If you have severe back pain or a spinal injury, visit a spine doctor to diagnose the condition and receive personalized treatment. While a spine specialist and orthopedic doctor address issues within your muscles and joints, they differ in several ways. Here are some differences between the two medical professionals:
Conditions They Treat
Spine specialists treat minor and severe issues you might be experiencing in your neck and upper or lower back. Whether you have herniated discs, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease, these professionals can examine and treat you. Patients with spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or spinal fractures can also visit this care provider for medical attention. An orthopedic doctor should be seen for health conditions affecting your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This expert treats problems and symptoms related to arthritis, torn cartilage, and broken bones, among others.
Treatment Options They Provide
When you visit a spine doctor, they might suggest non-surgical treatments like physical therapy as the first way to solve the issue. This specialist may also administer epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks to relieve you from swelling and consistent pain. If you don’t respond to these remedies, spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement surgeries can be other options. To help you heal, an orthopedic doctor uses bracing or casting to support fractured bones or damaged joints. If you’re experiencing consistent pain, your care provider prescribes medications like muscle relaxants or painkillers. This physician may recommend joint replacement surgery or fracture repair to manage your symptoms if other options don’t work.
Diagnostic Tools They Use
To diagnose issues affecting your spinal cord, nerves, and discs, a spine specialist takes an MRI for better images. A CT scan may also look for underlying spinal deformities or degenerative conditions harming the spine. In advanced clinics, this professional uses electromyography, which involves placing electrodes on the skin to test how nerves and muscles work. To get clear pictures of your bones, an orthopedic doctor uses X-rays so that they can detect fractures, dislocations, and bone diseases. In some treatment centers, this expert uses an ultrasound to examine injuries in tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Signs to See Each One
If you are experiencing symptoms like numbness and tingling in your arms and legs, a spine specialist is the professional to visit. If you feel your limbs are weak, this may be another sign. This may indicate that your nerve roots are deteriorated or compressed. After a sports injury, book an appointment with an orthopedic doctor to determine whether you have a sprain or a torn ligament. This medical professional may treat you if you have joint pain or stiffness in your knees, hips, or ankles. Constant soreness in your shoulders and elbows is another reason to see an orthopedic doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Book an Appointment With a Spine Doctor Today
Whether you have mild or severe symptoms stemming from your spine, visit a specialist who can conduct different tests and offer the proper remedies. Most of these medical professionals recommend non-surgical options to help you recover before surgery. They can offer customized recovery plans to help you treat your condition. To get pain relief, book an appointment with a spine doctor today.
