Orthopedics
What Is Orthopedics?
Orthopedics, also referred to as orthopedic surgery, is a medical discipline focused on the care of the musculoskeletal system and its interconnected components, including:
- Bones
- Muscles
- Joints
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
Orthopedic specialists are typically divided into two categories: surgical and nonsurgical. Surgical specialists are known as orthopedic surgeons, while nonsurgical practitioners include physiatrists and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Orthopedists often collaborate with a multidisciplinary treatment team, which may consist of:
- Physician assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Occupational and physical therapists
- Athletic trainers
What do Orthopedists Treat?
Orthopedists address a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, which may stem from congenital factors, injuries, or age-related degeneration. Some common conditions treated by orthopedists include:
- Arthritis-related joint pain
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder issues like bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports injuries and overuse conditions like sprains, tendinitis, and ligament tears (such as ACL tears)
- Congenital abnormalities like clubfoot and scoliosis
- Bone cancer.
What Does an Orthopaedic Surgeon Do?
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in addressing issues related to the musculoskeletal system, which includes:
- Diagnosing injuries or disorders
- Providing treatment options such as medication, injections, casting, bracing, surgery, or other interventions
- Recommending rehabilitation strategies such as exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function
- Offering preventive measures, including information and treatment plans aimed at averting injuries or slowing the progression of diseases.