Did you break a bone? Are you suffering from carpal tunnel? Has chronic pain taken over your life? Don’t let these issues keep you from doing what you love. An orthopedic specialist can help. These providers treat conditions involving bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
When to see an orthopedic specialist
Visit the emergency room for serious injuries, acute trauma and intense pain. For ongoing, nonemergency symptoms, talk to your primary care provider about orthopedic treatment.
Signs that you should visit an orthopedic specialist include:
- Persistent pain that doesn’t improve with rest
- Limited range of motion in a joint
- Swelling or bruising after an injury
- Difficulty bearing weight on a limb
- Numbness or tingling in hands or fingers
What happens next?
Your provider will conduct an evaluation and develop a personalized care plan to address your needs. Nonsurgical approaches, like pain management or physical therapy, will likely be the first courses of action. If these don’t work, orthopedic specialists have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition.
Orthopedic specialists are essential to helping patients maintain mobility and quality of life. Whether it’s recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition or undergoing surgery, their expertise is invaluable in restoring health and function. If you’re dealing with musculoskeletal pain or limitations, consulting an orthopedic specialist could be the key to getting back on your feet.
“Our goal is to help you feel better and get back to your daily routine as soon as possible, whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior or just dealing with some stubborn joint pain,” says Jessica Norman, FNP-BC, a nurse practitioner at Riverside Orthopedic Specialists.
What orthopedic specialists treat
Orthopedic specialists can help with a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Fractures
- Infections
- Joint replacements
- Muscle tears
- Sports injuries
- Tennis or golf elbow
Get back to doing what you love
To learn more about orthopedic treatment options, talk to your primary care provider or contact Riverside Orthopedic Specialists by calling (815) 802-7090 or visiting ChooseRiversideOrtho.com.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Medical Society for Sports Medicine