In many cases, a little ibuprofen and rest can go a long way in healing an injury or ailment. Minor issues often subside on their own, and we’d rather not sacrifice time or money on a trip to see an Austin orthopedic surgeon, so we tough it out for a couple of days and hope for the best.
But, what about when that pain doesn’t go away? Or worsens? What about when you lose track of how many days you’ve been “toughing it out” and can’t even remember how it started in the first place?
It can be hard to know when it’s time to see an Austin Orthopedic Surgeon, especially since each injury, body part, and person is different. Your own common sense and knowledge of your body is a good place to start, but these pointers can help you better decide when to stop toughing it out and start taking care of it.
Hand Injuries
Common Causes:
- Knocks and blows
- Falling and landing on the hands
- Jamming a finger
- Repetitive strain and overuse
- Arthritis
When to see a Doctor:
- No signs of improvement after simple at-home treatment
- Inability to bend the fingers
- Worsening or spreading pain or numbness
- Deformity of the hand or fingers
Wrist Injuries
Common Causes:
- Sudden impacts
- Repetitive stress from activities involving wrist motion like playing sports or an instrument
- Arthritis
When to see a Doctor:
- Difficulty holding things or making simple hand movements
- Worsening numbness or tingling
- Little to no feeling in the fingers or hand
- If pain remains at or above a 6 on a 1-10 scale
Elbow Injuries
Common Causes:
- Sudden knocks or blows
- Overuse
When to see a Doctor:
- Inability to carry objects or use arm normally
- Joint deformity
- Pain that occurs while at rest
- Swelling or bruising around elbow
Shoulder Injuries
Common Causes:
- Repeated reaching or throwing
- Pulled back or rotated too far
- Overuse or repeated stress
- Arthritis
When to see a Doctor:
- Inability to use shoulder or move arm away from the body
- Intense pain or pain lasting from a few days to two weeks
- Sudden swelling
- Tenderness or warmth around the joint
- Numbness or tingling in areas away from shoulder like the neck or lower arm
If you’re dealing with an injury in one of these areas, please schedule an appointment with me! I specialize in all injuries of the hand, shoulder, and everything in between. I would love to get you back to pain-free living as quickly and stress-free as possible. If you don’t have time for a phone call right now, you can also submit a contact form and we’ll follow up with you as soon as possible!