Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons focus on diagnosing, treating, preventing, and managing conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system, which comprises bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and soft tissues. The study of these diseases is called orthopedics. Orthopedic surgeons also offer rehabilitation techniques such as physical therapy, exercises, or specific equipment that restore the musculoskeletal system's normal function and allow a person to move and remain active throughout life.
Orthopedic surgeons complete 14 years of extensive training, comprising four years of medical school and five years in an orthopedic residency program. To become board-certified experts, they must pass examinations by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Specialty areas under orthopedics
After completing residency, some orthopedic surgeons may complete additional clinical training in different areas of medicine. This extra training allows them to become subspecialists. Some common specialty areas under orthopedics include:
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Hand surgery
- Orthopedic oncology
- Spine surgery
- Hip and knee replacement
- Trauma surgery
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery
- Shoulder and elbow surgery
What conditions does an orthopedic surgeon near you treat?
Orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal disorders, often a common cause of disabilities. They also treat chronic conditions and injuries that may cause life-long pain and restriction in mobility. Some common musculoskeletal conditions include:
- Arthritis is a group of conditions demarcated by pain and inflammation in the joints. Arthritis patients commonly experience pain in the feet, hands, knees, lower back, and hips. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that occurs with increasing age. To treat arthritis, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend medication (to manage and relieve pain) and physical therapy. Surgical procedures such as the fusion of two or more bones or joint replacement may also be recommended if required.
- Sprains, strains, and fractures: Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the most commonly injured soft tissues. They can be caused by a sudden traumatic event, such as a fall, blow to the body, twist, or overuse of a body part, which occurs gradually over time. Sprains are stretches or tears in the ligaments. Meanwhile, strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons and often happen in the leg or back. Fractures or broken bones are also prevalent and can be treated with external fixation (placing metal screws and pins to align the bones in place) or by cast confinement, where a plaster or fiberglass cast is set to let the broken bone heal in place.
- Low Back Pain (LBP): It can be commonly observed in middle-aged adults over the age of 30, people who are obese or overweight, those with a family history of osteoarthritis, and those with occupations requiring heavy lifting or being seated at a desk. Muscle stiffness in the lower back, a crooked posture, and pain-causing muscle spasms are some symptoms of LBP. Pain relieving medications, i.e., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, steroid injections, adjustments, and minimally invasive surgery, are some treatment options for LBP.
Which doctor should you choose for spinal surgery: a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon near you?
There is some confusion in the healthcare industry about which specialist to approach for spinal surgery, with neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons seeming to be fitting options. Much of this confusion stems from the widespread use of the term "spine surgeon" to refer to specialists certified to perform surgical operations on the spine.
Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons conduct spine surgeries, perform minimally invasive procedures, and specialize in spinal treatments. However, it is crucial to recognize that these fields are fundamentally unique and provide different surgical results.
The critical difference between these two doctors lies in their training and field of expertise. Orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons undergo distinct medical education and specialize in separate areas.
A neurosurgery residency usually spans seven to eight years. During this time, resident neurosurgeons receive daily training in brain and spine surgeries, with roughly 60-70% of their focus on spine procedures. Some neurosurgeons may opt for an extra year of fellowship to gain more experience, especially in complex spine surgeries.
On the other hand, orthopedic residencies usually take five years and offer limited experience in spine surgery. Many orthopedic surgeons opt for an extra year of fellowship training focused on spine surgeries to gain more expertise. Some even pursue dual fellowships, which means they are trained alongside neurosurgeons early in their careers.
In short, neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons differ in training, residency requirements, and expertise.
Apart from their education, another key differentiating factor between the two professions is that neurosurgeons focus on intricate procedures like minimally invasive spine surgery and complex microsurgeries to treat conditions affecting spinal nerves. However, orthopedic surgeons focusing on spine surgery are more adept at handling issues like scoliosis, kyphosis, and specific pelvic-related spinal procedures. They specialize in bone and vertebrae health in the spine.
Common orthopedic conditions that are observed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Orthopedic concerns can affect people of all ages. They can begin manifesting at birth. Such issues are often observed first at the NICU and then treated per the doctor's advice. These could include:
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a medical condition characterized by an unstable or shallow hip socket. Firstborn females, babies with a family history of hip dysplasia, babies born in the breech position, or babies with significantly low amounts of amniotic fluid are at risk of developing this condition.
The recommended treatment for DDH is to position the hips in a "frog leg" posture for 23 hours a day using a Pavlik harness for 6 to 12 weeks. Starting treatment as early as possible is essential for the best outcome. Although treatment is typically successful, DDH patients should be observed annually by a pediatric orthopedic specialist until they are 18 years old.
- Amniotic band syndrome: Amniotic band syndrome occurs when bands are formed in the womb and can constrict fingers, limbs, and other body parts. Sometimes, the constriction caused by these bands is so severe that amputating the affected limb may be necessary.
In such cases, pediatric orthopedists collaborate with pediatric prosthetists to establish a relationship and start a plan for prosthetic tolerance. A custom prosthesis is created at an appropriate time during the child's development to help the child achieve typical developmental milestones on schedule.
- Clubfoot: This congenital disorder causes the foot to be severely turned inward and pointed downward. It is often associated with other syndromes, such as arthrogryposis and amniotic band syndrome. Most cases of clubfoot can be easily detected through prenatal ultrasound conducted between 20 and 26 weeks of gestation.
The Ponseti method is a suitable treatment for clubfoot. It involves a series of weekly casts that gradually move the foot into the correct position. If the baby requires a NICU stay of six weeks or more, the Ponseti method can be completed during this time. Otherwise, treatment can begin after the baby is discharged from the NICU.
What to expect at your first orthopedic surgeon appointment
When you arrive at the orthopedic office, you may need to fill out a medical history form, even though many records are now kept digitally. This form will ask about your injury or condition, any existing health issues, medications you're taking, and any past surgeries. Make sure to bring the health insurance card and a photo ID, and be ready for a copay if your insurance requires one.
If you've already had imaging done—such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans—bring those results, including any paperwork or CDs containing the scans from other healthcare providers.
During your appointment, the orthopedic surgeon will ask if you’re there due to a recent injury, fall, or a referral from your primary doctor. Describe your symptoms in detail, including where you feel pain, how intense it is on a scale from one to ten, and if the type of pain is sharp, aching, or crushing. Also, let your doctor know how the pain affects your daily activities, such as walking, exercising, or completing routine tasks, and mention any treatments you’ve already tried.
Consider asking about non-surgical treatments, pain management options, possible surgeries, or how your condition could change over time.
During the physical exam, the orthopedic surgeon near you will assess the affected area and may ask you to move it in different ways. You might be asked to walk, bend, or perform certain motions to evaluate your strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Additional assessment tools, such as blood work or imaging like digital X-rays or an MRI, may be ordered to better picture your bones, joints, muscles, or connective tissues.
As for treatment, surgery isn’t always the recommended course of action; your doctor will first craft a personalized remedy plan to help you heal and regain function.
Find an orthopedic surgeon near you in the Bronx, New York
Seeing an orthopedic surgeon for musculoskeletal pain can improve your overall range of motion and agility and relieve pain from chronic conditions like arthritis. Additionally, an orthopedic surgeon can help you assess whether a surgical or non-surgical treatment option will be required for your condition.
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Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your symptoms or conditions, location, date you wish to schedule an appointment, and insurance plan. Adding your insurance information to your Zocdoc account can help you find in-network providers easily. However, some offices may require you to carry your insurance card to your appointment. When you book an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll need to either provide your insurance details or confirm that you're paying out of pocket. Some providers require insurance information to schedule an appointment. If you don’t have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can look for a different provider on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc's insurance page. You can then view a list of top-rated orthopedic surgeons in your area. Select a doctor based on gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, distance, languages spoken, wait time, office location, and whether a provider treats children. You can also check a provider's availability throughout the following week or month by clicking "Book online" and "View all availability." Depending on each provider's availability, you can schedule an appointment in the morning before 10 a.m., on the same day, 24 hours in advance, after 5 p.m., and even on weekends.
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Statistics for conditions treated by orthopedic surgeons in New York
According to a 2019 report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, of the total active physician workforce in New York State (73,299), nearly 1,148 specialized in orthopedic surgery. The number of people per orthopedic surgeon in New York State was 17,023. Almost 6.4% of NY's orthopedic surgery workforce comprised female physicians.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, nearly 21.6% of all adults in New York had arthritis. The percentage of arthritis was higher in women (24.3%) than in men (18.6%). Among adults with arthritis in New York, an estimated 26.5% were obese, 28.2% had diabetes, and 37.1% had heart disease. In 2019, it was found that 29.3% of New Yorkers with arthritis also had severe joint pain. Almost 31.8% of all aged 18 and above with arthritis were also physically inactive. In 2019, only 12.3% of New York adults aged above 18 with arthritis had taken a class to manage the symptoms of arthritis.
According to a New York State Department of Health report, the top three reasons for an emergency room visit were superficial injuries, sprains, and strains (4.46%). Nearly 84,507 visits were made for upper limb fractures. An estimated 216,555 trips were made for spondylosis, intervertebral disc disorders, and other back problems, and 127,267 visits were made for non-traumatic joint disorders.
Orthopedic surgeons also treat osteoporosis, which leads to weak bones and low bone density and increases the chances of fractures. In New York State, over 3 million women and men aged 50 and above either had osteoporosis or were at severe risk of developing it.
Sources
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
OrthoInfo[1]
OrthoInfo[2]
OrthoInfo[3]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Association of American Medical Colleges
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
Watauga Orthopaedics
