Many patients go to the doctor's office for orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation for pain management caused by serious illness or injury. Some patients seek treatment for pain relief from chronic joint conditions. Surgery is the only option for pain relief for some people with musculoskeletal issues. Others benefit from comprehensive clinical evaluation by an orthopedic doctor to manage and reduce symptoms and improve movement and mobility.

Joint Injection Therapy

A treatment that involves injecting a steroid medication, such as corticosteroids, directly into a joint like a knee. Medication joint injections treat the inflammation inside the joint to decrease swelling and pain and can be a part of a treatment plan for people with the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Osteoarthritis

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and rehabilitation can help people regain lost or impaired body functions due to medical conditions or injury. Rehabilitation services include sports medicine and injury prevention. Rehabilitation aims to help patients get back, keep or improve abilities needed to perform daily activities. Patients who can benefit from physical therapy and rehabilitation include those with:

• Injuries and trauma, including burns, fractures, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries
• Stroke
• Severe infections
• Major surgery
• Side effects from medical treatments, such as cancer treatments
• Certain congenital disabilities and genetic disorders
• Developmental disabilities
• Chronic pain, including back and neck pain

Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that uses scientific research to optimize athletes' health and athletic performance. Its goal is to use exercise as a therapeutic modality in treating and preventing diseases and future injuries. A sports medicine team typically consists of emergency physicians, primary health care providers, orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, physiatrists and physical therapists. Allied health professionals in other medical specialties may also serve as valuable consultants.

Fracture Care

Management of fractures depends on the patient's overall condition and the extent of the injury. Medical interventions include both conservative and surgical techniques. Nonsurgical treatments include cast mobilization, functional cast or brace and traction to help reposition and align fractured bones. Surgical therapies include placing metal pins and plates or surgical screws to stabilize and hold the bones together for proper alignment.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, "arthro" (joint) and "skopein" (to look), which means "to look within the joint." In arthroscopic surgery, orthopedic surgeons make small incisions on a patient's skin to insert tiny instruments that contain a camera and lighting system. These surgical tools magnify and illuminate the structures inside a joint, which allows orthopedic surgeons to view and treat problems inside a joint.

Joint Replacement

Joint replacement is a surgical procedure to remove damaged or diseased joints and replace them with a metal, plastic or ceramic device designed to replicate the movement of a natural and healthy joint.

The most commonly replaced joints are those in the hips and knees, but other joints can also be replaced, including the shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows. This procedure may help reduce pain, improve walking and other movements.

Hand Surgery

Hand surgery is a medical specialty that deals with problems of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. Hand surgeons are trained medical professionals in the field of orthopedic, plastic or general surgery who diagnose and treat hand and upper extremity conditions, which include:

• Arthritis of the fingers, hand and wrist
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ganglion cysts on the hand and wrist
• Trigger finger
• Elbow arthritis and dislocations
• Tennis elbow