Common Orthopedic Injuries: Should You See an Orthopedist?

Are you experiencing a nagging pain on your muscles or joints? If so, what are you doing to relieve yourself of the discomfort? Have you sought professional medical attention? If you haven’t yet, you should be. Chances are, you may have sustained an injury that affects your bones, joints, and connective tissues.

Orthopedic injuries can happen anytime and to anyone, but they are more common in athletes and athletically-inclined individuals.

Apart from sports-related accidents, stress fracture is one of the leading issues that many athletes have to deal with, mostly in the lower extremity. This is often a result of overuse and constant high-impact/weight-bearing activities. That being said, it’s recommended to visit an orthopedist as soon as you observe any signs of stress fracture.

Self-treating an orthopedic injury is highly discouraged as it could only make matters worse or may even lead to permanent injury. When it comes to bone and muscle issues, always seek the help of an orthopedic professional for the best possible result and rate of recovery.

Orthopedic doctors and specialists focus on caring for your bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues — or what is collectively known as the musculoskeletal system. These professionals specialize in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and orthopedic injuries involving the following parts of the body:

• Hand
• Wrist
• Foot
• Ankle
• Knee
• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Neck
• Back
• Hips

Muscle pains are normal and usually go away on its own after a while. However, if you find yourself dealing with long-term muscle/joint pain especially after an injury, it’s in your best interest to seek the advice and expertise of an orthopedic doctor.

For those who are injured at work or as a weekend warrior, telemedicine treatment for orthopedic injuries may also be an option to obtain immediate triage and relief before visiting an immediate care facility.

Orthopedic professionals can diagnose your pain, and apply appropriate treatments and rehabilitation plans, so you can get to moving like normal ASAP!

The common orthopedic-related injuries listed in the infographic below would likely require the attention of an orthopedist.

About Dr. Kaelin

Dr. Charles R. Kaelin received his medical degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and completed his orthopaedic training at Orlando Regional Center in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Kaelin also received training in Sports Medicine at Alabama Sports Medicine with Dr. Lemak, specializing in sports medicine and workman’s compensation injuries. He has been a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) since 1990. He is a charter member of the International Cartilage Research Society, Founding member of the AAOS Education Enhancement Fund (AAOS) and past editorial board member for the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal.