Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system consists of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
A person who specializes in orthopedics is known as an orthopedist. Orthopedists use surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as sports injuries, joint pain, and back problems.
This article provides an overview of orthopedics. It outlines the different conditions that orthopedists treat and explains what a person can expect during an orthopedic appointment.
The article also covers the qualifications necessary to become an orthopedist.
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system consists of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
A person who specializes in orthopedics is known as an orthopedist. Orthopedists use surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as sports injuries, joint pain, and back problems.
This article provides an overview of orthopedics. It outlines the different conditions that orthopedists treat and explains what a person can expect during an orthopedic appointment.
The article also covers the qualifications necessary to become an orthopedist.
What is Orthopedics?
Orthopedics, also known as orthopedic surgery, is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and its interconnecting parts. These parts include the following:
- bones
- muscles
- joints
- tendons
- ligaments
- nerves
There are generally two types of orthopedists: surgical and nonsurgical. The former are called orthopedic surgeons, while nonsurgical orthopedists include physiatrists and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists.
An orthopedist often works as part of a larger orthopedic treatment team. This team may include:
- physician assistants
- nurse practitioners
- occupational and physical therapists
What do orthopedist treat?
Orthopedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions may be present from birth, or they may result from an injury or age-related wear and tear.
Below are some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist may treat:
- joint pain from arthritis
- bone fractures
- soft tissue injuries, which are those that affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- back pain
- neck pain
- shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- overuse and sports injuries, including sprains, tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis
- bone cancer