You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to suffer from tendon, muscle, and joint pain. As it turns out, even “weekend warriors” can suffer from musculoskeletal ailments. If you’re enduring pain in your muscles, have joint deformities, or are having difficulty performing everyday tasks, you are a good candidate for orthopedic care.

Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat a vast range of musculoskeletal issues – degenerative conditions (osteoporosis), joint problems (arthritis), bone tumors, and sprained ankles. When you visit a specialist, they must first diagnosis your disorder, which may include the use of X-rays, blood tests, and other diagnostic studies, and then suggest treatment. While some conditions can be treated with medications, physical therapy, or special exercises, others may require surgery. A reputable doctor will always recommend surgery as a last resort, and first try to treat your condition with less extreme measures. Therefore, it’s always advised to see an orthopedic specialist before a problem progresses; this can be a helpful step in preventing the need for more serious surgeries.

You may be wondering how to select the right orthopedic specialist for your particular injury or condition. Because orthopedic medicine has become so highly specialized in recent years, it’s important to select the doctor based on the injury. For example, if you fell playing volleyball and hurt your leg, then you’d want to visit a sports medicine doctor.

Patients can be most helpful when they come prepared. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends bringing any information you have on your condition to the first visit. If you’ve had emergency room care or any labs tests done, it’s best to bring these.

Experience is a major factor when selecting any physician – but especially so when it comes to orthopedic surgeons. According to Aetna, the number of surgeries performed by a doctor is a wonderful indicator of their level of experience. The meticulous precision required of procedures such as back surgery or joint replacements is staggering; it’s always a good idea to select a doctor who is currently board certified, and has been working for a number of years.

Do your due diligence when searching for the right doctor. According to the AAOS, a surgeon in this field will have completed 14 years of formal education. Recommendations from friends are one way to get referrals, but if you’re looking for a real directory of reputable physicians, The American Medical Association (AMA) and AAOS both feature online directories where you can search for doctors by specialty and locale. Asking your primary care physician for a referral is another great way to find the right specialist for your needs.

As with all medical procedures, large out-of-pocket costs can lead to long-term financial woes. Talking to your insurance provider about your orthopedic care options will help you plan for expensive procedures, and ensure that you don’t receive any surprise bills after treatment.

Whether you’re the “weekend warrior” who was injured playing sports, a professional athlete, or simply struggling with everyday aches and pains, the appropriately named Colorado Center for Orthopaedic Excellence can help you to treat what is ailing you. A true pillar of virtue in the field of orthopedic medicine, their staff of knowledgeable physicians are board certified to treat a plethora of disorders, among them: arthroscopy, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, orthopedic trauma, and hip & knee replacement. When it comes to credentials, theirs couldn’t be better. In fact, their office is the official orthopedic medicine provider of the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Call (719) 623-1050 today, or request an appointment online.