When to Visit an Orthopedic Clinic
If you're living with back pain or knee pain that interferes with your quality of life, you may need to see a special doctor. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose your condition and provide you with a customized treatment plan that brings you relief.
Orthopedic doctors undergo extensive training on the musculoskeletal system. They are well-versed in all types of joints including the muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues. With their advice, you can reduce or even eliminate your pain altogether.
Conditions Treated at Orthopedic Clinics
There are a number of conditions that orthopedic doctors treat at their clinics. In most cases, however, they see patients with back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and hip pain. An orthopedic doctor may also help you if you have foot or ankle pain as well as hand or wrist pain.
Whether your pain is acute or chronic, they can develop a plan to increase your range of motion and make it easier for you to complete everyday tasks. In addition to these conditions, orthopedic doctors can treat and prevent a variety of injuries.
If you're facing an injury like a broken bone, stress fracture, tendon tear, or muscle injury, they can collaborate with you so you can prevent future injuries. They are invaluable if you are an athlete or lead an active lifestyle and would like to optimize your performance.
Treatments Performed at Orthopedic Clinics
The good news is that most conditions treated at orthopedic clinics do not require surgery. Medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections often do the trick. Other treatments like joint manipulation, bracing or casting, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may be performed as well.
In the event surgery is necessary, you can trust an orthopedic doctor to perform it as well. Some of the most common surgeries seen at orthopedic clinics include joint replacement, spinal fusion, arthroscopy, bone fracture repair, and an osteotomy. Fortunately, most of these procedures come with high success rates.
Second Opinions at Orthopedic Clinics
An orthopedic clinic is also a great resource if you'd like a second opinion. If you believe you're suffering from a joint injury or chronic orthopedic condition, an orthopedic doctor can conduct a physical exam and provide you with a game plan of how to improve it. An orthopedic doctor has the specialized musculoskeletal knowledge that a traditional doctor simply doesn't have.