What is orthopedics Definition, types, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is orthopedics and what do orthopedists do Medically reviewed by Daniel Wiznia, MD — By Kathleen Davis, FNP on August 30, 2022Orthopedics 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 Share on PinterestStudio Firma/StocksyOrthopedics, 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:bonesmusclesjointstendonsligamentsnerves 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 assistantsnurse practitionersoccupational and physical therapistsathletic trainers 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 arthritisbone fracturessoft tissue injuries, which are those that affect muscles, tendons, and ligamentsback painneck pain shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitiscarpal tunnel syndromeoveruse and sports injuries, including sprains, tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tearscongenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosisbone cancer Questions to ask an orthopedic doctor A person may wish to ask the following questions:What nonoperative treatments are available?Am I a good candidate for this procedure?What surgical methods will the surgeon use?What are the risks or potential complications of the procedure?What are the benefits of the procedure? How long will the benefits last?What is the success rate of this procedure?What will I need to do to get the best results?How and where will the surgeon perform the procedure?If complications occur, how will the surgeon fix them? How do you choose an orthopedic surgeon A vital decision that a person has to make before an orthopedic surgery is choosing a licensed and accredited surgeon from a competent professional association. It is important to check that a surgeon:is a graduate of an accredited medical schoolhas completed a residency in orthopedic surgeryhas certification with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS)has the experience and sufficient professional training to perform the procedureworks only in accredited medical facilitiesadheres to medical education requirements, standards in patient safety, and a strict code of ethics A person can use the ABOS and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) websites to find an orthopedic surgeon. What to expect during an appointment During the first appointment, the orthopedist will work to diagnose the person’s condition. This can include conducting a physical examination and taking X-rays. In some instances, the doctor may carry out in-office tests or order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. Diagnosis The process of diagnosis will also involve the orthopedist:asking about the person’s symptomsreviewing the person’s medical record to gather more information about their medical history and overall healthcarrying out a physical examinationreviewing any X-rays that the person underwent before the appointment The orthopedist may also order additional diagnostic tests. These may include:an MRI scana CT scana bone scanan ultrasoundnerve conduction studiesblood tests In-office procedures An orthopedist may perform an in-office procedure to help diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal conditions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that X-rays are “the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique.” An orthopedist will often perform X-rays in-office, allowing them to diagnose certain conditions during a person’s appointment. They may also deliver injections, such as corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation, and perform ultrasound scans. Some acute injuries, such as fractures and dislocations, require the orthopedist to manipulate the bone or joint and immobilize it using a splint, cast, or brace. Treatment options In addition to in-office treatments, a person’s orthopedist may recommend one or more of the following to treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions:over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicationsrehabilitation and physical therapyhome exercise programsinjectionsacupuncturemobility aidssurgery, when other treatments fail Types of orthopedic practices An orthopedist may specialize in a particular branch of orthopedic medicine. These branches are called subspecialties. Some orthopedic subspecialties include:hand and upper extremityfoot and ankle or podiatryorthopedic oncology, including tumor and cancer carepediatric orthopedicssports medicinespine surgerytrauma surgeryjoint replacement surgery Which operations can orthopedic surgeons perform The sections below examine some surgical procedures that an orthopedist may perform as part of their work. Total joint replacement TJR TJR surgery is one of the most common elective surgeries in the United States. During a TJR, or arthroplasty, the doctor will remove the worn-out surfaces of a damaged joint and use a prosthesis as a replacement to replicate the functions of a typical healthy joint. Many people can perform daily activities more quickly after a total joint replacement. Arthroscopic surgery Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope to diagnose joint problems. An arthroscope is a long, thin camera — about the size of a buttonhole — that an orthopedic surgeon will insert into a person’s joint, most commonly the knee or shoulder. The camera connects to a video monitor that allows them to see the inside of the joint. The surgeon can then use several small, thin instruments to fix various problems by making minor additional incisions. Arthroscopic surgery of the knee is the most common type of orthopedic surgery that takes place in the U.S. An orthopedist may perform arthroscopic surgery to repair common joint injuries, such as meniscus tears, ACL tears, and rotator cuff tears. It can take 1 week to several months for a person to recover fully from an arthroscopy. Fracture repair surgery An orthopedic surgeon may recommend fracture repair surgery to restore the normal anatomy of a more severely broken bone. To stabilize the bone, they can use different types of implants. These include rods, plates, screws, and wires. Following a fracture repair surgery, it is common for a person to lose muscle strength and range of motion in the injured area. However, the doctor will recommend specific exercises to restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility. Bone grafting surgery Orthopedic surgeons may perform bone grafting to augment bone regeneration when a person’s body cannot produce enough new bone. In bone grafting surgery, an orthopedic surgeon uses bone from a person’s body or a donor to repair and strengthen diseased or damaged bones. They may also use a synthetic bone substitute and biological factors when natural bone grafts are unavailable. Spinal fusion During a spinal fusion surgery, the doctor will fuse two or more vertebrae to correct problems with the spine. This procedure allows the vertebrae to heal into a single, solid mass of bone. An orthopedic spine surgeon may perform a spinal fusion for some back and neck problems, including scoliosis and injuries to the vertebrae or intervertebral disks. Education To become an orthopedic surgeon, a person must:complete an undergraduate college degreegraduate from an accredited medical school with a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy degreecomplete 5 years of training in an orthopedic residency program that has approval from either the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canadaobtain a medical license and optional board certificationcomplete continuing medical education and exams to stay current and maintain certifications After completing the 5-year residency program, many orthopedic surgeons choose to complete an additional 1–2 years of fellowship training in one of the subspecialty areas. Summary Orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on treating injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Some conditions are present at birth, whereas others may occur due to injury or age-related wear and tear. Orthopedists often work as part of a broader orthopedic team that may include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers, and occupational or physical therapists. Together, they help diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate people with musculoskeletal conditions or injuries. All orthopedists must undergo extensive training to obtain their medical license. They must continue ongoing education and training to maintain it. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022SurgeryBones / OrthopedicsPrimary Care 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.About ABS certification. (n.d.).http://absurgery.org/default.jsp?publiccertprocessFractures (broken bones). (2021). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bonesGlossary of orthopaedic diagnostic tests. (2002). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/glossary-of-orthopaedic-diagnostic-testsPathway to medical licensure in the United States: A general guide. (n.d.). http://www.fsmb.org/SysSiteAssets/usmle-step3/pdfs/pathway-to-licensure.pdfPersson, F., et al. (2018). The risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis after arthroscopic meniscus repair vs partial meniscectomy vs the general population. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458417313146Projected volume of primary and revision total joint replacement in the U.S. 2030 to 2060. (2018). https://aaos-annualmeeting-presskit.org/2018/research-news/sloan_tjr/Questions to ask your doctor before surgery. (2019).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/questions-to-ask-your-doctor-before-surgery/Spinal fusion. (2022). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion/Vilella, R. C., et al. (2021). Musculoskeletal examination. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551505/Wang, W., et al. (2017). Bone grafts and biomaterials substitutes for bone defect repair: A review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5935655/What are the surgical specialties? (n.d.). https://www.facs.org/education/resources/medical-students/faq/specialtiesWhat is an arthroscopy? (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthroscopy/What is an orthopaedic surgeon? (2022). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/orthopaedics/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Daniel Wiznia, MD — By Kathleen Davis, FNP on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageFoot bones: Everything you need to knowMedically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. The feet support the human body when standing, walking, running, and more. They are complex structures with 26 bones. Learn more about foot bones and…READ MOREBones: All you need to knowMedically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. An introduction to bones. We discuss their function, the different types of bones in the human body, and the cells that are involved.READ MOREWhat to know about podiatristsMedically reviewed by Craig Tifford, MD A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. Learn more about a podiatrist's role here.READ MOREWhat to expect with a hip replacement recovery A person can begin recovery on the same day as hip replacement and should be able to return to light activities within 6 weeks. Read more about the…READ MOREBipolar hemiarthroplasty: Overview and what to expect Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged hip joint with an artificial one. It may be an option for people who do not meet…READ MORE