Joint pain can be debilitating, hampering your productivity and ability to perform daily tasks. If you are experiencing joint pain, a joint specialist can help to relieve your pain, restore function and regain your range of motion.
So, just what type of doctor is best at treating the joints? An orthopedist.
Orthopedists specialize in the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, muscles and their supportive structures. The physician will treat your joint issue based on what exactly is causing the problem because different causes often have different solutions.
Let’s talk about some of the most common types of joint problems, how an orthopedist will treat the problems and where you can go throughout Maryland to see an outstanding orthopedist who specializes in upper extremities.
What Issues Can Joint Specialists Treat?
Joint problems – whether caused by illness or injury – tend to cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling, which may be debilitating when severe.
Some of the potential causes of aching joints that an orthopedist can address include:
Arthritis
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis develops when the protective cartilage, which is found between the bones in a joint, breakdown, causing the bones to rub against each other. This bone-on-bone rubbing causes inflammation and pain.
If the arthritis is relatively mild, your orthopedist will perform pain-relief injections of corticosteroids into the joint. For more severe cases, your orthopedist is likely to recommend surgery, such as a joint replacement.
Gout
Another common type of arthritis is gout, which causes acute pain and inflammation in one or more joints. Gout tends to occur after eating several heavy meals, especially meals containing fatty meats.
Gout can be initially treated by simply drinking plenty of water to rinse out your system; only plain water will work, not other drinks. If the issue becomes worse or long-lasting, talk to your joint specialist about how to alleviate the problem.
Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is often caused by neuropathy, which stems from nerve damage or compression. It can be caused by injury to the area, such as carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, or underlying health conditions such as diabetes.
A joint specialist can properly diagnose and treat your nerve pain. The treatment options include oral medications, physician-administered pain-relief injections into the painful area and/or surgery.
Surgical treatment to relieve nerve pain usually involves your orthopedist either (1) opening up the area surrounding the nerve in order to release pressure on the nerve, or (2) removing or deadening the nerve so it no longer sends pain signals to your brain.
Sports Injuries
Different sports can lead to different types of injuries, but sprains, strains and fractures are common. Your joint specialist can recommend and administer various treatments, which may include everything from physical therapy to surgery if necessary – so you can get back in the game.
How Do Orthopedist Treat Joint Pain?
There are different ways that a joint specialist can cure joint pain. Some treatment options that joint specialists use include:
- Prescription medications can help to relieve joint pain. Your orthopedist may also administer a steroid injection into the joint to provide immediate and lasting relief while your joint heals.
- Physical therapy. A physical therapist can help ease your joint pain, improve flexibility and restore motion through gentle, targeted exercises and stretches.
- If conservative (nonsurgical) treatment does not work, your orthopedist may recommend surgery. Today, most orthopedic surgeries may be performed via minimally invasive surgery so healing occurs quicker than ever before.
Joint Specialists in the Greater Chesapeake Area, Maryland
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, we understand how chronic joint pain can disrupt your life. Our joint specialists can help you find the relief you need so you can get back to enjoying your active lifestyle.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with a joint specialist, contact our friendly staff today at (410) 296-6232 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to relieving your pain!
