Your ankles, knees, elbows and hips. These are the body parts that work very hard to keep up with your active lifestyle. Without them, forget about running, playing golf, dancing or simply… walking! Being able to get up in the morning and go to work? Walk your dog? Drive? Thank your joints for that. When was the last time you stopped to think about how you can keep them in good condition? After all, it really is… all about those joints!
Sadly, we usually don’t realize how much we rely on our joints until they start causing us trouble. It’s when we begin experiencing pain that we appreciate how healthy joints play a huge role in the way we live and enjoy life on a daily basis. Having joint problems can keep you from doing even simple activities comfortably. This is why joint disorders are among the most common reasons why people visit a doctor.
In this post, your orthopedic specialists share what you should know about your joints and joint pain, and what you should do about it.
Active lifestyle? Take care of your joints!
When you lead an active lifestyle and don’t take extra care of your hips, elbows, knees or ankles, you might be prone to different kinds of joint-related health conditions, such as:
Osteoarthritis.
The most common type of arthritis, this is referred to as a “wear and tear” disease of the joints.
Bursitis.
This occurs when the sacs of fluid that cushion your joints are inflamed.
Gout.
This is another form of arthritis that occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body.
Sprains.
These occur when a ligament attaching two joints together is injured due to awkward and sudden twisting.
Experiencing joint pain from different conditions is quite common especially as people age. Joint pain is typically accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and reduction of loss of range of motion.
What you should do about joint pain
Joint pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating. It may resolve itself after resting, but it may also last for months. Depending on its severity, joint pain can be treated with a combination of these treatment options:
1. Medication
Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin for moderate to severe joint pain and swelling. For more severe pain, stronger opioid drugs may be needed.
2. Injections
Steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and prolotherapy may be recommended if the joint pain doesn’t improve with medication alone.
3. Physical Therapy
Your orthopedic doctor may also advise working with a physical therapist with the goal of strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint, stabilizing the joint, and improving your range of motion.
4. Home Care
Some home care measures are recommended to promote faster healing of an affected joint. Your doctor may advise the PRICE method:
- Protect the joint using a wrap or brace so that it stays in place.
- Rest the joint by avoiding activities that may hurt or strain the joint even further.
- Ice the joint for about 15 minutes several times every day until it is fully healed.
- Compress the joint. This can be done using an elastic wrap.
- Elevate the joint above heart level as much as possible.
5. Surgery
Surgery is the last course of treatment for severe joint problems. Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend partial or total joint replacement wherein the diseased part of the joint is replaced by an artificial joint or part made of plastic or metal.
At Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, our orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton often deal with joint-related problems – problems that could often be easily avoided by taking more care about the joints – healthy diet (limit sugar!), reasonable exercising (know your limits!) and regular checks at an orthopedic center, such as Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, where we provide comprehensive evaluation and testing procedures on a regular basis.
Learn More About our Orthopedic Surgeons in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton
And even if – despite your best intentions – you start to feel any pain in your joints, do not hesitate to consult one of orthopedic doctors at Orthopaedic Surgery Associates. We provide a wide range of joint-related services, such as:
- Total knee, hip and shoulder Joint Replacement
- Arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle
- Surgical reconstruction of torn knee ligaments
- Surgical repair of torn knee cartilage
- Surgery of the hand and wrist
- Pain management
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
For your convenience, you can visit either of our locations:
For a full list of services provided at our orthopedic center including sports medicine in Boca Raton, contact us today!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
