Nonsurgical Treatment Specialist
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Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine located in Vestavia Hills, AL
When you need treatment for an orthopedic condition, Thomas Powell, MD, at Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine begins your care with the most appropriate nonsurgical therapies. Dr. Powell offers a wide range of care that helps you heal and often prevents the need for surgery, including medication, joint injections, and physical therapy. If you need help for a problem affecting your bones, joints, muscles, and other soft tissues, call the office in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, or book an appointment online today.
Nonsurgical Treatment Q&A
Do orthopedic surgeons offer nonsurgical treatment?
Yes, board-certified orthopedic surgeons are extensively trained to provide comprehensive care, including nonsurgical therapies. In most cases, they begin your orthopedic care with the most conservative, nonsurgical treatment options before recommending surgery.
However, there are exceptions. Some fractures and nerve, tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries need prompt surgery to ensure they heal properly and you regain optimal strength and function.
What types of nonsurgical treatments are available?
Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine creates customized treatment plans that meet your unique needs and activity goals. The team provides nonsurgical treatments such as:
Medication
Oral medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and muscle relaxants effectively reduce swelling and ease pain.
Your provider also prescribes a wide range of medications for specific problems or conditions. For example, you may need medications to treat osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint injections
Joint injections place medications inside the injured joint, where they can quickly target damaged tissues. Steroid injections often provide long-lasting pain relief as they significantly reduce inflammation.
If you have osteoarthritis, your symptoms may improve with viscosupplementation. This injection contains hyaluronic acid, a substance that's normally produced in your joints and lubricates joint movement.
Viscosupplementation eases your pain, improves mobility, and may slow down the damage caused by arthritis.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy includes passive and active exercise, soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic massage, balance training, and many other techniques.
Your individualized physical therapy program has an essential role in your treatment. The therapies you receive ease your pain and help you heal, recover, improve your range of motion and regain strength and flexibility.
Your physical therapist also designs your program to meet your specific goals. Some people may want the ability to safely and independently walk up and down stairs. Others plan to return to competitive athletics and need sport-specific rehabilitation.
What type of nonsurgical treatment is a trigger point injection?
A trigger point refers to the small, hard, and painful knots that develop when a muscle spasms. You can get a trigger point in any muscle, but they most often appear in the neck and upper back.
Your trigger point injection contains a local anesthetic, steroids, or both. After your provider injects the medication directly into the muscle knot, you get quick pain relief and the muscles relax.
When you need exceptional treatment for an orthopedic condition, call Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.
