Chronic pain affects over 20% of U.S. adults. Some of the top causes include arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage.
Not only can it impact your quality of life, but it can also increase your risk for other conditions such as heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to seek prompt treatment.
Do you have an aging parent who’s been complaining of pains and aches? Wondering whether or not it’s time to bring them to an orthopedic back doctor for a checkup?
If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over a few things that you can look out for in this post. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an Orthopedic Doctor?
Orthopedic doctors are doctors who specialize in treating disorders that affect the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. While some are generalists, others specialize in certain areas of the body.
Take orthopedic back doctors, for example, they treat everything from sports injuries to ruptured disks-anything that involves the bones, joints, and ligaments of the back.
4 Signs That You Should You Bring Your Aging Parent to an Orthopedic Back Doctor
Here are a few signs that it's time to take your parent to an orthopedic doctor. Remember, the sooner you get it treated, the better the outcomes!
1. They Have Limited Range of Motion
Does your parent have a limited range of motion? Do they complain of stiff joints that make it hard for them to perform everyday activities?
If so, it’s probably time to bring them to the doctor. As it is, there’s a high chance that it’s caused by joint disease, which an orthopedic doctor will be able to treat!
Tip: You can always search "orthopedic doctor near me" to find out who's in your area.
2. Trouble Climbing Stairs
Problems in the back can make it difficult for individuals to climb upstairs. The same thing goes for the hips-as they deteriorate, it’ll make it harder and harder for them to walk.
Generally speaking, you want to see a doctor if the pain lasts more than six months. Why? That’s a sign that there’s damage to the joints.
3. Painful Joints
There are many joints in the back. Without them, the spine wouldn’t be able to twist, bend, or extend.
Like the rest of the body, however, they can be affected by various conditions such as osteoarthritis. When that happens, there’s a high chance that it’ll lead to persistent pain.
Without treatment, it'll only get worse with time.
4. Feet or Leg Pain
In some cases, back pain may be accompanied by pain in the legs or feet. This may be due to various things such as a herniated disk, which would put pressure on the nerves.
Depending on the severity, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying issue.
Bringing Your Parent to an Orthopedic Doctor
And there you have it-four signs that you should bring your aging parent to an orthopedic back doctor. If anything, you never want to wait, especially if they're in chronic pain!
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