An orthopedic surgeon can treat musculoskeletal injuries. Athletes sometimes receive treatment from these surgeons.

An orthopedic surgeon can treat sports injuries or other trauma caused to the musculoskeletal system. The doctor can diagnose these injuries and determine the best course of action for treatment. The most common sports injuries occur to areas such as the shoulder, knee, and ankle.

Sometimes athletes dislocate their shoulders by falling on it or sometimes they are injured when another athlete pushes into the shoulder during certain sports. The shoulder can be dislocated or pushed out of its natural position into several different unnatural positions. Shoulders can also be separated, sprained, or strained. Like shoulder dislocations, many of these injuries are caused when athletes participate in football, ice hockey or other sports.

Volleyball players and other athletes who participate in non-contact sports may also experience these injuries due to some of the required motions in the sport. Some people state that the injured limb moved the wrong way, causing the injury. The injured person should not move the shoulder until he or she is seen by an orthopedic surgeon. The doctor may advise that the patient's shoulder be kept immobile for a minimum period of time.

Knees are also commonly injured. The knee can be injured from a hit during a contact sport. Frequent movements, or improper movements can also result in a dislocation, tears, or sprains. Sometimes when athletes run, they may suddenly move in the opposite direction, causing the knee to twist out of its natural position.

The injury can also occur when an athlete makes a kicking motion that results in a dislocation. The athlete is likely to feel searing pain from the injury and it may be necessary to see an orthopedic surgeon for an examination and a consultation. Although most injured people have the urge to try to push the knee back into place, this action is not advised.

Depending on the condition, the knee should be kept still, and physicians usually recommend that ice be placed on the area immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. In addition to injuries from irregular movements, or from human to human impact during contact sports, the knee can also be injured during falls. For some injuries, the doctor may recommend that the joint is moved to improve the condition. Stretching exercises are recommended for some conditions. That is why it is important to visit a physician after an injury. The doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to move the injured joint or whether the limb should be held in place.

Neck pain is most often caused when people misuse or use the muscles in the neck extensively. Often the muscles may become strained or the ligaments can tear. Athletes or others may experience severe pain when this occurs. A physician can properly diagnose the injury. Bodybuilders, in particular may experience lower back pain. Improper lifting of heavy weights can stress the lower back causing it to ache over a long period of time. An orthopedic surgeon can recommend treatments or surgery for back chronic back pain.

Article Tags: Orthopedic Surgeon, These Injuries