Musculoskeletal Diseases

Orthopaedics, traumatology, and hand surgery belong to the field of musculoskeletal diseases. A referral from a physician is required for treatment. Emergency patients are treated at the Traumatology Emergency Department. A third of all operations performed at Kuopio University Hospital are related to the musculoskeletal system.

Traumatology, joint prosthesis, and general orthopaedics operations are centralised at Puijo Hospital as well as day-surgical treatment services for hand surgery and orthopaedics. All units have outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and operating rooms. Each year, the unit receives approximately 9,000 referrals. There are approximately 20,000 outpatient clinic visits, and approximately 6,500 operations are performed.

Efficient practices, short treatment times

Thanks to the modern examination and treatment chains, patients' treatment times are shorter than before. Joint replacement patients, for example, visit the hospital for a preoperative examination approximately two weeks before the operation. The purpose of the examination is to review all matters related to the operation. In this way, the patient can come to the procedure on the morning of the operation. Good planning has shortened the time spent in hospital to approximately three days.