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The human body is an amazing machine capable of impressive feats. It is comprised of complex systems with many essential components, and while physical movement is a beautiful and miraculous process, the complexity of the process leaves the door open for injuries and problems. Fortunately, the medical field has come a long way, and learning about everything from injury prevention to options for orthopedic urgent care in NYC can help you keep your body up and running for many years to come. What Is an Orthopedic Injury? Orthopedics cover conditions of the musculoskeletal system. This means everything from broken bones to torn ligaments can be addressed by an orthopedic specialist. Sprains, strains, torn knee ligaments (like ACL and MCL tears), hand surgeries, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, shoulder rehabilitation, hip replacements, spine injuries, and much more can all be checked out and treated. Acute Acute injuries come on suddenly, generally as the result of a trauma. Car accidents, sports injuries (from a fall, an impact, or a collision), or other traumas can cause damage to bones, tendons, and other tissues. These injuries are typically accompanied by swelling, pain, or tenderness, and possibly bruising. It can often be difficult to tell the severity of the injury right away, but there are a few things to watch for. If you can ever see that a bone is obviously broken (bone pierces the skin, joints bend the wrong way, etc.), you should seek emergency medical attention immediately. If the injured limb becomes non-weight bearing, meaning you can’t walk or use it at all, you should also seek medical attention. Other orthopedic emergencies include major complications following a joint replacement, joint dislocations, severe back pain accompanied by the inability to use the lower limbs, or severe joint pain in a person with osteoporosis. Orthopedic injuries that don’t require immediate medical attention should be rested, elevated, and treated with ice. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDS, can be taken to address pain and swelling. If the injury worsens or doesn’t get better with rest and time, you should get it looked at. Chronic Chronic injuries, or overuse injuries, occur over time rather than coming on suddenly. While the symptoms may seem to sneak up on you, they are generally in the works for a while. Repeated impact over time can cause stress to certain areas, eventually causing a sprain, strain, break, or other injury. Runners, tennis players, baseball players, and other active individuals who engage in repetitive motions are most susceptible to these kinds of injuries. The first step to treating a chronic injury is to rest the area (this may mean taking a break from your sport or activity) and treat the symptoms with ice or elevating the area. For more minor injuries, this may be sufficient, but in many cases, the damage has been done, and it needs to be seen by a medical professional. Physical therapy, surgery, and other rehabilitation options can be addressed. While it can be frustrating, it is much better to resolve the problem, rather than trying to function with your injury for years to come. Injury Prevention The best way to deal with an injury, of course, is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Myofascial release, stretching, a balanced approach to exercise, proper nutrition, and other healthy habits can help to keep your musculoskeletal system healthy, strong, and balanced. Treat problems as soon as you notice warning signs, and get attention from an orthopedic urgent care in NYC when needed. Nipping any problems in the bud will keep them from worsening with time, causing more problems down the road.
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