Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pain Doctors Work Together for Patients in Pain

Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pain Doctors Work Together for Patients in Pain

Posted on December 8, 2020

When people suffer from injury or disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles, a visit to an orthopaedic surgeon may be necessary, in order to diagnose and treat these issues.

Orthopaedic surgeons play an important role in the care of injured patients, some specializing in treatment for specific areas of the body such as the spine, hips/knees, shoulders/elbows, feet/ankles or hands, while others provide a more generalized type of service. They are commonly called upon for help with sports injuries, among others.

While it is widely known that these specialists treat broken bones or joint injuries, they may also focus on other conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis and back pain.

Surgery may be necessary in some instances, but before taking this step, orthopaedists may first seek non-surgical options for treatment, such as physical therapy, pain medicine or other alternative pain relief options.

When necessary, an orthopaedic surgeon may work together with a pain management specialist, by referring the patient to a pain doctor who will focus on the origin of a patient’s pain and recommend specific alternative methods for relief, or ultimately a surgical procedure when necessary.

In cases such as these, an orthopaedist will seek a partner in care who will provide the same personalized, expert patient management provided by the referring orthopaedist. The orthopaedist must feel confident that any pain doctor a patient is referred to will enhance the patient experience and benefit, rather than detract from it.

Together, the orthopaedist and pain management specialist will explore all possibilities to recommend the most optimal treatment possible for relief from the patient’s individual type of pain. If surgery is called for, the orthopaedist and pain physician may continue to work together during the patient’s after-surgery recovery, to continue pain management through physical therapy, medications or other ongoing methods to further reduce the patient’s pain.

It is imperative that both the referring physician and pain specialist communicate consistently to ensure that all of the patient’s experience needs are met, and to avoid confusion with any components of the patient’s care.

Are you an orthopaedist whose patients may benefit from the expertise of a pain management specialist?

At Riverside Pain Physicians, we believe that open communication between our specialists and referring physicians is key to becoming pain management partners and providing quality care for the patient.

Our goal is for you to refer with confidence, knowing that our pain management specialists are dedicated to relieving patients’ pain and restoring their quality of life.

Our pain management clinics utilize the most innovative medical pain management technologies available, so that we may provide patients with the most up-to-date, minimally invasive procedures for pain relief. Our board-certified physicians take a comprehensive approach to customizing an effective treatment plan that’s right for the individual patient.

We want to be a pain management partner for you and your patients, and we are happy to consult with you to answer any questions you may have about our expert pain physicians or pain management processes.

Looking to refer a patient?

We’ll try to make that easy for you. Please feel free to refer whichever way is convenient for you.

Tags: Interventional Pain Management, Pain Management Jacksonville, pain treatment