General Orthopedics

General orthopedic care in Frisco

Not every orthopedic problem is a sports injury. Dr. Andrew Dold also treats arthritis, broken bones, tendon problems and everyday joint pain in adults of all ages, from weekend gardeners to grandparents who want to keep up with their grandkids. Care starts with an accurate diagnosis and the simplest treatment that is likely to work.

Arthritis of the knee, hip and shoulder

Arthritis care starts with the basics: exercise and physical therapy, weight management, bracing, medication, and injections when they help. When pain and stiffness keep limiting daily life despite these treatments, joint replacement can make a large difference. In a randomized trial, patients who had knee replacement plus a non-surgical program had more pain relief and better function at one year than those who had the program alone, though with more complications.¹ Registry data suggest that most knee replacements last 15 to 25 years.²

Dr. Dold performs robotic knee replacement and direct anterior hip replacement. In a randomized trial, patients stopped using walking aids sooner after the anterior approach than after a posterior approach.³

Broken bones

Dr. Dold treats fractures of the ankle, foot, collarbone, shoulder, hip and knee, with same-day visits and walk-ins for new injuries. Many fractures heal well in a cast, boot or sling. In a randomized trial of adults aged 60 and older with unstable ankle fractures, a carefully molded close-contact cast gave similar function at six months to surgery, although more fractures in the cast group healed slightly out of position.⁴ When a bone is out of place or a joint is unstable, surgery may be the better choice. See fracture care.

Tendon, ligament and muscle problems

Tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinitis, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, bursitis and muscle strains usually improve with activity changes, a targeted exercise program and time. Dr. Dold explains what is causing your pain, which treatments are likely to help, and how long recovery usually takes.

What to expect at your visit

• A review of your history and symptoms, and a careful exam
• A review of any X-rays or MRI you already have, or the imaging you need
• A clear plan, starting with the simplest treatment likely to work
• Second opinions welcome, including when surgery has already been recommended

Research cited

1. Skou ST, Roos EM, Laursen MB, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of total knee replacement. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1597-1606. PubMed
2. Evans JT, Walker RW, Evans JP, et al. How long does a knee replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up. Lancet. 2019;393(10172):655-663. PubMed
3. Taunton MJ, Mason JB, Odum SM, Springer BD. Direct anterior total hip arthroplasty yields more rapid voluntary cessation of all walking aids: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. J Arthroplasty. 2014;29(9 Suppl):169-172. PubMed
4. Willett K, Keene DJ, Mistry D, et al. Close contact casting vs surgery for initial treatment of unstable ankle fractures in older adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2016;316(14):1455-1463. PubMed

This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Individual results vary.