After a comprehensive evaluation of your disorder, the orthopaedist will make recommendations for a treatment plan, based on the following criteria:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the disease, injury, or condition
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease, injury, or condition
• Your opinion or preference

For most orthopaedic disorders and injuries, there is more than one form of treatment that may be appropriate. Thus, many treatment plans involve a combination or progression of the following:

• Rest
• Medical counseling
• Medication
• Immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Rehabilitative therapy
• Exercise
• Activity modifications
• Casts
• Splints
• Braces
• Procedures, such as arthroscopy
• Surgery, such as joint replacement