Over time, our bodies age, leaving us more susceptible to pain and stiffness. But, when pain affecting your joints, bones, muscles, or soft tissues starts to affect your day-to-day, it’s time to seek professional care.
Read on to learn more about when you should see an orthopaedic specialist to improve and protect your ongoing health.
What is an Orthopaedic Specialist?
An orthopaedic specialist is a medical professional specializing in injuries and conditions impacting the musculoskeletal system, which encompasses the joints, bones, muscles, and soft tissues.
Orthopaedic specialists often perform surgery to address musculoskeletal conditions, like joint replacement procedures. However, their offerings aren’t confined to surgery. Dr. Higgins is an orthopaedic specialist in Spring Hill who offers numerous minimally-and non-invasive therapies to address pain and enhance your range of motion, such as osteopathic manipulation and lifestyle changes. He may recommend these therapies alone or in conjunction with surgery to address your particular needs.
Signs You Should See an Orthopaedic Specialist
It may be time to see an orthopaedic specialist if:
- You’re struggling with chronic joint, back, or neck pain.
Chronic pain can diminish your quality of life and contribute to far-reaching health problems. An orthopaedic specialist has the expertise to diagnose the problem causing your pain, then implement a well-rounded treatment plan to address it.
- You have a soft tissue injury that hasn’t healed after several days of at-home care.
Sometimes, soft tissue injuries require professional care to fully heal. When at-home remedies fail, your orthopaedic specialist can implement treatments to reduce inflammation and encourage tissue repair.
- Your range of motion is noticeably decreasing.
Your orthopaedic specialist can identify the cause of your decline and implement a range of treatments to improve your mobility.
- You feel unstable while standing, walking, or sitting down.
Orthopaedic specialists can help you regain strength and stability while treating the underlying cause of the issue.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs listed above, contact us today to book an appointment!