People tend to put their bodies through a lot until they experience discomfort and pain from different musculoskeletal issues. Even though our bodies can hold up to wear and tear, there are still a lot of ways you can get hurt. This is why some of the most common reasons why people seek medical attention are orthopedic injuries.
Orthopedic injuries go beyond broken bones or cramped muscles. In today’s blog, we share with you the most common causes of orthopedic injuries and how they are treated.
The 10 Most Common Orthopedic Injuries
1. Wrist Fracture
A wrist fracture can easily occur when you land on your hand trying to break a fall. It also occurs when your wrist is subjected to sudden, hard impact. Your wrist consists of small bones that can easily break.
Wrist fractures are often treated with the use of a cast to keep the hand in place until the fracture heals. However, there are cases where orthopedic surgery is needed to align and repair the broken bones.
2. Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation does not occur as often as wrist fractures do. However, you can suffer from shoulder dislocation due to accidents and contact injuries, which you may get from playing sports. Furthermore, when a shoulder dislocates, it’s possible for another dislocation to happen.
Shoulder dislocation can be extremely painful and it won’t be resolved until the shoulder is placed back into its socket. In worse cases, a surgery may be required to fix the dislocation. A splint or sling is also used to keep the shoulder in position until it completely heals.
3. Ankle Sprains
A sprain occurs when the ligament connecting two bones gets partially or fully torn. Ankle sprains are very common. In fact, ankle sprain cases are estimated to constitute up to 30% of injuries treated in sports medicine and primary care clinics. On average, over 23,000 people in the US require medical attention for ankle sprain daily. As such, at least 1 in 10,000 people sprain their ankle in a day.
Typically, the RICE method—which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation—is enough to fix torn ligaments. However, there are cases where additional treatment may be required.
4. Stress Fractures
Although these rarely get diagnosed because they do not cause severe and acute pain, stress fractures are actually quite common. Stress fractures are thin and tiny bone cracks that often result from too much muscle stress and wear. These commonly occur in the ankle and feet.
In general, stress fractures may heal with enough rest. After all, the pain will force one not to use or overuse the affected area even further. However, sometimes, surgery and other orthopedic intervention may also be required to fix the tiny fractures.
5. ACL Tear
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally through the middle of the knee. It serves as the knee’s main ligament. It can be torn due to awkward, abrupt turns, which are common when you play sports or participate in other activities that require such abrupt movements. Some of the signs that you may have a torn ACL are pain and instability when standing.
Rest and physical therapy are often enough to treat mild to moderate cases of ACL tear, but more severe tears generally require orthopedic surgery.
6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the ligaments and tendons in the hand get inflamed due to overuse and repetitive movements, causing them to pinch the median nerve in the hands that result in numbness, tingling and pain. People who frequently type and use their hands a lot are prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes the use of braces and therapy. However, an orthopedic surgeon may also recommend carpal tunnel release, a surgery wherein the doctor cuts through the inflamed ligament pressing down on the carpal tunnel. As a result, the median nerve has more room.
7. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—the long, thin ligament attached to the heel and toes lying directly beneath the skin at the bottom of the foot—gets stressed. This results in severe swelling and pain.
Corrective surgery may be required to fix the problem especially if the pain won’t subside after resting and using better shoes.
8. Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff allows the shoulder to move in circular motions. When the rotator cuff is stressed due to overuse or trauma, it can tear and cause restricted movement and severe pain.
Depending on the severity of the tear, it can heal with the help of sufficient rest and the use of a brace. However, if the tear is severe, surgery may be required.
9. Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a cartilage that serves as a shock absorber for the knee. It lies between the shin bone and the thigh bone, allowing you to move your leg easily. You can suffer from a meniscus tear if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.
Rest and physical therapy are the first treatment options when the tear is not very severe. Otherwise, surgery may be needed to remedy the tear.
10. Hip Fracture
A hip fracture is a serious orthopedic injury. It is associated with complications that may be life-threatening. Older people, particularly those suffering from osteoporosis that causes bone tissue thinning and loss, are prone to hip fractures. However, younger people can also fracture their hip due to accidents or trauma.
Hip fractures are commonly treated with a combination of medication, rehabilitation and surgery, including partial or total hip replacement.
What Should You Do About Orthopedic Injuries?
There are probably a number of times when you experienced pain from a sudden jolt or a seemingly minor accident and didn’t think much of it. You might think that the pain will go away after some time, until it doesn’t. If this is the case, you may be suffering from an orthopedic injury.
If you suspect that you have an orthopedic injury or you got involved in an accident that may cause one, it is necessary that you visit an orthopedic clinic near you. An orthopedic doctor is professionally trained and capable of diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal or orthopedic issues, whether it’s minor or severe.
Furthermore, the orthopedic doctor is the only specialist who can accurately recommend the best treatment methods after evaluating your condition. Whether there’s a need for surgery or not, they are the best people to say so.
For Reliable Orthopedic Services, Turn to One of the Best Orthopedic Specialists in Brooksville, FL
Orthopedic injuries can keep you from enjoying life to the fullest and even hinder you from comfortably doing regular daily activities. This is why you shouldn’t put off seeking medical assistance and intervention if you experience symptoms such as pain and restricted motion. Fortunately, you can count on our Spring Hill board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Imad E. Tarabishy.
A Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Dr. Tarabishy brings to the table decades of professional experience, enabling him to perform a wide range of modern orthopedic procedures and surgeries, including:
- Iovera procedure
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Knee arthroscopy
- Knee replacement
- Carpal tunnel release
- Hip replacement surgery
- Mako robotic surgery
- Meniscus tear treatment
- And more
To learn more about our services and get proper diagnosis and treatment for your orthopedic ailments, contact us today! You can also request an appointment to secure your consultation slot. For faster assistance, you may also call us at 352-596-8558.
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.
