More than 126 million Americans or about 50% of adults experience musculoskeletal pain. There are many different types of musculoskeletal pain, but all can have a negative effect on your mobility and quality of life. At Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation in Chesapeake, Virginia, interventional pain management specialist Sastry K. Topalli, MD, works with patients to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain. To schedule an appointment, book a consultation online, or call the office today.
Musculoskeletal pain refers to any swelling, stiffness, or discomfort that affects your muscles, bones, nerves, tendons, or ligaments.
Some people experience musculoskeletal pain in only one area of the body due to an accident or injury. Others experience widespread pain due to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia.
Musculoskeletal pain falls into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute musculoskeletal pain is typically mild and lasts for a week or two. Chronic pain is persistent and lasts longer than three months.
Common symptoms of musculoskeletal pain include:
If you experience musculoskeletal pain, you might also find it difficult to bend or fully extend your affected joint or limb.
Musculoskeletal pain can affect anyone. There are several factors that may increase your risk, including playing sports or working a physically demanding job, having a chronic condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or being overweight.
You’re also more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain if you smoke or live a primarily sedentary lifestyle.
At Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation, Dr. Topalli treats various types of musculoskeletal pain, including:
Dr. Topalli also treats musculoskeletal pain caused by patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as common causes of back and neck pain.
To diagnose the cause of your musculoskeletal pain, Dr. Topalli reviews your medical history and asks questions about your lifestyle, including when the pain started, what the pain feels like, and if there are any activities that make it worse or better. He also gently presses on the affected area to pinpoint the exact location of your pain.
If a physical exam isn’t enough to make a diagnosis, Dr. Topalli might order X-rays, MRI, joint fluid testing, or blood tests to gain further information.
Treatment for musculoskeletal pain at Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation depends on the underlying cause and intensity of your symptoms.
Typically, Dr. Topalli recommends healthy lifestyle changes, which may include losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, or improving nutrition. You might also benefit from rest, drinking water, and taking over-the-counter pain medication.
If your symptoms persist or get worse, Dr. Topalli might recommend:
To schedule a musculoskeletal pain appointment at Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation, book a consultation online, or call the office today.
