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Generally, an orthopedic doctor deals with health conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system.
You may consider visiting an orthopedic doctor if you have any of the following complaints:
- Joint swelling or inflammation
- Progressive pain in the back, knee, hip, neck, or shoulder
- Pain with or without numbness in the wrist, hands, ankles, or feet
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Sports or road traffic injuries including soft tissue injuries and fractures
- Pain or stiffness in the spine
- Difficulty standing, walking, or running
- Radiating or shooting pain in your limbs or spine
If you are not sure whether your symptoms need orthopedic care, you may consult your primary care provider.
Who is an orthopedic doctor?
An orthopedic doctor (orthopedic surgeon) is a medical doctor who deals with health conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system (bones, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments, and associated nerves).
To become a board certified orthopedic surgeon, one needs four years of medical school and five years of residency after college. This may be followed by one or two extra years of fellowship for further training or specialization. Orthopedics is a physically and mentally demanding branch of medical science catering to people of all ages presenting with symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system.
An orthopedic doctor may be a generalist or offer specialties in treating diseases of the following:
- Spine
- Hand
- Hip and knee
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Bones
- Tumors and cancer related to the bones and muscles
Generally, it is assumed that you need to consult an orthopedic doctor only if you need surgical intervention for your condition, which is not the case. Orthopedic doctors do not perform surgeries on all their patients. Orthopedic surgery is generally reserved as the treatment option when the condition is not treatable conservatively (through physical therapy and medications). Many times, orthopedic doctors may help prevent the worsening of your symptoms by advising lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, improvement in posture, improved ergonomics, and adequate physical activity and rest.
What diseases does an orthopedic doctor treat?
Orthopedic doctors treat various diseases related to the musculoskeletal system, such as:
- Arthritis including osteoarthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Fractures
- Joint dislocation or instability
- Joint replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
- Knee replacement surgery
- Osteoporosis (a condition that makes the bones weak and brittle, leading to an increased risk of fractures)
- Cervical spondylosis (age-related wear and tear of the cervical spine)
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the muscle-tendon)
- Ruptured intervertebral disk
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm due to pinching of the median nerve in the wrist)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (a condition causing shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the foot due to pinching of the posterior tibial nerve)
- Sports injuries and sports medicine
- Road traffic accidents
- Pain management
- Injuries due to falls
- Repetitive strain injuries (injuries due to repetitive or prolonged activities)
- Connective tissue disorders (diseases affecting protein-rich components in the body that support and connect various body structures such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome)
- Musculoskeletal tumors (such as chondroma, osteoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma) and tumor-like growths (such as bone cysts and granulomas)
- Spinal curvature abnormalities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis
- Developmental and genetic diseases of the musculoskeletal system