Orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics, is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

What is orthopedics?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and its interconnecting parts. These include the:

• bones
• muscles
• joints
• tendons
• ligaments

An orthopedist often works as part of a larger orthopedic team. This team can include:

• physician assistants
• nurse practitioners
• occupational and physical therapists
• athletic trainers

Diagnosis

In order to help diagnose a person’s condition, the orthopedist will:

• ask about your symptoms
• review your medical record to gather more information about their medical history and overall health
• carry out a physical examination
• review any X-rays conducted before the appointment

The orthopedist may also order additional diagnostic tests. These may include:

• an MRI scan
• a CT scan
• a bone scan
• an ultrasound
• nerve conduction studies
• blood tests

In-office procedures

An orthopedist may carry out in-office procedures to help diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal conditions.

X-rays are the “most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique.” An orthopedist will often perform X-rays in-office, allowing them to diagnose certain conditions during a person’s appointment.

Some acute injuries, such as fractures and dislocations, will require the orthopedist to manipulate (reset) the bone or joint and immobilize it using a splint, cast, or brace.

Types of orthopedic practices

An orthopedist may specialize in a particular branch of orthopedic medicine. These branches are called subspecialties.

Some orthopedic subspecialties include:

• hand and upper extremity
• foot and ankle
• musculoskeletal oncology (tumor)
• pediatric orthopedics
• sports medicine
• spine surgery
• trauma surgery
• joint replacement surgery