Most people will experience an injury or health problem at some point in their lives that will cause pain in different parts of the body. Factors such as aging, diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, sports injuries and accidents can affect well-being and daily routine for a short or long time.

According to figures from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), chronic pain affects around 100 million Americans, that is, almost a third of the population. Among the most frequent ones are back, neck and knee pain. These ailments limit people’s work and life activities and can worsen if they are not properly treated.

At Alcam Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics we know that when these pains appear, the first option to those affected is painkillers and, probably for this reason, in recent years NIDA has observed an increase in their prescription, which has led to an increase in addiction to them and deaths from overdose.

To respond to this situation, doctors often refer their patients to physical therapy or orthopedic programs. The latter has treatments and tools to support the injured or sore area, seeking to cure the pathology, but also to prevent it.

What is Orthotics ?

Orthotics  is a specialty of medicine that involves the care of the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves of the human body. Orthopedic doctors focus on treating problems in the hand, wrist, neck, shoulder, back, ankle, hip, knee, and foot. 

Frequently, conditions that require orthopedic care are osteoarthritis, sports injuries, spinal cord injuries, neuralgia, and overuse injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints. There are also common diagnoses related to foot pain and deformities, hand and wrist fractures and tears, shoulder breaks or separations, and elbow and knee injuries, bone tumors, and spinal deformities.

Orthopedic treatments contemplate moderate actions such as medical treatments, physical and occupational therapies, massages, mobility aids and interventions to manage pain. In turn, surgical measures such as joint replacements, spinal surgeries, fracture repair and ligament reconstruction can be applied.

What types of Orthotics are there?

Most experts in this area of medicine practice as general Orthotists. However, there are those who can focus on a specific part of the body within those mentioned above or in pediatrics, sports medicine or traumatology; as well as they can specialize in several areas at the same time.

When is it recommended to see an Orthotist?

Some signs that may indicate the need for orthopedic help are: experiencing pain in muscles, bones or joints for more than three months, having trouble doing daily tasks such as walking or climbing stairs, and feeling tingling or numbness. Emergency care is usually required after a fall, traffic or sports accident, as well as loss of movement, noticeable deformity or inability to bear weight.

What can Orthotics  do for you?

The action of Orthotics  is basically focused on three objectives: control the symptoms that affect the person, reduce pain and improve their quality of life. In those serious conditions that limit the mobility of the patient, although Orthotics  will not completely disappear the disease, it can give them the ease of mobilizing and feel the necessary firmness to avoid a fall or mitigate the damage of an accident.

In addition, joint interventions between Orthotics  and other branches of medicine seek the reinsertion of the patient in their daily activities. In the case of those who practice sports or perform physically demanding jobs such as construction, this discipline strives to prevent future incidents.

In general terms, Orthotics  can totally or partially eradicate conditions related to the musculoskeletal system, depending on when they are detected. In addition, its methods and treatments help maintain good physical condition, reduce stress or anxiety, and have emotional benefits.

For those who have a physical problem that requires the assistance of an Orthotist, Alcam Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics is an ideal option to treat the condition and improve the well-being of the patient. As a leader in prosthetics and orthotics care, Alcam meets all quality standards and serves high-level care.

In the orthopedic area, Alcam offers foot and upper and lower extremity orthoses. It also provides shoes for diabetics and orthopedic devices to treat conditions in the back and neck. For more information visit www.alcammedical.com or @alcammedicalop on Instagram.