Minimally Invasive Surgery

Recent advances advances have allowed our surgeons to perform surgeries through smaller incisions.  Improved fiber optic lights bring light to the operative field.  Better instrumentation can guide our surgeons to perform the correct procedure through a much smaller incision without directly visualizing all of the anatomy.  Smaller incisions with less disruption of the muscles and tendons improve patients’ early function by leading to less stiffness and less pain.  Our surgeons have attended several courses to stay updated on the newest techniques to improve results.

Total knee replacement and total hip replacement can now be performed through much smaller incisions.  In the past, total knee replacement was performed through a 6-9 inch incision cutting through the quadriceps tendon.  Now, the incision is frequently only 4 inches and is performed through a muscle-sparing technique.   Similarly, the total hip replacement can be performed through a 4-inch incision.

Partial knee replacement has also allowed many of our patients to achieve an excellent result.  Partial knee replacement involves only replacing the inside or the outside of the knee, while preserving the cruciate ligaments, the patella (knee cap), and the other compartment of the knee.  Both partial knee replacements and shoulder replacements have been performed as an outpatient procedure at Gulfcoast Surgery Center, which has allowed our patients to avoid entirely an expensive trip to the hospital.

Alternate Bearing Surfaces

New advances in metals, ceramics, and polyethylene have now improved our ability to make more durable joint replacements for the younger patient.  Oxidized zirconium is a new metal alloy that has the strength of metal but the wear resistance of ceramics.  It is much more difficult to scratch oxidized zirconium, so patients can be assured that it is much less likely for scratches on the metal to wear out their polyethylene hip or knee replacement surface.   Oxidized zirconium is also more slippery than cobalt chrome; so artificial knees do not repel the water and instead wear 8 times less in an artificial knee replacement simulator. Hip replacements can now be made with ceramic on ceramic surfaces so there is no plastic (polyethylene) to wear out.

Improved Pain Control

Our surgeons have been on the frontier of pain management in the recovery period.  We have learned that the best pain control actually begins before the patient awakens in the recovery room.  Indwelling pain catheters have delivered anesthetic directly to the nerves, minimizing the amount of narcotic our patients need.  Preoperative dosing of pain medication and injecting wounds with morphine and local anesthetics have dramatically improved patients’ comfort.

Back to top

Digital X-Ray

Askins & Miller P.A., has now gone digital.  Digital X-Ray has allowed our surgeons to plan surgeries and guide our procedures more accurately.  Our technologically advance software can now accurately measure bone deformities and magnify bone structure at a much higher quality.  The dose of radiation our patients receive is less than traditional x-ray.  The digital image is instant thereby ensuring all diagnostic information is available at your office visit.  The physicians and patient, together, can view the image on flat screen monitors that are in every exam room.  Digital information is also more portable.  The physicians can review your data on a laptop computer and save back-up copies on CDs or future medical necessity.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

While designing the Askins & Miller, P.A., on Clark Road, the MRI was considered an integral part of orthopaedic care.  Many patients have been able to come to our office for an emergency and learned that they needed an MRI.  Because we have our own MRI on-site, we can perform MRIs  at times on the same day as your office visit (assuming the insurance approves it) instead of when another facility is available. The MRI is also part of our digital X-Ray system, so the results can be viewed on flat screen computers in each examination room.

Englewood Satellite Office

Please visit us in our new satellite office in Englewood. Conveniently located just 1 mile south of Dearborn on Indiana Avenue, our new location delivers the care and expertise you have come to expect from Askins & Miller, P.A.. All of our physicians hold office hours in Englewood. Because our offices are digital, medical records (including XRays and MRIs) can be viewed from either location. This service ensures excellent communication and continuity of care between our two offices.

Computer Assisted Surgery

Our physicians are currently working with Sarasota Memorial Hospital to purchase a computer assisted joint replacement system.  The new system will use multiple bony landmarks and photo-electric arrays to generate a 3 dimensional image of a patient’s anatomy.  This image can then be used to calculate the correct position to implant the joint replacement to restore anatomical function and increasing the longevity of the implant.  It  will help ensure improved results with joint replacement surgery by eliminating our current system of visual referencing and limited bony landmarks.

Back to top

Sports Medicine

Our physicians are highly trained sports medicine professionals. 
We perform arthroscopic surgery including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic cartilage transplantation (OATS procedure), meniscal surgery and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.  Most athletes can be successfully treated without surgery, so we have established improved working relationships with highly trained physical therapists in the community. 

Neck and Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons to see a physician.  With on site digital X-Ray and MRI, our physicians are well-equipped to treat your pain.  Statistically, 90% of all patients with acute (less than 1 month duration) back pain are cured after our treatment.  Our physicians rely on scientific studies to provide proven remedies and help you to avoid other expensive and sometimes unreliable treatments.  When patients need them, we can frequently provide trigger point injections and epidural steroid injections to relieve nerve root impingement. These injections are done at our surgery center if insurance permits.