When you sustain a musculoskeletal injury or disease, your orthopedist will likely prescribe nonsurgical treatments first – such as rest, medication, and possibly physical therapy. However, if you do not respond to these treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery.
An orthopedic surgeon does a lot more than surgery, treating the pain or injury only to the extent necessary to be effective. Let’s talk about some of the most common conditions that an orthopedic surgeon treats, and where you can go here in San Antonio to receive outstanding orthopedic medical treatment.
Conditions and Injuries an Orthopedic Surgeon Treats
An orthopedic doctor knows how to successfully and efficiently treat all musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:
Arthritis
Our joints have protective cartilage lining to keep the bones from rubbing against each other as we move. This cartilage can wear down due to playing sports or simply due to age, wearing down over many years of an active lifestyle. This problem most commonly affects the shoulders, hips, knees, and hands.
Tendonitis
Our tendons attach our muscles to the bones to enable them to move. However, with overuse – just like with arthritis in our joints – a tendon can become inflamed and painful.
Tendonitis tends to occur most frequently in our knees, heels, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are both types of tendonitis.
Fractures
Mild fractures only require temporary immobilization via a sling or a cast, but severe, complex fractures will warrant surgical treatment by an orthopedic surgeon. Pins, rods, screws, plates, and possibly artificial (prosthetic) bone may be necessary to repair a severely broken bone.
Dislocations
A joint can become dislocated especially in the highly mobile joints, like the shoulders and knees. If you have dislocated your joint for the first time, your doctor will probably numb the area and push the bone back into place without surgery. However, if the joint continues to become dislocated, your orthopedic surgeon may want to tighten the ligaments and tendons in the joint.
Sprains
Sprains happen when the ligaments, which are the thick tissues that connect bones, are overstretched or torn. They are most common in the shoulder, knee, and ankle.
Mild sprains only need rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to heal properly and fully, but severe sprains may necessitate surgery in order to regain your ability to use that joint and not develop weakness and disability.
Strains
Strains happen when the muscles or tendons are torn or stretched (pulled). Their treatment is similar to that for sprains, depending on the severity of the injury.
Orthopedic Surgeon in San Antonio, TX
If you have an orthopedic issue, pain medication and physical therapy may or may not be enough. Surgery might be the best solution for severe injuries.
Here in San Antonio, the medical team at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine serve patients who have bone and muscle injuries – including arthritis. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic surgeons, call us today at (210) 692-7400. You can also fill out our online request form now. We look forward to serving you!
