The body’s bones, muscles, and joints play a significant role in everyday life. We feel pain and even disability when there’s an injury or damage to any of these things. Orthopedic injuries can be mild or severe. To effectively treat them, you need timely medical attention from an Orthopedics Doctor in Austin.
Advanced Pain Care is a pain management center with various branches in Texas, providing expert orthopedic care from its board-certified doctors. The center provides multidisciplinary orthopedic care to restore mobility and help you live your life to the fullest.
Some orthopedic injuries are more widespread than others. This post will cover 4 orthopedic injuries along with suitable treatment options.
1. Sprains and Strains
Sprain or strain is the most widely experienced injury. Sprains occur when the tissue that links two parts of bone (ligaments) is stretched beyond its limits. Its primary cause is overuse or sudden force. Strains occur in muscles or tendons, which are the tissue linking muscle to bone. They cause swelling, pain, tenderness, and bruising in the affected region.
An ortho specialist treats sprains and strains with the PRICE method. It includes protection, wherein the patient is advised not to put pressure on the affected part; rest, which is taking a break from physical activity; ice, which involves putting an ice pack on the area; compression to minimize swelling around the region and elevation to direct fluids away from the damaged area. If the sprain or strain is severe, the orthopedists will suggest complete immobilization of the affected area.
2. Fractures
Fractures, which are broken bones, are another common orthopedic injury. Fractures can be hairline cracks in the surface of the bone to complete breaks that need you to consult an orthopedic surgeon in Austin. Fracture treatment is based on the extent of the damage. For example, a hairline crack only needs immobilization with a cast. But if the damage is severe, you may need surgery. The objective of the orthopedic doctor is to properly align the bone fragments so they can heal correctly.
Besides immobilization, the orthopedist may also advise you to take sufficient rest. They may prescribe you certain medications or suggest physical therapy to strengthen the damaged area and restore the range of motion.
3. Torn Rotator Cuff
Of all the joints, the shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion. The rotator cuff consists of tendons and muscles in the shoulder as well as around it. It stretches to facilitate full motion. A rotator cuff injury occurs when it is stretched too far. This makes it tear.
Physical therapy is the first treatment approach for rotator cuff injuries. Exercises specific to the location of your rotator cuff injury increase flexibility and strength in the shoulder. Another treatment is steroid injection. It is injected into the shoulder joint to help relieve pain. If the damage is severe, an orthopedics surgeon in Austin will perform surgery. There are many surgical interventions for this condition. These include arthroscopic tendon repair, open tendon repair, tendon transfer, and shoulder replacement.
4. ACL Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in your knee joint. It connects your thighbone to the shinbone and keeps the joint stable. ACL tears are common among athletes. They often occur during sports activities due to sudden stops and shifts in direction. This causes a high amount of strain on the ligament. Symptoms of ACL injury are swelling, pain, instability in the knee joint, and inability to walk properly.
You may also feel a popping sensation when the injury occurs. If the injury is minor, it can be treated with rest and bracing. But if it is severe, it will need arthroscopic management. It includes repairing the ACL or using a graft to replace it.
For less serious injuries, rehabilitation is a suitable option. A physical therapist teaches you exercises that you can perform either with continued supervision or by yourself. You can brace to stabilize your knee and avoid putting weight on the joint. ACL reconstruction involves the removal of the damaged ligament and replacing it with a part of the tendon.
Summing Up
It is essential to treat orthopedic injuries timely to stop them from worsening. The orthopedic surgeons and doctors at Advanced Pain Care can handle any kind of musculoskeletal injury that you may experience. With patient-centric treatment plans, the doctors can help you return to the path of living life pain-free.