- Broken Bones, Carpal Tunnel, Injury Treatment, Soft Tissue Injury
Orthopedics is one of the many branches of medical science. Orthopedists are people who specialize in orthopedics. They use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat musculoskeletal issues like accident injuries, joint pain, and back problems. This article covers who orthopedics are and when you should see an orthopedist. Then, for the best orthopedic treatment in Georgia, visit one of Georgia Injury Centers.
What Is Orthopedics?
Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and connecting parts. These parts include the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. An orthopedist works as a part of a larger team. The team usually includes:
- Occupational and physical therapists
- Physician assistant
- Nurse practitioners
- Athletic trainers
Under orthopedics, there are several subspecialties. They cover:
- Foot and ankle
- Hand and upper extremities
- Musculoskeletal Oncology (tumor)
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Spine surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Joint replacement
- Sports medicine
Orthopedists treat several injuries. These conditions could be from birth, as a result of age, or from an accident. Some of the most common conditions handled by orthopedists include:
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Congenital diseases like clubfoot or scoliosis
- Neck pain, etc.
When Should an Accident Victim See an Orthopedist?
The simple answer to this question is immediate. Whether you’re in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, slip or fall accident, or workplace accident, you should visit an orthopedist even if you feel fine. This is because you may not feel pain immediately after the accident.
The human body is capable of shielding you from immediate pain immediately after an accident. First, the body releases hormones that increase energy and block pain when faced with a traumatic event. Then, while reacting to the event, you release adrenaline that keeps you from noticing the painful symptoms of an injury. But as the body chemicals wear off, you’ll start feeling the pain.
If you wait too long to have an orthopedic doctor look at you, you may suffer permanent impairment or cause other chronic conditions over time. Early diagnosis gives you a chance for a complete recovery. If you delay, your body will start trying to heal itself, thereby making it more difficult to make corrections. In some cases, it becomes impossible to repair.
Either of the two would leave you in pain and unable to perform the task you were able to before the accident. But you can avert all this by getting diagnosed and treated on time. At Georgia Injury Centers, our orthopedic doctors have the experience and skill to diagnose you early and commence the appropriate treatment.
What To Expect During an Appointment With an Orthopedist
Below are what you can expect during your first visit to an orthopedist.
Diagnosis
For the orthopedic doctor to give you the proper treatment, they must first arrive at a diagnosis. To do this, they will do the following:
- Ask about your symptoms
- Review your medical record and gather information about your medical history and overall health
- Carry out a physical examination
- Review the result of any x-ray conducted before the appointment
In addition to the above, the doctor may order an MRI scan, a CT scan, an ultrasound, a bone scan, nerve conduction studies, and blood tests. Our Georgia Injury Centers are equipped to carry out all these tests. So, fix an appointment with us today.
In-Office Procedures
An orthopedist may choose to carry out in-office procedures to help reach a diagnosis. A standard in-office procedure is x-ray imaging. It is one of the most common and widely used imaging and diagnostic methods. With an x-ray, the doctor can pinpoint the pain point and recommend the best treatment option.
Treatment Options
The last thing to expect at your first meeting with an orthopedic doctor is treatment options. After the first two steps and arriving at a diagnosis, the doctor will let you know the available treatment and recommend the best one. Some of the standard treatment options are:
- Mobility aids
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Home exercise
- Acupuncture
- Injections
- Surgery, but only as a last resort
Book an Appointment With Us Today!
Accident injuries can alter the course of a person’s life if misdiagnosed or treated wrongly. So, if you suffer an injury that affects the skeletal body part, you shouldn’t wait to get treated. At Georgia Injury Centers, we have the best orthopedic specialist who will offer you personalized care until you get better.
If your injury resulted from an accident or a workplace hazard, we’ll refer you to personal injury attorneys who’ll help you get compensation. If you don’t have the fund to pay, we’ll liaise with your lawyer and get our fees from your settlement. So, feel free to book an appointment with us today by calling 855-475-2588 or filling out a contact form.
