The human body consists of 206 bones and 360 joints. If even a single one of them isn’t functioning optimally, it can become a cause of pain and irritation.
When people face problems with their bones and joints, they visit an orthopaedic doctor – a doctor who specializes in the problems regarding bones and joints. However, in a lot of cases, people are not aware of the fact their problem is serious enough to visit an orthopedist.
They shove their joint pains and back pains under the rug after considering the symptoms of being tired and overworked. This only adds more to your existing problem, making your case even worse.
Therefore, it is important to look out for the indications that your body needs to be checked by an orthopedic specialist.
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1. Difficulty in doing everyday activities
It is not a problem if you are facing occasional joint pain and discomfort, it is a normal consequence of age and nothing to be alarmed about. However, if this pain reaches a point where you start facing difficulties in doing everyday activities because of this pain – activities that you used to do easily before – it is possible that you are developing bone or joint weakness, and that is something to be worried about.
If you are facing this issue, do not take it lightly. It is a major hint that you should visit an orthopedist before the situation gets worse.
A lot of older people believe that there is nothing they can do to stop their pain because of their age. Well, it is common in older people to face pain in joints and bones. However, it becomes a problem when it starts hindering your daily objectives, such as climbing a staircase or taking a walk.
2. Your movability is limited
Limited movability or “limited range of motion” means that your joints have developed stiffness and joint flexibility has reduced significantly, which makes it nearly impossible for you to move your certain body parts all the way. This might be a symptom of a condition called arthritis.
Orthopedists, who are experienced in treating such musculoskeletal issues, can treat this condition and bring the range of motion back to its original place gradually. However, to prevent any permanent joint disease, it is your responsibility to visit an orthopedist the second you start noticing the limitations in your range of motion.
3.Chronic pain
In many cases of pain and discomfort – where it is occasional or caused by an injury – orthopedists recommend a stay-at-home treatment called RICE, which translates to rest, ice, compression, and elevation. In minor orthopedic injuries, the RICE method is usually the way to resolve injuries and pain.
However, that’ not always the case, unfortunately. If the pain lasts more than 12 weeks consistently, or if becomes an on-and-off thing for at least 4 months, it means that it has turned into a chronic condition.
It is not that uncommon for musculoskeletal injuries to become a chronic condition. However, to prevent this from happening, it is crucial to trust the expert opinion of an orthopedist and follow their advice religiously.
If you don’t seek professional help even after suffering through months of chronic pain; there is no telling if and when your pain will be over.
4. Instability in body movement
Instability in body movements means feeling shaky during body movements, including the most basic functions like sitting down, standing up, or walking. If you feel wobbly or kind of unstable during such basic performances, it sure is a hint that there is something wrong with your joints.
Being unable to stand or sit for too long occasionally on account of injury or exhaustion is not problematic or alarming. However, if this has become a regular thing for you, don’t ignore it. Your best option is to consult an orthopedist as soon as possible to determine the source of your body instability and start treating you for it.
5.A musculoskeletal injury that keeps you awake at night
Musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most complicated kinds of injuries. Luckily, the expert in musculoskeletal issues, an orthopedic doctor, can solve them.
These injuries can include a problem in a muscle, ligament, or tendon. But how will you know you have a musculoskeletal injury? Well, if you heard a popping in your joint, after which there is a gradual pain, or if you are noticing unsteadiness in your muscles or a joint, it could mean that you have an injury of such a kind.
Another way to identify such an injury is pain that keeps you awake at night, along with the physical symptoms that you notice the next morning. These symptoms can include stiffness, soreness, redness, and temperature in the infected/injured area.
Before matters get worse, your best option is to get your injury diagnosed and treated by an orthopedist.
6. Your soft tissue injury hasn’t improved in 48 hours
Soft tissue injury is a kind of musculoskeletal problem that can be treated as an orthopaedic injury. Soft tissue injuries can occur to anyone, because of an accident, during sports, or in hazardous occupational environments. A twisted knee or ankle is an example of a soft tissue injury.
A soft tissue injury victim needs immediate medical and professional attention to begin the recovery process right away to heal on time. The RICE method is used by orthopedists to reduce inflammation and ease the pain. Usually, soft tissue injuries start improving within 48 hours – you feel the pain toning down, the inflammation-reducing, and muscles loosening it up.
However, in some cases, the improvement isn’t noticed even after the time period of 48 hours. That is where the case becomes problematic. At this point, you need to contact the orthopaedic doctor if you haven’t already been in touch with anyone.
This injury can turn into chronic pain if it isn’t treated with the right methods at the right time.
