If you experience pain in your bones, joints, muscles or tendons that doesn’t subside, it may be time to see an orthopedic specialist.
A doctor will assess your situation during a personal interview, physical examination and review any tests or X-rays you have. They will also work with you to establish a treatment plan that suits your health needs and lifestyle.
Bone and Joint Injuries
Bone and joint injuries are common in sports, work-related activities, and accidents. These injuries can also occur as a result of age-related health conditions such as osteoporosis. Taking preventive measures, such as regular exercise, can promote healthy bones and joints.
Bone injuries include fractures, dislocations, and sprains. Fractures are breaks in bones that vary in severity, from closed fractures (with the bone sticking out through the skin) to comminuted fractures, which are broken into three or more pieces. Joint injuries affect the shoulders, wrists, knees, and ankles. They can range from sprains and strains to tears, dislocations, arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Pain in the bones and joints is normal, but when it becomes persistent or severe, it’s important to seek medical attention from an orthopedic specialist. Whether or not surgery is required, orthopedic treatment can help minimize pain and improve mobility. This can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. Chronic pain, however, can have many negative effects on a person’s emotional and psychological state.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions that cause pain or restricted movement in muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. They may develop due to an injury or from chronic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Because the body has 206 bones and about 650 muscles, it’s not uncommon for musculoskeletal problems to occur. In fact, musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes of disability worldwide.
To diagnose musculoskeletal disorders, orthopedists assess symptoms and conduct physical examinations. They also order diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and CT scans. In addition, they perform in-office procedures, such as bone fracture repair and internal fixation, which involves placing metal hardware on broken bones to hold them together until they heal. Other surgical interventions include joint replacement, osteotomy, and release surgery (e.g., for carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by pressure on a nerve). They may also use braces and splints to immobilize the affected area.
Sports Injuries
Amateur and professional athletes as well as weekend warriors are at risk for sports injuries. These injuries often occur due to a sudden increase in physical activity that the body isn’t used to or overuse of muscles, joints and bones, which can cause wear and tear.

Ligament injuries, such as a sprain, happen when the ligaments that connect the bones in a joint become torn. These injuries can also cause a joint to shift out of its normal position, which is called dislocation. These injuries are common in activities that require repetitive motions, such as running or jumping.
Stress injuries, such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis, develop over time from repetitive pressure on a muscle or bone, which can cause wear and tear. This can result in pain, swelling and a feeling that the injured area doesn’t move as easily as it should. These injuries are common in sports that involve repetitive impact or those that put repeated strain on the lower legs and feet, such as long-distance running, soccer and basketball.
Nonsurgical Treatments
The pain and discomfort caused by orthopedic injuries can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and restore function to the affected area. Nonsurgical treatments may include medication, physical therapy and assistive devices.
X-rays, CT scans and MRI are used to diagnose fractures, dislocations and other damage to bones and joints. Medications may include anti-inflammatory or pain relievers, as well as prescription strength steroids.잠실정형외과
Over time, overuse or repeated movements can lead to pain and inflammation in the joints. These are called overuse injuries and they are more common in athletes or people with jobs or hobbies that require repetitive movement.
One of the newest treatments for sports injuries and overuse injuries is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP is blood that contains many more platelets than normal blood. 척추관절병원 Platelets are known for their role in clotting blood and they also contain growth factors that promote healing. This new technique is being used for chronic tendon injuries such as jumper’s knee and Achilles tendonitis, and it is showing promise for shoulder arthritis and other joint problems.