Dangers of Delaying Care: Seek Care Sooner to Avoid Complications
"Delaying necessary care can cause irreparable harm," said Dr. Avi Goodman , a hand surgeon at EvergreenHealth. "It's a lot easier to come in and fix something right away with physical therapy or a steroid injection than it is to put it off and let it get bad enough you need surgery down the road."
Despite this, a recent study found that about one third of Americans delayed or skipped necessary healthcare in the past 12 months, including 75% of uninsured adults under age 65.
So what are Americans risking when they delay necessary care, and how is EvergreenHealth helping patients overcome barriers to get the care they need?
The Dangers of Delaying Care: Avoiding Orthopedic Surgery
When should you seek care for an orthopedic injury or condition? In this episode of Check-Up Chat with EvergreenHealth, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Avi Goodman explains why delaying care can lead to worse outcomes and discusses when to seek treatment for injuries, nerve problems and chronic pain.
The Dangers of Delaying Care: An EvergreenHealth Series
To answer these questions, EvergreenHealth is sharing a three-part blog-and-podcast series, "The Dangers of Delaying Care." The series features perspectives from EvergreenHealth providers and financial services experts to help you understand your care options and avoid delaying needed treatment.
Seeking Care Early Expands Your Treatment Options
"The sooner you come in, the better the chances you have for a full recovery," Dr. Goodman said. "If you come in with an acute injury right after it happens, we'll be able to address it better." He added that some conditions are especially time-sensitive, such as a cut nerve or tendon, a broken bone, an infection or an animal bite.
Even though he is a surgeon, making an appointment with Dr. Goodman doesn't always mean you're going to get surgery. "Most of my patients don't need surgery at all," he said. "A lot of times, physical therapy, steroid injections or other interventions can at least get you to a more comfortable place or even fix the problem."
"If you come in a month, two months or longer after symptoms start, you won't have those simpler options and your condition is going to be much harder to treat."
Dr. Goodman has a simple process when patients come into his office. He and his staff first evaluate if the problem is acute or ongoing. Then, they perform a physical evaluation and usually get several sets of x-ray images. Some patients require advanced imaging such as a CT scan or an MRI. He then presents the patient with a few options on how best to proceed, and he usually offers a recommendation based on his clinical expertise.
A Patient-Centered Approach
"But it all comes down to this," Dr. Goodman said. "The longer you wait to seek care after symptoms start, the fewer care options you'll have, your condition will be harder to treat, and your symptoms – pain, limited range of motion, nerve damage and more – could become permanent."
"We always try to meet patients where they are and give them an honest assessment of their options," Dr. Goodman said. "And part of that is understanding who the patient is and what their goals and other medical conditions are." The goal of this approach is to remove as many barriers to care as possible and offer treatment options that fit patients' busy lifestyles and schedules.
Most of the conditions and injuries Dr. Goodman treats are unforeseen, but EvergreenHealth's integrated care model makes it easy for patients to get care in a way that works for them. "Our physiatrists can do image-guided steroid injections to reduce pain or as a bridge to surgery, and our physical therapists can create an exercise plan to help your injury heal."
The emergency room is for emergencies. So what's the best way to keep your manageable, small injury or sore spot from becoming a big, permanent problem? Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or via telehealth for any new or persistent symptoms. Sure, that shoulder soreness or cat bite might be nothing, but for the times when it isn't, your body will thank you for seeking the care you needed, when you needed it.
To learn more from Dr. Goodman, you can listen to the full Check-Up Chat podcast episode or click to watch the vodcast .
You can also learn more about EvergreenHealth Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine by visiting our website.
