What Can an Orthopedic Doctor Diagnose?

Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, which enable movement and sensation. If you are experiencing pain, weakness, or a reduced range of motion, an orthopedic doctor can help you get back to doing the activities you enjoy– pain-free.

How Can an Orthopedic Doctor Help?

Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems in patients of all ages. In addition to treating sports and work-related injuries, they also treat deformities and chronic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. These skilled providers offer a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments that are personalized to accommodate a patient’s specific needs.

An orthopedic doctor can help if you have a musculoskeletal condition or injury that is:

• Causing persistentor recurring pain or discomfort
• Affecting mobility or range of motion
• Preventing you from doing your normal everyday activities
• Getting worse, even with self-care such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation

To make a diagnosis, your orthopedic doctor will carry out a thorough evaluation of the injury or condition. They will assess your medical history and family health history, discuss your symptoms, and carry out a physical examination. They may also request diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Your orthopedic doctor will then discuss all your treatments options,including the benefits and risks involved with each, to allow you to make an informed decision.

What Conditions are Treated by an Orthopedic Doctor?

Orthopedic doctors have specialized knowledge and understanding of the musculoskeletal system, allowing them to diagnose a wide range of both common and uncommon conditions and injuries. Some orthopedic doctors may also subspecialize in a particular field of orthopedics, such as sports medicine, which may be beneficial if you have a sports-related injury and are looking to return to play quickly or reduce the risk of injury in the future. An orthopedic doctor may also specialize in a specific area of the body, such as the shoulder, hip, or knee, which are common parts of the body to be injured or affected by joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

Conditions most frequently treated by an orthopedic doctor include:

• Ligament tears/sprains
• Cartilage tears/disorders
• Tendonitis and tendon tears
• Bone fractures
• Joint impingement
• Joint instability
• Bursitis
• Joint dislocations
• Rotator cuff tears
• Meniscus tears
• Frozen shoulder
• Labral tears
• Hamstring Injuries
• Inflammatory conditions
• Joint conditions requiring full or partial joint replacements/reconstruction
• Osteoporosis
• Osteonecrosis

What Treatments Does an Orthopedic Doctor Provide?

Orthopedic doctors always fully explore non-surgical treatment options first, such as physical therapy, medications, pain relief injections, and lifestyle modifications. They are also fully up-to-date on advanced treatments, such as ultrasound-guided injections, stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and viscosupplementation. Regenerative treatments, such as PRP therapy, promote the natural healing process by using components from your own body to relieve pain and stimulate the regeneration of new, healthy tissue.

An orthopedic doctor may recommend surgery when nonsurgical options fail to relieve symptoms or improve overall quality of life. In many cases, they perform surgical procedures using advanced minimally-invasive methods, such as arthroscopic surgery and minimally-invasive joint replacement surgery, which are associated with less trauma to nearby tissue, fewer post-surgery complications, and a quicker recovery, allowing you to get back to your normal day-to-day activities sooner.

In addition to diagnosing and treating a vast array of orthopedic injuries and conditions, these skilled providers are also specialists who you can consult for prevention of injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and long-term treatment beyond surgery.

Orthopedic Doctor Near Me in Little Rock, AR

If you have an orthopedic injury or disorder, visit board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Hefley for the expert diagnosis and treatment you need. Specializing in a broad range of conditions affecting the shoulder, hip, and knee, both operatively and non-operatively, Dr. Hefley can help you get back to doing the activities you enjoy and leading an active lifestyle, free of pain, as quickly as possible.

To learn more about the services we offer or to book a consultation, call us today at (800) 336-2412. You can also use our secure online appointment request form to schedule an appointment.