Orthopedics, also known as orthopedic surgery, is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention & treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical methods to treat a variety of conditions, including: musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.
Orthopedists treat patients of all ages, from newborns with club feet to older people with arthritis. Orthopedic care often involves a team approach, which may include sports medicine physicians who can give joint injections but do not perform surgery.
What do orthopedists 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