A joint is any place in the body where two bones meet and perform a function together. In order to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other, protective cartilage covers the ends of the bones at the joint. Some joints even have extra cushions made of cartilage, such as the meniscus in the knee.
With highly active use of a joint, or many years of normal joint usage, you can develop osteoarthritis – often simply called “arthritis” since it is the most common type of arthritis. This can happen to young athletes and active adults alike, and it can cause chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, and disability.
In order to diagnose the precise cause of your joint pain so that proper treatment can be administered or prescribed, a joint specialist will usually perform an image-guided test of the affected joint. The doctor may order an MRI, which will reveal whether there is thinning or wearing-down of the protective cartilage and damage to the bone tissue. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it most commonly affects the hips, knees, spine, and hands.
Early treatment of joint injury of any kind is important in order to prevent further degradation of the joint. Many treatments can provide immediate relief from your symptoms, so it is ideal to see a doctor who specializes in treating joints – especially an orthopedist.
How Can a Joint Specialist Help Me?
An orthopedic doctor can help get you on the road to a more pain-free life by providing the following:
Thorough Evaluation
An orthopedic physician will conduct a careful and thorough evaluation of your condition before making a diagnosis. This is a critical step toward creating a customized treatment plan for you.
If what you have is osteoarthritis, the goal will be to delay – hopefully indefinitely – any further progression of the condition. Many patients with arthritis can continue to live normal, active lives with the right treatment.
Pain Relief
Pain from joint problems can be very limiting, and it can affect your performance at work and during other activities. It can even prevent you from falling asleep, creating a constant ache that becomes irritating and distracting.
An orthopedic doctor can provide treatment which includes pain management for relief and better function. Pain management may include injection therapy, which provides immediate relief from your joint pain; this treatment also lasts for months.
Restoration of Mobility
Once the pain and swelling are reduced, you will have better joint function. With improved function, you can go back to the activities you love as well as normal everyday activities, no longer enduring great discomfort with every movement.
Orthopedic Specialists in Maryland
Here at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our orthopedic surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions affecting the upper extremities. Our joint specialists are members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, through which they stay on top of the latest techniques and technologies in treatment of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff today by calling (410) 296-6232 or request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to serving you and helping you get back to your active lifestyle again.
