Common Treatment Options Prescribed by Orthopedic Doctors

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:47:32 GMT

If you’ve ever had an injury that involved a bone or muscle, you’ve likely had to visit orthopedic doctors. These specialists handle a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and offer many different types of treatment depending on the type of injury. It's good to know you're not alone! According to the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there has been a 131% increase in treatment costs for musculoskeletal disorders since 1998. Each patient, however, needs care and treatment specific to their needs. Keep reading to learn a few of the most common types of treatment.

Medication

Orthopedic doctors can prescribe prescription medication for some injuries. Good doctors often start with a very conservative treatment option when it comes to pain management. The first line of defense is often to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and to recommend over-the-counter medications. If or when pain persists, doctors may resort to prescribing stronger medications or a different type of treatment.

Fracture Care

Another common type of treatment you may receive from an orthopedic doctor is fracture care. Bone fractures can range from a less serious problem like a hairline crack to more severe complications such as a compound fracture of a major bone. Severe fractures often require surgery. During an orthopedic surgery, a doctor sets the broken bones and removes or realigns bone fragments.

Arthritis Care

Arthritis is a painful inflammatory condition that can cause degradation of the joints. There are different types of arthritis and treatment will be based on the severity and type of the specific condition. Care can include a combination of physical therapy and medication.

Joint Fusion

For bone or joint disorders that do not respond to traditional treatments, bone fusions can be an option. This is only used in severe instances and is considered a very invasive type of treatment. During a bone or joint fusion, bones are united together to relieve the pain of movement. This type of treatment can be performed on the spine, ankles, wrists, fingers, thumbs, and feet.

Rotator Cuff Treatment

If you are feeling constant pain in your shoulder, it could be due to rotator cuff issues. Injuries to your rotator cuff don’t often get better on their own and require intervention and treatment. This can be done through medications, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.

If you're in need of care for a broken bone or a joint problem, our orthopedic doctors are ready to help. Our team has more than 40 years of experience using state-of-the-art equipment and proven practices. Call West Philadelphia Orthopedics & Therapy today to schedule a same-day appointment!

What Types of Patients Does a Local Orthopedic Clinic See?

Tue, 09 May 2023 12:45:13 GMT

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, musculoskeletal conditions affect 52% of Americans and are responsible for the most lost workdays for employees, due to their effect on productivity. Orthopedic injuries can happen to anyone at any age and result in serious problems at work or school. Here are a few types of patients your local orthopedic clinic can help.

Children

Kids often get into impulsive decisions that can cause serious orthopedic injuries like a broken leg or arm. A local orthopedic clinic can analyze these injuries. They can diagnose problems both obvious and subtle, making sure that kids' broken bones and injured joints grow up safely and without pain.

Athletes

Athletes are one of the most obvious patients of orthopedists. With a constant supply of broken bones, sprained ligaments, and other ailments, an athlete is someone who constantly needs orthopedic help. Their bodies are high-performance machines and can also take some severe injuries in body-on-body contact, especially in full-contact sports.

Manual Laborers

Blue-collar workers are people who make their living with their hands and on their feet. Blue-collar jobs are often referred to as skilled trades. These are jobs that involve intense manual labor and can result in severe injury if something goes awry. A local orthopedic clinic will often see workers who have been injured on a job site as a result of bad timing and poor luck.

Vacationers

When on vacation, people often get into situations they never would in their normal lives. Exploring a new city involves a lot of walking. This can make it very easy for unprepared people who may not be particularly athletic to receive some particularly serious orthopedic injuries. By working with an orthopedic specialist, these patients can walk around on vacation without worry.

Older Patients

All the above problems can emerge with greater speed and danger in elderly patients. An older patient can be more physically fragile than a younger one, creating a special hazard for them. Older patients need to be monitored for the rapid worsening of their condition.

These are just a few types of patients that can benefit from going to a local orthopedic clinic . Do you have more questions about orthopedics? Call West Philadelphia Orthopedics & Therapy today for more information.

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