Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons excel in recognizing, addressing, and averting conditions and injuries impacting the musculoskeletal system, encompassing bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These healthcare providers can deal with ailments like arthritis, bursitis, persistent muscle and joint discomfort, non-malignant and cancerous bone tumors, and blood cancer that weakens the bones (for example, multiple myeloma). They have additional training in treating complicated wounds, including fractures and dislocations.
To give their patients comprehensive care, orthopedic surgeons collaborate closely with other medical experts like physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. They might also work with researchers and companies that produce medical devices to develop novel therapies and technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Educational qualification of orthopedic surgeons
The initial step in becoming an orthopedic surgeon is a bachelor's degree, followed by medical school. The medical school lasts four years and includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other medical topics. Also, students must do clinical rotations, which gives them practical training in various medical specialties, including surgery.
Aspiring orthopedic surgeons undergo a residency program after medical school. The program typically lasts five years and offers in-depth training in surgical procedures and the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Residents acquire training while working closely with seasoned orthopedic surgeons.
After completing their residency, orthopedic surgeons may pursue additional training in a particular branch of orthopedics. For instance, some might finish a fellowship in joint replacement surgery or sports medicine.Â
Orthopedic surgeons must satisfy stringent requirements during their school and training and pass tests to acquire a license to practice. They must also continue their education and training to preserve their licenses. Because of their dedication to lifelong learning, orthopedic surgeons can provide patients with the finest care possible using the most up-to-date knowledge and methods.
What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?
Orthopedic surgeons treat various illnesses and injuries, including the following:
- Arthritis: Arthritis causes damage to your joints. While it can affect any joint, it is most common in hands, wrists, hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders, and lower back. Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, inflammation, skin discoloration, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Bursitis: Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs. They cushion spaces around your bones and other tissue. Irritation and swelling in a bursa, typically resulting from overuse and excessive pressure, cause bursitis. Its symptoms include pain (especially when you move the affected body part), swelling, and reduced range of motion.
- Tendonitis: Tendons, strands of connective tissue between your bones and muscles, help you move. Tendonitis results from an inflamed or irritated tendon, which typically occurs due to repetitive strain or overuse injuries. Its symptoms include pain in the affected area, joint stiffness, swelling, and skin discoloration.
- Sports injuries: While anyone can get sports injuries, you are more likely to get them if you do not wear proper protective equipment during intensive physical activities, exercise without warming up, or participate in activities that require you to run, jump, or change directions swiftly. Broken bones, concussions, dislocations, cartilage tears, strains, and sprains are common sports injuries, typically affecting your head, ankle, elbow, knee, and shoulder.
- Benign soft tissue tumors: Benign soft tissue tumors are noncancerous lumps that develop under your skin. They do not cause symptoms in most cases. However, large tumors can be painful if they press on an organ or a nerve. Soft tissue tumors are of various types, including lipomas, fibromas, hemangiomas, and nerve sheath tumors.
Some surgeries performed by orthopedic surgeons
A condition or injury may not always get better with conservative treatment. In such circumstances, your doctor might advise surgery. They'll advise patients on the potential pros and cons of having or delaying surgery, considering their age, health, and activity level. Orthopedic surgeons might carry out procedures such as:
- Joint replacement: In joint replacement surgery, surgeons replace the diseased or damaged portions of a joint; this is typically the solution to the symptoms resulting from arthritis. Knee and hip replacement are two such examples.
- Internal fixation: To keep damaged bones in place while they heal, surgeons insert hardware such as pins, screws, plates, and rods.
- Fusion: To join two bones, surgeons use bone graft material and an internal fixation technique. The bone tissue heals and unites to form a single bone. Surgeons usually employ this method in neck and spine surgery.
- Osteotomy: This surgery involves chopping off a piece of bone and then repositioning it. This type of surgery may be occasionally necessary in treating arthritis.
- Soft tissue repair: Surgeons repair specific muscles, ligaments, or tendons using this surgery.
- Release procedure: Surgeons use this operation to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. By alleviating pressure on the median nerve, it aids in relieving the symptoms.
Common non-surgical treatments performed by orthopedic surgeons
Common non-surgical orthopedic treatments effectively target prevalent orthopedic injuries such as strains, sprains, simple fractures, and arthritis—the leading cause of orthopedic pain. These conservative approaches produce favorable outcomes while minimizing associated risks.Â
Typically, orthopedic surgeons initiate non-surgical interventions, including:
- Medications: The surgeon may prescribe over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin or recommend prescription medications such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Immobilization: Doctors recommend immobilization for specific injuries or as part of post-surgery recovery plans. The surgeon may prescribe braces, splints, and casts as immobilization devices.
- Exercises: Orthopedic surgeons also advocate supervised activities and stretches to enhance flexibility, strength, and range of motion. Â
- Lifestyle changes: Dietary adjustments, exercise routines, sleep habits, and more significantly impact the musculoskeletal system. Consequently, your surgeon might suggest modifying your lifestyle to mitigate the impact of a chronic condition or expedite recovery from trauma.
Why should you consult an orthopedic surgeon?
People typically consult orthopedic surgeons for various reasons, primarily when experiencing pain or discomfort in joints, muscles, or bones or encountering movement-related issues. If you notice stiffness, swelling, or injuries in your joints, bones, muscles, or ligaments, seeking the expertise of an orthopedic surgeon near you is advisable. Another indication for a visit is difficulty in your range of motion, as orthopedic doctors can assist in restoring specific movement capabilities.
Orthopedic surgeons are pivotal in treating severe injuries and facilitating recovery, rendering them essential allies for athletes aiming to avoid future injuries. Common injuries addressed by orthopedic surgeons include torn or ruptured ligaments, tendons, and bones that require more than a cast for healing. Additionally, orthopedic surgeons assist with conditions like spine or hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis.
It is not necessary to only consult an orthopedic surgeon in case of a specific injury; many individuals seek their expertise for persistent aches, pains, or mobility loss. These issues may stem from old injuries or develop gradually over time. Communicating with your doctor about pain or discomfort is crucial for timely intervention.
Orthopedic surgeons also provide treatment for bone and soft-tissue problems related to longer-term illnesses, including arthritis, bursitis, chronic muscle and joint pain, benign tumors, bone-related sarcomas, and metastatic cancers. Seeking the guidance of an orthopedic surgeon is essential for addressing these conditions and maintaining overall musculoskeletal health.
How to find the best orthopedic surgeon near you in Baltimore, Maryland?
Untreated injuries or continuous pain can lead to incapacity and long-term disability. Orthopedic surgeons can speed healing and efficiently manage chronic conditions in adults and children. One of the duties of an orthopedic surgeon is to discuss the available surgical options. If you decide to have surgery, you may have many questions about the procedure. Therefore, it is essential to be associated with a medical practitioner who answers all your queries patiently, best understands your needs, and provides optimal care.Â
Zocdoc can help you refine your search and help you connect with the top-rated orthopedic surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland. The Zocdoc software allows you to search for orthopedic surgeons based on diseases or concerns, preferred appointment day and time, home address, zip code, and health insurance provider plan. You can select your current insurance from the drop-down menu on the screen, which also shows a list of doctors who accept your plan, or use Zocdoc’s insurance detector. If you do not see your plan listed, take a picture of your medical insurance card and upload it. The website will automatically scan the image and show you your most likely plan. You can get in touch with Zocdoc’s service team if you face any problems uploading the picture. Check Zocdoc’s patient help center for more insurance-related queries.
Once you enter the necessary information in the search fields, Zocdoc will scan its orthopedic surgeons' databases and present you with specialists who best meet your needs. You may schedule both in-person and online sessions with them.
Each orthopedic surgeon on Zocdoc has a unique profile that describes their education, work history, training, areas of expertise, credentials, licenses, affiliations, accreditation, and any noteworthy professional accomplishments. Doctors have listed their locations, preferred languages, gender, and office hours in their profiles.
The verified patient reviews and ratings on Zocdoc might aid your decision-making process. Zocdoc makes booking appointments with the right orthopedic surgeon near you simple, safe, and cost-free.
Prevalence of arthritis in Maryland, US
In 2022, almost 26.0% of U.S. adults reported having arthritis, per the data by America's Health Rankings. Over 25% of individuals in Maryland reported having arthritis, making it one of the states with the highest prevalence of this chronic ailment. The cases of arthritis grew with age. Adults aged 65 and above in Maryland reported the highest cases of arthritis (almost 54.0%). There was also gender disparity as the female population (nearly 29.9%) suffered from arthritis more than the male population (around 21.7%).Â
There were around 14,820 orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. to address the prevalence of arthritis. In Maryland alone, there were nearly 270 orthopedic surgeons.
Sources
America's Health Rankings
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WebMD
Learn.org
Healthline
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