Procedures
Orthopedic procedures offered by Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — joint replacement, arthroscopy, hand and wrist surgery, and fracture care. Open a page below for details, recovery packets, and what to expect.
Call 520-881-1394 Pre-Op Packets Post-Op Packets
Shoulder arthroscopy
Also performed
- Diagnostic shoulder arthroscopyA small camera looks inside the joint to find the cause of pain when imaging is unclear.Open page →
- Loose body removal & synovectomyRemoving loose cartilage fragments or inflamed joint lining that cause catching or pain.Open page →
- Subacromial decompression & bursectomyRemoving a bone spur and inflamed bursa to make room for the rotator cuff (impingement).Open page →
- Labral repair (SLAP tear)Trimming or reattaching a torn labrum, the cartilage rim around the socket.Open page →
- Shoulder instability surgeryBankart repair or capsular tightening (plication) for a shoulder that slips or dislocates.Open page →
- Biceps tenodesis or tenotomyReleasing or reattaching a painful or torn biceps tendon at the shoulder.Open page →
- Frozen shoulder releaseReleasing a tight, scarred joint capsule to restore motion when therapy has not.Open page →
- AC joint surgeryRemoving the worn end of the collarbone (distal clavicle excision) for AC joint arthritis.Open page →
Knee arthroscopy & sports
Knee Arthroscopy & Meniscectomy
Diagnostic arthroscopy, trimming a torn meniscus, and removing loose bodies or inflamed lining.
Open page KneeACL Reconstruction
Rebuilding a torn ACL with a graft chosen for your age and activity goals.
Open pageAlso performed
- Partial meniscectomyTrimming a torn piece of meniscus that can’t be repaired, with a week-by-week recovery plan.Open page →
- Meniscus repairStitching a repairable meniscus tear so it can heal, most often in younger patients.Open page →
- Cartilage restorationSmoothing or restoring damaged cartilage (chondroplasty, microfracture, OATS), including OCD lesions.Open page →
- Kneecap instability surgery (MPFL)Repairing or rebuilding the ligament that keeps the kneecap in place; lateral release when needed.Open page →
- Plica resectionRemoving an irritated fold of joint lining that causes pain or snapping.Open page →
- Quadriceps or patellar tendon repairReattaching a ruptured tendon above or below the kneecap to restore straightening strength.Open page →
Joint replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Replacing the worn surfaces of the whole knee to relieve arthritis pain and restore function.
Open page KneePartial Knee Replacement
Resurfacing only the worn part of the knee when arthritis is limited to one side, keeping the ACL and PCL.
Open page HipTotal Hip Replacement
Anterior-approach hip replacement for arthritis and other end-stage hip disease.
Open page HipPartial Hip Replacement
Replacing only the ball of the hip (hemiarthroplasty), most often after a hip fracture.
Open page ShoulderTotal Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement for arthritis and rotator cuff tear arthropathy.
Open pageAlso performed
Hand & wrist
Also performed
- Carpal tunnel releaseRelieving pressure on the median nerve for hand numbness and tingling.Open page →
- Trigger finger releaseFreeing a finger or thumb that catches or locks when it bends.Open page →
- De Quervain's releaseOpening the tight tendon tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist.Open page →
- Ganglion cyst excisionRemoving a painful or bothersome fluid-filled cyst of the wrist or hand.Open page →
- Ulnar nerve releaseRelieving pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow (cubital tunnel) or wrist (Guyon's canal).Open page →
- Thumb arthritis surgery (CMC)Rebuilding the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb, or fusing it for heavy use.Open page →
- Scaphoid fracture fixationSecuring a broken scaphoid, a small wrist bone that can be slow to heal.Open page →
- Hand fractures & finger dislocationsSetting and pinning or plating broken hand and finger bones and unstable finger joints.Open page →
- Mallet finger repairTreating a fingertip that droops after the extensor tendon is injured.Open page →
- Hand tendon repairRepairing cut tendons or freeing tendons stuck in scar tissue.Open page →
Fracture & trauma care
Hip Fracture
A hip nail, or partial or total hip replacement, depending on the fracture.
Open page ShoulderProximal Humerus Fracture
Non-operative care, plate fixation, or reverse shoulder replacement when the fracture calls for it.
Open pageAlso performed
- Clavicle (collarbone) fractureSling care for most breaks; plate fixation when the bone is badly out of place.Open page →
- Shoulder dislocationPutting the shoulder back in place and treating related labrum or rotator cuff tears.Open page →
- Ankle fracturePlates and screws for unstable ankle breaks, including the ligament between the leg bones.Open page →
- Femur & tibia fracturesA rod inside the bone (or a plate) to stabilize femur and tibia shaft fractures.Open page →
- Tibial plateau fractureRestoring the joint surface at the top of the tibia with plates and screws.Open page →
- Kneecap fractureFixing a broken kneecap so you can straighten the knee again.Open page →
- Elbow (olecranon) fractureFixing a break at the tip of the elbow with wires, screws, or a plate.Open page →
- Achilles tendon repairReattaching a ruptured Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.Open page →
- Emergency fracture & injury careExternal fixation, washout of open fractures and infections, compartment syndrome release, and dislocations.Open page →
- Hardware removal & nonunion repairRemoving bothersome plates or screws, or bone grafting a fracture that has not healed.Open page →
Not every problem needs surgery. Dr. Ward will review imaging and options with you and recommend the path that fits your goals. Call the clinic with questions about a referral or upcoming visit.
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