It is typical to experience pain or discomfort in areas surrounding your muscles, bones, or joints. This pain may be severe or worsen with time and become chronic, thus indicating signs of a chronic orthopedic condition. There has been an influx of facilities mostly due to the popularization of sports as viable career options. This necessitates constant and delicate ways needed to deal with these conditions without recurrence. Westfield orthopedics involves the most advanced treatment options that are discussed in detail below.
What is meant by Orthopedics?
Orthopedics is a sector of medicine that focuses on the care and health of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons.
An orthopaedist uses both surgical and non-surgical techniques to deal with various musculoskeletal conditions like joint pain, sports injuries, and back problems.
An orthopaedist works together with other specialists and professionals like:
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Athletic trainers
- Physical and occupational therapists
What do Orthopedists treat?
Orthopaedists deal with many musculoskeletal issues. Some of these issues may be present from birth and others may occur due to age-related wear and tear or injury.
Some typical conditions dealt with by orthopaedists include:
- Bone fractures
- Arthritis joint pain
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Soft tissue injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shoulder problems and pain
- Congenital issues like scoliosis or clubfoot
- Sports injuries due to overuse lead to issues like meniscus tears
Treatment procedures that are done by Orthopedists
Some treatment solutions that may be performed by orthopaedists include:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs
- Acupuncture
- Injections
- Home exercise programs
- Mobility aids
If these treatment plans are not fruitful, various surgical procedures may be required such as:
Arthroscopic Surgery
This is an operation that uses an arthroscope device to diagnose joint problems.
This device consists of a long thin camera inserted into your joint to view the inside of the joint via a connected video monitor. Small additional incisions are made to enable small thin instruments to be inserted to deal with various issues.
Total Joint Replacement
This procedure is done to replace damaged joints with a prosthetic that is made up of plastic and metal.
Bone Grafting Surgery
An orthopedic surgeon uses bone from another part of the body to strengthen and repair damaged or diseased bones. The bone may also come from somebody else.
Fracture repair surgery
A severely broken bone may require an operation to fix it. The damaged bone needs to be stabilized using various implants such as plates, rods, wires, and screws.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is an operation done to fuse adjoining vertebrae from your spine. The procedure enables the vertebrae to heal altogether as a singular mass of bone.
Spinal fusion may be required to deal with various neck and back problems that include injuries to the intervertebral discs or vertebrae and scoliosis.
The emergence of innovative orthopedic facilities and technologies has encouraged the increased awareness of musculoskeletal problems and their solutions. There are teams of specialists working together to get the best outcome possible. For any orthopedic inquiries, visit us online, or call our offices in Westfield, NJ.
