Having to undergo surgery is a stressful situation. There are a lot of factors you must consider, such as your medical history, the severity of your condition, and the type of life you lead. You also have to consider the cost and recovery period. All these factors combined are why people avoid surgery. However sometimes surgery is unavoidable but worry not, BEST has you covered.
BEST Health System employs board-certified surgeons who handle surgical procedures efficiently and professionally. This guide will introduce you to Dr. James Abbott, a surgeon employed at BEST.
Who is Dr. Abbott
James D. Abbott, M.D. is one of the premier orthopaedic surgeons here at BEST. He is well-experienced, performing thousands of surgical procedures over his career. He specializes in diagnosing and treating degenerative issues and injuries affecting the knee, hip and shoulder.
Dr. Abbott completed his Bachelor of Science degree at The Ohio State University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Toledo School of Medicine. He completed orthopaedic surgery residency and sports medicine fellowship training at the University of Louisville in 2008.
Over the past 14 years, he has averaged 220 knee and hip replacements per year, specializing in direct anterior total hip replacements and robotic-assisted total and partial knee replacements. He worked at several Mercy Health locations in southwest Ohio from 2015-2021 when he joined BEST. Additionally, he started his career in southwest Ohio at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, OH, and UC West Chester Hospital in West Chester, OH operating at these locations from 2008-2015.
He is the former Chairman of Adult Reconstruction for the Southwest Ohio region of Bon Secours Mercy Health, serving from 2016-2021, Past Regional Orthpaedic Medical Director for North and West markets of Bon Scours Mercy Health from 2019-2021, and former Vice-Chair of the Orthopaedic Service Line for the Southwest Ohio region of Bon Secours Mercy Health from 2020-2021.
What Procedures Can Dr. Abbott Perform?
As one of our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Abbott specializes in several surgical procedures. The following are just a few of his most common surgeries:
1. Direct Anterior Total Hip Replacement
During total hip replacement surgery, Dr. Abbott removes the ball and socket of the damaged hip joint and replaces them with artificial implants. The Direct Anterior approach is a less invasive technique and Dr. Abbott has been using it since 2008 to allow easier recovery for his hip replacement patients.
2. Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement is a procedure where the arthritic knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. Sometimes, only a specific area of the knee joint will be damaged. In this case, a partial knee replacement can be performed to spare the other natural parts of a patient’s knee. Dr. Abbott uses robotic-assisted surgery techniques to ensure better fit and function of the knee replacement, which can result in better short-term and long-term results. At BEST, we offer outpatient robotic-assisted total and partial knee surgery with opioid-sparring IOVERA technology. This pain-reducing technique improves the patient’s ability to walk after surgery making recovery at home safe and helping patients return to their normal activities as quickly as possible.
3. Arthroscopic Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Dr. Abbott is trained to treat joint injuries with less invasive arthroscopic surgery as well. These injuries include ACL tears, knee cartilage, meniscus tears, shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears. He uses 1-inch incisions and state-of-the-art 4-K video equipment to optimize his surgical visualization and allow for the best, most efficient surgery to speed your recovery.
4. Total Shoulder Replacement
A patient will need total shoulder replacement if they have osteoarthritis of the shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe shoulder fractures. Total shoulder replacement is a procedure in which the surgeon will replace the ball and the socket of the upper arm with a prosthetic replacement that serves to reduce pain and restore function to the joint. Due to advancements in technology and technique, surgeons can now perform this procedure with less disruption to soft tissue.
These are just a few of the procedures Dr. Abbott is capable of performing. He is dedicated to helping people get back to the lives they lead. He believes surgery, although seemingly stressful, doesn’t have to be. All surgery is seen as a last resort form of treatment. It is only considered if conservative treatments have been fully explored without bringing pain relief.
The Patient Journey
1: New Patient Appointment
The first step is to contact us or submit a patient form. We can help schedule an appointment with you and get you on your path to pain relief.
2: Imaging and Diagnosis
Our next step after scheduling an appointment and seeing you is to reach a diagnosis. We will review your medical history, discuss symptoms, and will recommend you for imaging diagnostics if necessary. We can perform x-rays, imaging from our newly installed MRI, and vertebral motion analysis which all work in conjunction in order to reach a proper diagnosis of your condition.
3: Conservative Treatment
Upon diagnosis, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your lifestyle. A treatment plan can include any of the following:
- Over-the-counter or prescription medications
- Hot/cold compression
- Bracing
- Injections including steroid medication, hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma,
- Limited periods of rest
- Physical therapy (self-directed or working with a physical therapist)
4: Surgical Procedures
We view our surgical procedures as a final resort treatment option. They only become an option when appropriate conservative treatments do not provide necessary relief. Dr. Abbott offers you the latest in surgical treatments with a focus on obtaining the best recovery environment for his patients.
5: Physical Therapy
At BEST Health System, we are proud to now offer a variety of physical therapy programs aimed at getting you back to the quality of life you deserve. Therapy can range from strengthening and balance programs to more specialized options like dry needling or soft tissue mobilization.
BEST Can Help You
Dr. Abbott has performed countless successful surgeries. We understand that undergoing surgery is a big decision. However, rest assured that you’re in good hands when you pick BEST Health System and Dr. Abbott. Our procedures are less invasive by design and allow you to return home the same day. We provide our patients with the necessary support to recover safely and confidently in the comfort of their own homes. This reduces the risk associated with medication errors and potential infection risks that can occur when you are in a hospital environment for your surgery.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Abbott, BEST Health System, or schedule an appointment, contact us today!
