At the Orthopaedic and Pain Practice, professionals are knowledgeable in managing everything musculoskeletal, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerve-related issues. This includes managing orthopaedic surgical care such as trauma and joint replacements. Orthopaedic problems are ailments that can occur in daily life. The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice specialists and care teams hold clinical views that suitable, evidence-based treatment enables a better patient experience and therefore better outcomes. Every engagement the care team has with patients at the Orthopaedic and Pain Practice, the team works towards and lives out our mission. As such, the Orthopaedic and Pain Practice is a comprehensive center for all orthopaedics and musculoskeletal care.
Understanding Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions affect the body’s structure involving the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. Overall, the human body is a complex system, and all components are interconnected. The musculoskeletal system enables movement, stability, and posture support, and thus when there is an issue with this system, the patient’s quality of life is going to be impacted negatively. Some of these issues may include limited ability to perform daily activities, working, and participation in organized or non-organized sports events. The chronic nature of some of the musculoskeletal issues leads to depression and social isolation. There are various types of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries including:
• Arthritis – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis
• Tendon injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Bone injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Impaired functional movement (i.e., pain associated with forward flexion, bending to one side, backward extension, rotation, etc.)
It is important that patients recognize the early symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal conditions for an early diagnosis and management, which will affect the outcome of any given intervention. Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability.
Treatment Approaches for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, neck and back pain, tendinitis, sprains, and the aftereffects of trauma can occur at any age. They often affect your joints, muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, and can interfere with mobility. We aim to address these conditions through a multitude of treatment approaches. We are able to cater to patients’ various wishes, from a conservative approach involving conventional therapies to more advanced interventions, depending on the patient’s needs. It is important for the treatment plan to be individualized to the patient’s requirements, in addition to the severity and progress of the musculoskeletal condition, to allow for the best possible outcome. Patient education is the cornerstone of our management plan, and the patient is encouraged to be an active and informed partner in the decision-making process. The information provided to patients is based on recognized evidence-based practice. Surgical interventions are available to high-quality standards in multiple locations, with the aim to provide multidisciplinary health care for each patient.
Non-Surgical Treatment Modalities: The orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care provided encompasses services and treatments for a multitude of musculoskeletal conditions. We are a one-stop clinic with a personalized and comprehensive individual approach for the patient. Our team has multidisciplinary expertise in performing secure and ethical biologically regenerative treatments, psychological care, complementary physical treatments, and gold-standard surgical and interventional pain procedures in a range of hospital and day surgery locations. The orthopaedic doctor and patient partner in their treatment decisions. We provide care for degenerative conditions, traumatic and sports injuries, complex and difficult-to-manage musculoskeletal conditions, peri-implantology, and psychological aspects of trauma and chronic pain in lone individual and multi-party legal situations.
Overview of Chronic Lower Back Pain
Chronic lower back pain is a persistent condition that can significantly impact daily life, often lasting for three months or longer. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or underlying conditions such as arthritis. Managing chronic lower back pain typically requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and ergonomic adjustments. In some cases, more advanced treatments like injections or surgery may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Chronic lower back pain treatment often includes a mix of physical rehabilitation, pain management, and lifestyle modifications to enhance mobility and comfort.
Management of HIV and Lower Back Pain
Challenges to HIV care with chronic lower back pain. The management of chronic pain can greatly affect visit adherence, physical functioning, emotional well-being, lifestyle factors, and social support. In turn, chronic pain care is greatly affected by HIV symptoms and related treatments. These interconnecting relationships point to the complexity of care, which supports the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Likely, the greatest challenge to the integrated treatment is the safety of utilizing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and other analgesics that can be used to treat chronic pain alongside the medications required to treat HIV. Furthermore, regular monitoring of the effects of medications and alternative health care treatments is required because the immune system is already compromised. In this situation, ongoing and continuous interdisciplinary collaboration is absolutely paramount. There are also psychological and social issues related to, and specific to, HIV, so a comprehensive holistic health care system approach is necessary to achieve better outcomes. Much research and the development of health care guidelines are necessary to better integrate HIV management and the care of clients with chronic pain. People with HIV may experience lower back pain due to infections, inflammation, or medication-induced muscle strain.
Treatment of Lower Back Muscle Tears
Lower back muscle tear treatment begins with a conservative approach, which typically entails rest from whatever activity brought on the injury, and limited sport or physical activity—though walking will not worsen the muscle tear, a muscle will heal. Physical therapy for muscle stretching and an activity regimen for strengthening, with ultrasound, heat, cold, or electronic stimulation treatments to ease and hasten the healing process may be prescribed. Additionally, the use of anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers may be prescribed. For severe, non-responsive cases, surgery may be indicated if the muscle has not healed—no progression or worsening pain—six months after the injury took place. Rehabilitation and postoperative care, whether the injury is treated conservatively or with surgery, are crucial. This helps to rebuild muscle strength and function while preventing re-injury. Patient education is essential. To avoid re-injury when the muscle has healed, sports and physical activities will be limited. A gradual return—under guidance—will be made based on the person’s muscle strength and flexibility. Any sport that places a person at risk for repetitive muscle tears—such as tennis or golf—will be allowed if the game has been retooled to minimize muscle strain and a warm-up period has taken place. Recovery from a lower back muscle tear typically involves rest, applying ice, and guided exercises to promote healing and prevent re-injury.
