
Growing up as an only child with a single mom, I became very competitive, especially when it came to playing sports. Fortunately for me, I was also gifted in many areas; whether it was sports, school, or music, I seemed to catch on quickly and perform well. Add the competitive piece, and I would practice constantly, perfecting whatever I was working on.
Unfortunately, when I was playing sports, if I were injured because of my perfectionism, I would keep playing regardless and play through the pain. For example, during spring training tryouts for the high school freshman softball team, I was walking behind too closely to players practicing hitting off the tees and got whacked in my right wrist.
Because it was my first time trying out for the high school team, I kept playing until my soon-to-be coach came over asking what was going on with my arm as he noticed that it was swollen as well as deformed looking.
He immediately knew it was broken. As soon as he took a closer look, he told me to “Go call your mom and have her take you to the ER immediately!” I responded that I was worried that it was only the second day of tryouts, and I really wanted to make the team. He quietly whispered to me, “You already made the team. Now get out of here before you make it worse and can’t play at all this season.” Turns out, I had a broken wrist, but because I kept playing, I injured the cartilage and ligaments in my forearm, too.
As a starting shortstop, I overworked my shoulders by throwing hard and extending my catching arm with many diving catches. Furthermore, I hit the ground on my knees a lot, blocking balls from leaving the infield and going to any lengths to win as a result of my intense competitiveness. Fast forward to being an older middle-aged mom, and I am now having to attend to those injuries I once ignored all those years ago.
Currently, I am seeing an orthopedic doctor to treat those overworked injuries, which are:
- Torn meniscus in the right knee
- Torn meniscus in the left knee
- Bakers’ cyst in right knee
- Bakers’ cyst in left knee
- Impingement in the left shoulder
- Rotator cuff tendinitis in the right arm
- Sciatica in the lower right side of the back
- Sciatica in the lower left side of the back
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (a condition that occurs when the pelvic floor muscles don’t work correctly)
So, yeah, I am kind of a hot mess at the moment! I have had physical therapy for my back, shoulders, and pelvic floor; a procedure on my right shoulder to remove scar tissue buildup; and dry needling to treat my sciatica issues (dry needling is a type of acupuncture that uses thin needles to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues).
When I see my orthopedic next, we will begin treating my knees either through utilizing a knee exercise machine in physical therapy or with surgery, depending on the severity. I am hoping to be able to heal the injuries through physical therapy because I am a single mom of two teenage sons with no time to be down for the count, nor do I want to miss any more work.
According to UCLA Medical School, they define what orthopedic doctors do as follows, “Orthopedic doctors help optimize quality of life for their patients—patients affected by pain and conditions linked to the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
These physicians see patients in the clinic and may perform some non-surgical interventions but generally focus on performing operations, including:
- Joint replacement
- Bone grafting
- Meniscus repair
- Hip replacement
- Disk replacement
- Shoulder arthroscopy,”.
Physical therapy for torn meniscus in knee
As I mentioned above, I am hoping I can do physical therapy to repair the torn meniscuses in both knees versus having to go through surgery and recovery with more physical therapy.
Medical News Today suggests the following physical therapy exercises, “Less severe meniscus tears can improve in 4–6 weeks with rest and physical therapy. Others may require surgery, and recovery can take up to 6 months.
For people with less severe tears, doctors may recommend gentle exercises.
It is normal for these exercises to cause a little discomfort. If any exercise causes pain, however, stop doing it.
- Mini squats
- Quadriceps setting
- Straight leg raise
- Hamstring curls
- Hamstring heel slide
- Standing heel raises
- Clams
- Leg extensions,”.
They went on to note that, “Some exercises are too strenuous for people with meniscus tears. A person should not:
- do deep squats
- do any exercise that involves pivoting or that otherwise twists the knee
- use free weights to make any of the above exercises harder,”.
When to see an orthopedic doctor
Orthopedic doctors are also involved in pioneering research to improve current treatments and develop innovative techniques that decrease recovery time and increase long-term success rates. With advancements in minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic specialists can perform procedures with smaller incisions, resulting in less post-operative pain and quicker recovery for patients.
Additionally, many orthopedic practices now offer regenerative medicine options, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapies, which can promote healing by using the body’s cells.
Orthopedic surgeons are also instrumental in dealing with sports-related injuries. They offer customized injury prevention strategies tailored to specific sports, demonstrating a keen understanding of the unique injuries associated with each activity. For athletes wanting to enhance their performance or prevent future injuries, orthopedic guidance on proper techniques and equipment can be invaluable.
Furthermore, orthopedic care extends into pediatric treatment, addressing congenital conditions such as clubfoot or scoliosis helping children maintain or improve mobility as they grow. Beyond physical ailments, orthopedic doctors often work alongside specialized rehabilitation therapists to design comprehensive recovery plans to ensure patients not only recover physically but regain confidence in their movement and functionality.
What do orthopedic doctors treat
In conclusion, ultimately, the role of an orthopedic doctor is not just about treating injuries; it’s about restoring function, enhancing quality of life, and empowering patients at every stage of life. My journey navigating numerous old injuries exemplifies the profound impact orthopedic care can have, not only in healing the body but also in rehabilitating and revitalizing the spirit. I hope to one day be back out on the field and get into the action again.