Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons can perform surgery and help manage and treat joint and bone pain. They also specialize in treating conditions of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that make up the musculoskeletal system. All these body parts are essential to moving around and performing our daily activities.
These surgeons assist in rehabilitation to regain strength, movement, flexibility, and range of motion after surgery or injury. They can offer strategies to prevent injuries and chronic conditions from worsening.
With over 200 bones in the body, many orthopedic surgeons specialize in a particular body part or treatment. For example, they might focus on a subspecialty in areas such as:
- Sports medicine
- Foot and ankle
- Spine
- Trauma surgery
- Hand, shoulder, and elbow
Orthopedic surgeons can treat chronic, acute, or degenerative problems caused by such conditions as arthritis or dislocated joints.
What kind of education and training do orthopedic surgeons receive?
To become an orthopedic surgeon, one must study and train for at least 13 years. Students must first graduate with biology, chemistry, and mathematics. They must then enroll in a medical school where they study and train for four years.
The first two years of medical school involve learning theory in laboratories and classrooms. During the following two years, students learn to diagnose and treat illnesses in medical settings such as clinics and hospitals. They receive training under the guidance of experienced doctors and specialists.
On completing medical school, students earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. After this, one must enroll in a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency at a major medical institution. Doctors can also do a one-year course within an orthopedic subspecialty, although this is optional.
To be recognized by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, orthopedic surgeons must gain practical experience for two years after completing the residency. They must then clear a stringent examination conducted by the board for certification.
Subspecialties within orthopedic surgery
The field of orthopedics is broad, including many areas of specialties and subspecialties. Understanding what these fields encompass can help you choose the best orthopedic surgeon near you. Some of the subspecialties within orthopedic surgery are:
- Sports medicine: Numerous orthopedic surgeons pursue additional training in sports medicine through fellowships. This specialized education equips them to provide enhanced care for individuals engaged in sports, recreational activities, and regular exercise by addressing their injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. Sports medicine professionals aim to improve athletic performance and employ physical therapy and exercise techniques to manage injuries effectively. Their goal is to optimize functionality and mobility, facilitating a swift return to the individual's active pursuits.
- Pediatric orthopedic medicine: Orthopedic physicians can undergo specialized training in pediatrics to cater to the healthcare needs of children. Pediatric orthopedics involves treating various orthopedic issues in children, such as scoliosis, cerebral palsy, fractures, and more. These specialists are adept at providing care to children, ensuring their comfort, and possess a thorough understanding of growth and development factors relevant to pediatric orthopedics.
- Trauma surgery: Injuries are frequently intricate, leading orthopedic surgeons to specialize in trauma care and surgical interventions. This specialization involves addressing severe and critical injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Given the unpredictable nature of accidental trauma, orthopedic trauma surgeons need a profound understanding of human anatomy and a keen ability to discern the normal state of the body in contrast to the traumatized region.
- Spine Surgery Specialization: Orthopedic surgeons in this domain address injuries and conditions affecting the spine arising from disease, degeneration, or trauma.
- Foot and Ankle Orthopedics (Podiatry): Foot and Ankle specialists also treat individuals with foot and ankle issues, including sprains, strains, Achilles tendonitis, and diabetes-related conditions.
- Joint Replacement Expertise: Orthopedic surgeons often specialize in joint replacement, one of the prevalent subspecialties. They specifically manage damaged or worn-out joints, typically resulting from aging, wear and tear, or excessive use.
What are the nonsurgical treatments offered by orthopedic surgeons?
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon does not necessarily mean you must undergo surgery. They typically try to solve issues using other techniques and only advise surgery as a last resort.
For instance, they may recommend specific stretches or exercises to improve flexibility and strength in a particular body part. They may guide you in preventing additional strain on a specific body area using immobilization techniques such as casts, splints, and braces. Further, an orthopedic surgeon may try to solve the issue by recommending medication to relieve the pain or swelling. They typically prescribe corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medicine.
The surgeon may also try to solve the problem by advising on lifestyle changes such as modifying your physical activity, the way you exercise, or even your diet.
What are the surgical treatments provided by orthopedic surgeons?
The orthopedic surgeon can perform surgical procedures such as:
- Soft tissue repair: This surgery can help repair severely damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
- Osteotomy: Osteotomy can be used to treat arthritis or other ailments. It typically involves cutting a part of the bone and repositioning it.
- Joint replacement: Hip and knee surgeries can replace worn-out or damaged joints or knees caused by arthritis or other diseases.
- Fusion: This surgery connects two bones (generally used in spine or neck surgery). It involves some form of internal fixation and bone graft material. The two bones fuse into one as they heal.
- Release surgery: This type reduces the pressure on the median nerve and helps relieve symptoms. Release surgery can benefit patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Internal fixation: This is done to hold broken bones in place to allow them to heal; orthopedic surgeons use hardware such as rods, screws, plates, and pins in internal fixation surgery.
When should one see an orthopedic surgeon?
People often need clarification about when they need to see an orthopedic surgeon. If you have any doubts, you may discuss this with your primary care provider. Further, if there is any significant decrease in your range of motion due to shoulder, elbow, or knee pain, take it as a sign to visit an orthopedic surgeon. Similarly, if you have any swelling or pain in the joint, bone, or muscle that persists and does not respond to home care, consulting an orthopedic surgeon will help.
Moreover, if you have pain preventing you from performing your daily activities or have nerve-related symptoms such as a tingling or numbness in your legs or arms, an orthopedic surgeon can help you. They can provide specialized treatment for any injury to the joints or bones. In case of any such issues, it is wise to consult the best orthopedic surgeon near you.
How do you improve your orthopedic health?
Here are the top tips for improving your orthopedic health.
A sedentary or inactive lifestyle is the root cause of major orthopedic ailments. Therefore, you must indulge in physical activity daily to keep your bones and joints healthy. Daily brisk walks and aerobic exercises are excellent ways to keep your body and bones healthy. Focus on exercises that build bone strength and joint resistance. Avoid rigorous exercises which may put unnecessary stress on the bones and joints. Do a thorough stretching routine before starting your exercise. Stretches enhance flexibility in the muscles and joints and prevent injuries during workouts.
It's not how much you eat but what you eat that makes the difference. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet can help improve bone and joint health and prevent orthopedic disorders. Maintain a balanced diet and eat healthy, nutritious foods at every meal. Calcium helps keep the bones healthy. Milk and milk products are the best calcium-rich foods. Vitamin D is also vital for the bones. Foods like fatty fish, egg yolk, and dairy products are rich in vitamin D. You can also take the help of supplements if you cannot consume the required quantities of vitamin D and calcium.
- Proper clothing and footwear
You should wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement of your joints and bones. Extremely tight clothes can sometimes restrict joint movement and may lead to orthopedic issues. High heels also affect the natural body posture and may lead to various orthopedic problems.
Adopting and practicing healthy habits consistently is crucial to maintaining optimum orthopedic health. Always maintain proper posture when sitting or standing. Keep a straight back and pull back your shoulders to maintain an upright posture. Avoid undue stress on the back joints and muscles. Use supportive pillows when sleeping and ensure the head and neck receive the proper support. Adopt sleeping positions that aid the natural curvature of the spinal cord.
How can one find an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia?
One may need to see an orthopedic surgeon in cases of severe musculoskeletal injuries or emergencies such as bone fractures. Finding a competent orthopedic surgeon near you might be challenging in such circumstances. But do not worry; Zocdoc can help you here!
Using Zocdoc, you may set online or in-person appointments with orthopedic surgeons or other medical specialists in and around the location of your choice. All you have to do is log on to the website and submit essential information, such as your illness or symptoms, location, insurance plan, and preferred appointment date. Once you hit enter, Zocdoc will search through its enormous database of medical specialists and give you a list of the best orthopedic surgeons in your area, say, in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you cannot find your specific insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account. We will find and display your most likely plan (this feature is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Each doctor listed on Zocdoc has a profile with information about their background and education, languages spoken, specialization, hospital affiliation, awards, location, and whether or not they work with children. You can also find out their gender and the languages they speak.
Depending on the orthopedic surgeon's availability, you can schedule an appointment the same day or 24 hours before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or even on holidays or weekends.
You can also check how long the wait is and whether they are taking on new patients. Zocdoc provides verified reviews and ratings from past patients so you can decide when to choose the best orthopedic surgeon near you. If you want to learn more, go through the FAQs section.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is simple, safe, and 100% free.
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons in Georgia
As per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, there were 210 orthopedic surgeons (excluding pediatric) in Georgia as of May 2021.
Orthopedic surgeons can help manage and treat joint and bone pain caused by arthritis and diabetes. According to America's Health Rankings, about 24.9% of adults in Georgia had some form of arthritis in 2021. Women (28.7%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (20.8%). The condition's incidence increased with age, with 52.6% of those 65 and above having arthritis. The percentage was lower in those aged 18 to 44 (8.5%) and those aged 45 to 64 (32%).
Further, in 2021, about 12.3% of adults in the state were diagnosed with diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes and prediabetes), higher than the national average of 10.9%. Men (12.8%) were more likely to have diabetes than women (11.7%). The condition's incidence increased with age, with 25.8% of those 65 and above having diabetes. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (16.1%) and those aged 18 to 44 (3.9%).
Sources
Penn Medicine
WebMD
Healthline
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
MediConnect
