Dr. Robert Schaefer is a highly experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon on our EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region General Orthopedics team. General orthopedists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various musculoskeletal conditions—from strains and sprains to fractures and other traumas. They play a crucial role in helping patients recover from injuries, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life.
Common Conditions General Orthopedists Treat
Here are some of the more common conditions Dr. Schaefer and our general orthopedic team treat:
- Acute and chronic injuries: sudden or ongoing damage to the musculoskeletal system that requires immediate or long-term treatment.
- Arthritic conditions: inflammation and degeneration of joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Injuries of the shoulder and elbow: harm or trauma affecting the shoulder and elbow joints, including fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries.
- Torn tendons: rupture or damage to the fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to the bones.
- Fractures and other traumas: breaks or cracks in bones due to impact, accidents, or excessive stress.
- Sports injuries: injuries resulting from athletic activities, including sprains, fractures, ligament tears, or muscle strains.
Bone and Joint Doctors Treat Multiple Conditions
Dr. Schaefer diagnoses, evaluates, and treats conditions and injuries that affect your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, including:
Elbow & Arm
- Elbow Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa sac in the elbow joint, resulting in swelling, pain, and limited range of motion.
- Elbow pain: discomfort or soreness in the elbow, often caused by overuse, injury, or conditions like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
- Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury: damage to the UCL, commonly occurring in athletes, leading to elbow instability.
- Growth plate injury: fracture or damage to the growth plate in children and adolescents, potentially affecting bone growth and development.
- Distal bicep injury: rupture or strain of the distal biceps tendon, causing weakness and pain.
Foot & Ankle
- Broken ankle: fracture of the ankle bones, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.
- Hammer toe: abnormal bending or curling of the toes, causing pain, corns, and difficulty wearing shoes.
- Flat foot: lack of proper arch in the foot, resulting in foot fatigue, pain, and potential gait abnormalities.
- Foot deformity: abnormalities in the structure or alignment of the foot, leading to pain, instability, and potential functional limitations.
- Ankle instability: weakened ligaments causing recurrent sprains and strains.
Hand & Wrist
- Finger dislocations: displacement of bones due to injury or trauma, requiring reduction and stabilization.
- Mallet fingers: inability to fully extend the finger due to tendon injury or rupture at the fingertip, often treated with splinting or surgery.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to hand pain, numbness, and weakness, often managed with splinting, medications, or carpal tunnel release surgery.
- Wrist sprain: stretching or tearing of ligaments in the wrist, causing pain, swelling, and instability, commonly treated with immobilization, physical therapy (PT), and activity modification.
Hip & Knee
- ACL Injuries: partial or complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee.
- Hip and Knee Arthritis: inflammation and degeneration of the hip or knee joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Hip Impingement: abnormal contact between the hip joint bones, causing pain, limited range of motion, and potential damage to the joint surfaces.
- Hip Dysplasia: abnormal development of the hip joint, leading to instability and pain.
Shoulder
- Broken Collarbone (Clavicle): fracture of the collarbone, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited arm movement.
- Dislocated Shoulder: displacement of the upper arm bone from the shoulder socket, causing pain and instability.
- Shoulder Arthritis: degeneration of the shoulder joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
- Shoulder Bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) in the shoulder joint, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Shoulder Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, resulting in pain, weakness, and restricted movement.
Sports Medicine Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Tears: partial or complete tears in the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, leading to shoulder pain and weakness.
- Tennis Elbow: overuse injury causing pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow.
- Golfer’s Elbow: overuse injury causing pain and inflammation on the inside of the elbow.
- Fractures of the Hand, Knee, and Hip: breaks or cracks in the bones due to trauma or overuse.
- Joint Dislocations: displacement of bones in a joint, often caused by trauma.
Common Orthopedic Surgeries
As a general and sports medicine orthopedic specialist, Dr. Schaefer performs a wide array of surgeries including:
- Partial and total shoulder replacement
- Partial and total hip replacement
- Partial and total knee replacement or arthroscopy
- Shoulder and rotator cuff surgery
- Hand and wrist surgeries
- ACL surgery
- Joint replacements
Dr. Schaefer provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages, aiming to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life. If you think you need help treating your orthopedic condition, learn more about Dr. Schaefer’s orthopedic specialties or schedule an appointment and Emerge Stronger, Healthier, and Better.
