At BMC, we provide cutting-edge care for acute injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. But getting back to the activities you love involves more than just our expert evaluation and treatment. We also provide support and education to ensure you have the best outcomes possible and avoid injuries in the future.
What to Expect
If you have joint pain or swelling or injure a bone or muscle, your first step may be to go to your primary care physician. They can do an exam and recommend treatments like physical therapy or medication.
Your doctor might also order an X-ray, MRI, or other testing to try to figure out the cause of your symptoms. If the testing shows a lot of damage or your symptoms don’t improve, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic specialist.
At your consultation, the orthopedic specialist will go over your medical history. They will do a physical exam and look for swelling, lumps, or bruises. They will also review any images taken by your primary doctor or order new images to better understand your condition.
If you need another X-ray, you’ll be able to get one right in BMC’s orthopedic clinic.
The results of your exam and testing will help your doctor make a diagnosis and recommend treatment.
Your treatment plan may begin with non-surgical options such as:
- Physical therapy
- Oral medications such as anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants
- Injectable medications like steroids
- Medical equipment like braces, splints, or shoe insoles. You’ll be able to get all of these in our office.
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Lifestyle changes
- Shockwave therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
The type of treatment you get will depend on your specific condition and other factors like age.
If non-surgical treatment isn’t working or you have a severe injury, then surgery may be your next option.
Before your surgery, your surgeon will explain the procedure. They’ll tell you what to expect, the risks involved, and the recovery process.
Be sure to follow any instructions from your surgical team. You may have to stop certain medications, avoid eating or drinking before your surgery, and get a pre-operative checkup.
The day of your surgery, you’ll likely need to arrive at the hospital a few hours before your procedure.
After surgery, you’ll move to a recovery room and be monitored by a nurse. Once you’re awake and stable, you’ll be discharged home or admitted to the hospital if needed.
Your doctor will give you instructions for your care at home after surgery. This may include how to care for your incision, medications, and when you can go back to your normal routine.
You will need someone to bring you home after surgery. You may also need someone to take care of you for at least a couple of days, depending on the type of surgery.
You may need rehabilitation to help you build strength and mobility. This may include physical or occupational therapy and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. It’s important to follow your care instructions and not overdo activities until cleared by your doctor.
You’ll have scheduled follow-up appointments with your orthopedist. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Check how well you’re healing and how your recovery is going
- Discuss any pain, discomfort, or other concerns you might have
- Identify any potential problems to prevent future issues
- Adjust your treatment plan if necessary. This may include changes to physical therapy, exercise, or medication.
Many orthopedic conditions are chronic. After you finish treatment, you’ll need to manage your condition to prevent further problems. Your orthopedist will give you advice on how to best take care of yourself.
“I got absolutely great care, and I am so grateful and appreciative. Dr. Tannoury gave me my life back, and I feel like if I had surgery somewhere else, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Cheryl Gillis-SmithHear more of Cheryl's story
Tips and Resources for Your Health
10 Most Common Orthopedic Conditions
The musculoskeletal system consists of bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Many chronic and degenerative conditions, as well as injuries, can affect those areas.
Aging And Your Bone Health – A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Bone density is highest between 25 and 35 years old. After that, bone density starts to decrease, which can cause health problems.
How to Spot and Care for Surgical Infections
If you’ve had orthopedic surgery, there is always a small risk of getting an infection. It’s not common for people to get infections after surgery – only about one to three percent of people do.
Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Surgeon
Whether you’ve been injured or are finally addressing those aches and pains you’ve been ignoring, you’ll likely have many questions when you see your orthopedist for the first time.
