Orthopedic doctors are widely known as those who diagnose and treat injuries of the bones and joints, such as sprains and breaks. Indeed, this is a big part of their job. But what you may not know is that orthopedic doctors do a lot more than diagnose and treat acute injuries. Here are some other signs you may want to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor.
Tingling in your extremities.
Tingling in your hands or feet could be due to a neurological condition, in which case, you would need to see a neurologist. However, this symptom can also be the result of inflammation in your joints. The inflamed tissue may place pressure on a nerve, leading to the tingling sensation. If the tingling mostly occurs after you've been sleeping in a certain position or doing a certain activity, then there's a good chance it has orthopedic origins. An orthopedic doctor can identify the exact cause and prescribe treatments, which could range from NSAIDs to surgery. If they think you're better off seeing a neurologist, they'll tell you that, too.
Sore joints.
Maybe your joints are sore when you get up in the morning, but the soreness goes away throughout the day. Or perhaps your joints get sore at the end of the day but feel better once you've rested. Occasional joint soreness after hard exercise is nothing unusual, but if any sort of joint soreness becomes a recurring issue, you need to see an orthopedic doctor. You may have arthritis, gout, or an underlying injury contributing to the soreness. An orthopedic doctor can make sure you get the treatment you need to be comfortable again.
Reduced range of motion.
Do you feel like you can't bend your joints as far as you used to? Maybe you feel unstable if you bend down too far, or perhaps you feel like your wrist will break or snap if you put too much pressure on it. In either case, this reduced range of motion means something is up with one or more of your joints. You could have a sprained ligament, arthritis, a degenerative condition, or any number of other problems that your orthopedic doctor should address before you suffer an actual injury.
Orthopedic doctors do more than simply treat joint injuries. If you are dealing with any of the problems above, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist so you can get to the bottom of it.
For more information on orthopedic treatment, contact a doctor near you.