More than 120 million Americans are affected by orthopaedic conditions. That is almost the same as the number of Americans suffering from chronic lung and heart conditions. Your musculoskeletal system includes bones, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, and cartilage. You are at risk of severe health issues without early diagnosis and treatment of your orthopaedic condition by your doctor, Stephen Fisher, MD.
Consequently, below are the common musculoskeletal issues that may necessitate your visit to the office of an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon.
Arthritis
About 55 million adults in the country have arthritis. When you have the condition, your joint is stiff and inflamed, feels warm, and causes persistent discomfort. A joint is a section where more than two bones meet.
Some forms of arthritis can inflame your joints and affect other body parts. For example, rheumatoid arthritis can affect your organs, like your lungs and heart.
When you have arthritis, you tend to avoid exercising or performing physical activities because of the associated pain. Consequently, you may deal with other health issues, such as being overweight and having high blood glucose.
Broken bone
You can get a fracture from a road accident, a fall, or a sports injury. Still, you may have a broken bone due to a condition that weakens your bones.
Some diseases and conditions that can lead to a fracture, especially around your hip, spine, or wrist, include cancer, vitamin D deficiency, and osteoporosis. Chronic kidney disease can also cause lead to the creation of changes in the body’s mineral metabolism, and thus your bones become soft and weak.
Bone loss that causes fracturing may also come from using certain medications, low levels of estrogen during menopause, and an infection. Sometimes though, the cause of brittle and soft bones may not be specific.
You are susceptible to bone fracturing if you consume too much alcohol and tobacco, participate in sporting activities, lack proper nutrition, and are physically inactive.
Lower back pain
Four out of five people are highly likely to have lower back pain, medically referred to as lumbago, at some point in their lives.
You can expect pain in your lower back because that area of your body plays a crucial role in supporting the weight of your upper body. Furthermore, your lower back region enables mobility, particularly when twisting or bending. The body section also has a lot of nerves and muscles running to your toes.
Generally, the lower back pain you experience may be mild and disappears after a few days or weeks. But, if you have chronic lower back pain, the pain persists for three months and more even if you benefit from treatment of the underlying cause.
Your lower back may hurt because of a sports injury, or you twisted the spine, lifted a weighty object, and performed a sudden movement.
Pain in your lower back will require your health specialist to prescribe examinations to unearth the exact cause of the issue. And then, you may need orthopedic therapy or surgery.
