National Park Medical Center
Offering new GI, orthopedic procedures for Hot Springs area
The staff of the GI Lab at National Park Medical Center was recently trained to conduct esophageal manometry tests to better provide quality care locally to patients suffering from reflux and disorders of the esophagus.
Esophageal manometry measures the muscle pressure and movements of the esophagus. Additionally, physicians and nurses can use this procedure to test pH levels and help diagnose diffuse esophageal spasm, achalasia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). According to Dr. Nathan Voise, gastroenterologist for South Central GI Clinic, having this test will impact patients of all age groups, male and female.
During this procedure, a thin catheter that contains sensors is passed through the patient’s nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach. The sensors are sensitive enough to track even the slightest motion of the esophagus.
“This equipment is the newest and best to diagnose motility disorders, and will aid in the work-up of patients with different problems,” said Voise. “This will also be beneficial to surgeons planning any anti-reflux procedures.” The actual test can take as little as 10 minutes. Voise said patients in Hot Springs needing these tests are often referred to Little Rock, or even as far away as Heber Springs. According to Outpatient Services Director Shelli Ross, having this service will help shorten the process for diagnosing and treating these patients.
“This is a very comprehensive program, and we are in the beginning stages of getting a few people oriented to using the equipment,” she added.
For patients needing a hip replacement, a minimally invasive anterior procedure might be a beneficial approach.
“By taking an anterior approach through the front, we can avoid detaching any muscles from the hip itself,” said Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Hubbard. Hubbard is the only surgeon in the Hot Springs area who uses this approach.
Patients experiencing pain in the hip or groin, and those losing mobility may be in need of a hip replacement, he said.
The anterior hip replacement procedure allows the surgeon to access the hip joint through different paths in a minimally invasive surgical approach, preserving muscles and tendons along the way. The anterior approach follows inter-muscular and inter-nervous planes to reduce the risk of injury to muscles, tendon, nerves and vessels.
This can benefit the patient in many ways, typically more than a standard hip replacement.
“By taking this approach, patients are less likely to walk with a limp post-op, as they do with most other hip replacements,” Hubbard said. “And while every patient is different, this approach usually has a faster recovery time because the muscles are staying intact.”
Healing and scarring, he said, can be about the same; however, patients are typically on their feet faster after an anterior hip replacement procedure. Hubbard added this approach has less likelihood of dislocation, and oftentimes patients are able to drive once off pain medication.
“In any case, it is very patient dependent, but it’s not uncommon for patients to be up and walking within a day or two after having this procedure,” he said. “Some of my patients ask about hospital stays post-op, and with this approach, patients are going home one or two days after the procedure. Around the country, some patients are even having this done as an outpatient procedure.”
National Park Medical Center is pleased to continue to be expanding and enhancing health care services available right here in Hot Springs. For more information, visit nationalparkmedical.com or call 877-320-3222 for a physician referral.