Orthopedic Surgeon Checking a Man's Knee

What Telltale Signs Say I Need to See an Orthopedic Doctor Right Away?

In a recent survey, it was revealed that one in thirty adults suffers from joint pain.

It’s not uncommon for people to ignore or underestimate the symptoms of an orthopedic injury. 

The problem is that if you don’t see an orthopedic doctor when these symptoms arise, you could face serious injuries or chronic pain down the road.

Read on for 5 signs that you need to see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible.

1. Instability

Is it difficult to sit down and to stand back up again? Are stairs becoming more of a challenge? Does it feel like you lose your balance more often than before? 

If you feel like you are experiencing instability, there is likely something wrong with your joints. Continuing to walk, sit, and climb without treatment will add pressure to those already-injured areas and make the discomfort worse. 

2. Swelling or Tender Joints

If your joints are swelling, it could be a fluid buildup or it could be a sign that you’ve strained the ligaments of the swollen joint. This swelling is a signal that your body is attempting to heal the area but the added pain or tenderness indicates that your body can’t handle it alone. 

Either way, you will need a medical professional to investigate the swelling to determine the cause and proper treatment. Click on “orthopedic doctor near me” to get the help you need. 

3. Lessening Range of Motion

Maybe yoga is getting a little harder, turning your head causes neck pain, or reaching back to zip your dress is becoming impossible. There are tons of little ways that we might notice that our range of motion is lessening and it’s not a pleasant feeling! However, with the right orthopedic doctor and treatment plan, you can treat your injured joints and get back on track with ease. 

4. Weakened Muscles

After a bad sprain or an improperly healed break, you may experience weakness in the affected joint. You can also experience weakness after a contusion, which occurs when your muscle makes contact with a hard object to the point of deep-tissue bruising. 

The biggest objective, in this case, is to ensure that everything heals properly. You could worsen the condition or use most of the use in that particular joint if you continue to lift with or stand on it unaware of the underlying injury. 

5. Continued Pain from a Small Injury

In theory, a soft tissue injury (like a light bruising or even a minor twisting) should heal within 48 hours or so. You may need to rest it or put it on some ice, but otherwise, it should take care of itself. 

If what seemed to be a minor injury doesn’t heal within two days, it probably wasn’t so minor, after all. You may have experienced deep tissue damage or even a hairline fracture.

Visit Your Orthopedic Doctor

If you have been in an accident or received an injury to your joints, visit your orthopedic doctor. Otherwise, what originally felt like no big deal could cause lifelong pain!

For more tips and tricks, bookmark this page and check back in often!

Anything to Add? Leave a Comment!