Diagnosing the Problem

Before any treatment or rehabilitation protocol can be established, it is important that your doctor determine the reason for, and source of, your condition. Generally this means you will have a complete physical examination and you and the physician will discuss your general medical history. In addition, your orthopedist will want to discuss the complete history and description of the symptoms related to your orthopedic difficulties. Be sure to include information about any other illnesses, injuries, or complaints that have been associated with the pain or condition, as well as previous treatments and medicines prescribed. Diagnostic tests may then follow, including blood tests and/or X-rays.

Treatment

After making a diagnosis, your physician may prescribe medication, an exercise program, surgery or a combination of those. For most orthopedic conditions there is more than one form of treatment. Orthopedic patients have benefited from technological advances such as joint replacement and the arthroscope that allows the orthopedist to look inside a joint. Surgery is frequently done in a same-day operating room that makes it possible for you to go home within hours of having your surgery.

After Orthopedic Surgery

If your orthopedist recommends that you have surgery, he or she might prescribe rehabilitative exercises or physical therapy to help you restore movement, strength and function to the surgery site. You may be prescribed an exercise or rehabilitation program. At your post-surgery appointments, you will discuss ways to prevent further damage to the diseased or injured area.

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