The most common orthopedic injuries, such as sprains and strains and simple fractures, can be treated without surgical intervention. Even arthritis, which is the most common cause of orthopedic pain, can be treated using non-surgical treatment methods.
With non-surgical orthopedic treatments, there are fewer risks involved, and orthopedic injuries usually respond very well to these conservative methods. Surgery is typically recommended as the last option when no non-surgical treatment methods has worked. Orthopedic doctors usually delay surgery for as long as possible.
Here are a few common non-surgical orthopedic treatments that can help treat your orthopedic injury or condition.
Medication
When you sustain an orthopedic injury or condition, your doctor will usually prescribe anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants to bring you relief. Before an orthopedic doctor prescribes prescription pain medication, they will first recommend over-the-counter medication for relief. When they do not work, you will be prescribed stronger medication.
Orthotics
For foot and ankle injuries, your doctor will examine your foot and make sure you are getting the support you need when walking. Orthotics include the braces, splints, and customized insoles for your specific foot and injury. These footwear tools can help bring you relief from orthopedic pain in your lower extremities.
Physical Therapy
Every treatment plan for orthopedic injuries will like include physical therapy. Therapy usually includes strengthening and range of motion exercises. Depending on your needs, manipulation may also be employed by your physical therapist to relieve pain and accelerate injury healing. Physical therapy offers long-term relief for all types of orthopedic pain symptoms.
Steroid Injections
For joint pain alleviation, doctors usually recommend steroid injections as well as anesthetics delivered to relieve inflammation that is causing symptoms. The effects can last a few months. Rarely a standalone treatment, it is often combined with physical therapy and prescribed to those with symptoms that cannot be alleviated with oral pain relievers.
Nerve Blocks
A nerve block is a delivery of a numbing anesthetic to an area around the nerves that are sending pain signals to the brain. Your doctor will first locate the nerve or nerves responsible for the pain signals with the help of image-guided technology and then administer the nerve block to that location.
Viscosupplementation
Commonly used to provide osteoarthritis relief to patients, viscosupplementation is the delivery of hyaluronic acid into painful joints. Osteoarthritis is usually marked by low levels of synovial fluid in the joints, which causes painful symptoms. Hyaluronic acid serves as a lubricant to bring much-needed relief from arthritis pain.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
With ESWT, shockwaves are delivered to affected soft tissues in order to stimulate healing and bring relief from pain. Low-dose sound waves are applied to the affected area. This type of treatment is usually recommended for patients with tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Treatments in Austin, Texas
At the All-Star Orthopedics of Austin, our orthopedic doctors can help delay the need for surgery for your condition by bringing you much needed relief. We specialize in the delivery of non-surgical orthopedic treatments to patients with various orthopedic injuries and conditions.
Our physical rehabilitation program is highly individualized according to your needs. But first, we need you to come in for a comprehensive evaluation that includes diagnostic imaging.
To schedule a consultation with our friendly orthopedic team, call All-Star Orthopedics of Austin at (512) 346-4933 or request an appointment now.
