Steven Atchison, MD
Steven Atchison, MD joined Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana in 1999. Since then, he has led the way in positioning Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana as an award winning and nationally recognized facility for total joint replacement. Dr. Atchison specializes in disorders of the knee and hip. His approach in surgery is to focus on soft-tissue preservation which allows for an expedited and more comfortable post-surgical recovery period, reduces the amount of time patients are required to stay at the hospital, and, in some cases, enables patients to complete their total joint replacement procedure on an outpatient basis.
Dr. Atchison believes in a personalized approach to patient care. He truly believes “you get out, what you put into your surgery,” and wants his patients to go into surgery with realistic goals and expectations based on his patients’ personal goals and expectations. He and his team maintain a high level of accessibility to their patients ensuring that they can address any questions or concerns that may occur before, during and after a procedure.
He is a consultant and educator for Stryker Orthopedics. Surgeons travel from around the world to train with Dr, Atchison on the Mako Robotic Total/Partial Knee Replacement and the Direct Superior Approach at Specialists Hospital Shreveport.
Dr. Atchison and his wife, Dr. Sharye Atchison are the proud parents to four adult children. The Doctors Atchison spend a lot of time going from state to state visiting their children that are scattered about the country pursuing their careers and /or education. The family has strong connections to their church and community and have been active in Young Life for most of their lives. Atchison is an avid golfer and is out on the course whenever time allows.
Training and Affiliations
Atchison’s Affiliations
Atchison’s Training
● Total joint replacement fellowship – Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
● Residency – LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
● Medical school – LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
Atchison’s Team
Annaka Schiller, MA
Annaka has been part of the OSL team since 2000 and been a part of Dr. Atchison’s team since 2010. Annaka and her husband are proud parents to son, Micheal, daughter in law, Julie and their granddogs.
Trey Harold, PA-C
Trey has been working alongside Dr. Atchison and his team in the OR and clinic since 2009. Trey is a United States Veteran serving our country as 19D Calvary Scout in the US Army from 2001-2008. Trey and his wife, Brittany, are proud parents to two daughters and a son.
Lindsay Carter, NP-C
Lindsay joined Dr. Atchison’s team in 2013. Lindsay conducts all pre-op visits with Dr. Atchison’s patients and helps to prepare them for their upcoming surgery. Lindsay and her husband, Barry, are the proud parents a son and fraternal twins.
Atchison’s Pre-Op Guide
1) When and where is my Pre-op Appointment?
Typically, your pre-op appointments are made (3) weeks prior to your surgery. An OSL patient representative will call you to confirm your pre-op appointment. Your pre-op appointment will take place at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana located at 1500 Line Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana.
2) How long will my pre-op appointments take and may I bring a loved one with me?
Please allow for 2- 4 hours for your pre-op appointments. We strongly encourage a loved one to come with you to help assimilate all of the information.
3) What should I bring to my pre-op appointment? Do I need to fast? What should I wear?
Please bring your photo ID and insurance information. You may also want to bring a book or tablet. You will have some blood work completed, but you do not have to fast prior to your blood work…. Feel free to bring some snacks and water. We also have a snack shop, if you would like to purchase on site. Wear loose fitting clothing and you may want to bring a sweatshirt or sweater with you… the clinic and hospital run a bit on the chilly side.
4) Why do I have to fill out registration paperwork for the hospital, when I just filled out paperwork in the clinic?
The clinic and hospital maintain separate and different medical record systems; thus, you must complete all necessary forms for the hospital and clinic separately. Please visit the Specialists Hospital Shreveport website to pre-register for your surgery
Your Pre-Op Appointment Schedule:
1. CT Scan @ OSL, Suite 100
When you first arrive for your pre-op appointment, you will check in at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana, 1500 Line Avenue, Suite 100 to have your pre-operative CT scan. The CT scan should only take about 20 minutes.
2. Clinic H & P with Lindsay @ OSL, Suite 100
You will meet with Dr. Atchison’s nurse practitioner, Lindsay Carter NP-C, during your pre-op visit. Lindsay will complete a brief history and physical and answer any questions regarding your upcoming surgery.
3. Labs & Bloodwork @ SHS, Suite 202
You will go to the Specialists pre-Admit/ Lab (Suite 202) for blood work and pre-admit testing. You do not have to fast for your blood work. To expediate your visit, visit: specialistshospitashreveport.com and click the icon at the top right of the page to register for surgery.
4. Visit with the Physical Therapy Team/ Intro to Rom Tech rehab bike
You will have a brief visit with the Specialists Physical Therapy Team to be introduced to the Romtech rehab bike that you will be sent home with post-operatively for a set period of time. For more information about Romtech and this rehab bike, visit: romtech.com
A note about exercising prior to your surgery…
We know it may be difficult to exercise before surgery- BUT, it is still a good idea to get in “the exercise” mindset. Try to set aside at least 15-30 minutes a day to exercise and work on strengthening techniques. Setting aside this time will help you prepare for your recovery following your surgery. We recommend that you visit the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) for some preoperative exercises and guidelines and/ or videos:
https://hipknee.aahks.org/preparing-for-joint-replacement-surgery-at-home-exercises/
Atchison’s Post-Op Guide
1) Keep Moving… Exercise!
https://hipknee.aahks.org/physical-therapy-after-knee-replacement-video/
https://hipknee.aahks.org/physical-therapy-exercises-after-hip-replacement/
2) Showering
You can shower immediately once home. No tub baths for at least (4) weeks following your surgery.
3) Incision/ Dressing
4) Drainage and incision
You may have light, clear tinged fluid that drains from your incision site. This drainage is normal and should resolve in a couple of days. If the drainage does not subside, call the clinic: (866) 759.9679
5) Swelling / Elevation / Stockings
If swelling is under control, you may remove your white stockings once you are at home. If swelling persists wearing your compression stockings while elevating the leg will help.
You may experience warmth on or around the incision site, mild swelling and run a low-grade fever post op. If the symptoms do not improve with Tylenol, Motrin and with elevation or if your temperature exceeds 101.5 degrees, contact the clinic: (866) 759.9679.
You may have swelling from the groin area to your toes for several weeks post-op. If swelling is slow to progress and subsides with elevation, continue to follow swelling precautions. If swelling is rapid onset or associated with shortness of breath, immediately call the clinic or 911.
6) Medications/ Pain Management/ Side Affects
You are required to take a blood thinner after surgery. Typically, we prescribe a low dose of aspirin (81 mg) to be taken twice daily for a month post-op, unless we advise differently,
All pain medications are prescribed as needed. It is important to stay ahead of your pain, while still taking the lowest effective dose to control the pain.
Nausea and constipation are common side affects of narcotics. For constipation, we recommend increasing your water intake (before and after surgery). We also recommend taking a stool softener daily while taking pain medications. You can also use a laxative (MiraLAX) per the directions on the product label.
7) Length of Hospital Stay
Most patients will spend one night in the hospital and go home the day following their surgery. Have a loved one available to assist you for at least one week after your surgery. Living alone does not qualify you for inpatient rehab.
8) Driving
You may drive as soon as you are off all narcotics and are able to safely transition from gas to brake. We recommend testing this in an uncrowded parking lot prior to driving on the roads.
(3) Things to Know about Atch…
The short & sweet of it… we call him Dr. Atch
1. Louisiana’s First in Mako Smart Robotics
Dr. Atchison is fellowship trained in total joint replacement and board certified in total joint replacement and orthopedic surgery. His passion for Mako Robotics began in 2008. He was instrumental in bringing the Mako Robotic technology to Louisiana and ultimately Specialists Hospital Shreveport would be the first hospital in Louisiana to utilize the Mako technology to perform joint replacements. When Stryker Orthopedics acquired Mako Surgical in 2013, Dr. Atchison began working with their teams to develop the robotic application for total knee and was one of the first surgeons in the country and once again the first surgeon in Louisiana to perform the Mako Robotic Total Knee replacement in 2016. Atchison has performed over 5000 Mako surgeries and has trained surgeons from around the world on the Mako SmartRobotics technology. He also is highly trained in the Direct Superior Approach Hip Replacement.
2. Family, Medicine & Golf….
When not in the OR, you can usually track Dr. Atchison out on the golf course. He lives by the adage “Experience Counts,” and it proves true for him in the OR and out on the course.
3. Patients are getting better faster…
Dr. Atchison believes that all orthopedics-particularly joint replacement- are going to continue to move towards an outpatient setting. He believes there are numerous factors that contribute to this: better anesthesia, robotics, the surgeon’s technique, and experience and most importantly, pre-surgical education. Atchison says, “The more educated your patient is before surgery, the better the outcome…you have to let them know what you’re going to do, how you’re going to do it and what they expect and what you expect.”
Atchison’s Approach to Care
“Surgery is the easy part…what takes place afterwards- what the patient does afterwards at home and on their own every day that will make all the difference. You have to put the time in for the best outcome and it’s my job to make sure the patient is motivated and has clear expectations and the education before their surgery to have the best possible recovery.”
# experiencecounts
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