People with joint pain are often afraid to see a doctor. That is because they don’t want to have surgery. However, orthopaedic surgeons do a lot more than surgery. They try a variety of conservative treatments to help patients before any surgery is performed. First, the surgeon needs to diagnose the source of the pain. He or she may need to scope the joint to diagnose a condition. On the other hand, an MRI may be used for diagnosis. Possible treatments include medication, physical therapy and exercise. Many surgeons also practice sports medicine. This discipline focuses on injuries that are a result of playing sports and/or exercise.
Individuals who need Sports Medicine in Montrose should visit Chamberland Orthopaedics. Come Meet Dr. Chamberland, who is one of a few doctors in the country that can scope every joint. Scope refers to Arthroscopic surgery, a diagnostic procedure. A small camera is used to look inside a joint. Further, some joint damage can be repaired this way. Instruments may be inserted to repair cartilage or torn ligaments. Knee injuries often have people needing Sports Medicine in Montrose. In fact, many knee injuries can be repaired with a scope procedure. A meniscectomy involves removing part of the meniscus cartilage from the knee. The meniscus is the shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions the knee joint.
ACL injuries are particularly worrisome because ligament damage is very painful. Patients with ACL damage often complain of their knee buckling out from under them. Many ACL surgeries are performed with a scope. Other common sports injuries include simple and complex fractures. A simple fracture occurs when a bone breaks but does not penetrate the skin. On the other hand, complex fractures may involve the bone coming through the skin. Likewise, fractures are labeled complex when a bone is completely or partially broken. Simple fractures are treated in different ways depending on bone damage. Sometimes, a cast may not be needed and other times the break may require surgery. Frequently, complex fractures result in surgery where pins and screws are attached to bones. Healthy joints and bones are required to have a full range of motion. That is why it is important to seek help sooner rather than later.