Sometimes you may experience unusual symptoms that seem beyond what your family doctor would be able to easily diagnose and treat. If the symptoms involve pain or strange sensations in your bones, muscles, or joints, your best option may be to see an orthopedist.
While it’s true that a primary care doctor can refer you to an orthopedic specialist, you can also go straight to one yourself. It’s a good idea to see an orthopedic doctor if you are experiencing any of the following musculoskeletal signs:
Knee Pain
Pain in the knee usually requires a diagnostic test in order for the physician to determine the type and severity of the injury. Once the reason for the knee pain is diagnosed, the orthopedic specialist can then prescribe or provide treatment. Knee injuries that are ignored and left to fester can have long-term consequences.
Back Pain
Back pain may be acute or chronic, and it is often due to an issue with one or more vertebral discs. Orthopedic specialists are highly experienced in treating patients’ back pain, and they often use a combination of bracing, steroid injections, and physical therapy. In severe cases, orthopedic surgery may be necessary.
Sciatic Pain
For lower back pain that extends down to the buttocks and reaches down one or both legs, it may be due to a pinched sciatic nerve. The condition is called sciatica, and the cause of the pinched nerve is often a slipped disc in the spine.
Shoulder Pain
The wide range of motion in the shoulders makes them susceptible to injuries such as tendonitis and rotator cuff tears. Shoulder pain can also interfere with your ability to use your arms and hands. Your orthopedic doctor may place your shoulder and arm in a brace, and order specific physical therapy exercises depending on the type of shoulder injury.
Arthritis Pain
Chronic joint pain that includes swelling, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion is indicative of osteoarthritis. This condition develops due to the wearing-down of the protective cartilage in one or more joints, but your orthopedic doctor can offer several remedies to treat arthritis and help you get moving again.
Worsening Soft-Tissue Injury
For soft-tissue injuries, such as a sprain or a strain that does not improve within a few days, an orthopedic specialist can recommend various treatments to help your body heal properly. If the injury is severe, you may require special medical treatment.
Reduced Range of Motion
A reduced range of motion that is not due to an obvious acute injury may be a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition. An orthopedic specialist can give you a full evaluation to determine the source of the disability, and get you on the road to recovery.
Numbness or Tingling in the Limbs
A sensation of numbness and tingling in the hands may be due to arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or nerve damage. If you are diabetic, numbness and tingling in the legs or feet likely indicate diabetic neuropathy and require treatment and assertive, ongoing medical care by an orthopedist.
Repetitive-Motion Injury
Modern-day occupations that require spending hours at the computer, or repetitive motions such as when cleaning, gardening, maintenance and repairs, manufacturing, hairstyling, painting, or construction, are all prone to repetitive-motion injuries. People who lead physically active lifestyles are also susceptible to this type of injury. Orthopedic specialists not only diagnose and treat these injuries but also make recommendations for injury prevention.
Orthopedic Specialists in Fort Lauderdale
For comprehensive care from a team of board-certified orthopedic specialists, look no further than Total Orthopaedic Care. We bring together all aspects of your care for a seamless and superior experience, so you can get back to enjoying the active lifestyle you love.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call Total Orthopaedic Care today at (954) 735-3535 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to seeing you here!
