What Can An Orthopedic Doctor Do For Arthritis
The most common kind of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage between the joints starts to break down this causes pain, stiffness, swelling, limited range of motion, and clicking or cracking when the joint is engaged. Without treatment, these symptoms can worsen over time. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, you may be referred to an orthopedist. Here are some of the things an orthopedic doctor can treat the arthritic symptoms that impact your musculoskeletal system.
When You Should Visit A Doctor
Even though there are various causes for lower back pain, it may be difficult for you to determine what is causing your discomfort. However, it is unlikely that you will have any uncertainty about the need to improve your situation if you are in pain. Particularly if the discomfort is debilitating, and creating a negative impact on your daily life. There are also certain symptoms that should indicate the immediate need to consult a physician.
First, if you recently experienced a fall or trauma from an automobile accident then it is important for you to visit a doctor. Also, if you are experiencing fever your back issue could be the result of a serious infection.
If you notice numbness or tingling, it could signal nerve irritation or damage. If this is the case, and it remains untreated, then that leads to the risk of more permanent nerve damage.
You should also visit a physician if you experience any loss of bladder or bowel function. This is also the case for any unexplained weight loss.
It is also important to see a doctor if your lower back pain is causing you to stay awake at night, and you should absolutely visit a physician if your lower back pain has persisted for six weeks or more.
When Should You See A Doctor For Your Back Pain
Occasional back pain caused by too much exertion is nothing to worry about. If its relatively mild, it will heal with a bit of rest, medication, ointment, or massage.
But when back pain persists or is so intense that it makes it difficult for you to carry out your normal activities, then its time to take action. Lingering back pain whether its local or scattered, mild or severe, indicates a problem that requires medical attention.
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An Orthopedic Specialists Guide To Chronic Back Pain
by Comp Ortho | Aug 2, 2018 | Anti-aging, pain, Spine, Wellness
Back pain is a common complaint among our patients. Learn to recognize the symptoms, and seek help from an orthopedic specialist to diagnose and treat your condition.
Whether youre a workout enthusiast or simply spend a lot of time sitting in an office chair, its likely that youve dealt with some degree of back pain in your day-to-day life. When pain strikes, its essential that youre equipped to identify the cause of your condition and recognize your symptoms. The orthopedic specialists at Comprehensive Orthopaedics are here to keep you informed, and help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan to banish back pain for good.
COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PAIN
Back pain may arise from everyday causes, especially for adults over the age of 35. Slouching in front of a desk is a common culprit, and being overweight is another risk factor.
Many people also experience issues due to prolonged stress or heavy lifting. The repetitive motions and impact of sports can cause back pain, but lack of exercise can also weaken muscles and make them more susceptible to injury.
Pain in the back may be linked to a medical condition that requires a doctors diagnosis. Back pain can have anatomic causes, such as scoliosis or weak core muscles. As the body ages, troublesome disc issues are more likely to occur as the soft matter bulges and presses on nerves, causing disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis.
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Conservative Care Specialists Who Treat Low Back Pain
If a patient is not improving with general conservative care with their family physician and/or chiropractor, but wishes to avoid having spine surgery, there are conservative care specialists trained in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders . Physiatrists are specialized in treating musculoskeletal disorders, and many specialize in just spine care. The role of a physiatrist in treating low back pain is often much the same as a cardiologist’s role in cardiac care, or neurologist’s role in treating neurological disorders. Most patients with cardiac or neurological problems do not need surgery but do need specialized care if their condition is complicated or does not improve with general care. Many physiatrists work together with spine surgeons either in a spine center or within the local medical community.
When Should You Call An Orthopedic Doctor
Weve covered some common reasons people see an orthopedic doctor, and before we sign off, wed like to leave you with five signs and symptoms you should not ignore. If you are experiencing any of the following, please make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor to be evaluated.
- pain, stiffness, or discomfort that makes daily activities difficult
- chronic pain
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When To See An Orthopedist For Back Pain
At some point in everyones life, they start to experience pain in their back that might start as a simple soreness they progress to something unbearable.
Whether its lower back pain from bad posture, upper back pain from sports, or all over pain from aging, or a severe back injury that has caused immobility, it could be extremely detrimental to ones quality of life.
Although the majority of back pain will go away within months, about 5% of people will require medical treatment. It would be wise to get a consultation with a doctor specializing in orthopedics if the pain your back doesnt alleviate after 7 days if the pain starts to spread to the lower half of your body, causing loss of feeling or tingling sensations in your toes or legs, and if you notice that you have stopped doing normal day to day activities due to the pain.
If the orthopedic doctor feels that your pain is not something that will go away on its own, they will more than likely suggest scheduling an appointment for an exam.
While orthopedic doctors mainly specialize in bones and joints, they are widely known for helping those suffering from back pain or injuries. If the fear of surgery is keeping you from getting a much-needed examination, dont let that stop you.
Orthopedic Doctor vs. Chiropractor
Speak with an Orthopedic Specialist Today
What Does An Orthopedist Do
Orthopedists handle the disorders, injuries, prevention, treatment, and repair of the skeletal system and its related joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint disease. They use an array of testing modalities to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
Also Check: What Causes Sharp Back Pain In The Lower Back
Are You Fellowship Trained
All our orthopedists at Elite are fellowship trained. This means that they have completed additional training in an orthopedic subspeciality of their choice. It is important to see a doctor with the subspecialty you are wanting to treat to ensure the best care.
Dr. Chris Glattes completed his fellowship in orthopedic surgery of the spine at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Colin Crosby completed his fellowship in orthopedic surgery of the spine at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Back Pain
If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, tingling, or numbness that is limiting your daily activities, come see one of our award-winning back doctors in Nashville and Franklin, TN. If you are not living in the Tennessee region, seek help from someone who specializes in the back near you.
It is important to seek help from someone who specializes in the back or spine. Our spine specialists have been fellowship trained, meaning they have extra training specifically for spine surgery.
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Outlook On Pinched Nerves
The good news is that most people who suffer from a pinched nerve will recover well with basic treatment and proper care by an orthopedic surgeon near you. However, there are some cases where recurrences may happen in the future and the pinched nerve will need to be treated again. It is important to visit an orthopedic surgeon near you to understand the root cause of your pain and prevent future instances. At AICA Orthopedics, our doctors work with physical therapists and chiropractors to provide holistic care that addresses the root cause of your pain. Our goal is for you to return to full mobility and health, no matter the injury.
What An Orthopedic Doctor Can Do For Back Pain
When an orthopedic doctor diagnoses one of their patients with a musculoskeletal system condition, they will work closely with the patient in order to provide them with a rehabilitation and/or non-surgical treatment option available for their particular condition. The overall goal is to find a long-term treatment plan that will prove to be effective, which could mean that a combination of techniques and procedures will need to be explored before a final treatment plan is made.
- Facet joint injections
Some of the more common conditions that orthopedic doctors will treat nowadays include:
- Sciatica
- Fractured vertebrae
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Do You Need To See An Orthopedic Physician Or A Rheumatologist
Patients should use the guidelines below to help determine if they should choose an orthopedic physician or rheumatologist for their arthritis and joint pain.
Patients might need an orthopedic physician if they have:
- Joint or musculoskeletal pain that began after an injury
- Gradually progressive hip or knee pain that is worse with weight bearing
- Joint pain that is severe and interfering with function
- Moderate or advanced arthritis of the knee or hip
- Previous unsuccessful treatment for joint pain
- Been told by their doctor they might need a joint replacement
Patients might need a rheumatologist if they have:
- Pain involving many joints
- New joint pain not associated with any injury
- Joint or musculoskeletal pain associated with morning stiffness, fever, fatigue, rash or chest pain
- Joint pain that followed a tick bite
- Joint pain associated with back pain
- Joint pain and psoriasis
- Muscular pain with or without any other symptoms
- New headaches or muscle aches and are over the age of 50
- Back pain with or without pain in the legs
- Unexplained, ongoing symptoms such as fever, sweats or weight loss
A patients’ medical needs are important and unique, that is why UMass Memorial Medical Center offers specialty trained physicians that have devoted their education and career to treating specific medical conditions to serve you.
Orthopedic Doctors Treat Musculoskeletal Conditions
Orthopedic doctors see people with a variety of conditions that affect the muscles, nerves, bones, joints, and connective tissues. Conditions, such as arthritis, bursitis, and osteoporosis can cause pain and dysfunction that can be truly debilitating. Orthopedic conditions are often chronic, meaning they tend to last months or even years, and they are often progressive, which means they will get worse over time especially without treatment. Some of these conditions are related to age, some are genetic, and some are caused by overuse of the affected area.
Some orthopedic conditions, like arthritis, can occur in many parts of the body. Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints that causes pain and dysfunction, and it can be experienced in any joint.
The five main categories of orthopedic conditions are:
- arthritis
- tumors
- pain
Fortunately, there are effective treatments for most chronic orthopedic conditions. Your treatment plan will depend on factors like the severity of your condition and the degree to which its affecting your activities your age your overall health and your lifestyle. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy, surgery, medication, in-office procedures, the RICE method , or a combination of those options.
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What Can An Orthopedic Surgeon Do For Back Pain
Article from City Hospital at White Rock
Eighty percent of adults will suffer from lower back pain during their lifetime according to an epidemiology study published by the National Institutes of Health. Lower back pain is the second-most common cause of job-related disability and time off of work. Most chronic sufferers turn to medications, heating pads, and massage to relieve their aches, but when is the right time to see an orthopedic surgeon?
Do you suffer from lower back pain? Youre not alone. In this guide, we will discuss the common causes of lower back pain and how an orthopedic surgeon can help you.
What Does An Orthopedic Doctor Do
Your primary care physician is responsible for treating fevers and illnesses, evaluating you for medical conditions, and managing your overall health and well-being. But your PCP may not be the best choice if youre experiencing joint pain and stiffness, chronic low back pain or unexplained muscle weakness and loss of mobility. In these cases, you should see an orthopedic doctor.
What is an orthopedic doctor? An orthopedist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats all diseases and injuries concerning the musculoskeletal system. That includes your muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones and joints. Keep reading to learn more about what an orthopedic doctor does.
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Common Reasons For Visiting An Orthopedic Doctor
Do you have continued knee or back pain on a daily basis? Do you feel sore or stiff after sleeping or being sedentary for a long time? Do you have an injury that just doesnt seem to be healing? These are some common reasons people visit an orthopedic specialist. But what are some others? Lets go over some of the common reasons people see orthopedic doctors.
Stretches To Prevent Back Pain
Taking a small amount of time every day to stretch you back can have a massive impact on your spine health.
An exercise program and physical therapy can help to relieve pain from conditions like spinal stenosis. Here are 5 stretches you can do from your desk chair at work or at home to help prevent and relieve back pain:
Chest Opener Stretch
Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash
According to Merriam Webster, the definition of ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact the most efficiently and safely.
Working at an office job daily can have a negative impact on your back health and can lead to many spine conditions. Luckily, implementing ergonomics into your routine can help!
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When To See A Doctor
Most back pain only lasts a few days and can be simply treated with rest, cold compress , and/or common pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. However, if these self-treatment remedies fail to relieve your pain, it may warrant a trip to the doctor.
If youre not sure whether your back pain is a temporary ailment or a symptom of a more serious problem, here are some guidelines on when you should consult a physician such as when the back pain:
- follows a traumatic event, such as after a car accident or a fall
- is constant and is getting worse instead of better
- continues for more than a few weeks
- is severe and doesnt improve within a few days despite the self-treatment remedies mentioned above
- is accompanied by swelling or redness on your back
- is more intense at night when most back pain tends to lessen due to rest
- is severe enough to keep you awake at night
- is accompanied by abdominal pain
- spreads down one or both of your legs especially if it extends below your knee
- includes numbness in your upper inner thighs, groin area, buttocks or genital area
- Is accompanied by neurological problems such as weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation in your legs or arms
Any or all of these are signs of possible injury or damage to your back, and should be promptly diagnosed by an orthopedic doctor.
Signs You Should See An Orthopedic Doctor For Back Pain
Back pain is a very common complaint. A lot of people experience it at some point in their lives. In some cases, back pain gets better with self-treatment, which includes rest and taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
However, there are a lot of situations where back pain cannot be treated at home and needs professional help. In such cases, you should see an orthopedic physician for treatment. Orthopedic physicians are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal system diseases, conditions, and injuries.
So, how do you know when to see a doctor and when to wait it out? Here are some signs of when you need to see an orthopedic doctor for your back pain:
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What Is Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain, or lumbago, affects more than three million people every year. The condition affects men and women equally. Patients can experience a dull ache or sharp stabbing pains that immobilize them.
There are two categories of back pain according to orthopedic surgeons:
- Subacute low back pain This condition lasts four to 12 weeks and resolves with non-surgical intervention.
- Chronic back pain This health issue extends three months or longer, even after the patient receives treatment for their initial injury. Around 20 percent of patients suffer from this chronic pain.