Orthopedics Services
Orthopedics is the medical specialty concerned with your musculoskeletal system. Specialists in orthopedics like Dr. Weinstein diagnose and treat injuries and disorders of the:
- Bones
- Joints
- Ligaments
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Cartilage
- Nerves
Musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem. They can cause sudden, often severe pain if you injure yourself. They can also develop into long-term conditions; many people live with chronic pain for years. In addition to pain, you might have difficulty walking or be unable to work.
What orthopedic conditions might affect me?
Some of the most common problems in orthopedics include:
Spinal disorders
Injuries usually cause sudden neck and back pain. The most likely problems are damaged discs (the shock-absorbent pads between the vertebrae) and torn muscles or connective tissues. Long-term spinal pain could be caused by diseases that develop with age, like osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.
Fractures and dislocations
Fractures (broken bones) and dislocations (where a joint fully or partially separates) usually result from trauma.
Ligament injuries
Ligaments connect bones to other bones in your joints. They can stretch and tear under enough force. Common injuries include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears in the knees.
Cartilage damage
Articular cartilage is the smooth, slippery coating on the ends of your bones. It can suffer trauma or degrade over the years, leading to osteoarthritis. The labrum in your hip and shoulder joints is a ring of cartilage that keeps the ball-shaped bone at the top of your leg or arm inside its socket. The C-shaped meniscus cartilage absorbs shock in your knee. The labrum and meniscus can tear, causing pain and joint instability.
Tendon injuries
Tendons connect muscles to bones. They can stretch, tear, or break down through overuse. Common tendon problems include Achilles tendonitis and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
Nerve damage
The nerves around your body all come from your spinal cord. You might get radiculopathy, where a herniated disc, bone spur, or other abnormality in your spinal canal presses on the nerve root. Or you could get problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve in your wrist gets squeezed by a thickened ligament.
What treatments are used in orthopedics?
Orthopedic treatment usually begins with nonsurgical choices like physical therapy, medication, and changing your activities. More severe conditions or pain that doesn’t improve might need advanced treatments like steroid injections or radiofrequency ablation.
Dr. Weinstein specializes in surgical solutions to orthopedic disorders. He uses sophisticated laser surgery and endoscopy to perform minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). He also uses arthroscopic techniques in the joints. Dr. Weinstein’s expertise means patients experience far less pain after their surgery. They also heal and regain function quickly.
Call Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care today or book an appointment online to learn more about the exceptional orthopedic services Dr. Weinstein offers.
