When should I consult an orthopedic specialist?
Postponing treatment of certain knee or shoulder conditions may lead to long-term problems.
Orthopedic doctors are specialists in treating injuries of the musculoskeletal system—connective tissue, muscles, joints, bones, and nerves.
Musculoskeletal-related pain can occur at any age and for various reasons, from injuries and repetitive motions to an autoimmune disease. But not all musculoskeletal pains require seeing an orthopedic specialist.
“Many musculoskeletal problems will get better with time and do not need to be seen by a health care provider,” says J.L. Marsh, MD, professor and chair of the University of Iowa Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. “Many others can be adequately screened by a family physician, internist, or advanced practice provider. Acute accidents causing severe injury should be seen in the emergency department.”
In these cases, the patient may see an orthopedic specialist following a referral from a physician.
“If fractures or joint injuries are identified [in the emergency department], a referral to orthopedics will be made. If an injury or pain in the arm, leg, back, or pelvis does not improve over a month or so, patients should then see an orthopedist.”
Postponing treatment for some injuries such as certain knee or shoulder conditions can lead to long-term problems. Other kinds of joint pain may not feel as urgent, but lingering pain should be addressed, especially if it hinders your daily life.
Take the quiz below to learn more about when to see an orthopedic specialist.
Understand your joint injury risk
Evaluate the degree of your joint pain with our health risk assessment.
1. True or false: A torn ligament will heal on its own.
Mostly false. Your body may heal, but postponing treatment may cause long-term damage. Damage to ligaments and other connective tissues should be taken seriously.
2. Which of the following are orthopedic specialists not concerned with?
A. Knees
B. Rotator cuffs
C. Ear pain
D. Fractures
C. Pulmonologists will typically treat patients with lung issues. Orthopedists do, however, treat the other ailments.
3. True or false: Orthopedic specialists will provide pain management.
True. Reducing or eliminating pain through treatment and medication is an important part of orthopedic treatment.
4. How many Americans over age 18 have been diagnosed with arthritis?
A. Around 5 million
B. Around 15 million
C. Around 25 million
D. Around 50 million
D. According to the National Institutes of Health, 53 million American adults have been diagnosed with arthritis.
5. The suffix “-itis,” as in arthritis, means:
A. Pain
B. Inflammation
C. Fracture
D. All of the above
B. Arthritis means joint inflammation. For instance, fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, the connective tissue between muscles and skin.