There are several reasons that people consider visiting an orthopedic surgeon or specialist, including:
- Consistent pain in the:
- Knee, hip, neck, or back
- Ankle or foot
- Shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand
- Feeling sore or stiff after sitting or lying down.
- Experiencing an injury that is not healing as quickly or fully as expected.
Pain is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States and one of the most common reasons people visit orthopedic surgeons and specialists. Pain can lead to decreased range of motion, decreased mobility, limited independence, reduced participation in hobbies and social activities and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Orthopedic surgeons, and specialists like physical therapists with advanced training in orthopedics, are recognized as experts in the entire musculoskeletal system. Many musculoskeletal conditions and injuries cause pain, and often, orthopedic surgeons and specialists can provide treatments to reduce or eliminate your pain.
Steps to Improve Your Pain
Step One
The first step toward living a more pain-free life is a full evaluation from an orthopedic surgeon or specialist. These professionals will perform a full assessment of both your overall health and musculoskeletal condition to determine the best course of treatment. Orthopedic surgeons perform both surgical and nonsurgical interventions, depending on the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient. Surgery is recommended only when nonsurgical treatment measures have failed to provide relief or in circumstances when nonsurgical options are unlikely to be successful. Care is specific to each patient and the goal is always to improve the patients’ quality of life.
Step Two
If a surgical intervention is warranted, the goal is for you to get home as quickly as possible, have an easy recovery and get back to your daily life, pain-free. Following that, securing the support of a home health agency that specializes in orthopedics will greatly hasten the safety and convenience of your recovery. Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, home health services may consist of skilled nursing, physical therapy, total joint rehabilitation, and wound care. Your home health provider will work in partnership with your orthopedic surgeon to ensure that all your goals are met.
Step Three
After the period of post-operative home health services, many people choose to continue working with a physical therapist through in-home rehab to maintain the progress attained post-surgery and decrease the risk of falls, loss of strength, and mobility. GrandCare Health Services, specialists in orthopedics, offers in-home rehab as well as wellness services. Our services are all provided by highly trained physical therapists in the comfort of your own home.
Conclusion
While each patient’s journey to a pain-free life is different, the first step begins with reaching out to a recognized expert in orthopedics. Working with an orthopedic surgeon or specialist, like a physical therapist, can put you on the path to achieving a higher quality of life. If you are experiencing pain and looking for a solution, please speak with your primary care physician or reach out to us at GrandCareHealth.com. We have your back.
