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Frequently Asked Questions

Orthopedic Surgery

Pain Management

Neurology

Injury FAQs

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons specialize in diagnosing, treating, rehabilitating, and preventing injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. Common conditions they treat include arthritis, bone fractures, muscle and tendon injuries, and degenerative diseases like osteoporosis.
You should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon if you experience persistent pain, discomfort, or limitations in movement that affect your daily activities, particularly if these symptoms are related to the joints, muscles, or bones. Other reasons include injuries that don’t heal with initial treatment, progressive pain that worsens with activity, or after a recommendation from your primary care doctor following an injury.
There are many types of orthopedic surgeries, and the specific procedure depends on the particular health issue. Common surgeries include arthroscopy (a procedure using special cameras and equipment to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint), joint replacement (like hip, knee, or shoulder replacements), fracture repairs, and surgeries for correcting spinal issues and deformities.
Recovery time varies widely depending on the type of surgery, the patient’s overall health, the complexity of the procedure, and the body part involved. Minor surgeries like arthroscopic repairs may require a few weeks, while major procedures like joint replacements might need several months for full recovery. Your orthopedic surgeon will provide a detailed recovery timeline based on your specific circumstances.
Preparing for orthopedic surgery involves several steps to ensure the best outcomes. These typically include pre-surgical evaluations, which may involve blood tests, imaging tests, and other diagnostic tests to assess your health and plan the surgery. Patients may also need to adjust their medications, avoid certain foods or drinks, and arrange for help during recovery. It’s important to follow all the instructions provided by your healthcare team to minimize risks and improve the healing process.

Pain Management

Pain management is a branch of medicine focused on reducing pain and improving the quality of life through an integrated approach that includes medication, physical therapy, interventional procedures, and sometimes psychological counseling. It can involve treating various types of pain, including acute pain, chronic pain, pain from an injury, cancer pain, and pain related to other medical conditions.

Pain management is typically practiced by specialists who are trained in either anesthesiology, neurology, and physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation). These doctors have additional training in the field of pain medicine to diagnose, treat, and manage pain in a comprehensive way.

Pain management includes a wide range of treatments depending on the cause, nature, and intensity of pain. Common treatments include:
  • Medications: such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical creams.
  • Interventional procedures: like nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency neuroablation, and spinal cord stimulation.
  • Physical therapy: including exercises to improve movement and strength, and decrease pain.
  • Behavioral therapy: which helps patients understand the psychological impact of pain and develop skills to cope with it.
  • Alternative therapies: such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care.
If you have persistent or severe pain that does not improve with primary care treatments, or if pain is impacting your quality of life, seeing a pain management specialist might be beneficial. Chronic pain that persists for more than three to six months, or pain that is associated with a health condition such as cancer, may also warrant a visit to a specialist.

During your first appointment, the pain management doctor will conduct a thorough medical evaluation, including a detailed medical history and a physical examination. You may be asked about the nature of your pain, its severity, duration, and any factors that worsen or improve it. The doctor might also review your previous medical records and imaging studies. This information helps in developing a personalized pain management plan. The goal is to not only treat pain but also address any underlying issues contributing to it.

Neurology

Neurology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in treating conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and migraines.

Neurologists treat a wide range of neurological conditions including:

  • Stroke
  • Seizures and epilepsy
  • Migraines and other types of headaches
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other muscle-weakening diseases
  • Brain and spinal cord injuries
  • Brain tumors
  • Sleep disorders
You should consider seeing a neurologist if you experience symptoms such as unexplained headaches, chronic pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, changes in sensation, coordination problems, or if you have had a seizure. Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with a condition that affects the nervous system or if a primary care doctor recommends a consultation, seeing a neurologist would be beneficial.

Neurologists use a variety of diagnostic tests to help diagnose neurological disorders, including:

  • Neurological Examination: A comprehensive evaluation that tests for strength, coordination, reflexes, sensation, mental status, and other aspects of neurological function.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG): Measures electrical activity in the brain and is often used for diagnosing epilepsy.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans: Imaging tests that provide detailed images of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap): A procedure to collect and examine the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord to diagnose conditions like meningitis and multiple sclerosis.
  • Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies: Tests that measure the electrical activity of muscles and the speed of nerve signals.
Neurologists provide a range of treatments that depend on the specific neurological condition. Treatments may include medications to manage symptoms or treat the condition directly. Neurologists also work closely with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists to provide rehabilitative care. In some cases, they may coordinate with neurosurgeons for surgical treatment of certain conditions like brain tumors, severe epilepsy, and vascular abnormalities in the brain.

Injury FAQs

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you likely have many questions about your next steps. Our comprehensive car accident injury FAQs cover everything you need to know—from immediate actions and medical care options to legal considerations and how Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics can support your recovery.

If you’ve been hurt at your job, you likely have many questions. Our workplace injury questions guide covers everything you need to know from your next steps to workers comp benefits to how Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics can support your recovery.

We treat a variety of sports injuries from sprains and tendonitis to fractures and ligament tears. Our sports injury FAQ page covers treatment options, recovery time, and more.

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