If you’re an athlete or lead a lively lifestyle, you are prone to sports-related injuries, often requiring advanced medical intervention. However, most sportspeople brush off an injury hoping they’ll get better over time. Instead, this worsens their situation further and can keep you off the pitch for a long time. Luckily, Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine offers advanced treatment options that restore your functionality and improve your life quality without undergoing a surgical procedure.
Typically, it can be tough to determine when you should see a physician to address your concerns. Although the challenges may differ with each person, unmanaged pain can eventually transcend and affect your body and emotional well-being. However, these signs indicate it might be time to seek advanced medical intervention.
1.You’re experiencing consistent pain
While pain usually starts mildly, it can grow more severe, especially if ignored. Also, pain can begin with a sudden onset that can seem less worsening at first but might advance and cause debilitating symptoms afterward. Consistent pain that lasts for weeks and doesn’t improve with pain relievers often signifies a severe underlying problem that requires urgent medical expertise. Your doctor can help determine the cause and provide customized treatment options for quick relief.
2.Muscle weakness or you can’t put weight on the injured area
If you’re experiencing unusual muscle weakness to the extent that you cannot put weight on your injury, it might be time to seek expert help. Also, if you struggle to pick something or bend without pain, a sports medicine doctor can help. Usually, these symptoms indicate a serious underlying condition like arthritis which requires treatments to prevent further damage. In this case, your doctor can help determine and tailor your condition with a personalized treatment plan that will work best for you.
3.Painful or weakened joints
Joint injury is the most frequent and usually affects the knee, ankle, or elbow. While various reasons cause joint pain, the most common are a bad fall, osteoarthritis, and fractures. Besides suffering intense joint pain, your joints can deteriorate and weaken, making it difficult to perform simple tasks. However, you should visit your doctor if you detect signs of weakened or painful joints for diagnosis and treatments.
4. You have an injury that hasn’t healed properly
If you’ve had an injury previously that hasn’t healed properly, it might signify a damaged tissue or muscles requiring urgent medical intervention. A reoccurring injury can cause severe complications, especially if ignored. Fortunately, a sports medicine specialist can assess your situation and offer advanced treatments to help you get back on track quickly.
5.You’ve tried other treatment options with no relief
Generally, most people prefer trying other options like over-the-counter medications before visiting a pain management doctor. Although they are useful for minor illnesses and injuries, they are not the best option for providing you with long-term relief. Therefore, if you’re suffering from recurring injuries or painful conditions that don’t improve with OTC, you should see medical intervention from an experienced specialist. Any pain condition that doesn’t alleviate with pain relievers signifies a more severe condition.
While the list of when you should see a sports medicine doctor is exhaustive, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek medical attention in case of pain or discomfort. Regardless of the severity of your situation, you can overcome your hurdle with advanced treatment and preventive care.
