Who Is An Orthopedic Surgeon?
When someone is disabled or crippled, they go to an orthopedic surgeon. This physician specializes in injuries and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes the ligaments, joints, nerves, tendons, bones, and muscles. Orthopedic surgeons perform various medical operations, such as osteotomies, including a surgical procedure to correct bone deformities. They also offer nonsurgical treatments such as rehabilitative physical therapy and medications. Most orthopedic surgeons sub-specialize in focusing on the treatment area. Examples are the hand and wrist specialists. They only deal with injuries on the hand or wrist. Others are joint surgeons. They deal with cases on the hip and the knee only.
Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions
Help in rehabilitation which means they assist you regain flexibility, strength, a range of motion following a musculoskeletal surgery or injury.
Prevent chronic illnesses such as arthritis from getting worse and prevent injuries
Orthopedic surgeons can either treat a patient through surgery (arthroscopic surgery) or by nonsurgical means.
Orthopedic Specialty Areas
Foot and Ankle Surgery. Hip and Knee Replacement. Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Trauma Surgery.
General Orthopedics. Orthopedic Oncology. Spine Surgery. Bone Health Center.
Hand Surgery. Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery. Sports Medicine. Osseointegration Clinic.
Treatments offered by orthopedic surgeons
Shoulder care – an orthopedic surgeon examines your shoulder and orders imaging studies. This helps to know what pain you are feeling and the right treatment.
Elbow care: An orthopedic surgeon can tell whether you need surgery or not through imaging studies like the X-ray. Most of these surgeons advise patients to try physical therapy before surgery.
Hip care: Once the orthopedic specialist can diagnose the cause of your hip pain, they can develop a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Knee care – orthopedic surgeons will first try to administer nonsurgical treatments for your knee pain if appropriate, such as pain-relief injections or physical therapy.
Fractures: Orthopedic surgeons can treat your fracture, i.e., a broken bone. An orthopedic surgeon is specialized in treating and diagnosis musculoskeletal system problems, such as orthopedic fractures.
What are the qualifications of an orthopedic surgeon?
Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements:
Should have completed their Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine and worked as a medical officer for at least two years.
Pass an oral interview and entry examinations
How to Select an Orthopedic Surgeon
An important decision a person can make before an orthopedic surgery is selecting an accredited and licensed surgeon from a reputable professional association. It is essential to determine if the following:
- Has finalized a residency in orthopedic surgery
- Has qualifications from an accredited medical school
- Has enough training and experience to perform the procedure
- Operated only in accredited medical facilities
- Adheres to the strict codes of ethics, standards in patient safety, and medical education requirement.
Conclusion
An orthopedic surgeon plays a major role in our day-to-day lives. Bone and muscle pains could cause permanent injuries on the body if kept untreated. It is best to visit an orthopedic surgeon to make sure you are checked where you are feeling pain in joints and bones. There should be no fear of surgery since orthopedic surgeons can also use nonsurgical means.
