If you’ve been living with nagging back pain, stiff joints, or aches that just won’t go away, you might be wondering: Should I see a pain specialist or an orthopaedic doctor? It’s a common question and an important one. Both doctors help people manage pain conditions, but they do so in different ways. A pain specialist focuses on diagnosing and treating pain using non-surgical and minimally invasive methods, while an orthopaedic doctor looks at structural problems in the bones, joints, and muscles. Knowing who to see can make all the difference in getting the right pain treatment especially if you’re dealing with ongoing or chronic pain. 

 

What Is a Pain Specialist? 

A pain specialist is a doctor who focuses exclusively on diagnosing, evaluating, and treating different types of pain conditions, especially those that are chronic, complex, or not well controlled by conservative treatments such as painkillers or physiotherapy. 

Training and Expertise 

Pain specialists are typically trained in fields such as anaesthesiology, rehabilitation medicine, or neurology, followed by additional subspecialty training in pain medicine. This allows them to understand how pain develops and how to treat it using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. 

What They Do 

Rather than focusing on structural damage or surgical repair, pain specialists recognise that pain is deeply personal, and looks at one’s medical history, physical signs, posture analysis, and pain patterns to form a clear diagnosis. Their goal is not only to relieve pain but also to improve quality of life, restore movement, and prevent pain from becoming chronic. 

Pain specialists are trained to handle a wide range of pain conditions, from common musculoskeletal issues to complex chronic disorders. Consultant pain specialist Dr. Bernard Lee specialises in diagnosing and treating a wide range of chronic and degenerative pain conditions through minimally invasive, evidence-based procedures. His expertise covers pain arising from the spine, joints, nerves, and muscles, as well as complex pain syndromes.

  • Joint Pain: Shoulder, knee, and hip pain caused by osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, or bursitis 
  • Nerve-Related Pain: Sciatica, post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain), and neuropathic pain 
  • Musculoskeletal Pain: Muscle strain, myofascial pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia 
  • Post-Surgical or Post-Traumatic Pain: Persistent pain after surgery or injury 
  • Chronic Pain Conditions: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and other long-standing pain disorders 

Dr. Lee adopts a holistic and patient-centred approach, combining interventional pain procedures, regenerative therapies, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modification to achieve long-term pain relief and improved function. 

Common Pain Treatments 

Pain specialists offer non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments tailored to the source of your pain. These may include: 

  • Coreflex injections and nerve blocks: Specialised injections targeting muscles, tendons and ligaments to relieve pain
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy: A regenerative medicine approach that promotes natural healing.
  • Radiofrequency ablation: Using heat energy to disrupt pain transmission. 

A key advantage of seeing a pain specialist is their multidisciplinary approach combining medical, physical, and sometimes psychological strategies to manage pain holistically. 

 

What Is an Orthopaedic Doctor? 

An orthopaedic doctor (or orthopaedic surgeon) is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats injuries or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. 

Training and Expertise 

Orthopaedic doctors undergo extensive surgical training and are experts in identifying and correcting structural or mechanical problems in the body. Their primary focus is to restore physical function and alignment, particularly in cases of trauma, degeneration, or deformity. 

What They Do 

Orthopaedic doctors manage both surgical and non-surgical treatments, such as: 

  • Bone fractures and dislocations 
  • Ligament and tendon injuries 
  • Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis 
  • Spine disorders such as herniated discs or scoliosis 
  • Sports injuries 

Common Treatments 

Depending on your condition, orthopaedic doctors may recommend: 

  • Surgical interventions (joint replacement, arthroscopy, fracture repair) 
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation 
  • Orthotic supports or braces 
  • Corticosteroid injections 
  • Non-surgical pain management for mild or moderate pain 

Orthopaedic doctors are essential when pain stems from structural damage or when surgery may be required to correct an underlying physical problem. 

 

When Should You See a Pain Specialist? 

If you’ve been struggling with pain that doesn’t seem to go away despite medication or physiotherapy, it might be time to consult a pain specialist.
You should consider seeing one if you experience: 

  • Chronic pain lasting more than three months 
  • Pain that persists after surgery or injury 
  • Pain that affects your sleep, mood, or mobility 
  • Pain that has no clear structural cause (e.g. nerve or neuropathic pain) 
  • Desire to explore non-surgical or minimally invasive pain treatments 

Pain specialists are particularly skilled at helping patients with chronic pain treatment, where the focus shifts from quick relief to long-term management and rehabilitation. 

 

When Should You See an Orthopaedic Doctor? 

You should consider seeing an orthopaedic doctor if your pain or injury involves bones, joints, or movement limitation especially when there’s visible swelling, deformity, or loss of function. 

Typical cases include: 

  • Acute injuries such as fractures, sprains, or ligament tears 
  • Joint pain from arthritis or cartilage wear 
  • Movement restriction due to bone or joint problems 
  • Pain that worsens during physical activity or weight-bearing 
  • When surgery may be required to restore structure 

Orthopaedic doctors are your go-to specialists for structural correction and recovery, especially after trauma or degenerative joint conditions. 

 

Can a Pain Specialist and Orthopaedic Doctor Work Together? 

Absolutely, and in many cases, they do. Pain specialists and orthopaedic doctors often collaborate to deliver comprehensive pain treatment plans, especially when pain has both structural and neurological components. 

For example: 

  • After a joint replacement surgery, a pain specialist may help manage post-surgical pain and nerve sensitivity. 
  • A patient with chronic back pain may be evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon for spine alignment issues and by a pain specialist for nerve inflammation or muscle spasm control. 

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that both the cause of pain and its effects are properly addressed improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.

 

Chronic Pain Treatment: Why Early Intervention Matters 

Ignoring pain can lead to worsening symptoms or long-term complications. Chronic pain treatment is most effective when started early, as it prevents the brain and nervous system from “learning” pain signals. 

Pain specialists use evidence-based methods to: 

  • Reduce pain intensity 
  • Restore mobility and strength 
  • Minimise reliance on long-term medications 
  • Improve overall well-being 

Whether your pain is due to injury, nerve irritation, or inflammation, the right pain treatment plan can significantly improve recovery and help you return to your daily activities. 

 

Conclusion 

If you’re unsure whom to see, start with a pain specialist. They can assess your symptoms, run diagnostic tests, and guide you to the right form of care whether that means advanced pain management techniques or referral to an orthopaedic doctor for further evaluation. 

Your pain doesn’t have to define your life with the right specialist and the right treatment plan, relief and recovery are within reach.