Don’t Make Chronic Pain Your Reality Says Orthopedic Surgeon Benjamin Harper

Every day, countless Americans wake up with some sort of pain. Whether it’s their back, knee, hip or something else, most people continue to go about their day living in pain without visiting the doctor.

If chronic pain is something you live with, I urge you see a physician and treat your pain as soon as you can. Just because something is aching, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery. Regardless of what may be troubling you, you’ll never know what the issue is – or have it heal properly – until you have a thorough exam and receive a diagnosis from a medically-trained professional.

For example, let’s say you are living with knee pain. You maintain a healthy diet and exercise four times per week, which includes cardio. You are doing everything the right way, but your knee is still bothering you. If you are 50 and above, there’s a high likelihood you have some form of arthritis or tendinitis. This is something millions of people deal with – and it’s treatable without surgery.

Whether it’s physical therapy, a therapeutic injection, or something as simple as wearing a knee brace, there are a number of ways to be treated for these types of conditions.

As an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in knees and hips, my goal is to listen to my patient, understand their pain level, and find out how their pain is limiting their everyday activities. At my office in Brighton, we do an in-depth analysis of the problem together and discuss potential treatment options.

It’s important to understand that even though I’m a surgeon, the goal I have for my patients is to never see the inside of an operating room. I take a very thorough treatment approach, which includes discussing how the patient is feeling, what exactly is going on and how to realistically achieve their goals.

So, if you are living with chronic pain and want to get back to living your best life pain free, I strongly urge you to schedule an appointment and to begin taking the necessary steps to getting back to the life you deserve to live.

To request an appointment with an orthopedic expert, visit trinityhealthmi.org/ortho.