What types of muscle and joint problems does Dr. Papas treat?
Dr. Papas is skilled in treating muscle strains (“pulled” muscles), arthritis, joint inflammations, and soft tissue injuries like tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome arising from acute and repetitive trauma and disease processes. Before any treatment begins, he will perform a complete and thorough evaluation of your symptoms, sometimes including range of motion testing to determining what causes your symptom to occur or become worse, so he can decide which treatment options are the most appropriate for your needs. Some symptoms may also warrant diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or CT (computed tomography) scans to provide additional information that can guide treatment.
What are some of the common causes of joint or muscle problems?
Joint and muscle problems can be caused by diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disorders, spinal diseases and autoimmune diseases, and they can also be caused by trauma from car accidents, sports injuries, slip and fall accidents and repetitive motion injuries, like bending and lifting or using a keyboard for a prolonged period of time. Some joint and muscle problems can also be caused by an occupation that requires long periods of standing or sitting or by lifestyle issues like being too sedentary or being overweight.
How are muscle and joint problems treated?
Treating muscle and joint disorders begins with a physical exam to determine the underlying cause. Once the cause is determined, Dr. Papas will develop a treatment plan that may include oral medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, lifestyle changes like losing weight or becoming more physically active or more aggressive options like surgery. When treatment is complex, Dr. Papas can refer you to an orthopedic specialist for evaluation and treatment.
