How Orthopedic Treatment Can Help

Orthopedic spine specialists who don’t have a specialty in orthopedic surgery use non-surgical methods to treat patients who suffer from lower back pain. They specialize in musculoskeletal disorders that affect the lower back in people with sports injuries and other traumatic injuries, as well as disorders and diseases of the spine. They may work with other spine specialists mentioned above to manage the lower back pain and restore movement.

Why Go To An Orthopedic Doctor For Back Pain

Most us will experience back pain at some point in life. While most back pains resolve on their own or with conservative treatments, some need serious medical attention. Back pain may be a sign of a serious condition, and it will progressively get worse if left untreated.

If your back pain is not getting better and is limiting the activities you can engage in, see an orthopedic doctor. Why go to an orthopedic doctor for back pain? Why cant your primary care physician just treat it? Orthopedic doctors have specialized knowledge, training, and experience in diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal pain. While a primary care physician can treat a plethora of health issues, an orthopedic doctor can do it better.

How Often Do I Need To See A Chiropractor

At first, I might see a patient once or twice a week. If the condition is acute, I might see the patient every day to begin. As they improve, I recommend fewer visits and start giving the patient more things to do on their own at home. I want my patients to be as independent as possible. There are patients who have chronic problems and need to come back and see me once in a while. But the great majority of patients have issues that are resolvable, and I may never need to see them again after their condition has improved.

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When Should I See A Health Care Professional

See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine.

Bladder problems can affect your quality of life and cause other health problems. Your health care professional may be able to treat your UI by recommending lifestyle changes or a change in medicine.

When To Seek Medical Attention For Back Pain

It can be difficult to know when to go to the doctor for back pain. Generally, there are two major indicators of when its time to visit a doctor:

1. If your back pain doesnt go away after a week or two, you should see your doctor. While its more likely your pain isnt a sign of a serious medical emergency, your doctor can give you an accurate diagnosis and start treatment.

2. If you have other symptoms that accompany your back pain, you might require medical attention. See your doctor immediately if youre experiencing back pain with symptoms like:

• Increasing weakness in your legs
• Severe stomach pain

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You Are Experiencing Severe Symptoms

If youre experiencing minor symptoms that dont have a big impact on your day-to-day, then a visit to your primary care physician may be enough. However, if youre experiencing particularly severe symptoms, you may have a critical condition that requires specialized care. A few critical back pain symptoms are:

• Weakness in your legs, hips or groin area
• Radiating pain that travels down your leg
• Fever alongside back pain symptoms
• Loss of bladder and bowel control

If you are experiencing any of the above alarming symptoms and cannot schedule an appointment with a specialist in a timely manner, it is recommended that you visit Emergency Care especially if you are experiencing bladder and bowel incontinence, which requires immediate emergency medical attention.

You Have Experienced A Traumatic Injury

If you have recently been in a car accident, experienced a fall, or any other type of injury that resulted in back pain, you should visit a doctor immediately. The impact from traumatic injuries can cause the discs inside your spine to bulge, herniate or rupture. In cases where discs may be damaged or injured, a back pain specialist can review all options, including minimally-invasive procedures, to treat your back injury.

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Back Pain Treatment In Westlake And Avon Ohio

Orthopaedic Associates, Inc. has an excellent orthopedic team comprised of 13 board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons who deeply care for our patients. We take your treatment seriously and will stop at nothing to ensure you find relief.

If you are ready to say goodbye to back pain, call us today at 892-1440 to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you in our Westlake and Avon clinics!

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Causes Of Severe Back Pain

Though muscular strain is the most common cause of back pain, there are many possible causes, Dr. Gordon says, including:

• Compression Fractures due to osteoporosis
• Fractured vertebrae
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal cord tumor

Watch for these symptoms that warrant medical attention: pain accompanied by numbness or tingling in the arms or legs back swelling and redness , bowel or bladder problems or unintended weight loss, Dr. Gordon says.

Also, seek medical care if pain radiates down one or both legs, he says.

To determine the cause of chronic back pain, your doctor may order tests such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging , computed tomography scan, bone scan or electromyography, which is a test to diagnose neuromuscular abnormalities.

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Find Relief From Back Pain At The International Spine Institute

At the International Spine Institute, Dr. Marco A. Rodriguez, MD, provides the least invasive treatment approach for patients with back pain. Hes a leader in Endoscopic Spine Surgery and Least Invasive Spine Surgery.

At the International Spine Institute, we realize patients are looking for compassionate and convenient care that provides them with symptom relief and enhanced life. If youre not sure when to see a doctor for back pain, call us with any questions or schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodriguez for a consultation.

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Do Sports Medicine Doctors Treat Back Pain

The back is one of the most common body parts where people experience chronic pain. Do you feel stiff when you get out of bed in the morning? Or, maybe you need to get off your feet during the day because your back is aching.

Back pain can be complicated to treat, mainly because various underlying causes can result in chronic pain. A general physician might prescribe pain pills, but these medications simply cover up the symptoms without treating the root problem.

If you want immediate and long-lasting back pain relief, an orthopedic doctor can be a great resource. Many of these doctors specialize in sports medicine since its common for athletes to experience back injuries.

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Talk To A Sports Medicine Doctor When Back Pain Is Lingering

Everyone strains their back at some point. For example, lifting a heavy box might need a few days or a week to recover while the inflammation goes down.

But if the back pain lingers, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. When there is an underlying cause that needs to be treated, then it means that your pain will get progressively worse if you dont visit an orthopedic doctor.

Dont hesitate to schedule an appointment with a back pain doctor when you are experiencing ongoing back pain issues and the pain is limiting your daily activities. Our orthopedic team has the specialized training, experience, and knowledge in treating various types of musculoskeletal pain.

Its impossible for one doctor to treat all types of injuries and conditions that affect the whole human body. So, doctors specialize in distinct subfields within the medical industry.

Orthopedic doctors focus specifically on the musculoskeletal system and treat injuries affecting the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Most of the time, back pain happens because of damage or injury to one of these parts of the back.

Orthopedic Doctor Vs Neurologist

Both an Atlanta neurologist and an orthopedic doctor have training equipped to deal with spinal injuries. Both are also considered spine specialists and can provide excellent care.

If you suffer from a spinal condition such as disc herniation or degeneration, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or other types of spinal injuries or pain, both a neurologist and an orthopedic doctor are equipped to treat these spinal conditions.

While in recent years the lines may have blurred between what exactly a neurologist and an orthopedic doctor do, there are still some evident differences between the two that can be the difference between who you need to schedule an appointment with.

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Help Which Doctor That Specializes In Back Pain Is Right For Me

There are clearly many different types of doctor that specialize in back pain. All of them focus on different types of back pain, different causes of the pain, and different types of treatment options. These are important factors to consider when you are deciding where to seek medical help. We understand that it can be difficult to try and know where to start, and it may feel frustrating as you try different options, seeking to find one that helps you.

We recommend trying a pain treatment clinic.

A pain treatment clinic is a one-stop shop for understanding and treating back pain. The clinic houses a number of different medical specialists, who are all highly trained in different areas, but all function as pain doctors, to relieve your pain. They will help you to diagnose the cause of your back pain, and work with you to find a treatment option that is likely to help, and suits your preferences.

Causes Of Back And Upper Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including herniated or slipped discs, accidents injuries, sprains, spasms, and even lifestyle choices. Upper back pain affects each person differently. It is also less common than lower back pain. Soft tissue injuries, poor posture, looking downward for long periods, sprains and strains are usually the causes of upper back pain. The back pain you experience could be minor or may indicate a serious condition.

The back conditions we see most often are:

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How Is Ui Diagnosed

The only way to diagnose the underlying cause of both back pain and UI is to see your doctor and receive a full medical exam. The exam can help your doctor decide whether your symptoms are related to a separate condition that needs attention.

During the exam, its important you detail any symptoms, when you experience them, and how you relieve them.

After this initial diagnosis phase, your doctor may order several tests. These tests may include imaging tests like X-rays and blood work. The tests can eliminate causes for your symptoms.

If your doctor cant reach a diagnosis, they may refer you to a urologist or a back pain specialist.

Treatment for back pain and UI relies on finding an underlying cause. Once you and your doctor understand whats causing your symptoms, you can develop a plan to manage your symptoms.

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Differences Between Primary Care Physicians And Orthopedic Specialists

Primary care physicians are usually a patients first point of contact when theyre experiencing medical symptoms. Since primary care physicians are trained in internal medicine, they can typically diagnose and treat common ailments, and play an integral role in preventative treatment and maintenance of general health and wellness.

While your primary care doctor is familiar with your overall state of health, they may not have the expertise to treat certain medical conditions. In the case of back pain, orthopedic physicians specialize in the musculoskeletal system and are best suited for guiding you through both non-invasive and surgical courses of treatment.

Although primary care physicians may be able to offer conservative treatment methods to help alleviate back pain symptoms, like anti-inflammatories or pain killers, there may be other conservative treatment methods that an orthopedic specialist can recommend to you.

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When You See Your Doctor For Back Pain

Your doctor will look at your back and ask you questions about how intense your pain is. They may also look at how easy it is for you to sit, stand, and move around. This will help them figure out where your pain is coming from.

To find the cause, your doctor might recommend other tests such as:

CT or MRI scans. These check for issues with your bones, disks, tissue, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments.

X-rays. This test can help find arthritis or broken bones.

Electromyography . This test measures your muscles’ response to electrical impulses from your nerves. It can show whether you have pinched or compressed nerves along your spine.

Blood tests. Your doctor will look for infections that could cause back pain.

Bone scans. Doctors rarely use these for back pain, but they may help to find tumors or breaks caused by osteoporosis.

After your doctor figures out what the issue is, theyâll discuss treatment options with you. For minor cases of back pain, they may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a heating pad.

For more serious conditions, your doctor may give you stronger medication like narcotics, antidepressants, or muscle relaxers.

You may need to see a specialist to understand your condition better. Your doctor may suggest you make an appointment with:

• An orthopedist, a doctor who specializes in bones, muscles, and joints
• A rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis and similar conditions

After An Accident Or Injury

If youve recently had an accident or suffered an injury a back pain could be a sign of an injury to your back. Spinal cord injuries can be serious, even life altering. So, if you havent been evaluated by a doctor and are experiencing back pain after an accident, you should go see your doctor immediately.

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You Have Unexplained Weight Loss

If you experience sudden weight loss that can’t be explained by diet and lifestyle changes, then you should always pay attention to what your body is telling you. This is especially true when the unexplained weight loss is accompanied by back pain. See your doctor to rule out the possibility of a more severe condition, such as an infection or tumor.

All Studies Have Limitations

And this one is no exception. While this study suggests that chiropractic care may be helpful for low back pain, some aspects of the study make it hard to be sure. For example:

If any of these factors had been different, the results might have been different. For example, its possible that if an older population of people with chronic low back pain had been studied, usual care might have been the better treatment.

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Learn About The Different Back Pain Specialists

When a back problem occurs, it’s typically a good idea to first consult with a primary care physician. This doctor will conduct an initial exam and, depending on the findings, he or she may refer you to a spine specialist.

If you are referred to a specialist for chronic back pain, it will likely be to one of the following:

Answers To Common Back Pain Questions

More than eight in 10 people will experience upper, mid, or low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is the most common back pain. In most cases, the pain goes away over time. If your back pain is severe or does not improve, you may need medical care. Here are answers to some common questions about back pain and tips on when to seek help.

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When Should Back Pain Be Checked

As mentioned earlier, most back pain improves in a few weeks with self-care and isnt a cause for concern. Still, back pain can be debilitating, and some patients need a doctors help to cope with the pain or treat the problem with nonsurgical or surgical techniques. Back pain also can sometimes be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Its a good idea to visit a doctor if youre experiencing the following:

1. Nighttime PainFor some people, lying down in bed makes their back pain worse, no matter what position theyre in. They might not have any back pain until they go to bed. Although nighttime back pain may be caused by common conditions like a sprain or scoliosis, it can be due to something serious, like an infection, fracture, nerve compression or spinal tumor. You should always get looked at by a doctor for any condition that disrupts your sleep.

2. Weakness, Numbness or TinglingIf youre experiencing numbness, weakness or tingling with your back pain, you could have nerve damage or irritation. You should go to a doctor for nerve pain if it persists, especially if OTC pain relievers dont help. If nerve pain does not get treated, it can lead to permanent damage.

3. FeverA fever, along with back pain, can mean theres an infection. Spinal infections include vertebral osteomyelitis, meningitis or a spinal epidural abscess. Spinal infections require immediate medical attention.

The Right Surgery For The Right Issue

There are some cases where surgery works best. A neurologist can then refer the patient to a surgeon. Surgery is recommended when all non-surgical treatment attempts have failed. The neurologist can also provide the surgeon with detailed information to complete the right procedure. In most cases, a microdiscectomy or laminectomy helps remove pressure on surrounding nerves. Severe cases of degraded discs or arthritis need fusion surgery. Neurologists are with the patient all the way, even assessing the results post-operation.

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