If you’re experiencing pain, swelling or stiffness in your bones, muscles, tendons or joints, it may be time to see an orthopedic doctor. These specialists are trained to treat musculoskeletal issues in people of all ages.
Your primary care doctor can refer you to an orthopedic specialist, or you can find one on your own. Some insurance companies and Medicare also cover orthopedic treatment.
Pain Management
Many people live with conditions or injuries that cause pain, stiffness, or limited mobility. Some are willing to “tough it out” and try to manage their pain with over-the-counter medications or home remedies like the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
Pain management in Orthopedics is a complex matter, and many patients need more help than a simple pill can provide. Managing chronic pain often requires a team of healthcare professionals, including orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and mental health providers. Regular communication with your healthcare team ensures that your treatment plan evolves to meet your changing needs.
Pain doctors specialize in treating the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, nerves, bones, joints, and tendons. They can help you feel more comfortable after an injury or surgery, and may recommend physical therapy, medication, in-office procedures, or lifestyle changes to address your pain. They also use minimally invasive techniques to reduce discomfort and speed recovery.
Joint Replacements
Wear and tear, injury, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can all cause pain and stiffness in the joints. When nonsurgical treatments like medication, physical therapy, and changes to daily activities don’t improve symptoms, doctors may recommend joint replacement surgery.
The biggest benefit of this type of surgery is pain relief. When a damaged joint deteriorates, the result is bone on bone friction that can be excruciating. Joint replacement surgery replaces the deteriorated cartilage and bones with metal or plastic parts that move smoothly together.
Joint replacements can also help restore movement, flexibility, and a better quality of life. People who have had hip or knee replacements often report that they can climb stairs again, play sports, and do other activities that were difficult or impossible to do before their surgery. This gives them more self-confidence and improves their quality of life. The rest of the joints in the body get stronger and healthier, too. This helps reduce stress on other joints and decreases the risk of chronic health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can help you improve strength, range of motion and prevent future injury. They can also teach you techniques to minimize pain and increase your comfort.
They may also use cryotherapy (cold therapy) and thermotherapy (heat therapy) to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Water therapy, electrical stimulation, traction and dry needling are also commonly used treatments for orthopedic patients.송파정형외과
Whether you’re an elite athlete or someone who just enjoys energetic activities, professional orthopedic physiotherapy can improve your quality of life. It can help you avoid injuries that can come with high-impact sports or simply taking on new challenges.
Orthopedic physical therapists can treat a wide range of conditions and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. They can also be useful before surgery to strengthen your body to decrease the chance of future damage. Their treatments can relieve pain, improve mobility and restore function, so you can return to the things you love without the need for medication or harmful injections.
Increasing Range of Motion
Many people try to just “tough it out” and deal with pain, limited range of motion, and stiffness. But when these problems become a hindrance to daily activities like reaching to grab something off of a shelf or sitting comfortably in a chair, it’s time to consult an orthopedic specialist.강동역정형외과
Orthopedists evaluate and track a patient’s ROM (range of movement) using a tool called a goniometer. This tool measures a joint’s angle of movement by holding the end of a flexible rod against the side of a patient’s body part as it moves.
There are two types of ROM – active and passive. Passive ROM is when a joint is moved through its full range of motion without the use of muscle action. Active ROM is when the movement of a joint is provided through muscle action, such as when someone raises your arm overhead for you. This type of ROM is what physical therapists work with patients to improve.