The 3 Most Common Orthopedic Injuries

Injuries can happen when you least expect them. The musculoskeletal system can sustain many painful injuries that can significantly affect the quality of your life. Luckily, most injuries can be treated effectively by an orthopedic doctor.

Here are the three most common musculoskeletal injuries and how your orthopedic doctor can help treat them:

1. Fractures

Sudden pressure or force applied to a bone could lead to a partial or complete break, called a fracture. There are many ways this can happen, such as during a car accident or a sports collision.

Stress fractures, which develop slowly over time, are a result of overuse and repetitive motions that are often sports- or work-related. Osteoporosis and bone cancer can also weaken bones and cause breaks.

Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Deformity of the injured area
  • Bruising or redness

Your doctor can diagnose a fracture using a physical exam and imaging tests. Once they have determined the severity of the injury, they can recommend treatment options.

Splinting and casting the injured area can help the bone heal. You can take pain medication to manage the symptoms. In some cases, bone pieces can misalign during a fracture incident, which requires surgical correction. Traction, or pulling of muscles and tendons in a particular direction, can ensure that the bone aligns and heals properly.

Surgery can be the best treatment for severe cases, especially when your doctor needs to put bones back in place. Fracture recovery often takes months, depending on where and how the injury occurred.

2. Knee Injuries

The human body has over 900 ligaments that connect bones to each other. There are four ligaments or bands of elastic tissue around the knee joint. All four ligaments are highly susceptible to injury.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

The ACL is among the most commonly injured ligaments. It is found in the center of the knee and controls the rotation and movement of the shin bone.

An ACL tear occurs when the knee pops and buckles due to a sudden twisting motion, causing swelling and pain. The injury is more likely to happen during basketball, football, and skiing.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

The PCL controls the backward movement of the shin bone. A PCL injury occurs due to a direct, sudden impact, usually associated with accidents or football tackles.

Meniscus

The meniscus is the cushioning cartilage found in the knee between the thighbone and tibia. Tears occur due to breakdowns or sudden movements while playing sports.

After diagnosis, your physician can recommend many treatments, and most are non-surgical options. Pain medication and ice pack application can help reduce swelling and pain. Strengthening exercises can also help build back muscles after the injury. In addition, surgery can help repair the ligament.

3. Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are commonly associated with aging. It is also possible to get this injury from playing collision sports.

Some partial rotator cuff tears do not cause pain and go unnoticed. When it doesn’t ache, treatment is not necessary. However, for a total rotator cuff tear, the damage passes through the tendon. A physician may use imaging tests and a physical examination to determine whether the injury needs treatment.

In most cases, doctors treat torn rotator cuffs non-surgically and recommend cortisone shots, medication, and ice pack application. Physical therapy can also help strengthen the tendons and muscles. Surgery is very rare for this injury.

Orthopedic Doctor Near You In Baltimore, MD

Orthopedic injuries can occur at any time. It’s essential to have an orthopedic doctor you can trust to get proper diagnoses and treatment when needed. Are you looking for an orthopedic doctor near you? The Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland delivers quality orthopedic healthcare you can trust to improve your life. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic doctors work closely with patients to treat injuries and facilitate fast recovery.

As the top orthopedic clinic in Baltimore, we use our state-of-the-art facilities and innovative techniques to treat many conditions and injuries. If you or a loved one have an orthopedic injury and want to know more about our services, you may schedule an appointment using our online form, or call our friendly office today at (410) 644-1880 or toll-free at  (855)4MD-BONE. You may also call (443) 478-4449 if you need physical therapy in Baltimore. We look forward to serving you!