A doctor who specializes in muscles, specifically their relationship to bones, joints, and tendons, is primarily called an orthopaedic surgeon or orthopaedist. For non-surgical muscle, nerve, and function issues, a physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor) is the specialist.
An Orthopaedic Specialist is a physician who treats disorders and injuries to the bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments that make up the musculoskeletal system.
Whether it's new pain or a longstanding ache, orthopedic and sports medicine physicians — including primary care sports medicine specialists and orthopedic surgeons — can help you pinpoint the cause and alleviate the discomfort.
A neurologist is a specialist doctor who treats diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. A neurologist can help work out the cause of symptoms and create a treatment plan for neurological conditions.
You can see a MSK Specialist if you have:
A new muscle, joint, or bone problem. Back or neck pain. Sprains, strains, or other injuries. Joint pain, such as arthritis.
But other conditions, such as chronic primary back pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause issues and worsen for months or years.
Signs and Symptoms of MSD's
Most people feel a peak of soreness the following day, and the discomfort gradually goes away. A red flag indicator of injury is when discomfort and sharp pain are persistent, whether you're resting or active.”
Symptoms may include:
Muscle Pain
Common causes of muscle pain include:
Diagnosis. If the cause of your muscle pain is unknown or you experience severe or chronic muscle pain, doctors may order additional tests. Blood tests can help determine your enzyme, hormone, and electrolyte levels and check for signs of infections. CT scan or MRI can identify muscle damage.
Self-care
They affect the nerves controlling voluntary muscles. It leads to weakness, paralysis, and other signs. These disorders can arise from genetic mutations, autoimmune reactions, infections, or environmental factors. Common examples include muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and myasthenia gravis.
Here are five key signs that it might be time to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist.
Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose and treat problems or pain related to the Musculo-Skeletal System (MSK) i.e. muscles, tendons, joints and bones. This kind of pain can arise as the result of an injury, or it can develop without any apparent trigger.
1. Headache. Headaches are one of the most common neurological disorders—and there are a variety of different kinds of headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
Difficulty walking, clumsiness, or dropping objects can point to neurological concerns. Trouble with thinking clearly, remembering things, or making decisions shouldn't be ignored. Even a single seizure is worth evaluating.
True neurological weakness is different than fatigue or muscle strain. It's an actual loss of muscle strength that reduces or prevents your ability to do numerous tasks and movements. Weakness may be confined to one area or it could affect your entire body.
Age-related changes to muscle tone and bone strength (also known as sarcopenia) start happening earlier than you may think, in your 30s and 40s. In addition to weakness, our tendons and ligaments lose some of their flexibility and elasticity, leaving us more prone to injuries and falls, shares Christopher.
In some people, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. This is rare, but seek immediate care for back pain that: Causes new bowel or bladder problems. Is accompanied by a fever.
Partaking in activities that engage the affected muscle group may exacerbate muscle pain and cause discomfort instantly. However, joint pain is often accentuated during both movement and periods of rest. So, the discomfort can be present even when the joint is not actively engaged.
MSDs most commonly affect the wrists, shoulders, neck, eyes and back. Specifically, they affect the nerves, tendons and muscles in those areas. MSDs can also affect specific fingers, elbows and the knees, though these are less common.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs
These medications are commonly used for arthritis and pain resulting from muscle sprains, strains, back and neck injuries, or menstrual cramps. Generic (brand) names. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others); naproxen sodium (Aleve); others.