How Is Nerve Pain Diagnosed
Nerve pain affects a growing number of individuals undergoing chemotherapy treatment, living with diabetes or having suffered an injury. An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral nerve damage, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Nerve damage can cause a tingling, burning sensation in the arms, hands, legs and feet, making it impossible to function on a daily basis.
The causes as to why and how certain patients are susceptible to nerve pain can vary. Even the pain levels or difficulty standing and walking may also differ.
Have you experienced any of the common signs of nerve pain?
- Muscle weakness
If so, its critical to know if this is nerve damage.
Early diagnosis by your physician can improve your functionality and reduce discomfort you feel.
The following are a few exams your physician may conduct to properly diagnosis the symptoms, cause and appropriate treatment for nerve pain.
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Its Time To Get Back To An Active Lifestyle
The bottom line is that joint pain can wreak havoc on your quality of life. You owe it to yourself to address the onset of arthritis as soon as possible. A qualified physician will be able to offer the best treatment to help you manage your condition and prevent further wear and tear. If youre wondering, Do I need to see a doctor about arthritis, simply pick up the phone and call for an appointment. Stop asking and start taking action!
If youre looking for the best physicians to address your arthritis, youll find them at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Read more about why our team is renowned nationally and preferred regionally. Or for more information, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999. Wed love to answer any questions you have and set you up with an appointment to get started on the road toward pain relief.
If youre still wondering, How do I know if I have arthritis? or if you have additional questions about the information you read here, check out the rest of the articles in our helpful series on joint pain:
When You Need To Lose Weight
Because osteoarthritis can make it hard for you to stay active, itâs easy to gain weight. Shedding even a few pounds can ease the strain on your joints.
If you need help to lose weight, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can suggest a diet plan and weight loss goal thatâs right for you. They can also refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist to create an eating plan for you, or a weight loss doctor if you need one. It takes time, but donât give up. Weight loss can do a lot to ease your OA symptoms.
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Where To Find The Best Arthritis Doctor In Medina Oh
The Spine and Orthopedic Institute St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, located in Medina, OH, provides a wide range of services, including the diagnosis and treatment of all types of arthritis. Our highly qualified, and experienced team of orthopedic physicians, led by Dr. Phillip Stickney, M.D and Dr. Brad Picha, M.D, take great pride in providing patients with the best in care. , text, or visit our website for more information, or to book your appointment. You can also visit our website for directions to our clinic. We serve patients from Medina OH, Middleburg Heights OH, Akron OH, Parma OH, and Wellington OH.
Orthopedic Doctors Can Provide The Opinion Of A Specialist
Another reason people see orthopedic doctors is to get the opinion or a second opinion of a specialist. Its never a bad idea to go to the experts who see conditions or injuries like yours every day. If you have or think you may have a chronic orthopedic condition or you are suffering from an injury to your muscles, bones, joints, or connective tissue, make an appointment to see a doctor. Its always, as they say, better to be safe than sorry. You dont have to just live with pain and dysfunction. In fact, theres a good chance treatment could greatly improve your symptoms.
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Treatments For Joint Pain
There are multiple treatments your orthopedist might prescribe for joint pain, depending on its cause. If your pain has a known cause, R.I.C.E. is the first line of treatment for an acute musculoskeletal injury. Afterward, your doctor might recommend a course of physical therapy to help rehabilitate your injured joint and regain strength and range of motion.
If your joint pain is caused by arthritis or another long-term condition, the goal of treatment will be to reduce pain, preserve joint strength and motion, and slow the progression of disease. Your orthopedic treatment plan might include:
If youre suffering from severe arthritis or a significant joint injury, you may need surgical treatment under the care of an orthopedic surgeon. There are several surgical options for arthritis treatment, including total joint replacement. If surgery is an option for you, your orthopedic surgeon will walk you through everything you need to know.
What About Medicare And Medicaid
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults over the age of 65, as well as some other younger groups with specific chronic health conditions. People with Medicare often have either:
- Original Medicare .Part B is the outpatient medical insurance portion of original Medicare. It covers nonhospital based medical services that are considered necessary to diagnose or treat a specific condition.
- Medicare Advantage .Part C plans are offered by private insurance companies. Advantage plans are required to cover the same basic benefits as original Medicare but may also offer additional benefits.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides assistance with healthcare costs to those with lower incomes or resources. Eligibility and what exactly is covered varies from state to state.
Some research, both , has indicated that people with Medicare or Medicaid may have trouble accessing timely orthopedic care.
However, there are tools you can use to find doctors that accept these programs:
- For Medicare. Use the Physician Compare tool. This allows you to input a variety of information in order to find doctors in your area that accept Medicare.
- For Medicaid. Contact your states Medicaid office to find out which doctors in your state accept Medicaid.
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What Education Is Required To Become A Neurologist
The education required to become a neurologist is quite grueling and requires a medical doctorate. Medical school is four years and includes courses such as medical diagnostics, disease management, and surgical practice. In the second half of a traditional four-year program, aspiring neurologists will complete practical rotations which allow them to examine and treat patients under the supervision of qualified neurologists.
Following the completion of medical school, students apply for a one-year internship which allows them to put everything theyve learned into practice under the supervision of a medical doctor.
During the internship, students will apply for a residency program, which will take three years to complete, and involves making hospital rounds and monitoring and examining patients with a supervising doctor. If a student wants to become a neurosurgeon, their residency program will be much longersix to eight years!
four broken ribs and a split bleeding spleen i still have pain on my whole left side still hurts and now my sciatic nerves are hurting i tried chiropractic it got worse do not use aggressive of any kind water therapy is helping the most
besides operation what else i have to do for saiatica
Hello Anon
Heat therapy helps, as well as massage therapy. Make sure you also rest and avoid activities that could trigger more back pain.
Beginners yoga and Pilates are gentle exercises that can help.
Best,
I hope that helps,
When To See An Orthopedist
If you are having difficulty using a part of your body due to pain or stiffness, or if you have suffered any type of soft-tissue injury that is not improving, an orthopedist can help you heal. This is the type of doctor who will have you feeling better and moving more efficiently as quickly as possible, without unnecessary tests or extra wait time.
Orthopedic treatment may be as simple as physical therapy or as complex as a full hip or knee replacement. Many orthopedists work in a group practice and therefore have multiple orthopedic surgeons who specialize in treating certain areas of the body.
A benefit of an orthopedic group practice is that it may also have physical therapists and nurses. The orthopedic surgeon will work as a team with the physical therapists and other providers in order to get the patient back to feeling more pain-free and mobile again.
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Orthopedic Doctors Can Help You Determine Whether You Need Surgery
There are some common misconceptions about orthopedic surgery that wed like to address. For example, some people may shy away from surgery, thinking that treatment wont help, and they should just handle the pain and dysfunction on their own. Others think their pain is a normal part of aging they must simply accept, and they believe that surgery should be reserved for the obvious injuries. Theres also a common misconception that surgeons will always recommend surgery even if its not necessary.
At Beaumont, we are dedicated to providing every patient with the right treatment at the right time. Surgery is recommended only when nonsurgical treatment measures have failed to provide relief or in circumstance when nonsurgical options are unlikely to be successful. Care is specific to each patient and our goal is always to improve our patients quality of life.
Treatments Orthopedic Surgeons Use
In addition to performing surgery, orthopedists also use a variety of other methods and they always try the least-invasive technique possible. Orthopedic physicians can provide shots to help relieve aching joints and nerve ablation for pain.
They also may recommend physical therapy as a precursor to surgery, or for rehabilitation after it. A group orthopedic practice can also offer nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can help with prescriptions and can answer your questions.
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What Is The Sciatic Nerve
The sciatic nerve is part of the nervous system and categorized as a major nerve that starts in the lower back, runs down the back of the thigh and branches off just above the knee into smaller nerves that run the length of the legs to the feet. What most people do not realize is that the sciatic nerve has the largest circumference of any nerve in the human body. It is no wonder that when damaged it can cause excruciating pain.
Does Neurologist Deal With Back Pain
People often think of a chiropractic doctor for chronic pain, but neurologists also diagnose and treat back pain and neck pain. Neurologists specialize in conditions and diseases that affect the brain, the spinal cord, and the nervous system this often includes chronic pain in the back and neck.
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Schedule Your Visit With A Rheumatologist Or Orthopedist In Illinois Today
Whether youre in need of a surgical or non-surgical treatment option for your joint disorder, the physicians at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute can help improve your quality of life. We have many locations throughout Illinois for your convenience. Not sure which specialist you should schedule your appointment with? Contact us today and we will recommend who we believe the best physician is to suit your needs.
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Orthopedic Treatments For Knee Arthritis
If your osteoarthritis of the knee worsens, you might find that the noninvasive therapies are not getting you the level of pain relief that you need to enjoy your active life. When this happens, your orthopedic surgeon has a number of procedures or surgeries that can be performed to get you up and moving again.
Steroid injections into the painful knee will help decrease inflammation in the joint, thereby allowing more freedom of movement and resulting in much less pain or no pain at all. Your bodys natural response to injury is to cause inflammation around the injury, and cortisol is a naturally occurring steroid in your own body that can help to counteract swelling and pain. By injecting medication that is similar to cortisol into the joint, your orthopedic surgeon is helping your body eliminate the swelling that is causing the pain.
Many people experience same-day relief from this treatment however, it could take a day or two to experience the full benefit. It is important to understand that this type of injection cannot be done too frequently, or your joint could become damaged. It is safe to repeat these injections in the future as long as they are at least 3 months apart.
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Orthopedic Doctors Can Help Improve Range Of Motion
Pain, swelling, injury, and joint stiffness can all lead to limited range of motion. And when your range of motion is limited, it can be difficult or painful to perform everyday tasks such as carrying things, taking care of yourself and even walking. Orthopedic specialists can work with you to increase range of motion and help you get back to normal. Increasing range of motion can often be accomplished through physical therapy, non-surgical treatment, and sometimes surgery.
When To See An Orthopedic Doctor
You may need to see an orthopedic doctor if you have:
- pain or swelling in a bone, joint, or muscle thats persistent, recurring, or doesnt respond to at-home care
- a significant decrease in the mobility or range of motion of a joint, such as your knee, elbow, or shoulder
- trouble performing your daily activities
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Pain Management With Neurologist Vs Orthopedic Doctor
When a spinal injury or condition causes you pain it is important to determine the cause of the pain. If the pain is primarily due to bones or muscles then an orthopedic doctor may be a good option. An orthopedic doctor may assess a fracture or muscle tear that is causing you pain and help develop a treatment plan that manages that pain and helps to avoid chronic pain going forward. However, if the pain involves neurological pain symptoms then a neurologist is the best option for assessing and diagnosing nerve pain. There are many injuries to the spine that can affect not only the vertebrae themselves but also the muscles and nerves nearby. When you have nerve pain that is wonât go away and is starting to affect your daily life then you should see a neurologist for a proper diagnosis and to begin treatment that will help relieve your pain. Neurologists treat nerve pain with a combination of therapies depending on your specific condition, which can include pain medications, injections, medical devices, and even surgical options if necessary.
What To Expect At An Orthopedic Appointment
During your appointment, your orthopedic doctor will ask you about your physical activity habits as well as any pain or discomfort you have. Your orthopedic doctors goal is to understand how your day-to-day habits may be affecting your pain, and how youve been managing it so far.
Then, your doctor will review your medical history by looking at any past tests youve had. Your doctor may also order X-rays, blood tests, or other tests.
Your doctors goals are to:
- correctly diagnose your problem,
- help you get back to activities you love, like gardening or biking.
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Rheumatologist Vs Orthopedic Specialist
Per the American College of Rheumatology, A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who received further training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases. These diseases can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.
Role Of The Rheumatologist
After consulting with your primary care doctor, it may be that your diagnosis is not clear-cut. Or you may seem to have a complicated case. At that point, it may be wise to see a rheumatologist.
A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, a group of disorders characterized by chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissues.
Rheumatologists have additional education and training, making them a better choice for complicated cases. As the patient, you may want to a rheumatologist if:
- Your pain is unrelenting.
- Your symptoms are persistent or worsening despite treatment.
- Your doctor is unable to diagnose the underlying cause.
- Your symptoms are flaring more frequently or more severely.
- You are less able to handle tasks you use to be able to manage.
- You are becoming increasingly homebound.
- Your condition is lowering your quality of life.
A rheumatologist can also consult on a limited basis to offer a second opinion about whether your treatment plan is appropriate and optimal for your condition. Your primary care doctor won’t resent that you want a second opinion they will more than likely encourage it.
Once you have your second opinion, you can return to your primary doctor for regular follow-up appointments.
A rheumatologist does not perform surgery. If surgery is indicated, an orthopedic surgeon would be your best option.
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Do You Need To See An Orthopedic Physician Or A Rheumatologist
Patients should use the guidelines below to help determine if they should choose an orthopedic physician or rheumatologist for their arthritis and joint pain.
Patients might need an orthopedic physician if they have:
- Joint or musculoskeletal pain that began after an injury
- Gradually progressive hip or knee pain that is worse with weight bearing
- Joint pain that is severe and interfering with function
- Moderate or advanced arthritis of the knee or hip
- Previous unsuccessful treatment for joint pain
- Been told by their doctor they might need a joint replacement
Patients might need a rheumatologist if they have:
- Pain involving many joints
- New joint pain not associated with any injury
- Joint or musculoskeletal pain associated with morning stiffness, fever, fatigue, rash or chest pain
- Joint pain that followed a tick bite
- Joint pain associated with back pain
- Joint pain and psoriasis
- Muscular pain with or without any other symptoms
- New headaches or muscle aches and are over the age of 50
- Back pain with or without pain in the legs
- Unexplained, ongoing symptoms such as fever, sweats or weight loss
A patients’ medical needs are important and unique, that is why UMass Memorial Medical Center offers specialty trained physicians that have devoted their education and career to treating specific medical conditions to serve you.