Orthopedics, or orthopedic doctors, treat musculoskeletal problems, such as pain in the bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. They typically spend up to 14 years in medical school, earning either an MD or a DO degree. Then they complete an orthopedic residency, which is usually five years long.
There are many signs that it’s time to see an orthopedist, like chronic pain and difficulty moving or a new injury.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in your spine narrow, which causes pressure on spinal nerves or your spinal cord. This condition typically affects your lower back, but it can also occur in your neck. Symptoms include pain or a heavy feeling that travels from your buttocks to your legs, which usually worsens when you stand or walk and gets better when you sit or lie down. It may also cause numbness or tingling in your legs, and it can lead to weakness in your feet or problems with your bowel or bladder.
The most common treatment for spinal stenosis is physical therapy, which includes exercise, hot or cold treatments, and medicines to control pain. Your doctor may also prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation. If your symptoms get worse, surgery is an option. This can involve removing part of your spine bone, fusing your spine bones together or creating more space for the spinal nerves and spinal cord.
Tendinitis
Tendons are thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. When a tendon is inflamed, it causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Most cases of tendinitis can be treated with rest, physical therapy and medicine to reduce pain. Long-lasting tendon inflammation increases the risk of a completely torn tendon, which might need surgery.
Health care providers diagnose tendinitis with a physical exam and asking about symptoms, including when they started. They may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray or ultrasound. They may also test for the presence of blood flow problems in the tendon sheath, which is an indicator of swelling.
Tendinitis can be prevented by warming up and cooling down before and after exercise, changing activities that put too much stress on the tendons, and using proper technique in sports. It’s also important to get regular exercise and maintain good posture. People who are overweight are at a higher risk of developing tendinitis, because their tendons are less elastic and can’t handle as much stress.
Sprains and strains
Sprains involve an injury or partial tear to ligaments (which connect bones to each other) while strains involve an injury to muscles and tendons that connect muscle to bone. Mild sprains and strains can heal with rest and home care. Significant injuries may require rehabilitation or surgery.
Sprain symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness. The most common sprain locations include the wrist, ankle and knee. A sprain is often caused by a fall or twist that applies stress to the joint and overstretches, or sometimes ruptures, supporting ligaments. This type of injury can occur due to improper footwear, overtraining or environmental conditions. Children are prone to spraining their growth plates, which can lead to serious fractures.
Strains are similar to sprains in that they also affect the joints, including the wrist, hand and elbow. Like sprains, strains are caused by overtraining, repetitive motions or prolonged exertion and can lead to muscle spasms, weakness, pain, inflammation and tenderness.부산족저근막염
Sports medicine
When people hear the term “sports medicine,” they often think of elite athletes and complex surgeries. However, any physically active person can benefit from the expertise of a sports medicine doctor.
In addition to diagnosing and treating injuries, these specialists work with people who are seeking ways to improve performance and prevent future injury. They may recommend stretches and exercises to increase flexibility, strength, or endurance. They may also help people who have existing heart conditions avoid overexertion that could lead to heat stroke or other health problems.부산정형외과
The training and qualifications of a sports medicine physician include four years of medical school, where they learn about human anatomy, physiology, and medical principles. They complete five or more years of orthopedic residency, during which they gain hands-on experience diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries. Some physicians also participate in a fellowship, which is an additional year or more of training in a specific subspecialty area. You can find out whether a doctor has completed a fellowship by looking for this information on their online profile or asking them directly.