7 Signs You Should See an Orthopedic Specialist

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons with Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine see people with all types of musculoskeletal conditions. 

Our expert orthopedic specialists provide prompt diagnosis and treatment of your joint, bone, or soft tissue injury or condition. Our goal is to restore strength and function. 

Don’t ignore your pain and try to “tough it out.” Waiting too long to see an orthopedic specialist could result in long-term chronic pain from joint damage. The following are seven signs that you should see an orthopedic specialist. 

1. Chronic pain and joint pain

Pain is a signal that one of your body’s systems isn’t functioning properly. It’s normal to feel sore after a vigorous workout. 

However, if you have joint pain or other musculoskeletal pain that lasts more than two weeks and isn’t relieved with over-the-counter pain medication and the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method, it’s time to see a specialist. 

2. Loss of mobility or range of motion

Is it getting increasingly difficult to walk up the stairs? Do you need your partner to help pull you up when you get out of a chair because your knees hurt when you put pressure on them? 

Maybe the problem is your hand, fingers, or thumb.

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and gout are just a few of the possible orthopedic conditions that can cause diminished range of motion. 

Without treatment for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, you sustain permanent joint damage and loss of mobility. If your tendonitis isn’t treated, you could further injure yourself, causing a rupture. 

3. Stiffness 

Are your fingers so stiff that you can’t fully grip a cup or easily button a shirt? 

Or, your knees used to be stiff only in the mornings. Does the stiffness stay with you now during the day so that you’re walking with your knees bent? 

Call our office to make an appointment if your joints remain stiff during the day. Chronic inflammation can further damage the cartilage around your joints, leading to permanent stiffness.

4. Sounds in your joints 

Do you hear a sound like gears grinding or a clicking sound when you move? Your joints are talking to you. 

If you hear a grinding sound, your joint cartilage could be mostly worn away, causing friction as your bones rub together. A pop or click could signal a tendon or ligament injury. 

5. Chronic swelling 

Are your fingers swollen? Swelling in the joints signals inflammation, often from arthritis, and possibly from an autoimmune disease. Call our office for an appointment. 

6. Pain or deformity from a previous injury 

If a previous sprain, strain, or fracture hasn’t healed properly, you may still have pain long after the recovery period. If the joint is visibly deformed or if you have persistent pain, it’s time to see a specialist. 

7. Pain at night 

Do you have joint pain or leg pain at night? Getting enough good-quality sleep is essential to your health. If you lie awake at night for hours with discomfort, please call our office for an appointment. 

Call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine or request an appointment through our online portal today if you’re experiencing musculoskeletal pain. We’ll get to the root of the problem and get you moving again.