Home Treatment or Orthopedic Specialist? How to Know What's Right

Injuries or even out-of-the-blue joint pain can make you start to wonder if you should see a doctor or try to treat it with ice and over-the-counter painkillers.

While every person and injury is unique, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons highlights key signs that can help you determine whether it's time to reach for an ice pack or consult an orthopedic specialist.

Common Reasons to See An Orthopedic Specialist

1. Reduced Movement: Usually, you can tolerate a little stiffness in your joints and even mild pain. However, when your injury begins impacting your daily life, it's time to consult your doctor and find out what your treatment options are.
2. Persistent Pain, Numbness or Tingling: There are numerous reasons for aches and pains, including exercise, chores and even standing or sitting for an extended period of time. This type of pain should go away with rest, over-the-counter painkillers and other home remedies like a cooling and heating pad. If the pain does not subside, contact your doctor. Additionally, if you feel numbness or a tingling sensation in the impacted limb, you should consult your doctor as this often signals nerve damage.
3. Bone Fractures: Broken bones are an extremely common reason to seek orthopedic care. Oftentimes, sports injuries or falls can cause fractures or dislocations that require an orthopedic specialist to set the bone and ensure you heal properly. Sometimes, these injuries can impact other areas of your joints as well as your cartilage. If this is the case, you may require orthopedic surgery to repair your broken bone.
4. Muscle, Tendon & Ligament Tears: While muscle, tendon, and ligament tears are most commonly associated with exercise or sports activities, they can also occur during everyday movements, especially in the feet and ankles. If you experience a tear, you'll likely feel sharp pain with swelling and even bruising around the injury. If you experience a ligament tear, you may also hear a popping sound. Minor muscle or tendon tears may heal on their own with rest, but major tears as well as ligament tears require orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation.

When & How To Treat Injuries at Home

You've likely heard of using ice and heat to treat muscle soreness or an ache at home. There are also over-the-counter pain relief medicines that can help relieve discomfort. But how do you know when to ice or heat your muscles? And when should you treat injuries at home?

If your injury only causes minor pain, limited swelling and no open wounds, you can typically try to treat it at home. If any symptoms persist or worsen, you should contact your doctor.

• When & How To Ice: You should ice any acute, isolated injuries that cause swelling. You should limit direct ice-to-skin contact with a towel or cloth and be sure to limit application to no more than 20 minutes at a time.
• When & How To Heat: You should apply heat for muscle pain and stiffness. Your heat pack should be warm but not hot, and ensure you are not applying heat to swelling, bruises or open wounds.

If you require orthopedic surgery, your surgeon will be able to give you more information about your treatment options and details regarding your recovery. EvergreenHealth orthopedic surgeons are specialized in advanced, minimally-invasive procedures that will get you back to your daily activities and doing what you love as soon as possible.