If you experience pain in your bones, joints, or muscles that has lasted for more than a few days – or if the discomfort is severe enough to limit your daily activities – it’s time to see an orthopedist.
Orthopedists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues such as fractures, muscle strains, sprains, joint diseases like arthritis, sports injuries, and other conditions related to the body’s movement.
Below are just some of the musculoskeletal issues an orthopedist can help treat.
Back and Neck Pain
Back and neck pain are among the most common conditions seen by orthopedists, with approximately 80% of American adults experiencing this type of discomfort at some point in their lives. The causes of back and neck pain can range from muscle strain or sprain to more serious issues such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Shoulder and Elbow Pain
Examples of shoulder and elbow conditions that cause pain are tendinitis, bursitis, rotator cuff tears, dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder joint, and impingement syndrome. Shoulder and elbow injuries are common sports and occupational injuries. Some of the most common conditions treated by orthopedists are golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow, which are named after the sports that see a high number of these particular problems.
Hand and Wrist Pain
The most common hand and wrist pain conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, arthritis, and trigger fingers. Most of these conditions – with the exception of arthritis, which is often a wear-and-tear disease – are overuse injuries, which develop due to repetitive movements for a long period of time. Overuse injuries can develop in anyone, including those who have a desk or typing jobs, as well as those who enjoy hobbies such as painting, drawing, writing, or knitting.
Hip and Knee Pain
Hip and knee pain are common conditions that can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from overuse injuries and traumatic injuries to age-related degenerative joint diseases. Since both are load-bearing joints, the hip, and knee are prone to developing arthritis. They are two of the most commonly replaced joints by orthopedists.
Foot and Ankle Pain
The most common foot and ankle pain conditions are ankle sprains, fractures, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, heel spurs, and metatarsalgia. In addition, orthopedists can also treat foot deformities that are caused by environmental factors, such as bunions, hammertoe, claw toe, and mallet toe.
Orthopedist in Baltimore, MD
If you are looking for comprehensive treatment for your orthopedic issue, choose the orthopedists at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland (OACM). We provide all the services you need, from diagnostics to rehabilitation, and treat the full range of musculoskeletal conditions that affect every part of the body. We also offer after-hours care in our Catonsville and Columbia locations. For decades, we have served the needs of patients in Baltimore and the surrounding areas and are proud of the quality care we deliver.
To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic doctors, use our online request form or call (410) 644-1880. Our friendly staff looks forward to your call!