The study of the musculoskeletal system is known as orthopedics. Orthopedic physicians, also referred to as orthopeds or orthopedists specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of problems associated with the musculoskeletal system in areas such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, bones and other connective tissue.
Orthopedics is referred to as a medical specialty that seeks to improve a person’s quality of life through accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Whether your goal is to walk without pain,
return to work, or return to competitive sports, getting proper orthopedic care can help you enjoy the most out of life. The most common type of procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons include:
• Knee replacement
• Shoulder surgery
• Arthroscopy of the knee and meniscectomy
• Repair of ankle fracture
• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Repair of ankle fracture
• skin/muscle/bone/fracture debridement
• Repair of femoral neck fracture
• Hip replacement
• Lumbar spinal fusion
• Repair of rotator cuff tendon and much more
A practicing orthopedic surgeons’ schedule usually involves 50 to 55 hours a week that is divided between surgery, clinical work, and a variety of administrative duties that may include teaching and/or research within an academic setting. Some orthopedic centers offer many orthopedic services such as custom prosthetics and orthotics, imaging services, pain management, occupational and physical therapy, an ambulatory surgery center, training and conference center, and a lab for blood work.
Orthopedic oncology is the area of orthopedics that focuses on diagnosing and treating bone and soft tissue tumors in patients. You can find orthopedic doctors that are dedicated to helping you relieve pain, fight cancer, preserve mobility, and aid you in improving your quality of life. Your orthopedic doctor should be fellowship trained, board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons, and be a health care professional that is dedicated to understanding your needs and helping you lead an active life. An orthopedic oncology specialist that treats both children and adult patients can treat some of the following conditions:
• Musculoskeletal System Metastatic Disease
• Malignant and benign tumors of the soft tissues and bone
• Limb salvage surgery
• Soft tissue and bone sarcomas
• Synovial chondromatosis
• Proliferative synovial disease
• Metabolic bone disease
• Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
If you or a loved one has experienced trauma in your life, you know that it can affect you both physically and mentally. The field of orthopedic trauma specializes in managing musculoskeletal system injuries. Through the treatment of fellowship trained orthopedic traumatologists, you can get help for conditions such as:
• Corrections in deformity
• Malunions and nonunions
• Articular fratures (complex)
• Acetabular and Pelvic fractures
• Lower and upper extremity fractures (severe)
• Osteomyelitis and infections
• Post traumatic deformity
The largest joint in the body is the knee which provides flexibility and stability for your body and gives your legs the ability to straighten and bend. The knee is made up of a variety of components that work together to protect and manage the joint during your daily activities such as running and walking. When you have received and injury to areas of the knee, bones, muscle, cartilage, or tendons, an orthopedic specialist in the field of knee surgery can help customize a treatment plan for your condition. Some orthopedic surgeons have extensive training to diagnose ad treat the following conditions of the knee:
• ACL Injuries
• Patellofemoral Instability
• Overuse and acute injuries
• Athletic related injuries
• Anterior knee pain
• Joint restoration
• Meniscus Injuries
If you need treatment from an orthopedic doctor for hip surgery, ankle and hand surgery, joint pain, orthopedic pediatrics, wrist and hand surgery or any of the above conditions, contact the offices of a doctor that has specialized training in the area of orthopedics you need treatment in. Through a consultation, you can learn what treatment plans may be right for you, what is available, costs, preparing yourself for surgery and much more. If you want to receive the best orthopedic care available, make sure your physician is board certified and fellowship trained to ensure your treatment will get you on the road to leading a healthy and active life.
