Non-Invasive / Conservative Orthopedic Treatment

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Frequently a part of the conservative treatment plan are anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol®, and other pharmacological nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used in order to reduce swelling and inflammation that contribute to stiffness and make reconditioning and physical therapy exercises more difficult. Swelling and inflammation are symptoms often associated with bone and joint, as well as nerve, tendon, and ligament conditions and injuries.

These medications are not intended for long-term use. If symptoms persist despite their use in conjunction with other conservative treatment, other treatment options may be considered.

Therapeutic Injections
With both pain management and diagnostic benefit, therapeutic injections are a combination of lidocaine and corticosteroid used to alleviate symptoms resulting from a number of musculoskeletal conditions.

Therapeutic injections may be indicated for rotator cuff impingement nonresponsive to other conservative treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy, as well as for older patients with subacromial spurs, who are not recommended for surgery. They are also beneficial in the temporary pain relief of patients with an operable lesion.

Though studies have shown that the long-term use of this type of medication does diminish its effectiveness.

The effectiveness of external immobilization is often underestimated. Simply resting the injured or stressed limb in a position optimal for blood flow can reduce pain exaggerated by movement and promote healing. This is particularly true for simple fractures that are not displaced and compression of tendons and nerves in repetitive stress conditions.

Immobilization may simply entail resting the injured limb in a particular position during periods of inactivity, casting, or removable splints and braces. While this period of immobilization gives fractures time to heal, it also alleviates the pressure the position required for some activities may place on tendons or nerves.

Though, long periods of immobilization sometimes associated with casting may take a toll on muscle function in the limb and require a period of rehabilitative range of motion and strengthening exercises before regaining full limb function.

Rehabilitative exercises are essential in an optimal recovery and resumption of strength and movement. Often times, exercise alone can strengthen an injured limb - ultimately aiding in the recovery of minor injuries with no need for more invasive treatment.

Rehabilitative exercise as primary treatment is particularly effective in repetitive stress injuries and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis and golfer's elbow, Guyon's canal syndrome, and trigger finger. It can also help educate patients about non-stressing joint movement and positions for improved joint function. Often times changing the manner in which a task is performed or a repetitive activity is approached can dramatically alter the adverse affects it previously prompted.

And by strengthening and improving flexibility of surrounding and opposing muscles, tendons and ligaments, the impact from force as well as daily activities is better distributed - placing less stress on a single region.

Rehabilitation programs may also initially include a period of rest from the activity placing stress on the limb, along with cold compression in order to reduce swelling and inflammation that causes stiffness and prolongs the rehabilitative process.

Ultrasound therapy is one of the best forms of heat treatment for soft tissue injuries such as muscle sprains, bursitis, and tendonitis. It increases blood supply in order to promote healing. It reduces pain by decreasing muscle spasms and encouraging normal function. And it softens fibrous tissues and scar tissue.

Ultrasound is a high-frequency wave that cannot be heard by the human ear. It is applied to the body with an ultrasound machine. A gel is used to help the waves travel into the body rather than reflect off the skin. The waves are transferred in either a "pulse" mode, which prevents tissues from heating, or a "continuous" mode, which transfers the heat to the body tissues.