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5 Signs You Should Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

woman in a magenta sweaters sits on a white couch, grimacing in pain as she grasps her back

And How to Find an Orthopedic Doctor Near You in Wichita

When it comes to dealing with injuries and pain management, enduring it for even a little while seems like too much. Something as small as a sprain or a rolled ankle can drastically affect your quality of life and ability to do simple, everyday things. It’s hard to gauge if pain will be chronic, or if it will resolve itself on its own through rest and recovery.

Naturally, this begs the question, “When is the right time to consult an orthopedic doctor or orthopedic specialist?”

What we can tell you from our years of working in orthopedics is that it’s always better to play it safe. In most cases, the sooner that you seek medical attention, the sooner you can get on a road to recovery.

Keeping that in mind, here are five signs that will tell you it’s time to consult your local orthopedic doctor in Wichita.

#1 – You Are in Constant Pain

One surefire way to know that it’s time to see an orthopedic doctor is if you are in constant pain. If the pain has not relented after several hours of rest and using at-home pain management techniques, then you should make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor so that we can examine you as soon as possible.

#2 – Your Range of Motion Has Noticeably Decreased

Decreased range of motion is a huge indicator that something is wrong with one of your joints, and that you may require advanced orthopedic treatment. Common causes of decreased range of motion include dislocation or a fracture in a joint. Even certain sprains and strains can affect joint mobility.

Whatever the case may be, make a point to see an orthopedic doctor so that you can get checked out.

#3 – You Incurred an Injury While Engaging in Physical Activity

Sore and tired muscles are completely normal when engaging in physical activity and exercise. However, joint pain that comes on suddenly is not normal, especially if you can’t “walk it off,” and the pain is unbearable. That usually means something tore or fractured in the joint.

Make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible so we can get to the root cause of the issue.

#4 – You’ve Incurred a Soft Tissue Injury That is Not Improving

A soft tissue injury is when muscles, ligaments, or tendons experience some degree of blunt force trauma. This trauma can be incurred through competitive sports or through something like a fall, car accident, or day-to-day tasks.

Typically, the point of injury will swell, bruise, and be in immense pain. If you were the recent recipient of blunt force trauma, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. They can help discover the extent of your injury as well as help you with pain management. In some cases, arthroscopic surgery followed by physical therapy is required.

#5 – You Feel Unstable When Walking or Standing

If you feel wobbly or shaky when standing or walking, that is a huge indicator that something is wrong with your joints. Unfortunately, unstable joints can be caused by myriad factors, so it’s always best to get checked out by an orthopedic doctor. Diagnostics like x-rays or an MRI will help you get to the bottom of the issue.

 

Ready to See an Orthopedic Doctor? Contact the Experts at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita

Unfortunately, millions of people suffer with chronic joint pain and musculoskeletal issues every year. These issues drastically decrease quality of life and can inhibit basic functions such as walking or standing. The experts at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita are here to tell you that you don’t have to suffer through it.

Whether you’re looking for hand pain relief, hip pain treatment, or other advanced orthopedic services, you can contact our professional team of orthopedic doctors to schedule your first appointment. After getting a detailed medical history, we’ll thoroughly examine the area in question and to find out what’s causing your pain or discomfort.

In the event that you have a condition that requires surgery, our team of some of the best orthopedic surgeons work right here, in-house. We specialize in arthroscopic surgery as well as more aggressive forms of orthopedic surgery.

Set up an appointment with the experienced team at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita. You can email us directly using the contact form on our website, or call us at (316) 630-9300.