Orthopedics is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system, which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, allows you to move, work, and be active. Once devoted to the care of children with spine and limb deformities, orthopedists now care for patients of all ages, from newborns with clubfeet to young athletes requiring arthroscopic surgery to older people with arthritis. And anybody can break a bone. Orthopedic surgeons treat problems of the musculoskeletal system.
This involves:
While orthopedic surgeons are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopedists specialize in certain areas, such as the foot and ankle, spine, shoulder, hand, hip, or knee. They may also choose to focus on specific fields like pediatrics, trauma, or sports medicine. Some orthopedic surgeons may specialize in several areas. Our orthopedic surgeon will take a history of your illness or injury and then do a physical examination. This may be followed by diagnostic studies such as x-rays or blood tests. He or she will then discuss your diagnosis and help you select the best treatment plan so that you can live an active and functional life. Orthopedic surgeons treat many musculoskeletal conditions without surgery by using medication, exercise, and other rehabilitative or alternative therapies. For most orthopedic diseases and injuries there is more than one form of treatment. If necessary, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery if you do not respond to nonsurgical treatments. Orthopedic surgeons perform numerous types of surgeries.
Common procedures include: