Despite trying our best to avoid injuries, the reality is orthopedic injuries are part of life. From childhood to adulthood to your senior years, there is always the risk of injuries. It is fortunate that there are medical doctors who spend decades studying and training in expert injury treatment, and they’re called orthopedic surgeons.
Every day, orthopedic surgeons across America treat all manner of orthopedic injuries and conditions. Here, we will discuss the 10 most common orthopedic injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons.
- Sprains and strains – These are among the most common orthopedic injuries, particularly in athletes. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Both can be caused by overuse, trauma, or repetitive motion. Both are most often treated non-surgically by orthopedic surgeons.
- ACL tear – The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major knee ligaments. It connects the thigh bone to the shinbone and helps stabilize the knee joint. An ACL tear is a very serious injury that often requires surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Meniscus tear – The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shinbone at the knee joint. A meniscus tear can occur when there’s a sudden twisting or rotating force on the knee, such as when you pivot on your foot during sports activities like basketball or tennis. Surgery may be required to repair a torn meniscus. Painkillers, ice packs, and physical therapy exercises may help relieve symptoms associated with this type of orthopedic injury.
- Fractures – A fracture occurs when too much force exerted against a bone causes it to break or crack. Common causes include car accidents, falls, and sports-related collisions. Treatment for fractures typically involves immobilization using casts, splints, or braces, followed by rehabilitative exercises once healing has occurred.
- Dislocations – When bones move out of their normal alignment at joints, this is called dislocation. Shoulder dislocations are especially common due to falls and direct blows from contact sports. Most require emergency medical attention, because they usually cannot be put back into place without help from trained professionals.
- Rotator cuff tear– The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that hold the arm bone in the socket. These structures can become damaged through wear and tear and overuse from repetitive overhead motions.
- Tennis elbow– Also known as “ lateral epicondylitis,” this condition is caused by damaged tissue connecting the forearm muscles. While playing tennis, the repetitive motions put stress on the tissues, eventually leading to microtears.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome– Compression of the median nerve in the wrist causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness sensations in the affected hand.
- Golf elbow – A condition that causes pain on the inside of the elbow. The condition is also called medial epicondylitis. Golf elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm, which causes inflammation or even tiny tears in these tissues.
- Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause severe pain and make it difficult to walk or even stand. Plantar fasciitis is often caused by overuse, such as from running or other high-impact activities. It can also be caused by wearing shoes that don’t provide enough support for your feet.
Treatment for Orthopedic Injuries in Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes, FL
The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Total Orthopaedic Care treat all types of orthopedic issues, from sports injuries to work-related injuries to degenerative conditions such as arthritis. In addition to expert treatment of these injuries, we also provide physical therapy services on-site. We are proud to offer comprehensive care for our patients, and we are committed to your complete healing and recovery.
To schedule an appointment with us, call our office today at (954) 735-3535, or use our convenient online request form.
