I remember a patient, let’s call him Mr. David. He loved his morning walks, a ritual he’d cherished for years. But then, a nagging knee pain started. First a twinge, then a persistent ache that made those walks feel like a chore, not a joy. He came to me, worried he’d have to give up his favorite part of the day. That’s often when the conversation turns to specialists, and sometimes, that specialist is an orthopedic surgeon, also known as an orthopedist. They’re the experts who help people find relief from pain and get moving again when they’re dealing with musculoskeletal issues.
So, what are these musculoskeletal issues? It’s just a way of describing problems that can affect your:
- Bones
- Cartilage (the smooth, slippery stuff that cushions your joints)
- Joints (where bones meet, like your knees or hips)
- Ligaments (tough bands that connect bones to each other)
- Muscles
- Nerves
- Tendons (cords that attach muscles to bones)
Basically, anything that helps you move, stand, and live your life!
What Conditions Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Treat?
Orthopedic surgeons see a really wide range of problems. It’s not just about broken bones, though they certainly handle those! They diagnose and treat things like:
- Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis (that “wear and tear” kind)
- Benign soft tissue tumors (these are non-cancerous growths)
- Bone cancer (though this is less common, it’s important)
- Bursitis (inflammation of little fluid-filled sacs near your joints)
- Congenital defects – problems present at birth, like clubfoot or hip dysplasia
- Persistent neck and lower back pain
- Orthopedic trauma, like bone fractures from accidents
- Sports injuries – all those sprains, strains, and tears
- General sprains and strains
- Tendinitis (when tendons get inflamed and sore)
- Scoliosis (a curve in the spine)
Orthopedic Surgeon vs. Rheumatologist: What’s the Difference?
This is a common question I get in the clinic. Both rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons deal with your musculoskeletal system, and they treat many similar conditions, like arthritis or back pain. But there are key differences.
Think of it this way: Orthopedic surgeons can perform surgery; rheumatologists typically don’t. Orthopedists often focus on issues stemming from injuries, things you were born with (congenital issues), or problems caused by general wear and tear over time (degenerative diseases).
Rheumatologists, on the other hand, often manage conditions that are systemic, meaning they affect your whole body. These might be autoimmune conditions like lupus, vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), or rheumatoid arthritis. They also handle rare inherited disorders.
It’s not an either/or situation, though! Many times, these specialists work together. If someone has rheumatoid arthritis, for example, their rheumatologist and orthopedist might team up to make sure they get the very best, most complete care.
What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Actually Do?
Some orthopedic surgeons are generalists, meaning they treat a broad variety of bone and joint issues. Others decide to dive deeper and subspecialize. This means they get extra training to become experts in treating specific types of problems.
These orthopedic subspecialties can include:
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Hand and upper extremity surgery (that’s your hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder)
- Joint replacement (like new hips or knees)
- Orthopedic oncology (care for bone and soft tissue tumors, including cancer)
- Orthopedic trauma (focusing on serious injuries)
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery (for children’s bone and joint issues)
- Spine surgery
- Sports medicine
How Much Training Do They Have?
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon takes a long time – often up to 14 years! It starts with an undergraduate degree, then four years of medical school. This could be a traditional medical school leading to an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or an osteopathic medical school for a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). Osteopathic doctors often have a whole-person approach, considering mind, body, and spirit.
After medical school, they complete a demanding five-year orthopedic residency. This is where they get intensive, hands-on experience. If they want to subspecialize, they’ll do another one or two years in a fellowship. Finally, to become board-certified, they have to pass rigorous exams. And the learning never stops; they continue with medical education throughout their careers. It’s a serious commitment.
When Should You Think About Seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon?
As your family doctor, I’m often the first person you’ll talk to about aches and pains. But if you’re experiencing certain things, a referral to an orthopedic surgeon might be the next best step. Watch out for:
- A grinding, snapping, or popping feeling when you move a joint
- Inflammation and swelling that doesn’t go away
- Persistent joint pain
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Movement that’s restricted because of pain
- Ongoing stiffness
If these sound familiar, it’s worth a chat.
What to Expect at Your First Orthopedic Appointment
Going to a new specialist can feel a bit daunting, so let’s talk about what usually happens. Your first visit will likely involve:
- A good chat: You’ll talk about your symptoms, your medical history, and how your lifestyle might be affecting things.
- A physical exam: The orthopedist will likely check the affected joint, perhaps moving it in specific ways to see what’s going on.
- Imaging studies: Often, an X-ray is done right away to get a look at your bones.
- Explanation of diagnosis: If they can tell what’s wrong, they’ll explain it.
- Treatment recommendations: They’ll discuss potential ways to help you feel better.
Sometimes, especially if things are a bit more complex, you might need further imaging tests, like a CT scan or an MRI, to get a more detailed picture. If that’s the case, you might not get a final diagnosis or full treatment plan on that very first visit. But don’t worry, they’ll usually suggest ways to manage your symptoms in the meantime.
Does Seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon Mean I Need Surgery?
This is a big one I hear from patients. And the answer is: not necessarily! Orthopedic surgeons are experts in both nonsurgical and surgical treatments.
For some things, like certain types of major trauma or some congenital conditions, surgery might be the best first option. But for many other conditions, the approach is often to try nonsurgical therapies first. It’s pretty common to try a few different non-surgical options, sometimes at the same time, to see what brings relief. If those options don’t quite do the trick, then surgery might be considered. Your orthopedist will always talk you through all the options, including the risks and benefits of any procedure.
What Kinds of Nonsurgical Therapies Do They Offer?
There’s a whole toolbox of non-surgical treatments an orthopedic surgeon might recommend. Your care plan will be personalized, but it could include:
- Devices: Things like braces, slings, casts, or splints to hold bones or joints in the right position while they heal.
- Joint injections: These might be cortisone (a type of steroid) to reduce inflammation, or viscosupplementation (sometimes called “gel shots”) for knee arthritis.
- Medications: Often non-opioid pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Physical therapy (PT): Exercises to help loosen stiff muscles or build strength.
- Occupational therapy (OT): Help with adapting everyday tasks, like getting dressed, if pain or injury makes them hard.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: This is an investigational treatment where parts of your own blood are used to try and promote healing.
- Orthotics: Custom-made shoe inserts to support your feet and improve alignment.
And What About Surgical Options?
If surgery is the best path forward, orthopedic surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures. The right one for you depends entirely on your specific diagnosis. Here are just a few examples of what they can do:
- Foot and Ankle: Procedures like Achilles tendon repair, bunion correction, hammertoe surgery, or even total ankle replacement.
- Hand and Upper Extremity: Things like carpal tunnel release, surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture (where fingers bend towards the palm), ganglion cyst removal, or rotator cuff surgery for shoulder problems.
- Joint Replacement and Reconstruction: This is where they do total hip replacement, total or partial knee replacement, and total shoulder replacement. Less commonly, they might replace an elbow or wrist.
- Orthopedic Trauma Care: This includes repairing dislocations, fixing fractures, and sometimes complex reconstructive surgery for severely damaged bones or joints.
- Spine Surgeries: Procedures like laminectomy (to relieve pressure on spinal nerves), spinal decompression, or spinal fusion (to stabilize the spine).
- Sports Injury Procedures: Common ones include meniscus surgery in the knee, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, rotator cuff tear repair in the shoulder, and hip surgery for labral tears.
We’ll always discuss all the options available for you or your loved one.
Take-Home Message: What to Remember About Orthopedic Surgeons
It’s a lot to take in, I know! So, here are the key things I hope you’ll remember about seeing an orthopedic surgeon:
- They are your go-to doctors for problems with your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
- They treat a huge range of conditions, from arthritis and back pain to sports injuries and fractures.
- Surgery isn’t always the first answer. Many effective non-surgical treatments are often tried first.
- If you’re dealing with persistent pain, stiffness, swelling, or trouble moving, having a chat with an orthopedic surgeon might be a really good idea.
- They work as part of your healthcare team, often alongside your family doctor, to get you the best care.
Remember, dealing with pain and mobility issues can be tough, but you’re not on your own. We’re here to help guide you to the right support and get you moving more comfortably again.
