Accordion Content

Orthopedicians treat a vast array of musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to:

• Fractures: Broken bones throughout the body (e.g., arm fracture, leg fracture, hip fracture).
• Sprains and Strains: Injuries to ligaments (sprains) and muscles or tendons (strains), such as ankle sprains or hamstring strains.
• Arthritis: Various forms of joint inflammation, including osteoarthritis (wear and tear), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune), and gout. They manage the pain and functional limitations caused by arthritis.
• Back and Neck Pain: Conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and general backaches and neck pain.
• Shoulder Problems: Rotator cuff tears, dislocations, frozen shoulder, and impingement syndrome. For example, difficulty lifting your arm could be due to a rotator cuff issue.
• Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Issues: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), and trigger finger. Numbness in your fingers might be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Hip Problems: Bursitis, labral tears, and hip impingement. Pain in your groin or outer hip could indicate a hip issue.
• Knee Problems: Ligament tears (ACL, MCL, PCL), meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis, and kneecap dislocations. A twisting injury during sports could lead to an ACL tear.
• Foot and Ankle Problems: Plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, Achilles tendonitis, and ankle instability. Heel pain that is worse in the morning is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis.
• Sports Injuries: A wide range of injuries sustained during athletic activities.
• Congenital Deformities: Conditions present at birth affecting the musculoskeletal system, like clubfoot or scoliosis.
• Bone Tumors and Infections: Though less common, orthopedicians also manage these conditions.

You should consider seeing an orthopedician if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent or severe pain in your bones, joints, or muscles that doesn’t improve with home care.
• Limited range of motion or difficulty moving a joint.
• Swelling, redness, or warmth around a joint.
• Deformity of a bone or joint.
• Numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, hands, or feet.
• Instability of a joint (feeling like it might give way).
• Difficulty performing daily activities due to musculoskeletal pain or limitations.
• A sports injury that is not improving.

• Review your medical history: They will ask about your current symptoms, past injuries, medical conditions, medications, and family medical history. Be prepared to provide detailed information about your pain (when it started, what makes it better or worse, its location, etc.).
• Perform a physical examination: This will involve assessing your range of motion, strength, reflexes, gait (how you walk), posture, and palpating (feeling) the affected area. They might ask you to perform specific movements to evaluate your joint function.
• Order imaging tests if needed: Depending on your condition, the orthopedician may order X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, or other imaging studies to get a better look at your bones and soft tissues. Sometimes, X-rays can be done during the initial visit.
• Discuss treatment options: Based on the evaluation, the orthopedician will discuss possible diagnoses and treatment plans. This might include non-surgical options like physical therapy, medication, injections, braces, or lifestyle modifications. If surgery is a potential option, they will explain the procedure, its risks and benefits, and the expected recovery process.