Orthopedic Issues: Do You Need Surgery?
Orthopedics is the field of medicine that diagnoses and treats problems with your joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and bones, which are collectively known as the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic problems are common, especially as people age. If you have trouble in one of these parts of your body, it's a good idea to consult with an orthopedic specialist.
One question that frequently arises for orthopedic patients is whether surgery for their condition is the best option. This article examines this significant health issue.
Non-Surgical
Orthopedists have a wide range of non-surgical treatments for problems with the musculoskeletal system. One common treatment is physical therapy, which could be recommended in cases of arthritis, strains, and sprains, as well as neck and back pain. In some cases, medication could be able to deal with the problem. Painkillers might be sufficient to address some orthopedic conditions, while strong prescription drugs, such as corticosteroids, can help with more serious issues.
Another non-surgical treatment and one that is being seen more frequently is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. PRP injections involve taking a small part of your blood that has been processed to promote healing and then injecting that plasma into the affected area. PRP injections are typically used to reduce pain and hasten the healing process in the knee, hip, and back.
Stem cells are also used in some orthopedic cases. In this procedure, stem cells are taken from your bone marrow and injected into the site of the injury. Stem cells have powerful healing properties and can speed up the healing process.
Surgery
If non-surgical methods do not resolve your orthopedic issues, or if you have sustained a serious musculoskeletal injury that requires immediate attention, then surgery could be necessary. A wide range of surgeries is available for various orthopedic conditions, with some of the most common procedures being hip replacements and knee replacements. Other common surgeries are operations on the shoulder and rotator cuff. Surgeries focusing on the hand and wrist occur frequently as well.
Signs
In some instances, you might have trouble determining whether orthopedic surgery is warranted. Some signs that surgery could help you include chronic joint pain, swollen joints, such as swollen wrists, an injury where the pain and swelling do not go away on their own, and tingling or numbness in your hands, among others.
Whether orthopedic surgery is the best option is a decision that is best made in consultation with your orthopedist. The best course of action is to make your decision after you have talked with a trained orthopedic specialist.
Contact your doctor for more information about orthopedics.
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