Orthopedic surgeons, also known as orthopedists, specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases and injuries, including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. They train to perform surgery but can also use non-surgical treatments such as medications and rehabilitative therapy to treat a patient. If needed, they collaborate with physical therapists or other specialists, such as rheumatologists or neurosurgeons. Orthopedic surgeons often work in teams and consult each other on the best treatment in complicated cases.
Orthopedic surgeons can treat scoliosis, sports injuries, broken hips, back or knee pain, osteoporosis, cerebral palsy, degenerative diseases, infections, musculoskeletal trauma, and arthritis. They also treat sprains, fractures, and congenital deformities and can also replace joints. Other conditions orthopedic surgeons can treat include bone-associated tumors.
Regenerative medicine and biomechanics can speed up rehabilitation and improve healing and overall patient health. Orthopedic surgeons can perform procedures like arthroscopy, soft tissue repair, hip replacement, and osteotomy and may use different tools such as frames or braces.
Aspiring orthopedic surgeons must complete their science graduation and apply for admission into a medical school, where they learn and train for four years. After medical school, they need at least five years of residency, based on the chosen specialty. Most orthopedic surgeons then do a fellowship specializing in different body parts, such as foot and ankle surgery. After obtaining their license, orthopedic surgeons can receive board certification by clearing oral and written examinations conducted by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
What are the subspecialties that an orthopedic surgeon can take up?
There are more than 80 kinds of orthopedic surgeons. Some surgeons also specialize in fractures, microvascular procedures, joint replacements, sports injuries, pediatric orthopedic conditions, limb deformity, or tumor surgery for bone cancers.
Specialization is necessary because our bodies have more than 200 bones, and the musculoskeletal system is complicated and vast. Orthopedic surgeons must keep pace with evolving technology, from robotics to new implants. They can use these tools to treat their patients better.
Questions you can ask an orthopedic surgeon on your first visit
Your interaction with your orthopedic surgeon will help you understand your condition. You can then understand the goal of the medication or treatment they have recommended and if there are any alternative treatments. It is also essential to learn about any side effects of the treatment. If you need clarification, ask about the exact treatment procedure and check if you are to avoid some things while undergoing treatment. For example, there may be certain foods you need to avoid, or you may have to stop any vigorous exercise during the treatment period. If you have any other questions, you should not hesitate to ask your doctor. They will willingly answer all your queries.
What are some of the most common orthopedic surgeries?
Your orthopedic surgeon will initially recommend non-surgical treatments such as medications, steroid injections, exercises, immobilization, and lifestyle changes to relieve your symptoms. However, they can recommend surgery if your condition does not improve. Some of the most common orthopedic surgeries are as follows:
- Joint fusion: This procedure helps fuse two or more bones, strengthening and stabilizing the joint, limiting mobility, and reducing pain. It can treat joints such as the spine, ankles, wrists, fingers, thumbs, and feet. Joint fusion can relieve symptoms of arthritis, degenerative disk disease, and scoliosis.
- Joint replacement surgery: Various orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, hip dysplasia, and avascular necrosis can cause symptoms such as joint pain, joint stiffness, limited mobility, and swelling. If first-line treatment does not improve the symptoms, the doctor may opt for joint replacement surgery. In this procedure, the doctor replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one—constructed of metal, ceramic, or plastic. The most common joints replaced are the shoulders, knees, and hips.
- Release surgery: This type of surgery helps treat carpal tunnel syndrome. In this condition, the median nerve in the wrist is compressed, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness.
- Soft tissue surgery: Soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) surrounding and supporting the joints can get damaged due to tendonitis, bursitis, and strains. In severe situations, surgical repair may be necessary to improve joint stability.
- Bone fracture repair: It is also known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. It can repair broken bones using metal screws, pins, rods, or plates. Your doctor will recommend this procedure if the fracture does not heal using a cast or splint.
- Osteotomy: Osteotomy involves cutting bones and joints to change their shape and alignment. It can help repair damaged joints, relieve osteoarthritis-related pain, and relax the need for joint replacement surgery.
- Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive diagnostic procedure involves making a small incision and inserting a narrow tube with a camera attached to the end to view the joint. It can help diagnose joint problems in the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and wrist.
Advancements in orthopedic surgery
The field of orthopedics is known for its rapid progress and continuous advancements. If you plan to visit an orthopedic surgeon near you, check whether they are equipped with the latest technologies. These trends include robotics-assisted surgery, integrating 3D printing technology, and using Augmented Reality (AR) and AI for diagnosis.
With robotics-assisted surgery, surgeons can accurately prepare the bone surfaces and provide a more reliable and precise outcome. The technique reduces the patient's trauma, pain, and recovery time. Moreover, with the adaptation of 3D printing technology, doctors can easily create 3D models using computer-assisted design (CAD). This allows them to develop patient-specific implants and prosthetics that fit and function better.
Another significant development is the leveraging of augmented reality (AR). AR technologies in cadaveric and sawbone models have shown various benefits. They help reduce the burden of surgeons, shorten the operation time, and decrease radiation exposure. Additionally, using AI in orthopedics is another must-have. It makes identifying hip and knee implants easier and helps detect misalignment issues and any signs of loosening.
With these emerging technologies, the orthopedic surgeon near you can ensure more personalized, effective, and efficient care, making your medical journey safer and better.
Every orthopedic surgery requires rehabilitation for a successful recovery. Inactivity and surgical trauma can weaken the muscles and limit flexibility. Surgery alone cannot restore full mobility, hence making rehabilitation vital for pain reduction and optimal recovery.
Post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on restoring the affected muscles' strength, flexibility, and function. It is also vital in maintaining positive mental health and outlook during recovery. Under the guidance of a professional, patients engage in tailored exercises suited to their surgical procedure and requirements. Moreover, patients who opt for rehabilitation enhance their overall well-being and make a smooth transition to their daily lives.
Critical considerations for choosing the right orthopedic surgeon near you
Numerous doctors may specialize in orthopedic surgery. However, finding the right orthopedic surgeon for you is essential for successful musculoskeletal care.
Certain critical factors can help you make a well-informed choice, ensuring you receive high-quality treatment and the best possible outcomes. These include:
- Credentials and qualifications: Start by looking at the orthopedic surgeon's credentials. Board certification, relevant training, and memberships in professional organizations indicate a strong foundation in orthopedic care. These qualifications show that the surgeon has the proper education and skills to deliver expert treatment, helping you feel confident in their abilities.
- Specialization and expertise: Orthopedic surgeons often specialize in areas like joint replacement, sports medicine, or spine surgery. Identifying a surgeon whose expertise aligns with your needs can significantly impact your results. For example, an orthopedic surgeon near you specializing in joint replacement would be ideal if you need knee surgery. This focus on specific procedures means the surgeon has the experience and skills to provide the best possible care for your condition.
- Experience and success rate: Experience is another critical factor. A surgeon with a substantial history of performing the procedure you need is likely to have developed a refined skill set. Studying the track record and success rates in similar surgeries can offer peace of mind and a better chance of positive results.
- Patient reviews and testimonials: Reading patient reviews and testimonials is a helpful way to understand a surgeon's communication skills, patient care approach, and treatment quality. Patients can add their reviews on Zocdoc and often share their experiences, providing insight into what you can expect regarding care, bedside manner, and overall satisfaction. To make the most out of your session, look for consistent positive feedback on aspects like the surgeon's attentiveness, respect, and effectiveness in addressing patient concerns.
- Referrals and recommendations: Personal recommendations from trusted sources—such as healthcare providers, friends, or family members—can guide you toward a reputable orthopedic surgeon near you with good standing in the medical community. These referrals often reflect a surgeon's ability to connect well with patients and build trust, which can be reassuring when undergoing surgery.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Illinois
Finding the best orthopedic surgeon is essential, but it can be challenging. Enhancing the patient experience in healthcare has always been a priority for Zocdoc, and orthopedic surgery is no exception.
On Zocdoc, you can look for the top-rated orthopedic surgeons in Chicago based on your symptoms, location, preferred time, and insurance details. You can refine your search using criteria like the gender of the doctor, the hospital affiliations, and whether or not the doctor treats children. If you are unsure about your insurance, you can use Zocdoc's insurance finder to identify your insurance plan.
If you can't locate your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image automatically and suggest the plan that most closely matches yours. Please note that this feature is not for dental or vision insurance cards. If you encounter any problems while uploading, contact Zocdoc's support team for help. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any additional questions about insurance.
On Zocdoc, all practitioners have dedicated profiles with details about their education, affiliations, experience, specialty, accolades, licenses, certifications, and other qualifications. You can also check the verified patient reviews to help you make the best decision. Zocdoc also lets you book an appointment after 5 pm or on weekends, depending on the practitioner's availability.
All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are free, easy, and secure.
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons, arthritis, and osteoporosis in Illinois
Around 24.5% of the adult population in Illinois suffers from some form of arthritis. The incidence of arthritis increases with age, with about 54.7% of those aged 65 and above being diagnosed with the condition. The incidence was lower in those aged 45 to 64 at nearly 28.4% and close to 7.4% in those aged 18 to 44. While around 28.6% of women had arthritis in Illinois, the incidence was lower in men at 19.9%.
As per Illinois.gov, about ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and about 18 million have low bone mass. If Illinois' incidence is similar to the national average, then approximately 450,000 residents have osteoporosis, and 810,000 have poor bone mass. Eight million women and two million men are among the estimated ten million Americans with osteoporosis.
As per the Illinois Department of Public Health, between 2014-2018, 601 people per 100,000 in Illinois had cancer of the bones and joints. Of these, almost 54.41%, or 327, were male, and nearly 45.59%, or 274 were female. As of 2018, there were about 634 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, according to the Illinois Physician Workforce Profile. It meant one orthopedic surgeon for every 20,096 people in the state. Only around 4.7% or 30 were female, while around 95.3% were male. Of the total, 39.4%, or 250 orthopedic surgeons, were 60 or older.
Sources
Mayo Clinic[1]
University of Rochester Medical Center
Better Health Channel
Total Orthopaedic Care
USA News
America's Health Rankings
Illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Public Health
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[1]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[2]
National Library of Medicine[1]
National Library of Medicine[2]
National Library of Medicine[3]
National Library of Medicine[4]
Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Movement Orthopedics
