If you have a rheumatic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, you may require surgery at some point. However, your local rheumatologist and/or local family physician will try to treat your condition with medication such as methotrexate and lifestyle changes. Your local rheumatologist, who is a medical doctor who is trained in diagnosing and treating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and gout, can help determine if you require surgery. If you do, you may need to see a local orthopedic surgeon. A local orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes the joints, muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments.

Some of the surgeries that a local orthopedic surgeon might perform include hip replacement or knee replacements due to arthritis, ankylosing spondylosis surgery, gout surgery and thumb arthritis surgery. A local orthopedic surgeon can also help you manage your post-surgical care, whether it’s medication or arranging for rehabilitation. If you want more info on how a local orthopedic surgeon can help, start by talking to your local rheumatologist.    Often seeing your local family Physician is a great starting place for referrals to your local Massage Therapist or your local chiropractor to help with massage and skeletal adjustments. A local Physiotherapist or local athletic trainer can help with strength and bruised muscles. Acupuncture is often recommended for chronic pain in association with your local physiotherapist