If you have long-term muscle pain, tendon pain, joint pain, and chronic back pain, then you’re probably one of the millions of Americans suffering from some type of musculoskeletal condition.
These conditions include, but not limited to, strains, sprains, and other overuse injuries, as well as shoulder, knee, and back pain.
Most people only need pain relievers to help them ease the pain. However, a large number of people in Provo, Utah who are suffering from musculoskeletal problems need the help of a medical facility that offers high-quality orthopedic services.
Orthopedic doctors specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases, issues, and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system.
They treat a variety of conditions, from minor issues like sprained ankles to more complex surgeries and procedures such as a hip replacement.
While many orthopedic doctors are generalists, some choose to specialize in specific body areas, such as the following:
Foot and ankle
Hand
Shoulder and elbow
Spine
Signs You Need to See an Orthopedic Doctor
Not all knee, ankle, hip, shoulder, and back pain need to be treated by an orthopedic doctor, but there are certain symptoms you need to watch out for.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consider seeing an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible:
Severe bone and joint pain that hinders you from doing simple activities such as walking the dog
or climbing the stairs
You experience pain for more than a few weeks or even months
Your joints start to feel tighter, severely limiting your range of motion
Feeling wobbly or shaky when performing simple tasks like walking, sitting, or standing
You have recently suffered from a soft tissue injury, which has not gotten better within 48 hours
You notice any joint deformity
You have signs of infection, including inflammation, fever, heat, and/or redness
There is bruising or swelling around the injury location
You have joint pain that becomes worse during periods of rest
Conditions Treated by Orthopedic Doctors
Orthopedic doctors treat broken bones and painful joints.
But what most people are unaware of is that they can also treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
Sports injuries
Bone tumors
Back pain
Ruptured disks
Spinal stenosis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hand injuries
Hand arthritis
Limb lengthening
Orthopedic trauma
Osteoporosis
Achilles tendon injuries
Foot and ankle injuries
Bunions
Arthritis
Diagnosis and Treatments
Many orthopedic conditions can be diagnosed by imaging procedures.
Some of the procedures your doctor may perform to diagnose your condition include:
Bone scans
Discography
X-rays
Arthrogram or joint x-ray
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
In some cases, treatments may involve injections, such as corticosteroid injections into the tendon, ligaments, joints, and around the spine.
A hyaluronic acid injection may also be used to help relieve arthritis pain.
If medication, injection, and physical therapy don’t work, your orthopedic doctor will move on to a surgical procedure.
Some of these procedures include:
Arthroscopic surgeries
Arthroplasty
Bunionectomy and hammertoe repair
Resurfacing procedures or cartilage repair
Ligament reconstructions
Spine surgery, including foraminotomy, diskectomy, spinal fusion, and laminectomy
The earlier you get diagnosed, the sooner you can start with your treatments.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent your musculoskeletal issue from worsening.
So, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, don’t hesitate to consult with an orthopedic doctor.
It may turn out to be
nothing at all, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.