Injuries are bound to happen at some point in your life, whether it’s due to sports, a fall, or a vehicle accident. When an injury involves your muscles, bones, or tendons, an orthopedic specialist might be your best bet at a full recovery. But how do you know when you need expert treatment and when you can just rest at home?
At the University of Toledo Physicians, our team can help you deal with whatever orthopedic injury has affected your body. Our team is led by Dr. Nabil Ebraheim, our orthopedic surgeon. When you’re injured, Dr. Ebraheim gets you the treatment your body needs for a full recovery.
While you never want to get injured, sometimes it can’t be prevented. Orthopedic injuries are specific to your musculoskeletal system. This system includes:
When one of these areas is hurt, it can seriously impact your daily life. Common orthopedic injuries include:
Orthopedic injuries are either acute or chronic — meaning they happen suddenly or over time due to overuse or wear-and-tear, or they were acute but never healed properly and now produce chronic symptoms. Acute and overuse injuries might not heal on their own without the proper treatment.
The symptoms you experience after you’ve suffered an orthopedic injury vary, depending on the severity of the injury and what part of your musculoskeletal system is injured.
For example, if you break a bone, you may have excruciating pain, along with other symptoms such as:
Bruising and swelling are common among many different types of orthopedic injuries. Swelling is basically inflammation, which is your body’s response to illness or injury. It helps to protect the area while your body begins to heal itself.
While pain is another common symptom of orthopedic injuries, it’s not always present, especially in milder cases. Instability in your joint or inability to move or walk normally may be one of the first signs of a problem.
Some orthopedic injuries don’t require immediate treatment, unless they don’t seem to be getting better. However, there are some signs that warrant seeking immediate care, and knowing what they are could save you a lot of pain.
Sometimes, an orthopedic injury is mild enough that you can treat it yourself. In the case of these types of injuries, like mild sprains or strains, you can take a few days to rest, along with other home treatments like:
But in some cases, these home treatments just aren’t enough. How do you know, though, what type of orthopedic injury warrants professional medical care? If you notice any of these signs or symptoms after you get hurt, it’s imperative you get treatment as soon as possible:
If you suffer a fracture or dislocation, immediate emergency care is needed to make sure you don’t do more damage to the surrounding tissues. The same goes for ACL injuries or rotator cuff tears. If they’re severe and you let them go, you could do more damage to the surrounding joint. This means a longer recovery and possibly permanent damage.
If you’ve suffered an injury and need expert orthopedic care, don’t hesitate to call our office at 419-383-3761, or book a consultation online today. You can also learn more about orthopedic injuries on our YouTube channel.
