Michael Walker MD

Restoring Function

Hill Country Memorial’s Restore Program has Orthopedic Specialists to restore life.

When is it time to schedule a visit with an orthopedic specialist?

Symptoms may develop gradually as stiffness or discomfort in a joint, or a shakiness when performing basic functions such as walking or standing up. Or, they may happen quickly, as a twist or sprain that does not improve after a couple of days.

Any of those conditions could be signs it is time to seek care from an orthopedic specialist.

Hill Country Memorial’s awardwinning team of orthopedic surgeons specializes in treating the entire musculoskeletal system. This includes all 300 bones and joints, but also comprises tendons, muscles, nerves, ligaments and cartilage.

The Restore Team of Orthopedic Specialists bring years of safe and proven evidence-based knowledge to the joint replacement program and are able to guide a patient on both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

COMMON SIGNS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT:

1 Bone and joint discomfort that makes it difficult to perform common activities, such as climbing stairs, walking or even getting up from a chair. 2 Joint or muscle pain that persists longer than 12 weeks. 3 Limited range of motion.

Increasing tightness in joints may indicate an underlying process, such as arthritis. Early treatment can keep it from getting worse. 4 Instability while walking or standing. A feeling of shakiness while standing, walking or sitting down is one sure sign there is something awry with joints. 5 A soft tissue injury — a strain, a twist or a sprain — that has not improved in 48 hours despite rest, ice, compression and elevation.

While none of these circumstances in itself might feel alarming, they could be