Top 4 Conditions Treated by an Orthopaedic Doctor
Posted on: 19 August 2016
Certain injuries and conditions affect a person's musculoskeletal system. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this includes everything from your bones, muscles, and nerves to your joints, ligaments, and tendons. The following list of conditions are some of the most frequent conditions that are treated by this specific type of doctor.
Achilles Tendinitis
There are several reasons a person may experience achilles tendinitis, with the two most common being sports-related injury and the aging process. This tendon works by connecting the heel to the calf muscles above. When injured, sufferers may experience pain when walking. The area may become tender or stiff and even swell up when the injury first occurs. An orthopaedic doctor will be able to prescribe anti-inflammatories as well as a special insert for your shoe that will provide additional support to the muscles.
Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal-tunnel syndrome is reported by WebMD to affect three times as many women as men. The site also lists pregnancy and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, as increasing the risks for this syndrome. Anyone who begins to notice a tingling or loss of feeling in their hands should consult with a medical professional. Additional symptoms to watch out for include pain when performing simple tasks like opening a jar or car door and loss of coordination in the affected hand. Depending on how severe the carpal tunnel is, you may simply need a cortisone injection or surgery to correct the issue.
Meniscus Tear
Another common injury treated by an orthopedic surgeon is a meniscus tear. The Mayo Clinic states that tears in the meniscus happen during an activity where the knee is vigorously twisted or rotated. Once the trauma has occurred, you may observe swelling and feel sensations of pain when trying to use the knee. The knee may be stiff, causing it to not extend fully as it normally does. In some cases a torn meniscus will heal on its own with ice and rest. Other times, a surgeon will need to go in and repair it.
Tennis Elbow
Because lateral epicondylitis occurs as a result of overusing the arm, it got the nickname tennis elbow. This condition causes the tendons that attach to the outer part of your elbow to become inflamed. If you suffer from tenderness and pain near the elbow, it is important to make an appointment with your orthopedic doctor to get diagnosed and treated for tennis elbow. Some treatments for this involve steroid injections, wearing a brace, and getting physical therapy. Surgery is only considered as a last resort.
If you think you have one of these conditions, make an appointment with an orthopaedic doctor, such as one with Orthopaedic Associates Of Rochester, for as soon as possible.
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