Orthopedic Surgery Center of Santa Ana

A Source of Your Pain Hasn't Been Identified

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or an ACL tear, it's fairly clear what's likely causing your pain. Yet not every orthopedic condition has an obvious source. Low back pain (LBP), for instance, is often difficult to diagnose because there are many factors that can affect the spine and its supporting joints, discs, and muscles. Chronic conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis can also result in damage to multiple soft tissues and joints. Making an accurate diagnosis of an orthopedic condition often involves:

• A review of a patient's medical history
• Images tests (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
• Nerve conduction studies
• Exploratory arthroscopic surgery
• IV-delivered contrast dye combined with image tests
• Local injections to identify an affected nerve

You Want to Decrease Your Reliance on Medication

Pain medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended to manage musculoskeletal pain. While such medications may be effective, you may reach a point where you want to explore treatment options that may help you become less reliant on over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Patients have access to a variety of treatment options at our orthopedic surgery center of Santa Ana that sometimes allow for less dependence on medication. Identifying trigger points allows patients to know what movements to avoid or how to make appropriate modifications to daily activities. Various forms of physical therapy that may minimize the use of medication include:

• Massage therapy
• Temperature-based therapies (heat/ice applications)
• Exercises to strengthen core muscle groups
• Epidural steroid injections
• TENS units and other forms of electrotherapy

You Want to Get Back to Your Optimal Playing Condition

Even the best athletes can be sidelined by a sports-related injury or a chronic condition related to an injury. Even if your pain is manageable, you may not be at the top of your game if you're dealing with a persistent bone, joint, or soft tissue condition. Athletes, both amateur and professional, coming to our orthopedic surgery center of Santa Ana will have access to an assortment of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques designed to restore optimal function to strained or sprained muscles and ligaments and damaged joints.

Getting back in the game often involves a combined treatment effort that includes exploring surgical options if other pain relief attempts aren't sufficient, knowing when to take a timeout and give injured tissues time to heal, and taking steps to prevent new or recurring injuries. For athletes, this typically means properly stretching muscles, focusing on core muscle groups in between competitions, and wearing well-fitting protective gear. Orthopedic specialists can provide personalized tips to further help with the goal of returning to optimal performance.