Pain management in medicine has come a long way over the past decade, with new breakthroughs now available to patients that include surgical and non-surgical alternatives. In Northern Malaysia, Putra Medical Centre continues to lead the charge in this particular space, with the introduction of holistic methods and specialised patient care. Dr. Muhammad Suhairi Juhari delivers useful insights.
Orthopaedics is a specialised field of medicine that deals with treating musculoskeletal ailments.
ORTHOPAEDICS AS AN INTERVENTION
Orthopaedics, or known by its other name as orthopaedic surgery, is a specialised field of medicine which deals with diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This complex anatomical system includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves—all of which contribute to movement, support, and structural integrity of the human body. A basic grasp of orthopaedics helps a person understand what to anticipate during an orthopaedic appointment, especially where one might be living with a chronic condition involving ongoing pain.
“Orthopaedic treatment can encompass a multimodal strategy, combining various interventions to address pain and other conditions at various levels. This approach aims to manage pain by targeting different parts of the pain pathway, reducing the need for opioids and mitigating side effects,” says Dr. Muhammad Suhairi Juhari, a Resident Consultant Orthopaedics and Traumatology Surgeon for Putra Medical Centre Alor Setar. In fact, this private healthcare operator has an entire department dedicated to orthopaedics, along with the latest in clinical technologies as well as hospital facilities.
Medical Specialists Trained In This Field
Doctors trained in this area are called orthopaedists or orthopaedic surgeons. Orthopaedists rely on surgical and non-surgical approaches to treat musculoskeletal issues such as sports injuries, joint pain, and back problems. Generally, there are two types of orthopaedists: surgical and non-surgical. Those who fall under the first category are orthopaedic surgeons, while non-surgical orthopaedists include physiatrists as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. Orthopaedic doctors work with a wider team of clinical practitioners when administering treatment to a patient in need.
Orthopaedic Diagnoses and Treatments
An orthopaedic treatment team usually includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and sometimes, athletic trainers too (where there are sports injuries). Orthopaedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These are ailments which present from as early as birth—or might have resulted from a particular injury or age-related wear and tear. A few common examples are joint pain from arthritis; bone fractures; soft tissue damage affecting the muscles, tendons, or ligaments; carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and sprains among others.
Physio helps to restore strength, range of motion, and function via exercises and manual therapy.
Surgical and Non-Surgical Patient Care
Meanwhile, congenital disorders requiring orthopaedic intervention include scoliosis and clubfoot. A more challenging diagnosis would be bone cancer. Shoulder pain and related issues come under this branch of medicine as well. Those active in sports or fitness may suffer struggles like tendinitis or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears, or other forms of serious bodily inflictions. Whatever the diagnosis, the practice has over the past decade evolved to offer patients a myriad of options today, even ones which may not entail an invasive procedure, depending on the condition being treated.
SURGICAL TREATMENTS
Orthopaedic surgeons may perform procedures to repair or reconstruct damaged tissues, stabilise joints, or address other issues causing pain. During any consult, patients are given a treatment plan.
Arthroscopy
- A method surgeons use to identify and repair joint problems via small incisions and an arthroscope.
Fracture Repair
- A procedure that involves realigning or stabilising broken bones, often using plates, screws, or rods.
Joint Replacement
- A critical procedure involving the replacement of damaged or arthritic joints with artificial implants.
Ligament or Tendon Repair
- An approach used to address torn or damaged ligaments and tendons through surgical procedures.
Spinal Fusion
- An approach used to address torn or damaged ligaments and tendons through surgical procedures.
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS
Interventional pain management doctors make available a variety of minimally invasive techniques. These include but aren’t limited to injections, physical therapy, and pharmacology (prescriptions).
Bracing or Casting
- This method of intervention provides support through immobilisation to stabilise joints and bones.
Injections
- Corticosteroid shots treat inflammation. Viscosupplementation lubricates joints and relieves pain.
Medications
- These are pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants for pain and inflammation.
Orthotics
- Specialised devices to support or correct the alignment of bones and joints (custom foot orthotics).
Physiotherapy
- This helps restore strength, range of motion, and function through exercises and manual therapy.
Regenerative Medicine
- Platelet-rich plasma jabs rely on the body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair damaged tissue.
Dedicated Orthopaedic Attention
According to Dr. Muhammad Suhairi, pain management plans must be tailored to the very targeted needs and circumstances of each patient to ensure the approach is individualised. “When it comes to pain management especially, be it post-operative or for the long-term, effective and productive care comes down to the orthopaedic surgeon handling the case and assisting the patient medically. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach for those in need of orthopaedic treatment,” he was careful to explain. His specialities are sports injuries, arthroscopic surgery, as well as trauma.
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