Family doctors can help diagnose and treat minor injuries and illnesses, and they can refer you to the right specialist if necessary. This review from a family doctor discusses common minor injuries that family doctors treat and provides an overview of the symptoms and treatment options for each concern. Several of the most common minor acute injuries that a family doctor can diagnose and help treat in the office are overuse injuries (such as sports injuries), sprains, strains, lacerations, bone bruises, and minor burns.
Overuse injuries such as tendonitis, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis are commonly treated by family doctors. Many overuse injuries, which are commonly the result of playing a sport or regular exercise, only require rest and close monitoring for the patient to recover. A family doctor can provide the patient with a recovery plan to follow, and they may schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the patient has healed before they clear them to return to normal activity.
A sprain occurs to the bands of tissue that connect bones together, whereas a strain happens to a muscle. Sprains and strains are common injuries, and they can occur in numerous areas of the body, including the neck, back, thigh, knee, and ankle. Sprains and strains are, in most cases, easy to treat and recover from with the proper recovery plan from a primary care physician.
Minor lacerations (cuts) are common injuries that family doctors treat as well. Primary care physicians can help ensure that the laceration does not lead to an infection. Family doctors can also apply stitches if the laceration requires them. Of course, family doctors can treat minor lacerations that do not pose an immediate, life-threatening health risk, but more severe lacerations that are deep and lead to large amounts of blood loss (e.g., stab wounds) require immediate care at the emergency room.
Family doctors regularly treat bone bruises as well, which can occur during physical activity, car accidents, or as a result of a nasty fall. They can also diagnose a broken bone and assist with the treatment process. Any obvious fractures that cause severe discomfort require treatment from an emergency doctor.
Minor burns can also be treated by your family doctor. The family doctor can provide treatment (e.g., medical burn ointment) to help the skin recover and help prevent infection. They may wrap the burn to further protect it in certain cases as well. Of course, you should first visit the emergency room for severe burns.
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If you have endured a minor acute injury or developed a minor illness, then call our family doctor today to schedule a convenient time to visit and get the diagnosis and care you need. Here at our practice, we pride ourselves on offering fast, friendly, and convenient care for all of our new and returning patients.
Request an appointment or call Orange County House Calls at 949-204-1334 for an appointment in our Aliso Viejo office.
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