Got Injured While Camping Near Atlanta? 5 Signs You Should Visit an Orthopedic Doctor Now

Camping in Atlanta is a time-honoured tradition for families. Spend enough time outdoors and your love for Nature will surely dole out a few bumps, bites, and bruises for your trouble. Apart from all the amenities present in the campground, still,there are risks involved in camping. True?

Common campsite injuries include:

• Sprains and fractures
• Cuts and scrapes
• Lesions and Burns
• Bee stings and insect bites
• Elbow pain
• Shoulder pain
• Ankle foot pain

What happens if you or any of your family members get hurt while camping? Who to visit PCP Or Orthopedic Doctor?

A primary care physician is trained in internal medicine. They treat general pains and ache and serve as a patient’s first point of contact in the healthcare system. Whereas, an orthopedic specialists is familiar with the broader picture of the problem and can also perform orthopedic surgery.

Many people ask why there’s a need to visit an orthopedic specialist and what do they do?

Here’s what you need to know.

Humans have more than 300 joints and bones in the body. If just one of them got damaged or stops functioning properly, the person could be in for a world of pain until treated by the specialists.

As the name suggests, a specialist has special training in the care of joints, bones, and muscles. An orthopedic doctor in Atlanta specializes in diagnosing and treating the damaged bones and joints. They deeply focuses and use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat spine disorders, musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, infections, tumors, congenital disorders, and degenerative diseases. Non-surgical treatment may include using exercise, medication, and other alternative or rehabilitation therapies.

Signs a Person Need to Visit an Orthopedic Specialist

Has the time arrived to see an orthopedic specialist? If a person has already visit primary care physician, and is experiencing symptoms pointing to a severe musculoskeletal injury, visit an orthopedic specialist now. You can ask your PCP for a referral, or ask loved ones if they know anyone nearby.

Find a specialist if you’re experiencing symptoms like:

• Chronic pain in the bones and joints, particularly in places like the knee, neck, elbows, and/or back
• Stiffness in range of motion in joints
• A soft tissue injury that prolonged more than 48 hours
• Inability to perform daily routine tasks.

However, the above list is not exhausted and there are also other reasons to see an orthopedic doctor.

1. Sciatica

Sciatica refers to low back pain which branches from the lower back through your buttocks and extends even into the foot. It happens due to a slipped disc, and mostly affects one side of the body.

Once the sciatic nerve gets aggravate a person starts suffering from serious pain. In 90percent cases, the pain vanishes with time. However, if lasts more than 6 weeks, it becomes necessary to visit an orthopedic doctor.

2. Repetitive Strain Injury

RSI result from poor posture, repetitive and forceful motions, and other hazards that pressurize certain muscles. It usually affect the back, arms, neck, and hands of a person–the most common strain disorder is carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the nerves and the muscles of the hand.

Symptoms of RSI include;stiffness, tenderness, or tingling in the affected area. The pain is very annoying; therefore, an early diagnosis from the best orthopedic doctor in Atlanta can get you effective treatment.

3. Hip Pain

Those who spend most of their holidays camping may complain about hip pain. If the pain is minor it could go away with the time or by taking pain relievers, and putting ice on the area. However, you may need to see an orthopedic doctor if the pain prolong or gets worse.

4. Hip Replacement

If your hip pain causes you problem in performing daily activities, and other treatments (medication, rest, ice therapy, etc.) haven’t worked well, then an orthopedic surgeon may need to perform hip replacement surgery––to replace a diseased or damaged hip with an artificial joint.

5. Knee Pain

Whether you are hiking or training for an epic trip on the weekends, knee pain can prevent you from performing various physical activities. Knee pain can result from injuries during sports or camping activities or it may result due to an assortment of things, including tendonitis, sprains, muscle strains, bursitis, cartilage tears, and arthritis. Likewise, problems with your hips or feet can also injure your knees.

To help relieve your knee pain, you can:

1. Rest your knee
2. Wrap your knee
3. Ice your knee to ease swelling and pain
4. Elevate your leg on a soft pillow when you lie down.
5. Take NSAIDs, if needed, like naproxen or ibuprofen or
6. Do strengthening and stretching exercises, especially for quadriceps muscles.

If the above methods don’t work and you are still suffering from chronic or severe knee pain, it is advisable to visit the best orthopedic doctor in Atlanta who can diagnose the cause behind the pain and suggest a suitable treatment plan.

What possible treatments a specialist can suggest?

Treatments may include medications to relieve pain and physical therapies to strengthen the knee cap. If these two solutions become ineffective, your orthopedic doctor may go for knee replacement.

Last words

Injuries are simply a fact of life for campers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are suffering from sore muscles, aching joints or blistered feet these painful injuries can prevent you from performing your daily tasks and doing what you are passionate about.

With a few tips on how to protect yourself while camping you can keep doing what you love. If you are careful and prepare in advance, you can probably avoid most common injuries hikers or campers usually experience. Some hiking injuries are preventable and treatable on your own. But the suggestions discussed here should never take the place of professional medical treatment or guidance.

Thank you for reading!

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