An orthopedic specialist, also known as an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon, is a doctor who diagnoses and treats medical issues involving the human skeleton, joints, tendons, and ligaments. She may also be able to help with disorders of the nervous system that are linked to the spine. Birth defects, injury, and aging are all possibilities for the medical issues she addresses. Physical or drug therapy may be used the specialist to treat the ailments. Surgery is also a common treatment option for some orthopedic issues.
Some orthopedic specialists practice general medicine, but the majority focus on a single area of orthopedics. Spinal disorders, arthroscopy and joint replacement, and hand surgery are all common specialties. The majority of practices do not distinguish between acute and chronic illnesses.
An orthopedic specialist may specialize in trauma medicine and only treat patients in emergency rooms or trauma clinics. A large number of these professionals work in the field of sports medicine. Orthopedic specialists with a broader scope of practice work in a variety of settings, including podiatry, geriatrics, pediatrics, and plastic surgery.
Orthopedic patients have a wide range of treatment options. The nature of the injury, deformity, or disease usually determines the treatment options. Sprains, strains, and bone dislocation or breakage are common injuries. Fewer cases are more complex, and they may necessitate a variety of treatments and approaches. A joint replacement, reconstructive surgery, or traction may be recommended an orthopedic specialist. Amputation or spinal fusion may be among the options. Fasciotomy, bone grafts, and kneecap removal are all commonly recommended treatments.
Many of her patients have benefited from the use of prosthetics and connective devices and tools in recent years, according to an orthopedic specialist. Medically specialized fasteners, such as tongs, pins, wires, and screws, have been developed thanks to advances in metallurgy and plastics. These aid in the replacement of damaged connective tissues and bones keeping damaged bones in alignment.
An orthopedic specialist can often find work on the staff of an independent surgical facility, in trauma or medical centers, or at a hospital, in addition to working in private practice. She usually works with a surgical team that includes an anesthesiologist and a surgical nurse. Orthopedic surgery can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia, depending on the nature of the treatment.
Orthopedics is a combination of two Greek words. The root word is made up of the words ortho, which means straight, and pais, which means child. Because the first orthopedic specialists almost exclusively treated children with skeletal deformities, this term was coined. Braces were used to straighten the bones of these experts.