What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do

What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do

What is an Orthopedic Physician?

Orthopedic physicians treat injuries to the bones, joints, ligaments, nerves, and tendons that make up the musculoskeletal system. Almost everyone has joint pain at some point in their lives, and many people have injuries to their muscles, bones, or joints that need medical care. If your injury needs specialized tests and care, you’ll probably need to see an orthopedic doctor.

Even if you don’t do much physical activity, the normal wear and tear of daily life can hurt your muscle tissue. Musculoskeletal injuries can be caused by things like spending too much time on the computer, working without breaks, doing the same movements over and over, and even having bad posture.

What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do?

Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat injuries caused by sports, physical activity, overuse, aging, accidents, and more. The goal of orthopedic doctors is:

Pain Management

There are many conditions and injuries that can hurt or make you feel uncomfortable in your muscles and bones. Orthopedic doctors can help lessen or get rid of the pain from these kinds of injuries.

Orthopedic doctors specialize in treating pain in the following body parts:

• Ankles
• Back
• Elbows
• Feet
• Hands
• Hips
• Knees
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Wrists

Improve Range of Motion

Your range of motion can be limited by pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints. When this happens, it can be hard to do everyday things like take a shower, clean, bend over to tie your shoes, and more. Orthopedic doctors use physical therapy and other treatments to help you get your range of motion back to normal. Surgery is sometimes needed for certain conditions if they are severe enough.

Make Everyday Tasks Easier to Do

Many people are willing to “tough it out” and live with pain, limited range of motion, stiffness, and other symptoms that are annoying but don’t necessarily get in the way of their lives. But if it gets hard to do everyday things like reach into a cabinet or bend down to pick something up off the floor, or even just get out of bed or go for a walk, you should see a doctor. Orthopedic specialists can talk to you about your symptoms and figure out what’s causing them so they can also help you come up with a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.

Treat and Prevent Injuries

Orthopedic doctors are often called on to treat broken bones, compression fractures, stress fractures, dislocations, muscle injuries, and torn or ruptured tendons. Orthopedic doctors can also help you avoid getting hurt again by making a plan for treatment and prevention.

When to See an Orthopedic Doctor

One of the most common reasons people go to orthopedic doctors is for help with the pain that won’t go away. If you have pain that lasts for more than three months or if you have severe pain that doesn’t go away with home remedies, you might want to see an orthopedic doctor. Here are some more indicators to see an orthopedic doctor:

• You’re experiencing a noticeable decrease in your range of motion
• You can’t walk without pain or discomfort
• You have moderate or advanced arthritis of the shoulder, knee, or hip
• You have progressive shoulder, hip, or knee pain that worsens upon standing
• Your daily life is affected by your pain and discomfort
• You have chronic pain that lasts more than 12 weeks
• You have a soft tissue injury that has not improved after several days

What Conditions Does an Orthopedic Doctor Treat?

Orthopedic doctors can diagnose and plan treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, including but not limited to: 

• Arthritis
• Bone Tumors
• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Hip Dysplasia
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurofibromatosis
• Osteoporosis
• Pain
• Runner’s Knee
• Sciatica
• Tennis Elbow

What to Expect at Your First Orthopedic Appointment

When you go to your orthopedic doctor’s office, the staff will ask you questions about where the pain is, how bad it is, and when it started. They will probably also ask about your health history and how active you are. This is so they can figure out how your pain affects your daily life.

Orthopedic Specialists in Kansas City

Our collective experience in orthopedics is unparalleled in the Kansas City region. Orthopedic Health of Kansas City brings together an elite team of nationally recognized physicians into one comprehensive orthopedic practice. Our team works together with one goal in mind – to help you get back to feeling good so you can lead an active life. Find our location closest to you or give us a call at (816) 852-3624 to set up an appointment.