Common Orthopedic Injuries

If you are feeling pain after a sudden movement, accident, or fall, it is crucial that you have yourself checked by an orthopedic specialist. Chances are, you may have sustained an injury affecting your bones, joints, or connective tissue such as muscles as ligaments.

Orthopedic doctors advise against self-treating an orthopedic injury or waiting it out. Doing so could lead to permanent injury. Ultimately, your situation could worsen if you do not seek the help of a medical professional as soon as possible.

By knowing the most common orthopedic injuries, you will know when it’s time to see your orthopedist. The most common orthopedic injuries include:

Fracture

A sudden impact such as being involved in a car accident or falling down the stairs may lead to bone fractures. Patients with mobility issues or weak and brittle bones such as those with osteoporosis are prone to bone breaks. It’s hard to ignore fractured bones because the condition is usually accompanied by severe pain. Other signs of bone fractures include redness and numbness.

Sprain

A sprain injury is usually a result of the sudden movement of a joint outside its normal range of motion. This can cause ligaments to stretch or tear. This type of orthopedic injury is usually preceded by a popping sound. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain. Sports enthusiasts and athletes are prone to developing sprains.

Dislocation

A dislocation is usually the result of a bone slipping out of a joint, most commonly at the shoulder. Symptoms of dislocation include swelling of the affected area and in some cases, visibility of the bone. The most commonly affected areas are the shoulders, hip and knee, foot and ankle, and the jaw. If left untreated, it could cause permanent damage to the ligaments and nerves.

Knee Injury

A sudden twisting of the knee or a sudden blow to the knee, especially if you have osteoarthritis, may lead to a knee injury. You know that you’ve injured your knee if you are experiencing pain, swelling, and having difficulty standing and walking. For severe knee injuries, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend a total knee replacement surgery – but usually only after having exhausted other more conservative treatment methods.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Your shoulder joint is secured and protected by your rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons. Overuse injuries or sudden unnatural motions can lead to rotator cuff injuries such as muscle or ligament tears. You may have overexerted your rotator cuff while playing sports or injured it in a car accident. Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include a dull pain deep in your shoulder that can radiate down your arm.

If you’ve injured your rotator cuff, you may difficulty performing simple tasks such as lifting your arm or moving light objects. A rotator cuff injury is one of the most common orthopedic injuries among adults and there are a wide range of methods available to treat it.

Bone and Joint Doctor for Orthopedic Injuries in Missouri

Advanced Bone & Joint is a leader in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. Our goal is to help you return to an active lifestyle through our personalized attention and innovative treatment methods. We continually raise the bar for musculoskeletal care in St. Charles County, Missouri, and we have been doing so for more than 35 years.

If you suspect that you have sustained an orthopedic injury, call us at (636) 229-4222 to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists or use our contact form online.