An orthopedic surgeon can be an important part of your healthcare team. If you have a chronic injury or degenerative condition like arthritis, these are just some of the conditions that orthopedists specialize in.
It is without a question that orthopedic conditions cause pain. They even limit your ability to function normally. Who needs to endure all that when there are experts whose entire focus is on relieving pain and improving function and mobility?
Let’s talk about the benefits you can get from seeing an orthopedic surgeon.
For Better Arthritis Pain Management
An orthopedic surgeon plays a vital role in the management of arthritis. They are skilled in diagnosing the type and severity of arthritis, and they can offer a range of interventions, including medication management, physical therapy, and surgical options.
Orthopedists can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or recommend disease-modifying drugs to reduce inflammation and slow down the progression of arthritis. Additionally, they can perform joint injections, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, to provide temporary relief from pain and stiffness in arthritic knees.
Joint replacement surgery is commonly performed on the knee and is typically recommended only after other non-surgical methods have been exhausted. It involves replacing the damaged joint with a natural-feeling, artificial joint, relieving pain and restoring mobility and allowing the patient to return to an active lifestyle. It has an over 90 percent success and patient satisfaction rate.
For Better Shoulder Health
Orthopedic doctors are experts at promoting shoulder health for athletes and those who make heavy use of their shoulders due to their occupation or hobbies. Their specialized knowledge and expertise in diagnosing and treating shoulder injuries and conditions, such as rotator cuff injuries, fractures and dislocations, sprains and strains, and shoulder impingement, allow patients to preserve the health of their shoulders.
An orthopedic doctor can assess the severity and extent of an shoulder injury through imaging studies and treat it using a combination of immobilization, physical therapy, and rehabilitation exercises, plus injection therapy, which delivers corticosteroids into the area. In some cases, shoulder surgery is necessary, and orthopedic surgeons can perform minimally invasive procedures, such as arthroscopic surgery or joint replacement, to remove diseased tissue and replace damaged parts with working artificial parts. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, patients can have an easier and faster recovery.
Orthopedic surgeons help restore shoulder function, enhance athletic performance, and minimize the risk of future shoulder injuries, ensuring athletes can continue to compete at their highest level.
To Improve Hand Pain and Function
Orthopedic surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat various hand and wrist conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, ganglion cysts, and wrist fractures.
Non-surgical interventions are often the first line of treatment for hand pain. Orthopedic surgeons may recommend conservative measures such as splinting, bracing, or physical therapy and hand therapy. Splints or braces can help support and immobilize the hand, reducing pain and allowing for healing. Physical therapy and hand therapy programs are exercises and techniques that improve hand strength, range of motion, and function, while also reducing pain. A combination of non-surgical therapies can be particularly beneficial for many hand and wrist conditions.
Orthopedists can also perform surgery if conservative measures do not provide lasting relief and restore hand function. Procedures such as arthroscopy, joint replacement, tendon repair, or nerve decompression surgery can be very effective in correcting the underlying issue of hand pain and limited function.
For Knee Pain Relief
The knee is one of the joints most commonly treated by orthopedists. The knees, being weight-bearing joints, are at risk for pain from overuse or arthritis. Orthopedic surgeons are skilled at accurately diagnosing knee conditions through physical examinations and medical imaging studies.
They may prescribe medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers, to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Physical therapy is another common approach, where orthopedic surgeons work closely with physical therapists to develop exercise programs that focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving flexibility, and enhancing stability. Additionally, they may recommend the use of assistive devices like braces or orthotics to provide support and alignment to the knee joint.
They may prescribe medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers, to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Physical therapy is another common approach, where orthopedic surgeons work closely with physical therapists to develop exercise programs that focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving flexibility, and enhancing stability. Additionally, they may recommend the use of assistive devices like braces or orthotics to provide support and alignment to the knee joint.
In cases of severe knee arthritis or advanced degenerative conditions, orthopedic surgeons may recommend joint replacement surgery. This procedure involves replacing the damaged or diseased knee joint with a prosthetic joint. The surgeon removes the damaged portions of the knee joint, including the surfaces of the bones, and replaces them with artificial components made of metal, plastic, or a combination of materials.
For Neck and Back Pain Relief
Orthopedic doctors can help ease neck and back pain through various methods. Pain usually originates from the spine, either due to degenerated or herniated discs, which irritate the surrounding nerves. It can also be caused by arthritis of the facet joints at the back of each vertebra.
Non-surgical interventions include neck collars and back braces, medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants to alleviate discomfort. Additionally, they may recommend physical therapy to design exercise programs that strengthen the supporting muscles, improve posture, and enhance flexibility of the spine. Pain management is also commonly used in the treatment of neck and back pain due to spinal issues, by targeting the source of the pain. Injections containing corticosteroids may be used to relieve pain and inflammation. Nerve blocks can interrupt pain signals before reaching the brain. Radiofrequency ablation destroys nerve fibers, which can stop pain signals and provide relief pain for 6 to 12 months.
Orthopedic Surgeons in Naples, FL
If you are looking for a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon for your care, look no further than the Joint Replacement Institute. Our orthopedic surgeons have specialties in arthroscopy, joint replacement, hand and shoulder surgery, podiatry, sports medicine, and interventional pain management.
We provide highly convenient orthopedic care and offer a range of on-site services, from diagnostics (full-body MRIs) to pain management (on-site injection clinic) and physical therapy. For any questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons, call our office today at (239) 261-2663, or use our convenient online request form.
