Millions of people live with musculoskeletal pain at some point in their lives. This kind of pain affects the joints, bones, and muscles. Common causes include injuries, poor posture, and chronic conditions such as arthritis.
The truth is that living with this kind of pain isn’t necessary. By seeking out orthopedic treatment, you can find relief and corrective procedures that will change your quality of life.
Orthopedics is a broad field and there are tons of different kinds of orthopedic procedures. The best way to find out which orthopedic procedure is right for you is to talk to your doctor.
Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of orthopedic procedures so you can decide whether or not it’s something you want to pursue.
Eliminate or Manage Pain
One of the biggest benefits of orthopedic procedures is that they can help to manage and reduce pain and, in some cases, eliminate pain altogether. Whether your pain is caused by a previous injury, such as a sprain or a fractured bone, or by a chronic condition, an orthopedic doctor can help you generate an effective treatment plan.
The focus of most orthopedic procedures for pain management or elimination is to target and reduce inflammation. Inflammation occurs in areas affected by pain and can lead to joint damage and deterioration. Common non-surgical orthopedic procedures include:
- Bracing of the affected area
- Viscosupplementation (the injection of a gel-like substance between joints that enables smoother, less painful movement)
- Other forms of injection therapy
- Physical therapy
There are also times when orthopedic surgery is used to provide relief for severe or chronic pain. For example, orthopedic surgery is often used to relieve arthritic pain.
Get Back to Normal Joint Function
As we mentioned earlier, inflammation tends to target the joints and cause them to deteriorate over time. This can make it more difficult to move freely and without pain.
In addition, we often find that when we’re experiencing joint pain, we do our best not to move that joint more than necessary. While this can help us to avoid raising our pain levels, it can also lead to a loss of our natural range of movement. (This is not unlike the way someone might lose flexibility if they stopped stretching on a regular basis.)
When we have a low range of movement, everyday tasks such as grooming, dressing, and cleaning can become very difficult. Orthopedic procedures like physical therapy and viscosupplementation can help you to safely restore joint function.
If you do experience moderate to severe pain in your joints, it is recommended that you visit an orthopedic doctor before embarking on any kind of physical therapy. The last thing you want is to start stretching in hopes of restoring joint function only to find that your stretching routine has caused further damage.
Enhance Physical Performance
If you are an athlete or a highly active person, visiting an orthopedic doctor can come with a number of benefits. Many orthopedic doctors are highly versed in sports medicine, as many of their patients are athletic individuals. Why do athletic bodies require special training?
Athletic people are able to perform physically in unique and powerful ways. However, they are also more susceptible to stress injuries, sprains, and other musculoskeletal ailments simply because they are applying more pressure to their frames. Whether you’re a dead weight lifter or a marathon runner or a football player, your body is more at risk of developing short and long-term injuries.
By regularly seeking out orthopedic procedures, athletes and active people can not only find the right treatment for any injuries that are currently bothering them but they can also take preventative measures. Many of the injuries that athletic people develop will worsen over time if not treated. With treatment, you can ensure that you are never out of the game and that you are always able to perform at your highest ability.
Soft Tissue Repair
Injuries in the muscles and soft tissues can also lead to worsening issues down the line if left untreated. For example, you may continue to re-tear your soft tissue or put undue stress on your joints by changing the way you move to accommodate soft tissue pain.
Orthopedic procedures for tissue and muscle injuries are varied. Minor surgeries may be used to repair tears in the tissue. Orthopedic surgeons can also remove damaged tissue that is getting in the way of your body’s natural healing process.
Oftentimes, orthopedic doctors will prescribe physical therapy to treat muscle and soft tissue damage. Once again, it is better to pursue this kind of treatment with the help of a medical professional. That way, you minimize the risk of causing the injury to worsen from strain or repetitive motions.
In cases where non-invasive or minor surgical treatments are not effective, your orthopedic doctor may suggest larger surgeries to repair or manage the affected areas.
Are Orthopedic Procedures Right For You?
We often experience musculoskeletal pain on and off throughout our lives. However, certain kinds of injuries and chronic conditions can cause severe or long-term pain in the muscles, joints, and bones that lower our quality of life. If this sounds familiar, orthopedic procedures may be the right choice for you to resume normal physical function and live life with minimal pain.
Are you looking for more possible solutions for your health problems? Take a look at our health section and continue learning about different procedures and treatments that may benefit you.
