You have over 300 bones and joints in your body. If even just one of them isn’t working as it should, you could suffer from a lot of pain. However, you might wonder whether you should visit your primary care physician or head straight to a specialist. Depending on your injury or condition, going directly to a specialist can save you time and money.
Knowing when to consult with an orthopedic doctor isn’t always straightforward. However, there are sure indications of when it is time to set an appointment. Let’s talk about when and why you should see an orthopedic doctor and where you can go for comprehensive orthopedic care in Hartford County.
Why Should You See an Orthopedic Doctor
While primary care physicians are familiar with the broader picture of your health, they might not have the expertise or skills to effectively treat certain conditions. Orthopedic doctors specialize in injuries, conditions, and diseases related to the musculoskeletal system.
Here are some of the reasons people visit an orthopedic doctor.
Pain Management and Diagnosis
Pain is one of the prevalent reasons people visit an orthopedic doctor. Orthopedic doctors specialize in the entire muscular and skeletal systems. This includes nerves, joints, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. Since they have a comprehensive understanding of the musculoskeletal system, they know precisely how to ease or eliminate pain and other symptoms.
Injury Treatment and Prevention
If you’re suffering from an orthopedic injury, an orthopedic doctor or surgeon can improve function and eliminate pain from injured bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Some injuries that they can provide treatment for include:
- Fractures
- Tendon injuries
- Rotator cuff tear
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sprains and strains
- Plantar fasciitis
Treatment for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Some orthopedic diseases may be lifelong and often worsen over time, especially without the proper treatment. Thus, constant orthopedic care may be necessary to alleviate pain, manage symptoms, and slow its progression. Orthopedic doctors can use either surgical or nonsurgical methods when treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Improving Function and Range of Motion
Many people will just tough it out and live with the pain and other symptoms. But when it becomes difficult to perform daily tasks, an orthopedic doctor could devise a treatment plan that suits your lifestyle. Increasing the range of motion and improving function can be achieved through physical therapy, nonsurgical treatment, and sometimes surgery.
What Conditions Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat
Orthopedic doctors treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, including:
- Backache
- Work or sports injuries
- Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Joint injuries
- Pinched nerve
- Osteoporosis
- Sciatica pain
When treating conditions or injuries, orthopedic doctors would likely have a team approach to develop your treatment plan. They might consult with other professionals, such as neurologists, chiropractors, pain specialists, and your primary care physician.
What Treatments Do Orthopedic Doctors Perform
Orthopedic doctors develop treatment plans based on your specific medical issues. Whatever it is, you can rest assured that the treatment will suit your needs and goals. They can prescribe the following regimens for treatment:
- Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other medications may be prescribed to reduce pain and speed up recovery.
- Physical therapy. It includes manual treatments that reduce pain and other symptoms, improve strength, increases range of motion, and restore function.
- Using a physical regimen, orthopedic doctors can help strengthen muscles and prevent re-injury.
- Manual therapy. It involves therapies, such as massage and acupuncture, that can reduce pain and facilitate healing.
- If nonsurgical treatments don’t work, surgical intervention might be needed to correct an orthopedic issue and repair damage.
Orthopedic Doctor in Hartford County
If you have an orthopedic injury or condition and cannot just “walk it off”, consult a skilled orthopedic doctor for a thorough evaluation and prompt, personalized treatment. Our specialists at Advanced Orthopedics New England are committed to working together to provide timely and comprehensive treatments that work best for you.
If you’d like to book a consultation or ask questions, contact us at (860) 728 6740. We look forward to serving you!
