There are many conditions that affect your body’s musculoskeletal system, including osteoarthritis, bursitis, and arthritis. These conditions may cause pain in your hips and knees, hands and wrists, shoulders and elbows, feet or ankles, or your back. 

Orthopaedic conditions can cause various types of pain, such as muscular pain from strains, joint pain from injuries or degeneration, bone pain from fractures, tissue pain from inflammation, and nerve pain. Depending on the type of orthopaedic condition and severity of pain, there are various strategies for managing and relieving pain.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT) is a specialized branch of rehabilitative health that focuses on restoring movement and function, alleviating pain, and preventing future injuries. For individuals with orthopaedic conditions, physical therapy offers several key benefits:

• Pain Management: Through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation, physical therapists can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Improved Mobility: Physical therapy focuses on increasing the range of motion in affected joints and muscles, helping patients regain functional movement.
• Strength Building: Tailored exercise programs help strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected areas, providing better support and stability.
• Enhanced Flexibility: Stretching exercises improve flexibility, which can reduce the risk of future injuries and help maintain overall musculoskeletal health.
• Post-Surgical Recovery: For those recovering from orthopaedic surgeries, physical therapy helps regain strength and mobility.

Recommended Lifestyle Adjustments for Orthopaedic Conditions

Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from a fracture, or coping with chronic back pain, integrating certain lifestyle adjustments can significantly enhance your quality of life.

Low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, and walking are gentle on the joints while providing cardiovascular benefits and maintaining muscle strength. Yoga and tai chi are particularly beneficial for improving joint mobility and reducing stiffness. 

Excess weight can exacerbate orthopaedic conditions by putting undue stress on joints, especially the knees, hips, and spine. Adopting a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can aid in weight management and reduce inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis.

Simple strategies such as maintaining proper posture, using ergonomic furniture, and avoiding repetitive movements or excessive strain on affected joints can make a significant difference. Adequate rest and sleep are other essential components of managing orthopaedic conditions. 

Interventional Procedures for Pain Management

While conventional treatments like physical therapy and medication play important roles in managing orthopaedic conditions, some patients may require additional interventions to alleviate their pain effectively:

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. These injections are commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy.

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections involve injecting a combination of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication into the facet joints of the spine. These injections can provide relief for individuals suffering from facet joint arthritis, a common cause of back and neck pain.

Intradiscal Injections

Intradiscal injections target pain originating from damaged or degenerated spinal discs. By delivering medication directly into the affected disc, these injections aim to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with conditions like disc herniation and degenerative disc disease.

Radiofrequency Ablations

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to disrupt nerve function temporarily. RFA is often used to relieve pain from facet joint arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and peripheral nerves.

Selective Nerve Root Blocks

Selective nerve root blocks involve injecting medication around specific nerve roots to reduce pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. 

Spinal Cord Stimulators

Spinal cord stimulators are implantable devices that deliver electrical impulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. These devices are often recommended for individuals with chronic back or leg pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

Sacroiliac joint injections deliver medication directly into the sacroiliac joint to alleviate pain caused by inflammation or dysfunction in this area. These injections can be both diagnostic and therapeutic, helping to confirm the source of pain and provide relief.

Peripheral Joint Injections

Peripheral joint injections are used to relieve pain and inflammation in joints outside the spine, such as the shoulder, knee, or hip. These injections can help manage conditions like arthritis, bursitis, or tendonitis, improving mobility and function.

Genicular Nerve Blocks

Genicular nerve blocks target the genicular nerves, which transmit pain signals from the knee joint. By temporarily blocking these nerves with medication, genicular nerve blocks can provide relief for individuals suffering from chronic knee pain, particularly in cases of osteoarthritis.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections aim at tender areas of muscle, known as trigger points, to alleviate pain and improve range of motion. These injections treat muscle pain and stiffness associated with conditions like fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome.

Surgery for Orthopaedic Pain

Orthopaedic surgery aims to correct musculoskeletal problems and alleviate associated pain by addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Whether repairing damaged joints, realigning bones, or decompressing nerves, surgical interventions target the source of pain to provide long-term relief and improve quality of life.

The following types of orthopaedic surgeries for pain management exist:

• Joint Replacement: Joint replacement surgeries, such as total hip or knee replacement, are common procedures for individuals with severe arthritis or joint damage. 
• Spinal Surgery: Spinal surgeries address a range of conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. 
• Fracture Repair: Fracture repair surgeries are necessary for severe fractures that cannot heal properly on their own. 
• Debridement and Resection: Debridement and resection surgeries may be recommended for conditions like osteoarthritis or tendonitis to remove damaged tissue or bone spurs that contribute to pain and inflammation.

At Mobility Bone & Joint Institute, our team of board-certified physicians is ready to help you effectively manage pain due to orthopaedic conditions. Schedule an appointment today, and let’s discuss what pain management strategy would work best for you.