FAQ | Orthopedic Surgery located in Lawrenceville, GA

Why choose Kellie Middleton as my surgeon?

With plenty of experience under her belt, Kellie Middleton is an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta specializing in shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries. She also treats general sports and orthopedic injuries.

As a well-respected fellow in the Atlanta medical community, she has carried out numerous podium presentations, book chapters, and public speaking engagements.

Her medical credentials speak well to her competency, but more important is what her clients think of her. She is someone with a genuine interest in your well-being and a willingness to listen to your concerns.

As you’ll discover from some of the testimonials here on her website, she has been described as personable and professional, friendly and helpful, someone who gives a thorough explanation about a condition, possible treatment options, plan of care, and takes time to answer all questions.

How can I prevent sport-related injuries?

With proper precautions, you can avoid sports injuries by following some standard preventive measures, which include;

- Develop a routine that involves the regular exercise of the different muscle groups to strengthen them.

- Do not go overboard with any exercise and exceed your body’s tolerance limits. Start slowly and gradually increase your muscle strength and endurance.

- Warm-ups like stretches, squats, jumping jacks, and arm circles are great ways to improve your muscles’ ability to contract and perform, reducing the risk for injury. Also, take time to cool down properly after any sport or exercise. And that should take as long as your warm-ups.

- Following a healthy diet plan helps nourish the muscles. And avoid exercising immediately after heavy meals.

- Learn the necessary rules and proper techniques for engaging in your chosen sport or activity.

- Use the right equipment and wear appropriate clothing and shoes for your sports. Ill-fitting shoes or gear can increase your chances of injury.

- Ensure that you wear well-fitted protective gear or equipment to provide support and reduce the risk for injury.

- Avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke by drinking lots of water.

- Ensure you’re physically fit to engage in any sports activity. Don’t participate when tired or injured.

How long do I need time off work after the surgery?

"She truly loves what she does aThe recovery time following an orthopedic surgery broadly varies based on several factors such as the type of surgery performed, your overall health, age factors, and absolute compliance to your surgeon’s instructions for post-operative care.Your work demands will also play a major role in how soon you return to work. For instance, you might be able to return to desk jobs faster than exerting manual labor jobs or light-duty jobs that require occasional standing, bending, or lifting.Generally speaking, recovery takes a few weeks for some patients. At the same time, it could take several months for others.Overall, your orthopedic surgeon will discuss recovery time expectations with you before and after surgery. You’ll also be given specific instructions to follow in ensuring a speedy recovery.

and it shows! If you ever need an orthopedic surgeon, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Middleton! She sets the bar very high!!"

How long before I can resume driving?

There are several things to consider before you resume driving after orthopedic surgery. Answers to the following questions might help determine how soon you return to driving:

- Could driving interfere with your recovery and healing process post-surgery?

- Are you on any postoperative pain-relieving medication that could impair your judgment or affect reflexes?

- What type of surgery was performed, and did it involve your driving leg?

All these questions and several more, including what type of vehicle you drive (automatic, manual, or power steering), will play a significant role in determining whether or not you can return to driving safely.Your Atlanta orthopedic surgeon will provide more specifics and work with you to decide what is reasonable for your particular situation.

What areas do you serve?

I serve all of Atlanta, GA!

When can I resume exercise?

Exercising after surgery depends on the type of surgery you’ve undergone and whether it may hinder your recovery or healing process, including several other factors.

Some orthopedic surgeries will require mild, basic exercises post-op as physical therapy. These exercises help establish fresh blood flow circulation in the area where surgery was performed, which aids the healing process. In contrast, others might require total rest.

It’s essential to consult with your surgeon. Your surgeon will let you know how soon you can resume exercise, what type of activity you can or cannot perform, together with the frequency and intensity of such activities.

When can I return to daily activities?

In most cases, especially after successful surgery, you should be able to resume your normal daily activities, however with some certain restrictions as the case may be.

And that’s assuming such daily activities don’t put a strain on the area(s) where surgery was performed.

Once again, your orthopedic surgeon will advise you on the best and safest course of action depending on your particular condition.

Will physical therapy be required after surgery?

Yes, most likely.

Following surgery, bones, muscles, and tissues involved in the surgery would start healing. And failure to use these joints could impair blood circulation to these areas, necessary for proper healing.

Physical therapy plays a vital role in the healing process and is often recommended post-surgery because it works!

Overall, physical therapy will go a long way in ensuring that you can return to your normal lifestyle and activity levels after surgery.

What are the most common injuries?

The most common orthopedic injuries include the following- Dislocations

- Sprains and strains

- Fractures

- Sports Hernia

- Impingement injuries

- Overuse injuries

These injuries will majorly occur while engaging in a sports activity or during exercise.