Should I Seek Treatment? A Guide to Self-Assessment for Patients

When it comes to joint pain and any type of orthopedic injury, many people wonder if they really need to see a doctor or if the problem will eventually resolve on its own. They usually hope for the latter so they can save the time and money they would have spent at the doctor.

At Carolina Joint and Arthritis, we put the patient first. If your condition will be fine on its own, we want you to stay home. But if you need to see a doctor, we don’t want your issue to get worse before it gets better.

Here’s a quick guide to help you self-assess whether you should seek treatment.

Track duration and progression 

Whether you’re dealing with joint pain or a potential injury, keep track of how long it has lasted and if it’s getting worse. Soreness after a workout is normal; pain, stiffness, or swelling that lasts a couple of weeks is not normal and needs to be checked.

If your discomfort is getting stronger or occurring more often, it may also indicate an underlying problem that needs to be assessed by a doctor.

Assess the impact

How is the problem affecting your daily life? Does your pain interfere with normal actions like walking, climbing stairs, or opening a jar? Is the pain waking you up or keeping you awake at night? If you’re an athlete, is the problem reducing your ability to perform?

If the answer to these questions is yes (and continues to be after a few days), you should be seen.

Evaluate your response

Pay attention to your body’s response to self-care methods such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). If these tactics, along with over-the-counter pain relievers, are helping your condition improve, you’ll be fine. If you don’t see any improvement after a week or so, head to the doctor.

Look for red flags

Some symptoms are immediate signs you should seek treatment. Any visible deformity in a bone, joint, or limb, persistent numbness or tingling, a sudden swelling or inability to bear weight, a joint that keeps giving out, the feeling of a ligament popping or tearing — all of these are signs that you need treatment sooner rather than later.

If you decide you do need to see a doctor, our team at Carolina Joint and Arthritis is ready and waiting to serve you. To schedule an appointment, call our Wilmington, North Carolina, office or book your own appointment time with our online scheduler.