You should be looking forward to spending the holidays with friends and family, not distressed over how you’re going to manage stairs with sore muscles and joints. Unfortunately, the change in weather can cause additional inflammation that leads to stiffness, discomfort, and loss of movement. Instead of declining invitations, you can now prepare for the season by booking an appointment with the best orthopedic doctor available.
How Can an Orthopedic Doctor Help?
If you have arthritis, old tissue injuries, or aging joint issues that are fine most of the year but not during the colder winter months, then it’s crucial to seek the advice of a specialist. The stiffness and pain you feel in your joints may improve periodically or it may get worse over time. Instead of waiting, an orthopedic doctor can better diagnose your condition and provide an effective treatment plan.
Hip, Knee, or Joint Injury Treatment
There are no automatic treatments. And the stress of the holiday season can cause your body to trigger an inflammatory response that you feel in your joints where you may have had previous injury. An orthopedic doctor will examine you, suggest x-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, then provide you with a suitable treatment plan that may include gentle exercise, physiotherapy, hot/cold compresses, elevation, rest, and medication or injections. Surgery may even be suggested, and it is highly effective for hip, shoulder, or knee joints.
When Should I Book My Appointment?
You should book your appointment immediately. This will give time for any tests to be done and also help you get into a routine of exercise or physiotherapy before the holidays. Your joints also need time to recover and heal, and your body needs to be well-rested, so the inflammatory response is decreased.
What Can I Do While I Wait for My Appointment?
Try to be more effective in your daily chores and outside trips, especially if they include walking or driving long distances. Be careful when lifting items. Some conditions, such as gout or celiac disease, are triggered by diet. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Get in some gentle yoga and stretches to stay flexible. Spread your activities throughout the week rather than trying to complete them all in one day.
Carolina Regional Orthopaedics, P.A.
You can get back to feeling normal and pain-free, but you must book your appointment with the best orthopedic doctor at Carolina Regional Orthopaedics, P.A.. And the good news is that you still have a few months before the holidays to start on your road to comfort, flexibility, and wellness. Call us today at 252-443-0400 and schedule an appointment.