At the age of 16, I started exercising regularly. This decision drastically changed my life for the better. I lost an enormous amount of weight and went down three dress sizes. Unfortunately, I had to undergo orthopedic surgery 8 years ago to remove torn cartilage from my left knee. After my surgery, I was afraid to work out due to the continual swelling in my knee. Thankfully, I made an appointment with my orthopedic doctor to talk about this issue. This medical professional prescribed a comfortable and protective knee brace for me to wear while exercising. On this blog, I hope you will discover how an orthopedic doctor can help you exercise again.
An orthopedic doctor is a physician who has received advanced training in treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system. As a specialist, an orthopedic doctor can treat more complicated conditions than a primary care physician. While you should turn to your primary care physician for many reasons, there are situations where you need the advanced treatment that an orthopedic doctor can provide. Some reasons to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor include:
Difficulty Walking or Standing
Being able to walk and stand without any instability is essential to complete normal day to day tasks. If you begin to notice that you are having increased difficulty walking or standing, it is in your best interest to see an orthopedic doctor. In many cases, difficulty walking or standing is due to problems with one or both hip joints. The issue can also stem from the fact that something is wrong with your knee joints. An orthopedic doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to seek medical care when you have difficulty walking or standing to prevent falls that can cause serious injuries.
Acute Injuries
When exercising, running, or playing sports there is a risk of injury. Sprained ankles, knee injuries, and shoulder issues are all possible. If you experience an injury while partaking in physical activities, make sure that you rest, elevate the injured part of your body, and use ice. If your condition has not improved in a day or two, you should plan on seeing an orthopedic doctor. Failure to have acute injuries treated promptly can result in complications and incomplete recovery. For example, if you tear the ACL in your knee, it will not heal on its own. You will need to see an orthopedic surgeon to get a diagnosis and schedule surgery.
Limited Range of Motion
It can be frustrating when it is hard to get out of bed in the morning or use your arms for everyday tasks due to stiffness and pain. While a little bit of joint stiffness is not uncommon as a person ages, severe stiffness and pain that impedes a joint's range of motion is cause for concern. Several things can reduce the range of motion in a joint, including arthritis. An orthopedic doctor will be able to help you feel more comfortable and get your range of motion back through treatment and medication.
Share10 July 2020
