Orthopaedics is a medical field that focuses on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Some of these disorders are present at birth, while others may develop as a result of an injury or normal aging.

Orthopaedic surgeons are frequently part of a greater orthopaedic team consisting of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers, and occupational or physical therapists. They work together to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate persons suffering from musculoskeletal diseases or injuries.

To get their medical license, all orthopaedists must complete intensive training. To keep it, they must continue their education and training. Orthopaedists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal ailments, including sports injuries, joint discomfort, and back problems, using both surgical and nonsurgical techniques.

 

What exactly is orthopaedics?

Orthopaedics is a medical specialty that focuses on the management of the skeletal system and its interconnected components. These components are as follows:

•     Bones
•     Muscles
•     Joints
•     Tendons
•     Ligaments

 

An orthopaedist is often an element of a larger orthopaedic medical team. This group also include:

•     Physician Assistants
•     Nurse Practitioners
•     Occupational and Physical Therapists
•     Athletic Trainers

 

What conditions do orthopaedists treat?

Orthopaedists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries. These problems might be present from birth, or they can develop as a result of an injury or normal aging. Some of the most frequent conditions that an orthopaedist may treat are as follows:

•     Joint pain from arthritis
•     Bone fractures
•     Soft tissue (muscle, tendon, and ligament) injuries
•     Back pain
•     Neck pain
•     Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
•     Carpal tunnel syndrome
•     Overuse and sports injuries, including tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
•     Congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis

 

What can you expect during a consultation?

The orthopaedist will seek to diagnose the person’s issue during the initial consultation. This usually entails performing a physical examination and taking X-rays. An orthopaedist may utilize an in-office technique, such as an injection, to aid in the diagnosis or treatment of a problem. Additional testing may be required in some cases to confirm the diagnosis.

 

Diagnosis

In order to assist in the diagnosis of a person’s illness, the orthopaedist will:

•     Inquire about the person's symptoms
•     Examine the person's medical record to learn more about their medical history and overall health.
•     Do a physical examination
•     Review any X-rays taken prior to the appointment

Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered by the orthopaedist. These could include:

•     MRI scan
•     CT scan
•     Bone scan
•     An ultrasound
•     Nerve conduction studies
•     Blood tests

 

Options for treatment

If an orthopaedist is unable to provide in-office treatment for a patient’s problem, they will explore the many treatment options that are available. The orthopaedist may propose one or more of the following therapies for persistent musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain or arthritis:

•     Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
•     Rehabilitation and physical therapy
•     Home exercise programs
•     Injections
•     Acupuncture
•     Mobility aid
•     Surgery, though this is a last resort

 

Orthopaedic practice types

An orthopaedist may specialize in one or more areas of orthopaedic medicine. These are known as subspecialties.

Among the orthopaedic subspecialties are:

•     Hand and upper extremity
•     Foot and ankle
•     Musculoskeletal oncology (tumour)
•     Paediatric orthopaedics
•     Sports medicine
•     Spine surgery
•     Trauma surgery
•     Joint replacement surgery

 

Arthroscopic surgery

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive treatment that diagnoses joint abnormalities using an instrument called an arthroscope.

An arthroscope is a long, thin camera that an orthopaedic surgeon inserts into a person’s joint, usually the knee or shoulder. The camera is linked to a video display, allowing them to see within the joint.

The surgeon can utilize a variety of small, thin devices to address a wide range of problems by creating small extra incisions.

The most prevalent type of orthopaedic surgery performed in the world of sports is arthroscopic knee surgery. Arthroscopy surgery may be performed by an orthopaedist to repair common joint ailments such as meniscus tears, ACL tears, and rotator cuff tears.

 

Surgery to reconstruct a fracture

An orthopaedic surgeon may be required to undertake an operation to mend a more badly damaged bone. They can utilize a variety of implants to help support the bone. Rods, plates, screws, and wires are examples of these.

 

Surgery for bone grafting

An orthopaedic surgeon borrows bone from elsewhere in the body to heal and strengthen sick or damaged bones in bone grafting surgery. They could potentially get this bone from someone else.

 

Fusion of the vertebrae

Lumbar fusion is a surgical treatment that fuses adjacent vertebrae of the spine together. This surgery permits the vertebrae to fuse together to form a single, solid mass of bone.

A spinal fusion may be performed by an orthopaedic spine surgeon for a variety of back and neck disorders, including vertebral or intervertebral disk injury and scoliosis.