Orthopedic Surgeon – 3 Common Issues They Treat

People go through life each day with pain. Whether it’s from an injury years ago from playing sports or something that has seemed to develop over the years as arthritis, you want relief fast. That’s why many people end up having to see an orthopedic surgeon at some point. These physicians have been trained to work specifically with areas of the body dealing with the musculoskeletal system. This means that they can address a variety of issues such as broken bones, infections, joint problems, arthritis and more. Below, we will learn a little more about some common issues these doctors treat.

Broken Bones or Fractures

When you have any injury, it’s important to see a doctor to make sure it heals correctly. Some people suffer through the pain, especially if it’s something like a toe or finger. However, these people also run the risk of the bone healing crooked. An orthopedic surgeon can assess the break and decide whether you will need a cast, splint or more. In the end you can feel confident that your bones will heal properly and you’ll be able to use them as you did before you were injured.

Arthritis

There are various types of arthritic pain that people suffer with. For instance, some people may have been injured over the years, such as athletes. Even though pain may not seem to be extremely bad at first, over time, these people can develop arthritis as a result of an injury from the past. This can be in the form of a broken bone or blow to a ligament. On the other hand, some folks have to endure rheumatoid arthritis that is a really painful, inflammatory kind of arthritis.

Some people experience arthritis in the knee that involves cartilage wearing away. This is a degenerative disease and often times affects people that are older. An orthopedic surgeon will try to help ease the patient’s pain by suggesting different methods of treatment such as changing their lifestyle through diet and exercise. A particular type of brace can sometimes help ease either pain or promote healing in general. Furthermore, even ice packs and heat can help ease discomfort as well as medication prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon.

Heel Pain

This may surprise some, but there are numerous people that seek medical help each day for excruciating heel pain. This pain can feel like there’s a huge rock in your shoe. That’s because there are a number of tissues under the foot and they can become inflamed for a variety of reasons. When you make an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon, he or she can diagnose and help treat your issue. For instance, you could be a runner and as a result, your feet will continually hurt. The physician can suggest certain exercises or medicines to help ease pain. Some people don’t run at all but instead experience heel pain as a result of stepping on a hard object like a rock. This can cause bruising and pain, but fortunately will heal on its own over time.