Have you recently found yourself asking when to consult an orthopedist? Perhaps you have had joint, muscle, or bone pain and want to make sure that your body is doing okay, or maybe you are past that point and know that you may need to have some sort of hip or knee surgery. Whatever the case may be, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to orthopedics. Here are just a few:

1. General Orthopedics Information – If you are wondering exactly what an orthopedic physician handles you probably aren’t alone. It’s tough to keep up with all of the various types of medicine. Orthopedics specifically focuses on the health of bones and their associated muscles, joints, and ligaments. Orthopedists handle everything from minimally invasive spine procedures all the way to standard hip surgeries.

2. Common Orthopedic Ailments – Did you know that each one of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and 100+ tendons, muscles, and ligaments? That is one of the reasons that studies show that 75% of Americans will have foot pain or problems at some point during their lifetime. We need to take care of our feet! Another common ailment treated by orthopedic doctors is back pain. Right now, experts say that 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point, and that over 30 million Americans specifically experience low-back pain.

3. When To Consult An Orthopedist – So when do you know for sure that it’s time to consult an orthopedic doctor? Unfortunately that question can’t be answered with any sort of formula or equation. Instead, you have to listen to what your body is telling you. If you have noticed chronic bone, joint, or muscle pain for several days on end and it feels abnormal to you, then you may want to call an orthopedist. It may be a cliche, but in this case it really is better to be safe than sorry.

Maybe you know that you need to talk to an orthopedic surgeon due to your symptoms, or perhaps you just want a simple consultation to discuss some minor pain you’ve been having. Either way, when to consult an orthopedist is a decision that many Americans will face throughout their lifetime. That is why it’s good to have a bit of information about the doctor you’ll be seeing, and that is what the three points above are meant to give you. You are the one who knows your body the best, so listen to it and take cues. You’ll be glad you did!