Does your shoulder hurt when you try to reach something off the shelf? Does your hip hurt when you turn to the other side of the bed during the night? Or the knee when you bend down to pick something up?
If you ignore the pain, you can create a huge problem for yourself that you could have solved with just one visit to the orthopedist. And if you are not sure when it is the right time to react and go to your doctor, we will refer you to a couple of situations when this visit is necessary so that you do not put yourself in harm’s way.
So let’s start!
1. You are experiencing unexplained muscle or joint pain
If you feel pain in your muscles and joints during your daily activities, it’s time to visit an orthopedic doctor because even if these symptoms occur during some minor or major injuries – you must not ignore them. For example, if you feel pain in your back every time you bend down to tie a shoelace – you need an orthopedist.
So don’t ignore these pains by attributing it to age or an awkward position during sleep, because these practices can often lead to serious outcomes and complications.
2. The pain is preventing you from participating in your regular activities
If you don’t want to get out of bed because a daily activity like brushing your teeth or walking your dog causes pain in your muscles or joints, it’s not a good sign.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up and accept that. As we have already said, in these moments you should not take all this lightly because often the reason behind the pain is a certain muscle, bone or joint injury. And because of that, preventing serious symptoms in time by going to the doctor is paramount.
3. You have noticed a decrease in range of motion
Decreased range of motion is a limitation of the ability to move your joints in a normal way. Simply put, you can no longer fully stretch your arm or leg because it hurts.
This is could be a symptom of arthritis, but it can also indicate other problems such as tendinitis or bursitis or just a minor injury. Either way – pay a doc a visit.
4. Your muscles feel weak and tired
Feeling weak and tired could just be a byproduct of your lifestyle and unhealthy sleeping habits, but it is not uncommon for it to be caused by an injury to your muscles or joints. Even if it was just a heavy workout yesterday, and you are not used to it.
In any case, when you feel pain in your muscles along with weakness and fatigue – make an appointment with an orthopedist over at https://adriameduae.com/orthopaedics/.
5. The pain is accompanied by swelling or redness
While not a common occurrence, when you experience pain in your muscles or joints, and it is accompanied by swelling or redness – it could be a sign of infection. In this case, you should not hesitate and go to the doctor immediately.
To be fair, an ortho might not be able to give you a diagnosis on the spot or be the specialist you should actually visit, but he will most certainly refer you to the right specialist and get you the help you need.
6. There has been a recent injury or fall
This one’s a no-brainer. If you’ve recently injured yourself, or worse – fallen, and you are feeling pain in your muscles or joints – it’s time to go see a doc. You could’ve broken and pulled something, and not know it. Pushing through the pain is not an option you should be considering.
7. You are having difficulty walking or standing
Unless you’re a senior citizen or a disabled person, you shouldn’t have trouble walking or standing. So, if you are experiencing these problems – it’s time to seek medical attention.
This can be caused by a series of issues, some more serious than others, so you shouldn’t rule anything out, but you also shouldn’t try and diagnose yourself through WebMD.
8. You experience stabbing pain in the same area
Stabbing pain is as uncomfortable as it sounds, and it’s usually caused by an injury. If this pain is recurring in the same area – you should definitely see a doctor because it could be a sign of a stress fracture.
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone, caused by repetitive stress or overuse, and it can take weeks or even months to heal properly – even with the right treatment.
9. The pain is particularly severe at night time
Almost every pain tends to get worse at night, but that does not give you an excuse to be irresponsible or ignorant about it. If the pain is keeping you up at night, or if it’s preventing you from falling asleep – make an appointment.
10. You suspect you might have a broken bone, muscle tear or a torn ligament
Some of these injuries are pretty easy to spot, but if you’ve just fell and you can’t tell what exactly is wrong with you – go to the doctor.
You shouldn’t take any chances when it comes to your health, and a visit to the doctor’s office is always better than an ambulance ride to the hospital when it gets too late.
11. There has been a sudden change in the intensity of your muscle or joint pain
If you’ve been experiencing pain for a while, and all of a sudden it gets worse – it might be time to get it checked out. It could be a sign that the injury is getting worse, or that you may have developed a new condition or the previous one is progressing, neither of which is good for you.
12. You are pregnant and experience muscle or joint pain
While it is true that pregnant ladies often experience all kinds of pains, from back pain to headaches, if the pain is severe – don’t ignore it.
Pregnancy can be a delicate time, and you should be extra careful about your health, so if you’re experiencing any type of pain – make sure to talk to your physician or visit an orthopedist.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you might be experiencing pain in your muscles or joints, and some of them are more serious than others. However, if you are unsure about what is causing the pain, or if the pain is severe – it is always better to err on the side of caution and pay your orthopedist a visit. They’ll put your mind at ease.
