Description
Your musculoskeletal system is made up of your muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints. These body parts are so essential to daily movement that experiencing pain in them is not uncommon.
The branch of medicine that treats these conditions is called orthopedics. A physician who specializes in this area is known as an orthopedic surgeon or orthopedic physician (also called an orthopedist). Not only are they qualified to perform surgery, but they can also diagnose and treat problems with other methods.
Since orthopedics is a broad field, the majority of orthopedic physicians focus on a specific area of the specialty. For instance, hand, foot, and sports injury specialists are among the most popular subspecialties in orthopedics.
The experts are orthopedists. Usually, an orthopedist is consulted following a referral from your primary care physician. What kind of orthopedist you should see for your problem can be determined by your primary care physician.
What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do?
An orthopedic surgeon is qualified to provide diagnosis, carry out or recommend treatments, and support patients during their recovery. They can also assist you in creating long-term plans for the treatment of ailments, conditions, and problems pertaining to your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones.
This kind of physician can perform a wide range of procedures, such as surgeries on the ankle, knee, hip, spine, hands, and neck. Usually, they'll try to address a problem in the most comprehensive and non-invasive manner feasible, which might not involve surgery.
Reasons to See an Orthopedic Surgeon
The most common reason a person visits an orthopedic physician is if they are experiencing pain in a bone, muscle, or joint, or any discomfort associated with movement. You might wish to consult an orthopedic surgeon if you have pain, stiffness, swelling, or injuries to your joints, bones, muscles, or ligaments.
Reduced range of motion is another indicator that you need to visit an orthopedic physician. Orthopedic physicians can assist you in regaining specific movement abilities.
Orthopedic surgeons can aid in the healing process and help you avoid getting hurt again if you have sustained a serious injury. That's why orthopedic surgeons frequently collaborate with athletes. Common injuries that an orthopedic surgeon may handle include:
- Torn or broken (ruptured) ligaments
- Torn or broken tendons
- Broken bones that won’t heal with just a cast
- Spine or hip fractures from osteoporosis
To consult an orthopedic surgeon, you do not need to be injured. A lot of people visit them due to persistent pains, aches, or decreased mobility. These kinds of issues could be brought on by a previous injury. They might change in the future. It's critical to communicate with your physician and let them know if you experience any pain. For the treatment of issues with your bones and soft tissues (tendons and ligaments) brought on by chronic illnesses such as:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Chronic muscle and joint pain
- Non-cancerous (benign) tumors
- Cancerous tumors that start in the bone (sarcomas)
- Cancerous tumors that spread to bone from somewhere else (metastatic)
- Blood cancers like multiple myeloma that can weaken bones
Your treatment plan may include surgery, medication, or physical therapy.
What to Expect at the Orthopedic Surgeon
An orthopedic surgeon will inquire about your symptoms and medical history when you first visit them. Make sure you bring any previous test documentation or medical records you may have.
Your doctor may perform one or more tests on you in order to make a diagnosis. These tests may include X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), depending on your symptoms. Physical exams may also be a part of them.
There's also a chance that you will receive a diagnosis from your orthopedic surgeon without any testing. In this situation, they might just question you to find out what's wrong.
Following a diagnosis, you and your physician will go over available treatments and determine which is best for you. This could involve physical activity, a cast or taping system, or surgery.