La Jolla, CA orthopedic shoulder & elbow surgeon Kristopher Downing believes everyone deserves relief, especially when dealing with musculoskeletal pain. However, not every orthopedic injury requires a surgical procedure. The medical professional might first recommend a non-surgical process before an invasive procedure. Though not ideal for complex injuries, most orthopedic patients prefer trying them before going for a surgical procedure.
What are some of the orthopedic treatment options you are likely to have?
- Fluid drainage
Clinically referred to as needle aspiration, fluid drainage entails draining fluid from the affected joint with a needle, relieving your joint from irritation. Your healthcare provider may use ultrasound-guided treatment to address issues like Baker’s cyst.
- Steroid injections
Combining a corticosteroid and local anesthesia in the affected joint will help minimize pain and enhance its mobility. The treatment entails administering an injection in the affected joint to minimize inflammation. Unfortunately, your healthcare provider cannot use the treatments as a stand-alone process. Steroid injections best combine with treatments like prescription medication and physical therapy.
- Physical therapy
Physical therapy and rehabilitation will be your ideal option if the medical expert wants to relieve you from debilitating symptoms and restore your physical function. Your healthcare provider may use the process either as part of the treatment for an ongoing condition like arthritis or during your recovery to accelerate the healing process and ensure that the joint heals correctly. Physical therapy involves exercises that enhance your flexibility, coordination, motion range, and strength. Common orthopedic issues that might benefit from the treatment option include neck pain, back pain, arthritis, fractures, sprains, and strains.
- Platelet Rich Plasma
The treatment works by re-injecting your plasma in the treatment site to relieve you from pain and facilitate healing with minimal downtime. During the process, your doctor draws a sample of your blood before removing red blood cells. The medical professional then re-injects the regenerative platelets in your affected area to repair your damaged tendons, joints, and ligaments. Conditions likely to benefit from PRP include knee, osteoarthritis, hip, and back pain.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
The procedure entails using low voltage electrical impulses to minimize your pain’s severity. TENS works by inhibiting the conduction of the impulses from reaching receptors in your spinal cord and brain.
- Acupuncture
The treatment option prompts your healthcare provider to insert acupuncture needles into your painful areas to alleviate your painful symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend electro-acupuncture, using the electro stimulator to stimulate the needles.
- Joint manipulation and distention
While joint manipulation entails moving your joint in various directions to loosen the tight muscles, joint distention entails administering sterile water into the affected joint capsule to stretch the involved tissues, allowing you to move your joint.
Besides the most common non-invasive options, your physician may consider several other options, including nerve blocks, lubrication, joint injections, and radiofrequency ablation. Orthopedic injuries like fractures, sprains, and strains do not necessarily need a surgical process to help alleviate your painful symptoms.
A surgical procedure will be the last option your healthcare provider will suggest after other methods like medication have failed. Contact your doctor for further inquiries about non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
