Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons are medically trained specialists who diagnose and treat illnesses and conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Interestingly, more than 200 bones in the human body make up the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic surgeon's areas of expertise include all these bones, nerves, cartilage, tendons, muscles, joints, and ligaments, making up a vast and complex system.
Therefore, some orthopedic surgeons (orthopedists) may also specialize in a specific musculoskeletal system part. For example, some may focus on areas such as the hands, the hip and knees, the foot and ankle, and the joints and elbows.
However, visiting an orthopedic surgeon does not necessarily mean one must undergo surgery. They also treat patients with non-surgical and other medical therapies. Only in specific situations do they recommend surgery.
Further, orthopedic surgeons are experts at managing pain and mobility issues. They can treat various illnesses, including bursitis, arthritis, benign soft tissue tumors, neck and lower back pain, and bone cancer. Orthopedic surgeons can also treat scoliosis, sprains and strains, sports injuries, bone fractures, and tendinitis.
What kind of education and training do orthopedic surgeons receive?
Orthopedic surgeons study and train for about 14 years. Students must first graduate in subjects such as biology, chemistry, or math. They must then enroll in a medical school, where they study and train for four years. They learn and train in classrooms and laboratories during the initial two years. The following two years involve practical training under the guidance of experienced orthopedic specialists.
In practical training, students learn to diagnose and treat patients with various illnesses and conditions. They may also do clinical rotations in various orthopedic specialties. After completing medical school, they obtain a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree.
Further, doctors must do an orthopedic residency for about five years. During this period, they do clinical rotations in various orthopedic subspecialties. To begin practicing, orthopedists must clear a stringent licensure examination. They can also get board-certified by clearing an exam conducted by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Orthopedists must continue their medical education courses to update themselves on the latest developments in their field.
Some orthopedists specialize further by doing a fellowship, where they study and train for one to three years, depending on the subspecialty chosen. Those with a fellowship are the best in the business and are considered the gold standard.
Here are some of the most common subspecialties in orthopedics:
- Sports medicine
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Orthopedic oncology
- Orthopedic trauma
- Hand and upper extremity surgery
- Joint replacement
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery
- Spine surgery
What to expect during a visit to an orthopedic surgeon?
During your visit to an orthopedic surgeon near you, expect them first to ask you about your symptoms and the pain, if any, you are experiencing. They may ask you to score the pain on a scale of one to ten. They will also inquire about your and your family's medical history. Tell them about any recent or old surgeries or injuries, and list your current medications. The orthopedist will look at notes made by any referring physician and any reports or test results you may be carrying.
Following this, the orthopedist will conduct a physical examination and ask you to stand and walk or move around to gauge your range of motion. They might order additional tests to diagnose the problem more precisely, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-rays.
Once they diagnose the problem, the orthopedic surgeon will explain the treatment options. They will list out any surgical or non-surgical treatments you can consider. They will let you know the duration of the treatment and its expected results. Moreover, they will explain the side effects of the treatment, if any. You may have to revisit the orthopedist to check your progress. Accordingly, they will change any medication or therapy they might have recommended earlier.
Types of pain
Pain is generally the body's way of indicating something wrong. It may make an uncomfortable sensation, usually signaling an injury or illness. Besides, the perception of pain varies from person to person. One may have a fracture and not even realize it, while another might feel severe pain from that same injury. The five major types of pain are:
- Acute pain lasts a short duration (from minutes to around three or six months). Common causes include temporary illness or soft-tissue injury. As soon as either heals, the pain generally subsides. Acute pain can sometimes evolve into chronic pain.
- Chronic pain: It refers to the type of pain that usually lasts for a longer duration, like from months to years. It can be constant or intermittent (that comes and goes) and related to a health condition like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or spine concerns.
- Neuropathic pain refers to pain that occurs because of nervous system damage. The sensation is often described as shooting, stabbing, or burning. Neuropathic pain can also affect sensitivity to touch and make a person have difficulty feeling cold or hot sensations. It can be intermittent, and the severity level can sometimes lead to mobility issues.
- Nociceptive pain: Nociceptive pain is primarily experienced in the joints, skin, muscles, tendons, and bones. It can be both acute and chronic. It occurs due to body tissue damage, usually caused by an external injury. Common examples include twisting your ankle, hitting your elbow, stubbing your toe, or falling and scraping up your knee. The sensation can be achy, sharp, or throbbing.
- Radicular pain is a specific kind that starts from the back and hip into the leg(s) from the spine and spinal nerve root. It happens when the spinal nerve gets either inflamed or compressed. People with radicular pain may experience numbness, muscle weakness, and tingling. Sciatica is one of the most common forms of radicular pain; activities like walking, sitting, running, and others can worsen it.
Reasons to consult an orthopedic surgeon
Most people visit an orthopedic doctor because of joint, muscle, or bone pain or movement-related discomfort. You should consult an orthopedic surgeon if your body hurts, is stiff, often swollen, or has injured your joints, bones, muscles, or ligaments. If your range of motion is limited, visit an orthopedic surgeon, who can assist you in regaining specific movement abilities.
They can help you recover and prevent subsequent injuries if you have a severe injury. This is also why athletes regularly consult orthopedic surgeons. Some common injuries for which you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon include:
- Broken bones that will not cure with a cast
- Osteoporosis-related spine or hip fractures
- Ligaments that have been torn or shattered (ruptured)
- Tendons that have been torn or fractured
You do not need to be injured to visit an orthopedic surgeon. If you are experiencing pain, you must consult your doctor and keep them informed about your condition.
You may need to see an orthopedic surgeon near you who can treat bone and soft-tissue (ligaments and tendons) problems caused by long-term disorders such as:
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Non-cancerous tumors
- Chronic muscle and joint pain
- Cancerous tumors such as sarcomas that develop in the bone
- Cancerous tumors, such as metastatic ones that spread to bone from a body region
- Blood cancers like multiple myeloma that lead to weakened bones
Questions to ask an orthopedic surgeon
During your consultation, you can ask the following questions:
- Am I a suitable patient for this procedure?
- What alternatives to surgery are possible?
- What surgical procedures will the surgeon employ?
- Are there any risks and potential issues associated with the procedure?
- What are some of the benefits of the surgery?
- How effective is this procedure?
- What should I do to achieve the best results?
- How and where will the surgeon carry out the operation?
- How will the surgeon handle any complications that arise?
Are orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists the same?
The most significant difference between rheumatologists and orthopedists is that the former are not surgeons. Both these specialists treat illnesses and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Hence, they could work together to provide the patient with comprehensive care if required.
Another difference is that orthopedists treat congenital disabilities, injuries, or wear and tear. On the other hand, rheumatologists mainly focus on conditions arising from systemic disease. This includes rare inherited disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis includes over 100 rheumatic diseases and disorders affecting the joints. These disorders typically cause pain, soreness, stiffness, and swelling in and around one or more joints. While inflammation occurs mainly in joints, it can also affect the tendons and ligaments near the joint. The symptoms might appear gradually or suddenly, limiting a person's ability to do daily chores.
Is there any treatment for arthritis?
Arthritis treatment focuses on reducing pain and avoiding further damage to the joints. In general, treatment for arthritis consists of medicines and supplements, physical therapy, occupational therapy, a nutritious diet, regular exercise, weight loss, if necessary, heat and cold compresses, and mobility aids like canes or walkers. Some of these treatments have been mentioned below:
Medications
A variety of medications help treat arthritis, including:
- Analgesics, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are helpful for pain relief but do not help with inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as salicylates and ibuprofen (Advil), treat pain and inflammation. Salicylates can thin the blood; hence, they should not be taken with other blood thinners.
- Menthol or capsaicin creams prevent the transmission of pain impulses from your joints.
- Steroids, such as prednisone, can help decrease inflammation, but they should be used with caution and for brief periods of time.
- Immunosuppressants and biologics treat moderate to severe inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Surgery
It may be possible to replace your joint with an artificial one through surgery. This surgery is most typically used to replace the hips and knees. If your arthritis is particularly severe in your fingers or wrists, your doctor may recommend joint fusion. This technique involves fusing the ends of your bones, eliminating the joint and, hence, the source of inflammation.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is essential to arthritis treatment. It involves several exercises to strengthen the muscles around the afflicted joint. In addition to your sessions, your physical therapist will suggest a course of treatment that involves daily movement and exercises you can do at home.
How to find a good orthopedic surgeon near you in Cincinnati?
Finding an orthopedic surgeon by yourself can be difficult and daunting. However, Zocdoc makes it easy to find the best one in a location close to you in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Start by creating a free account on the Zocdoc website. Enter basic details to begin your search for a qualified orthopedist. Use our location, specialty, and insurance coverage filters to find an orthopedic surgeon who can provide for your needs. Once you hit enter, Zocdoc will show you a list of the best orthopedists nearby. Our cutting-edge technology searches through a vast database of medical specialists to give you multiple potential matches.
Moreover, Zocdoc keeps your health insurance information secure, adhering to industry best practices. You can read more about Zocdoc's data and privacy practices here. You can contact Zocdoc's patient help center if you have any other insurance questions.
Further, you can read more about each doctor or specialist by clicking on their profile. Here, you will find details such as the specialist's board certification, educational background, experience, areas of specialty, and more. The profile also lists the healthcare provider's gender, hospital affiliations, awards, accreditations, the languages they speak, and whether or not they treat children.
You can also access ratings and reviews from actual patients to understand what to anticipate and make an informed decision. You can make a virtual appointment first and then arrange a face-to-face meeting if that suits you.
The simple booking process allows you to book appointments based on the doctor's availability and your schedule. Practitioners may also be accessible on weekends or after usual work hours; you can check this on the platform. The best part is that booking appointments is easy, cost-free, and completely safe on Zocdoc.
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons and arthritis in Ohio
As per data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 440 orthopedic surgeons (excluding pediatric) in Ohio in May 2022.
Orthopedists are experts at pain management and treating arthritis and various other conditions. According to America's Health Rankings, 30.1% of adults in Ohio were diagnosed with some form of arthritis in 2021. This was higher than the national average of 25.8%. Further, about 34.3% of women in the state had arthritis compared to 25.7% of men. The incidence of the condition increased with age, with 53.4% of those 65 and above diagnosed with arthritis. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (38.5%) and those aged 18 to 44 (11.4%).
Sources
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
Healthline
Beaumont Health System
