Are you experiencing chronic pain? If so, you might be wondering if you need to see an orthopedic doctor. There are times when you should go to your primary care doctor. However, there are other times when going straight to a specialist will bring the relief and the answers you need more quickly.
Anytime you have pain in your joints, a Tampa Bay orthopedic doctor is what you need.
OK, but how do I know when I should schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor?
There are several signs that indicate it’s time to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. If you have one or more of the following signs, you should just go ahead and see a doctor now.
Why?
Seeing an orthopedic doctor early on can sometimes mean the difference between that doctor being able to treat you now when the opportunity to “fix” things is still an option or waiting until the problem that’s causing your pain is irreversible.
So let’s take a look at some of the pain signals that indicate you should see an orthopedic doctor immediately.
Eight Tell-Tale Signs You Should See an Orthopedic Doctor Immediately
1. General Chronic Pain
If you experience any type of chronic pain for more than 10-12 weeks and it is not improving, regardless of which part of your body is affected, then it’s time to see a Tampa Bay orthopedic doctor.
2. Knee Pain
When you have knee pain that isn’t being helped by routine conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs, you should contact an orthopedic doctor.
Knee pain can limit your ability to walk and perform daily activities. Knee pain can also affect your back, ankles, and even your cardiovascular system.
An orthopedic doctor will assess your pain and could prescribe cortisone injections, physical therapy, or hyaluronate injections. And if that doesn’t work, a full or partial knee replacement is always an option. In fact, more than 95% percent of all people who receive a knee replacement experience pain relief and restored movement.
So regardless of which treatment works for you…it’s all good!
3. Shoulder Pain
Most shoulder pain is caused by repetitive overhead motions or overuse of your arms and shoulders. And depending on your age, shoulder pain could be a sign of a variety of other issues such as a rotator cuff injury, instability (shoulder ball slips out of the socket), bursitis, tendonitis, an irritated rotator cuff, or some other degenerative or repetitive overuse issue.
4. Limited Range of Motion
If you have noticed you can no longer move freely and without pain like you once could, or if your joints feel tight, you should see a Tampa Bay orthopedic doctor. For example, if you can’t raise your arms above your head, this is just one instance where you have a limited range of motion issue. Many range of motion issues can be easily fixed, but only if you address them sooner rather than later.
5. Back or Spine Pain
There are a variety of conditions that cause back and/or spine pain. For example, spinal fractures, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or a multitude of other issues. That’s why seeing a Tampa Bay orthopedic doctor is so important.
Your doctor can assess and diagnose your pain and prescribe the best possible treatment for your disorder. And just like any other chronic pain, the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you will be out of pain, not to mention allowing your doctor to treat your issue before it progresses to the point of having no viable treatment options.
6. Trouble Climbing the Stairs
As you get older, your joints will generally begin to deteriorate. You will start to notice that it is harder to go up and down the stairs or to get in and out of a chair. This is normal. However, for some people, the pain is so intense they can’t perform these activities at all. If this sounds like you, your joints might be damaged, and you should see your orthopedic doctor immediately.
7. Any Injury That Won’t Heal
If you have had an accident of any kind and you have a twisted ankle, swollen wrists, or swollen joints that won’t heal, contact an orthopedic doctor now. Additionally, if your pain is worsening and isn’t getting any better, you could have some type of fracture, crack, or break in the bone. So don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with your Tampa Bay orthopedic doctor right away.
8. Trouble Walking or Standing
If you don’t feel as if you are balanced when walking, or as you are sitting down, or standing up, you might have a problem with your joints. An orthopedic doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and provide you with options to help stabilize your body.
What’s Next?
If you are experiencing chronic pain or pain that is affecting your ability to function in your daily life, please Contact Full Circle Orthopedics today.
We have an established reputation in the Tampa Bay area and a national reputation for excellence in orthopedic innovations, as well as state-of-the-art surgery centers. Our highly sought-after expert team of orthopedic surgeons specialize in orthopedic surgery for knee, hip, and shoulder problems with an emphasis on joint resurfacing and arthroscopy.
Once you have answered your questions about when to see an orthopedic doctor, everything else will only get better from there.
