When you have a condition or injury that affects your bones, ligaments, tendons, or muscles, your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist to guarantee you receive the best possible care you need. This is where orthopedists, or orthopedic surgeons, come in. Since these kinds of providers specialize in the treatment of the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, they are highly trained to provide proper diagnoses and successful treatment plans.
What Do Orthopedic Surgeons Do?
Orthopedic surgeons focus on the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Many orthopedic doctors can provide general care, but some have received further training in specific areas of the body. Some areas of specialty include:
- Hands
- Hips and knees
- Spine
- Shoulder and elbow
- Foot and ankle
They use both surgical and nonsurgical methods to treat a wide range of conditions that include:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Fractures
- Orthopedic trauma
- Sports injuries
- Back pain
- Hand injuries
- Carpal tunnel
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Achilles tendon injury
- Hip dysplasia
- Bowlegs
- Club foot
- Bone tumors
Dr. Hoffman treats a wide array of injuries and illnesses but specializes in direct anterior hip replacement, rapid recovery hip and knee replacement, complex hip and knee revision surgery, and trauma.
Signs You Should See an Orthopedic Surgeon
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to see an orthopedic surgeon:
- You are dealing with chronic pain. If you experience continuous pain that lasts weeks or months, you should see a doctor.
- Your range of motion is limited. If pain and stiffness are keeping you from moving freely or completing everyday activities, you should see an orthopedic surgeon. Limited motion is often a result of an injury, arthritis, or other joint diseases. Seeing a doctor early on can keep the symptoms from getting worse.
- A soft tissue injury has not improved in 48 hours. Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and twists. Often, these injuries can be treated with the R.I.C.E. method. If this method does not help with swelling or pain, seek medical attention. If there is an injury to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones, an orthopedic surgeon can diagnose and treat the problem.
- You are experiencing difficulty walking or standing.
- You can hear or feel a clicking, grinding, or popping noise coming from a joint. This is often a result of an injured ligament and should be looked at.
- You experience a fracture. Some broken bones can be mended by wearing a cast or splint to immobilize the area, but other fractures are more complex. Fractures in the hip, vertebrae, wrists, and kneecaps require an intensive treatment plan.
Dr. Hoffman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who takes great satisfaction in providing the best orthopedic care possible. He provides care for a wide range of conditions, including fracture care, joint replacement, orthopedic trauma, and many others. To schedule an appointment with him, give us a call at 435-787-2000.
