An orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and treats conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Joint pain can limit your daily activities, and it will sometimes have more than one cause. Since your provider will review your symptoms, they may recommend a treatment plan that fits your condition. Common concerns include knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, and low back pain.
Evaluation of Joint Symptoms
Treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis, and your orthopedic surgeon will guide you through each step so you know what to expect.
Describing Your Symptoms and History
Your provider will ask about your symptoms, and they will review your medical history. He may ask when the pain started and which activities make it worse. These details help identify the source of your pain. Your provider will also ask about your daily routine. Certain movements or habits will contribute to joint stress, and understanding your activity level helps guide treatment. He can ask if your pain is constant or comes and goes. He will also ask if rest relieves your symptoms or if pain persists at night. Describing your pain clearly gives your provider useful information while setting a baseline.
Imaging and a Physical Exam
A physical exam follows the conversation. Your provider may test your range of motion, and they will check the strength of nearby muscles. If the cause remains unclear, they might order X-rays or request an MRI. Imaging can show the condition of bone, cartilage, and soft tissue. Low back pain requires careful evaluation, since it can come from the spine or hip joint. Your provider will check how the pain travels, and they will test whether hip movement changes your symptoms.
Treatment Without Surgery
Your provider might start with conservative care. The treatment plan depends on the severity of your symptoms and the cause of your pain. He will recommend anti-inflammatory medication, or he will suggest physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility. Physical therapy can address hip pain, and it will address low back pain when weak muscles contribute. Rest and activity changes may also reduce shoulder pain. Physical therapy is often a first step before other treatments. A therapist will guide you through exercises for muscles around the affected joint. These exercises can reduce pressure on cartilage and bone. Your provider recommends a set number of sessions, and he will track your progress over time. If therapy improves your symptoms, he can continue it before discussing other options.
Surgery for Joint Damage
Surgery becomes an option when conservative care does not relieve your symptoms. Your provider will review your imaging results, and they will explain the expected recovery time. He will also confirm that surgery is the right next step for your condition. Common surgical options include:
- Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive procedure uses a small camera and small instruments. A surgeon may use it for shoulder pain or for knee pain that involves torn cartilage.
- Joint replacement: The surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage and replaces them with metal or plastic parts. Shoulder replacement follows a similar process.
Schedule an Orthopedic Surgeon Evaluation
An orthopedic surgeon manages joint health from diagnosis through recovery. Your treatment may involve physical therapy, or it will involve hyaluronic acid injections or surgery. If joint pain limits your activities, schedule an evaluation and bring a list of your symptoms. Include your current medications and past injuries on the list. Your provider will use this information to plan your care.
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