a standardized way of reporting about a healthcare experience. Public reporting increases healthcare quality transparency, provides incentives to providers to improve satisfaction, and allows the public to compare healthcare providers based on patients’ experiences. In fact, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services use patient satisfaction as a basis for reimbursing hospitals. They have recently implemented a similar patient satisfaction survey for doctors and group practices.

2. Higher Satisfaction Can Mean Better Health

Studies show that when patients really connect with a doctor—when the doctor satisfies both their medical and emotional needs—they’re more likely to follow the doctor’s advice and have a successful healthcare outcome. Look for a doctor that patients’ trust, who takes the time to answer their questions, and that patient would recommend to their own families.

3. Know More, Worry Less

Knowing what others have experienced under a doctor’s care can give you a good sense of what you’re likely to experience. You’ll know, for instance, that the doctor takes the time to help you understand your healthcare; that the staff is helpful and friendly; and that you won’t likely sit forever in the waiting room. The more you know what to expect, the less you’ll worry, and the more you can focus on preparing for that critical first appointment.

4. The Survey Rates Eight Facets of Care

Health grades patient satisfaction survey rates eight areas of care, from the doctor’s communication style to the friendliness of the office staff. Patients also answer the key question, “Would you recommend this doctor to family and friends?” To ensure accuracy, we accept surveys only from patients or family members of patients, and require contact information for verification.

5. The Highest Indicator Is a Recommendation

Our patient satisfaction surveys can help you learn a lot about the doctors you’re considering, such as whether they give clear instructions to their patients, and how likely patients are to trust those instructions. But the highest indicator of patient satisfaction is a recommendation to friends and family. Knowing patients feel good enough about a doctor to recommend him or her helps you make a more informed decision when choosing a doctor.

6. It’s Not Just About the Doctor

Is the doctor’s office clean and well lit? Is the staff friendly? Do you sit forever in the waiting room? Our patient satisfaction survey includes questions about the doctor’s office and staff because these factors actually make a difference: The more pleasant your experience, the more likely you are to return for follow-up care and routine visits—which ultimately improves your health and wellness.

7. You Have Options If a Doctor Has Low Scores

What if you’re interested in a doctor who has low patient satisfaction scores? First, consider the number of surveys. If the doctor has only a few surveys, the results may not be as meaningful. If other aspects of the doctor’s background appeal to you, arrange a consultation, and form your own opinion. The doctor may not be right for everyone, but might satisfy your particular need.

8. Your Opinion Counts

How satisfied are you? Just as you benefit from what other patients think about their doctor, your opinion counts too. Complete a survey to help others choose the right doctor for them. Your insights can prove valuable to other patients—as well as to the doctor.