Breaking Down the Pain Management and Pain Relief Methods Your Doctor Uses
Pain management is truly one of the toughest parts of dealing with an injury. On the one hand, you want the pain to go away as quickly as possible. On the other hand, you don’t want to overdo it by taking prescription pain medications that may not allow you to function. It’s a very delicate balance that orthopedic doctors must always be mindful of.
From the perspective of an orthopedic doctor, we want our patients to have as much quality of life and ability to function as possible. When it comes to something like hip pain treatment or trying to find hand pain relief, every injury must be treated as the unique condition that it is. No two people experience the same medical condition the same way.
Since patients have different pain thresholds, that means we as orthopedic doctors must tailor our pain management techniques to suit the individual. That usually means there is some trial and error involved.
To shed some additional light on that, here are the three tiers of treatment orthopedic doctors use to help relieve pain due to a musculoskeletal injury. Keep in mind, the severity of your condition will determine how soon your orthopedic doctor uses more advanced orthopedic methods of treatment.
Activity Modification and At-Home Methods
For mild injuries or conditions, your orthopedic doctor may recommend activity modification in conjunction with at-home treatment methods such as extended rest, ice and/or heat therapy, compression devices or braces, and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Advil.
What’s important to remember about pain management is that your orthopedic doctor will only resort to more aggressive forms of treatment if you need it. In some cases, activity modification and at-home methods are all the body needs to recover. In other cases, advanced orthopedics need to be utilized.
Prescription Pain Medications, Physical Therapy, and Advanced Orthopedics
For those with more severe orthopedic injuries or conditions, your orthopedic doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications if they find that over-the-counter medications aren’t effective in reducing your symptoms. However, it’s important to remember that prescription medications are a short-term solution not intended to be used extensively. Only in cases of intense pain or after a recent surgery are pain meds usually prescribed.
Another way of regulating pain and reclaiming full joint mobility is through physical therapy. Using a regiment of prescribed motion therapy, patients will often find that the pain in their joints significantly decreases as they complete more sessions. Physical therapy can be used to help with hip pain treatment, post-surgical pain management, and other musculoskeletal issues.
In cases of nerve damage, your orthopedic doctor may suggest cortisone injections that are intended to block the nerve and offer pain relief. Additionally, these injections are used to relieve inflammation in the joint.
Arthroscopic Surgery and Other Forms
If all prior methods of treatment failed regarding pain management, then it is highly likely that you’re a candidate for either arthroscopic surgery or a more aggressive form of surgery.
Arthroscopic surgery utilizes a small pinhole camera that is inserted through a small incision at the joint. Tiny tools are used by your orthopedic surgeon to perform the surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is the preferred form of surgery because it is minimally invasive, meaning that the recovery time is short, and patients generally experience less pain afterwards.
However, should your orthopedic surgeon determine that you need a more aggressive form of surgery, rest assured that they will provide you with the medication and recovery plan that you need to regain your quality of life as quickly as possible. This variety of surgery is rare, but sometimes it is the best and only way to ensure your pain symptoms are permanently dealt with and your full mobility is reclaimed.
Contact An Orthopedic Doctor About Pain Management Today at Mid-America Orthopedics
If you have been searching for an orthopedic doctor near you that specializes in arthroscopic surgery, pain management, and advanced orthopedics, Mid-America Orthopedics has one of the most experienced teams of professionals under one roof. Our sports medicine doctors and athletic trainers work with recreational, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Our orthopedic doctors and surgeons treat patients for a variety of orthopedic issues.
If you are suffering with an injury or musculoskeletal condition, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Make an appointment with the professionals at Mid-America Orthopedics today by calling (316) 630-9300 or by emailing us directly using the contact form on our website.