When to Call an Orthopedic Specialist

English: SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2009) Orthopedic ...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you are in pain, it can be difficult to think clearly. You may not be sure where to go to get help and relief. Also, with the growing number of medical, health and wellness specializations advertised today, you may simply not be sure what the problem is or who to call for diagnosis and treatment. Orthopedic complaints represent an area of particular confusion for many patients. For instance, if your back, shoulder or knee hurts, should you call a chiropractor or a massage therapist, a physical therapist or an orthopedic doctor? This article will help you understand when you should make an orthopedic specialist your first call.

When Diagnosis Matters

If you are dealing with pain or tension, the first step is to determine whether it is routine or unusual. If it is an unusual or unknown pain, the first step will be to get a formal medical diagnosis. For this, you will need to see a physician. The question here then becomes whether to call your primary care doctor or an orthopedic specialist. If your pain or tension appears to be emanating from a muscular or skeletal source, your primary care doctor will likely refer you on to an orthopedic specialist after seeing you. So here, if your insurance permits, you will want to simply see an orthopedic specialist directly.

When Bones and Muscles are Involved

Sports medicine and orthopedic medicine are closely linked because both deal with the bones and muscles of the body. Injuries to the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues of the body may affect you in many ways and these systems are both complex and interrelated. Orthopedic specialists are highly trained to work with each of these systems and all of them together. These are all common reasons patients will seek an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.

  • Fractures or bone breakage.
  • Torn muscles and ligaments.
  • Swelling and pain around joints.
  • Back or hip pain.
  • Feelings of muscle weakness and fatigue.
  • Development of swellings, growths or tumors near joints or bones.
  • Difficulty with dexterity, particularly with carrying objects.

Building Your Orthopedic Treatment Team

After you receive a diagnosis from your orthopedic specialist, he or she may then recommend you seek additional treatment from another complementary health professional. Your orthopedic specialist may have other professionals he or she trusts and regularly works with as part of an interdisciplinary patient treatment team. You may have one or several sessions with one or more complementary treatment professionals, interspersed with periodic progress checkups with your orthopedic doctor. To achieve full recovery, your orthopedic doctor may prescribe any or all of these treatments.

  • Physical therapy.
  • Chiropracty and/or acupuncture.
  • Medication (pills, ointments, injections or other).
  • Massage therapy.
  • Surgery.

In this way, your orthopedic doctor and complementary treatment team will combine their skills in pain management, rehabilitation and treatment to ensure your full and complete recovery.

By knowing when to call an orthopedic specialist you can get started on the road to relief and complete recovery as fast as possible!

Leave a Reply

Post Navigation