Nonsurgical Orthopaedic Treatments

They help treat pain that starts in the spine and radiates to the arms or legs. Medications, usually steroids, are injected either into the epidural space in the back of your spinal canal or around the spinal nerves that are the source of your pain.

These injections pinpoint neck, middle back, or low back pain that originates in the facet joints -- the joints between the vertebrae on the back of the spine. These injections are often used when pain is caused by injury to the joints or degenerative conditions like arthritis.

The SI joint connects the spine to the pelvis. Injections in this joint can help relieve pain in the low back, buttocks, groin, or thighs.

Steroid injections into joints can reduce inflammation and pain caused by arthritis, injury, or degeneration. They may also help identify the source of your pain. In this procedure, a steroid medication and a numbing drug are injected into your knee, hip, ankle, or other joint. The steroid helps relieve inflammation and pain over time, and the numbing drug provides more immediate pain relief.

Hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint to help reduce pain and swelling related to arthritis and to lubricate and cushion the joint. It is a thick fluid similar to a substance that naturally occurs in your joints.

Numbing medication is injected into the nerves that are causing your pain or are sending pain signals to your brain. Nerve blocks numb the nerves and block pain signals.

Your doctor will insert a small needle into the area where you are experiencing pain. A microelectrode is inserted through the needle, and radiofrequency energy is sent through the electrode to damage your nerve so that it no longer sends pain signals to your brain. RFA can help relieve pain related to arthritis, as well as low-back and neck pain.

Casts and splints (also called half casts) support broken or injured bones and joints. They limit movement and help keep the bone in place until it fully heals. Splints provide less support than casts, but they are adjustable to accommodate swelling and allow for a greater range of motion. Depending on your injury, you may start out with a splint for several days, and then be placed in a cast when swelling decreases.

Braces and boots can provide an alternative to casts for some ankle, foot, and lower-leg injuries, including sports injuries. They are also used in the treatment of arthritis and after surgery. Braces and boots are lighter than casts and can be easily adjusted and removed. Our orthopaedic specialists offer a variety of orthopaedic braces and boots that can be custom fitted to meet your needs.

Duke orthopaedic specialists treat the whole person -- not just your medial condition. We help you achieve your functional goals -- whether they are to grocery shop without assistance or to return to a sport. Your treatment preferences are the top priority; we will never pressure you to have surgery and will respect your wishes to avoid certain medications or procedures.

Orthopaedic urgent care clinics provide fast service for orthopaedic injuries that are not life-threatening such as sprains, closed fractures (in which the bone does not break the skin), or sports injuries.

If a non-surgical approach does not improve your condition, we can refer you to Duke orthopaedic surgeons who focus on a particular joint or area of the body such as the spine, hip, knee or, shoulder. They can assess your condition, and together you can decide if surgery is right for you.