6 Reasons to See an Orthopedic Joint Specialist
Sometimes you may experience unusual pain beyond what your family doctor can diagnose and treat. Visiting an orthopedic doctor is recommended if the symptoms involve strange sensations in your muscles, joints, and bones. An orthopedic joint specialist Chevy Chase is an expert in the well-being of the musculoskeletal systems and can diagnose and treat you, including performing surgery, such as joint replacements. Here are reasons you may need to see an orthopedic specialist.
- Knee pain
Pain may occur in any part of your knee cap, joint cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Factors like obesity and extreme exercise can result in knee pain. The pain requires a test to determine the severity and injury type. If knee pain is ignored and left untreated, it can have long-term effects, including impacting your mobility. If you have had treatments, but the progress is not improving, the specialist can recommend surgery like knee replacement. The injured knee will be replaced with an artificial joint. The procedure could also include bone and cartilage replacement.
- Arthritis
Severe joint pain, including stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion, could indicate osteoarthritis. Wearing down your protective cartilage in one or more joints can result in arthritis. Visiting an orthopedic specialist for diagnosis and treatment can provide practical solutions, helping restore motion.
- Back pain
Living a sedentary lifestyle can be a reason for back pain. Also, bad posture, lifting heavy weights, and advanced age can cause back pain. Although the pain may be acute and chronic, it is often a problem with one or more vertebrae discs. An orthopedic specialist can diagnose and prescribe a combination of treatments to alleviate the pain and improve the quality of your life.
- Sciatic pain
Also known as sciatica, this pain extends from the lower back to the legs and the foot. Sciatica is usually caused by herniated or slipped disc. It occurs when the rubbery discs between the vertebrae in the vertebrae bulge past their extension point. This aggravates the sciatic nerve causing inflammation and severe pain. If this pain lasts longer, it is good to see a specialist for treatment and management.
- Hip pain
You may experience pain near your hip joint, thigh, groin area, or the outside of your hip. Short pain can subside after you rest and use pain relievers or ice. If the pain persists, consider seeing an orthopedic specialist. The damage may occur due to injury or arthritis that requires professional treatment. If the problem persists after hip treatment, surgery can be recommended to replace the affected area. Surgery can replace the diseased or damaged hip with an artificial joint. Most people who undergo this operation find that it increases their ease of movement and reduces pain, improving their quality of life.
- Limited range of motion
Reduced range of motion may not be an apparent acute injury. Still, it can be a symptom of other severe health conditions. An orthopedic specialist can evaluate and determine the source of pain and get you on the path to recovery.
An orthopedic joint specialist can help manage and treat various conditions affecting your musculoskeletal system. Call Gautam Siram MD, today for more info on how to manage joint pain.