Our bones, muscles, and joints are strong, but they are not indestructible. Your bones can still suffer from a disease, wear and tear, or physical trauma at any age. Fortunately, an orthopedic doctor can help you take care of your musculoskeletal system — whether or not you’re in immediate need!
It’s not a good idea to endure any pain in your joints and muscles — instead, consult with an expert to prevent further damage. Try to visit an orthopedic doctor as soon as you can if you experience the following:
Fractures and Dislocations
Bone health is one of the many aspects of orthopedics. If you’ve fractured your bones due to an accident, you can rest assured that an orthopedic doctor has the expertise to treat your condition.
A fracture may not easily be noticeable. So, if you feel these symptoms, consider getting checked immediately:
- Swelling
- Severe pain
- Noticeable bump or displacement
- Immobility or difficulty moving
When we force our bodies into abnormal positions, our joints can become dislocated. The knees, hips, and shoulders are common sites of injury. High-impact sports such as hockey, gymnastics, and basketball sometimes pose a risk of dislocating your joints.
If your joints get dislocated, you may need professional help to restore the joint to its correct position. An orthopedic surgeon can perform surgery, physiotherapy, and alternative treatments, like PRP therapy. These treatments can help with your injuries. Furthermore, your doctor can provide you with tips to avoid future injuries.
Strains and Sprains
When you overexert your body, you risk getting a strain or a tear in your tendons, which are the connective tissues that attach the muscle to the bone. Muscle strains typically affect the lower back and thighs.
On the other hand, a sprain occurs when you tear or overstretch a ligament. These tissues connect our bones. While sprains commonly affect the ankle, you can also experience this injury in the knee, thumb, and wrist.
The common symptoms of sprains and strains include:
- Bruising
- Pain and tenderness
- Popping sounds
- Redness
- Swelling
- Spasms
- Weakness or immobility
Visit your orthopedic doctor to determine the exact reason behind your symptoms. Treatment usually involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, also known as the RICE approach.
Chronic Pain
According to the CDC, 20.4% of American adults experience chronic pain lasting for more than six months. This pain can be on and off or continuous and affect the back, shoulders, joints, or the whole body.
Chronic pain isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, it is a symptom of one or more musculoskeletal ailments. Here are some illnesses that can cause chronic pain:
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Nerve damage
Your orthopedic doctor can narrow down the underlying cause of your pain. After thorough assessments, they can provide an accurate diagnosis. Then, they can begin administering treatment options. They can suggest alternative treatments to aid your body’s natural healing capabilities. These include stem cell therapy, PRP therapy, and dry needling.
Regular Check-ups
Visits to an orthopedic doctor shouldn’t be restricted to when you sustain an acute injury. You can take a proactive role in keeping your musculoskeletal system healthy by visiting an orthopedic doctor regularly.
These visits can help athletes, manual laborers particularly, or anyone who places their body under intense physical strain. Some orthopedic clinics even have in-house chiropractic or physiotherapy services. Receiving these types of care can enable athletes and workers to keep their bodies in prime condition.
You should also visit orthopedic doctors if you’re recovering from surgery. Mandatory post-op check-ups are vital in monitoring the results of your treatment.
Orthopedic Doctor in Dallas, TX
Orthopedic doctors are experts in the musculoskeletal system. If you experience persistent pain in your muscles, bones, joints, or ligaments, then it’s time to visit an orthopedic doctor.
At Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine, we offer regenerative treatments and chiropractic care for aching muscles, bones, and joints. Our licensed practitioners use innovative equipment to give you appropriate diagnoses and treatments. We also have holistic treatments as potential approaches to treat your condition or injury.
Before you visit our clinic in Dallas, Texas, we advise you to fill out our online appointment form. If you have any questions about our services, you can reach our friendly staff at (972) 503-7272. We look forward to keeping your body in prime condition!
