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Arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis
- Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons (orthopedists) both specialize in diseases affecting your musculoskeletal system. They treat many of the same conditions, including arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis.
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/orthopedic-surgeon-orthopedist
People also ask
Do orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal conditions?
Do I need an orthopaedic specialist for a musculoskeletal injury?
What type of treatment does an orthopedic surgeon offer?
How can an orthopedic doctor help me?
Does Mayo Clinic offer orthopedic surgery?
What types of surgery treat musculoskeletal problems?
Oct 2, 2024 · Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeons have experience treating all types of musculoskeletal conditions. Many people come to Mayo Clinic when their conditions are complex or unusual. You may come to Mayo Clinic on your own or with a referral from your doctor, orthopedic surgeon or other specialist.
- Overview
- What do orthopedic doctors do?
- What types of conditions do orthopedic doctors treat?
- What types of procedures do they do?
- When to see an orthopedic doctor
- Training and qualifications
- How to find an orthopedic doctor
- Is orthopedic treatment covered by insurance and Medicare?
- The bottom line
Orthopedics is the medical field that focuses on diseases and conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system. This includes your:
•bones
•muscles
•ligaments and tendons
•joints
•nerves
Orthopedic doctors, often referred to as orthopedic surgeons, focus on helping you with musculoskeletal issues. Their duties include:
•diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system
•assisting with rehabilitation, which helps you regain movement, strength, range of motion, and flexibility following an injury or surgery
•forming strategies to prevent injury or to keep chronic conditions, such as arthritis, from worsening
While orthopedic doctors know about all parts of the musculoskeletal system, some choose to specialize further. Some subspecialty areas of orthopedics include:
•spine
Orthopedic doctors treat a wide variety of conditions, including but not limited to the following:
•bone fractures
•muscle strains
•joint or back pain
•arthritis
•carpal tunnel syndrome
Nonsurgical treatments
These types of treatments are also called conservative treatments. Orthopedic doctors will often focus on nonsurgical treatments first before recommending surgery. Some types of nonsurgical treatments include: •Exercises. Your orthopedic doctor may recommend specific exercises or stretches to help maintain or improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion in a particular area. •Immobilization. Sometimes preventing additional strain to an area can help it to heal. Examples of immobilization techniques include braces, splints, and casts. •Medications. Your orthopedic doctor may recommend certain medications to help relieve symptoms like pain and swelling. Some examples include over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and aspirin. They may also prescribe certain prescription drugs like corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medicine. •Lifestyle changes. Your orthopedic doctor may also help you with making lifestyle changes. These can involve modifying your physical activity, diet, and the ways you exercise to prevent aggravation of an injury or condition.
Surgical treatments
Sometimes a condition or injury doesn’t improve with conservative measures. In these cases, your doctor may recommend surgery. Some examples of operations performed by an orthopedic surgeon include: •Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery involves replacing the parts of a joint that have become damaged or diseased, usually secondary to arthritis. Examples include knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. •Internal fixation. Internal fixation involves the placement of hardware such as pins, screws, plates, and rods to help hold broken bones in place while they’re healing. •Fusion. This involves using bone graft material plus some form of internal fixation to connect two bones together. As the bone tissue heals, it fuses into one bone. This technique is often used in neck and spine surgery. •Osteotomy. Osteotomy is a type of surgery that involves cutting a part of a bone and then repositioning it. This type of surgery may sometimes be used to treat arthritis. •Soft tissue repair. This kind of surgery is used to repair severely damaged muscles, ligaments, or tendons. •Release surgery. This is a type of surgery that’s performed for carpal tunnel syndrome. It helps to relieve symptoms by reducing pressure on the median nerve.
You may need to see an orthopedic doctor if you have:
•pain or swelling in a bone, joint, or muscle that’s persistent, recurring, or doesn’t respond to at-home care
•a significant decrease in the mobility or range of motion of a joint, such as your knee, elbow, or shoulder
•trouble performing your daily activities
•nerve-related symptoms, such as numbness and tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in your arms or legs
•an injury to a bone or joint that needs the attention of a specialist
There’s a lot of training involved in becoming an orthopedic surgeon. In fact, in the United States, an orthopedist has to complete up to 14 years of education and training.
This includes completing the following:
•an undergraduate program at a college or university (4 years)
•medical school (4 years)
•a residency focused on orthopedics (5 years)
•a fellowship to subspecialize in one of the areas listed above (1 year)
If you need to see an orthopedic doctor, these are a few steps you can take:
•Talk to your primary care doctor. Your primary care doctor may be able to recommend or refer you to an orthopedic surgeon in your area.
•Search online. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has an online search tool that can help you find an orthopedic doctor near you.
•Ask a friend or family member. If someone close to you has had a similar condition, they may be able to recommend an orthopedic surgeon that they had a good experience with.
•Read online reviews or use social media. Online reviews may provide you with some insight into the orthopedic surgeon’s training, abilities, and success with treating various conditions. Reaching out on neighborhood apps or social media may also help you find a doctor who’s a good fit for you.
You can connect with an orthopedic doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
While looking for an orthopedic doctor, you’ll want to know if they’re covered under your insurance. If they aren’t, you may end up paying out-of-pocket costs that you didn’t plan for.
Often, insurance will cover care that’s considered medically necessary to diagnose or treat a specific condition.
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat conditions affecting your bones, muscles, and joints.
Treatment can include conservative measures, such as exercise and medication, or in some instances, operations like total knee replacement.
Orthopedic doctors can also assist with rehabilitation and help prevent the symptoms of an existing condition from getting worse.
Some examples of conditions that orthopedic doctors treat include:
•bone fractures
•arthritis
Orthopaedic surgeons treat problems of the musculoskeletal system. This involves: Diagnosis of your injury or disorder; Treatment with medication, injections, casting, bracing, surgery, or other options; Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function
Apr 25, 2023 · 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.
Sep 10, 2024 · Musculoskeletal surgery treats problems with muscles, bones, or connective tissues. Doctors use it to treat many conditions, such as traumatic injuries or degenerative conditions.
Orthopaedic surgeons treat many musculoskeletal conditions without surgery, by using one or more of the following: Oral medications – A variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
