Get Moving Again, Live Life Without Pain

Arthritis, bursitis, strains, sprains and sports injuries have one thing in common: they can cause pain that limits your mobility, range of motion and productivity. At MetroWest Medical Center, we have board-certified doctors, surgeons, nurses and physical therapists who provide personalized orthopedic care to help you get back to enjoying the activities you love. Some of the orthopedic services we provide in Natick and Framingham include:

• Diagnostic tests and screenings using advanced technology
• Nonsurgical treatment options such as physical therapy
• Minimally invasive procedures for severe joint pain and injuries
• Rehabilitation
• Sports medicine
• Traditional surgery

What Is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that aims to diagnose, manage, treat, and prevent various conditions and illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system, including your bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons.

What is an Orthopedic Doctor?

Orthopedic doctors complete up to 14 years of education and clinical training to properly diagnose, manage, treat and prevent musculoskeletal conditions and illnesses. They may subspecialize in:

• Ankle and foot
• Hand
• Knee and hip
• Shoulder and elbow
• Spine
• Sports medicine
• Trauma surgery

Which Conditions Do We Treat?

Some of the conditions and illnesses we help treat at MetroWest Medical Center include but are not limited to the following:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Bone cancer
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Fractures
• Joint pain
• Limb abnormalities (i.e., clubfoot and bowlegs)
• Sports injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
  

How Do Doctors Diagnose an Orthopedic Condition?

During an initial assessment, your doctor will conduct a physical test and ask about your symptoms, medical history and family history. From there, the doctor may recommend further tests or screenings to accurately diagnose your condition. These tests and screenings may include any of the following:

• Arthrography
• Blood tests
• Bone scans
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Discography
• Doppler ultrasound
• Flexibility tests
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Muscle tests
• Peripheral bone density testing
• Range of motion testing
• Stress tests
• Ultrasonography
• X-rays

Which Treatment Options Do We Offer at MetroWest Medical Center?

Our orthopedic doctors in Framingham and Natick usually recommend nonsurgical treatment options first for joint pain and injuries such as:

• Exercises
• Immobilization (i.e., casts, braces or splints)
• Lifestyle changes (i.e., losing weight, eating healthier, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, etc.)
• Medications (i.e., over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or prescription drugs like corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Physical therapy
• Alternative treatment (e.g., acupuncture, massage, yoga)
  

If your condition doesn’t improve with more conservative treatment, our doctors may recommend surgical options such as:

• Joint replacement surgery
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery
• Fusions
• Internal fixation 
• Osteotomy 
• Release surgery
• Soft tissue repair
  

When to See an Orthopedic Doctor

Please schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor in Framingham if you experience any of the following symptoms of an orthopedic condition or injury:

• Bone pain
• Deformity of a specific area
• Difficulty walking, standing or functioning
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Numbness
• Restricted range of motion
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Weakness

It’s also best to see a doctor if you previously had orthopedic surgery but still suffer from pain or have signs of an infection.

Meanwhile, call 911 or ask someone to bring you to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of these serious signs and symptoms of an orthopedic condition or injury:

• A popping or crunching sound in your joint(s)
• Broken bones
• Instability when standing
• Noticeable deformities (e.g., bumps or lumps)
• Severe pain and swelling
• Tendon ruptures

Choose Personalized Orthopedic Care in Framingham

At MetroWest Medical Center, we take a personalized care approach to help you maximize your outcomes. We understand how immediate treatment can help prevent other types of conditions which is why our program emphasizes early patient education and early intervention. At the same time, you can rest assured that you’ll feel guided and supported every step of the way by our compassionate team of orthopedic doctors and surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, technologists and administrative staff.

Schedule an Appointment

Anyone, at any age, can experience bone and joint problems. If you see signs or symptoms of an orthopedic condition or if you have an injury, please do not delay care. Our orthopedic care teams in Framingham are ready to provide expert, compassionate care. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors or if you have questions about our orthopedic services, call 800-872-5473.

How to Prepare for an Orthopedic Appointment

On the day of your appointment, we encourage you to wear something that would make it easier for the orthopedic doctor to examine the body part you are concerned about. Don’t forget to bring your government-issued ID, previous medical records (if they’re relevant to the condition), health insurance card and a list of the medications you’re taking (if any). If there are questions you want to ask or clarify with the doctor, we recommend that you have them listed so you won’t forget to raise them during your appointment.