What is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat chronic conditions and injuries related to your musculoskeletal system, including the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and nerves. They are also called orthopedic doctors or orthopedists. Your primary care doctor will recommend an orthopedic surgeon to you for some symptoms. These symptoms include recurrent pain or swelling in your bones, joints, or muscles, a decreased range of motion, difficulty performing everyday activities, nerve pain, or a severe musculoskeletal injury.
Orthopedists treat people of various ages, including children, adults, and older people. Common conditions they treat include bone fractures, joint or back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and bone cancer. Patients also consult them for soft tissue injuries such as bruises, sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, and strains. You can take your child to an orthopedic surgeon if they suffer from limb abnormalities, such as clubfoot, bowlegs, or other pediatric musculoskeletal disorders.
What are the education, training, and subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons undergo 13-14 years of extensive education and training before practicing medicine. They complete a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 4-year medical degree. After that, they gain practical experience with a 5-year orthopedics residency from a major medical institution. They can then pass the required exams to obtain a medical license and board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Some orthopedic surgeons also choose to complete a 1-year fellowship to specialize further. These include hand, shoulder and elbow, spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, trauma surgery, orthopedic oncology, pediatric orthopedics, and sports medicine.
Common conditions treated by orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions that affect bones, joints, and soft tissues. From degenerative diseases to sports-related injuries, orthopedic care can help restore mobility and alleviate pain. Below are some of the most common conditions that can be effectively managed with orthopedic care provided by an orthopedic surgeon near you.
Osteoarthritis: degenerative joint disease
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 300 million individuals globally, according to Osteoarthritis Foundation International. This condition happens due to the deterioration of protective cartilage, which cushions the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It commonly impacts the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine, with symptoms often emerging in individuals over the age of 40. Treatment options include physical therapy, medications, joint injections, and, in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.
Back and neck injuries: addressing chronic pain and mobility issues
Back and neck injuries, e.g., herniated discs (a condition in which a spinal disc's soft center pushes through a crack in its harder outer layer); spinal stenosis (the narrowing of spaces in the spine, which can exert pressure on nerves); or whiplash (a neck injury caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head), can result from accidents, poor posture, or degenerative changes. These injuries can significantly impact daily life, causing chronic pain and limited mobility. While physical therapy and other conservative treatments may provide relief, some cases require advanced orthopedic procedures like spinal fusion, discectomy, or minimally invasive surgery to restore function and alleviate pain.
Osteoporosis: a silent threat to bone health
Osteoporosis is characterized by weakened bones, making them more prone to fractures. This occurs when the body loses bone mass or fails to generate enough new bone tissue. Often, osteoporosis remains undetected until an individual experiences a fracture following a minor injury. The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that the condition is especially common in individuals over 50, with one in two women and one in four men at risk of sustaining fractures due to osteoporosis. Management includes medications to strengthen bones, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions for fractures.
Sports-related injuries: restoring strength and function
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts frequently experience injuries, particularly involving the knees. Ligament tears, sprains, and cartilage damage are common, often requiring surgical intervention for full recovery. Two of the most frequently treated sports injuries involve the ACL and meniscus. Common treatments include arthroscopic surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation programs.
With advancements in minimally invasive techniques, orthopedic treatments can significantly improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall quality of life.
What are the non-surgical treatments for orthopedic conditions?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose orthopedic conditions using your medical history, symptoms, and physical exams. They may also ask you to take X-rays, MRI scans, bone scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, or nerve tests if needed. After diagnosis, they design a treatment plan best suited for you. They will initially suggest non-surgical treatments, such as:
- Medications: A doctor may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription drugs, including anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, to reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling.
- Steroid injections: They may give these to people whose pain symptoms do not improve with oral medications. Its effects can last several months and are primarily used to relieve joint discomfort.
- Nerve blocks: The doctor administers anesthetics or anti-inflammatory injections around the nerves causing pain.
- Immobilization techniques: The orthopedic surgeon may use braces, splints, or casts to protect and support the broken or injured bones and prevent movement in that area to aid the healing process.
- Physical therapy: Depending on your condition, physical therapists will suggest specific exercises and stretches to improve your strength, range of motion, mobility, and flexibility and relieve pain. Physical therapy is a part of most orthopedic treatment plans as it has long-term benefits.
- Lifestyle changes: Your orthopedic doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, stress management, eating a healthy diet, controlling stress, and quitting smoking and alcohol.
What are the different surgical procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons?
If your symptoms do not improve with first-line treatments, your orthopedic surgeon will most likely recommend surgery. There are many orthopedic surgeries for different conditions and injuries. Some of the most common ones include:
- Joint replacement: This surgery involves replacing damaged and dysfunctional joints with artificial joints made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Orthopedic surgeons can replace joints of the hips, knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, toes, and wrists.
- Internal fixing of bones: The orthopedic surgeon places special screws, plates, rods, wires, or nails inside the broken bones to reconnect them and help them heal correctly.
- Fusion: In this procedure, two or more bones are fused into one bone using bone grafting and internal fixation. It is usually done in neck or spine surgery to improve stability and reduce pain.
- Soft tissue repair: This surgery involves repairing severely damaged muscles, tendons, or ligaments to enhance joint stability.
- Osteotomy: This procedure involves cutting bones in the jaw, elbow, spine, shoulder, hips, knees, legs, toes, and feet to reshape or reposition them. It is usually used to treat joint problems such as arthritis.
- Release surgery: This is also known as carpal tunnel surgery. It involves treating the pinched median nerve in the wrist to relieve the symptoms.
What to expect at your orthopedic surgery consultation?
During the initial visit to an orthopedic surgeon near you, expect your surgeon to discuss your symptoms, inquire about your medical history, and try to understand your lifestyle. Your orthopedic surgeon might ask for your previous tests, a history of pre-existing medical conditions, and medications you have been taking. They might ask if you usually exercise or indulge in physical activities to detect the cause of your illness or injury. Visiting an orthopedic surgeon does not necessarily mean that you will need surgery. Your doctor may try some non-surgical therapies first. If those treatment options do not offer relief, surgery may be the next course of treatment.
Your orthopedic surgeon will also perform a physical examination, including an assessment of your ability to move the affected joint in specific ways. They might order particular imaging studies to understand the present status of your injury. These diagnostic tests usually include a CT scan or an MRI for detailed views of the affected area. Once your orthopedic surgeon diagnoses your condition, they will recommend the appropriate treatment.
If your provider recommends a non-emergency surgery, you can schedule it at a specified time. Medical professionals perform emergency procedures for orthopedic trauma immediately. On the day of surgery, an anesthesiologist will administer general or local anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain during the procedure. After surgery, your healthcare team may move you to a recovery room and keep you under observation for a few hours or days, depending on the type of surgery.
Your recovery plan may also include using devices to hold bones or joints in a specific position and aid healing. Examples of such devices are braces, slings, casts, and splints. Doctors may use joint injections for conditions such as tennis elbow. The duration of your orthopedic treatment plan relies on the severity and complexity of your problem. Your orthopedic surgeon will prepare a detailed follow-up plan and schedule as needed.
Does orthopedic surgery have any risks?
Although rare, almost every surgical procedure comes with some risks and complications. Orthopedic surgical procedures are highly effective and safe. However, before surgery, you can expect your orthopedic surgeon to explain to you the possible risks, some of which include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in the joints
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Hip dislocation after total hip replacement surgery
- Lung congestion
Arthritis treatment by orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons aim to alleviate symptoms and improve joint function in arthritis treatment. They may advise a range of interventions, including:
- Medication: Orthopedic surgeons prescribe drugs to reduce inflammation and discomfort tailored to the specific type of arthritis. These may consist of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), counterirritants, and steroids.
- Physical therapy: Orthopedic surgeons recommend exercises to strengthen muscles around the affected joints, thus enhancing mobility and reducing discomfort. Therapists guide patients in modifying their routines for maximum benefit.
- Therapeutic injections: Orthopedic surgeons administer injections for lubrication (viscosupplementation) or cortisone for temporary relief from pain and inflammation.
- Surgery: It is reserved for severe cases when conservative methods fail. Surgical options may involve joint repair, replacement, or fusion to restore function and alleviate symptoms.
Find the best orthopedic surgeon near you in Alexandria, VA
Chronic orthopedic conditions cause pain and dysfunction, challenging participating in personal, professional, and social life. Over time, it can also affect your mental well-being, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. Rest assured that an orthopedic surgeon can help you improve your quality of life in such a situation.
Zocdoc is the best platform to search for in-network medical experts in and around your location. To do that, go to the search box on the website and type in the required details. These include the specialty (orthopedic surgeon), location (Alexandria, VA), availability, and insurance details. Click on the find button.
You can enhance your search results on Zocdoc by applying various filters. These filters enable you to specify your reason for the visit, your preferred appointment time, the distance you're willing to travel, and the gender and language of the healthcare professional you prefer. If you are booking a consultation for a child, you can opt to show only those orthopedic doctors near you who offer pediatric care. Although orthopedic appointments are better in person, those who need to consult online can look for experts in the video visits section.
Once the search results match your preferences, you can use another Zocdoc feature – reading expert profiles. You can learn about their education, training, board certifications, professional memberships, hospital affiliations, practice names, and insurance plans. If you need more information on your insurance plan, try our built-in insurance detector. However, you must first register a free Zocdoc account to access this function. After you've signed up, navigate to your account settings and submit a clean photograph of your insurance card. Zocdoc will scan it and offer you information about your plan. You can then type that information into the search box to continue your search. What happens if you don't have insurance? What if you want to avoid using my insurance to schedule appointments? What if you wait to give insurance details? Then, you can continue searching for orthopedic surgeons, knowing you will have to make out-of-pocket payments. For more insurance information, visit Zocdoc's patient help center website.
When you choose a particular orthopedic surgeon, you can immediately book your appointment via Zocdoc by filling out an online form.
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Statistics on orthopedic conditions and orthopedic surgeons
According to America's Health Rankings, a little less than one-third of the population in Virginia, meaning about 27.1%, had some form of arthritis in 2021. More females (about 31.5%) had the disease than males (about 22.4%) in the same year. Arthritis was most prevalent among seniors 65 years and above, with nearly 53.1% of cases, followed by around 35% between ages 45-64 and about 9.2% from 18-44 years. Another America's Health Rankings report analyzed the frequency of falls among senior Virginian adults. Nearly 25.9% of adults aged 65 and older—around 27.3% of females and 24.1% of males reported falling during 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data in a report on disability estimates in Virginia. It states that mobility disability statistics stood at about 10.6% of adult cases in 2016, 12.6% in 2017, 11.5% in 2018, 12.3% in 2019, and 9.6% in 2020. Regarding the prevalence of mobility disability among different age groups, in 2020, with nearly 22.8% of cases, adults 65+ were the most affected. About 12.7% of the affected adults were between 45 and 64, while approximately 3.6% were between 18 and 44. Since about 8.4% of the cases were males and 10.6% were females, both genders were nearly equally affected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis affects individuals of all ages, with its prevalence increasing with age. According to data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019 to 2021 in the United States, 5.4% of adults aged 18 to 44 acknowledged experiencing arthritis. This figure notably increases among individuals aged 45 to 64, with one out of every four adults (26.0%) receiving a doctor's diagnosis for arthritis. Almost half (47.3%) of those 65 and older said they had been diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia had about 400 orthopedic surgeons (excluding pediatric) in 2021. This data reveals the need for orthopedic care in Virginia and demands improvements in doctor-to-patient ratios.
Sources
Healthline[1]
WebMD
Johns Hopkins Medicine
All-Star Orthopedics of Austin
America's Health Rankings[1]
America's Health Rankings[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Weiss Memorial Hospital
