Orthopedics, or orthopedic services, is the medical specialty that involves the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of your body’s bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Any number of medical problems can affect the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Bone problems may include:
Bone Deformities
Bone Infections
Bone Tumors
Fractures
Need For Amputation
Nonunions & Malunions
Spinal Deformities
Joint problems may include:
Arthritis
Bursitis
Dislocation
Joint Pain
Joint Swelling
Ligament tears
Common orthopedic-related diagnoses based on body part:
Ankle and foot:
Bunions
Fasciitis
Foot & Ankle Deformities
Fractures
Hammer Toe
Heel pain
Heel Spurs
Joint pain & Arthritis
Sprains
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Sesamoiditis
Hand and wrist:
Fractures
Joint Pain
Arthritis
Tendon or Ligament Injury
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Ganglion Cyst
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tendinitis
Shoulder:
Arthritis
Bursitis
Dislocation
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Impingement Syndrome
Loose or Foreign Bodies
Rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Separation
Torn labrum
SLAP Tears
Knee:
Cartilage And meniscus Injuries
Dislocation of the Kneecap (Patella)
Ligament Sprains or Tears (Anterior Cruciate, Posterior Cruciate, Medial Collateral, & Lateral Collateral Ligament Tears)
Loose or Foreign Bodies
Osgood Schlatter Disease
Pain
Tendinitis
Elbow:
Arthritis
Bursitis
Dislocation or Separation
Ligament Sprains or Sears
Loose or foreign bodies
Pain
Tennis or Golfers Elbow (Epicondylitis or Tendinitis)
Elbow Stiffness or Contractures
Spine:
Herniated (Slipped) Disc
Infection of the Spine
Injury to the Spine
Scoliosis
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Tumor
Fractures
Spinal Cord Injuries
SERVICES AND TREATMENTS
Imaging procedures can help diagnose or even treat many orthopedic conditions. Your health care provider may order:
Arthrogram (Joint X-ray)
Bone scans
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Discography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
X-rays
Sometimes, treatment involves injections of medicine into the painful area. This may involve:
Corticosteroid injections into joints, tendons, and ligaments, and around the spine
Hyaluronic acid injection to help relieve arthritis pain
Surgical procedures used in the treatment of orthopedics include:
Amputation
Arthroscopic Surgeries
Bunionectomy & Hammer Toe Repair
Cartilage Repair or Resurfacing Procedures
Cartilage Surgery to Knee
Fracture Care
Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty)
Ligament Reconstructions
Repair of Torn Ligaments and Tendons
Spine Surgery, Including DIskectomy, Foraminotomy, Laminectomy, and Spinal Fusion
Newer orthopedic services procedures include minimally invasive surgery techniques, advanced external fixation, and the use of bone graft substitutes and bone-fusing protein.
WHO IS INVOLVED
Orthopedic care often involves a team approach. Your team may include a doctor, as well as a non-doctor specialist such as a physical therapist, as well as others.
Orthopedic surgeons receive 5 or more extra years of training in the care of disorders of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are trained to manage joint problems with both operative and non-operative techniques.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors have 4 or more extra years of training in this type of care after they graduate from medical school. They are also referred to as physiatrists. They do not perform surgery, although they can give joint injections.
Sports medicine physicians are doctors with experience in sports medicine who have a primary specialty in family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Most have 1-2 years of additional training in sports medicine through subspecialty programs in sports medicine. Sports medicine is a special branch of orthopedics designed to provide complete medical care to active people of all ages.
Other doctors that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:
Neurologists
Pain Specialists
Primary Care Doctors
Psychiatrists
Non-doctor health professionals that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:
Athletic Trainers
Counselors
Nurse Practitioners
Physical Therapists
Physician Assistants
Psychologists
Social Workers
Vocational Workers