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Who are orthopedic surgeons, and what do they do?

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical practitioner who specializes in musculoskeletal disorders. Their primary responsibilities include diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, developing plans to prevent injuries or stop chronic conditions like arthritis from worsening, and providing rehabilitation assistance. 

Orthopedists can help you develop long-term treatment plans for various illnesses, disorders, and issues with your joints, ligaments, bones, tendons, and muscles.

Orthopedic surgeons can perform various procedures, including ankle, knee, hip, spinal, hand, and neck surgery. Typically, they will treat a problem in the most holistic and least invasive way possible, which may or may not include surgery.

Training to become an orthopedic surgeon

To become an orthopedic surgeon, one must complete at least 13-14 years of education, which includes:

• A bachelor's degree 
• Medical school for four years and earn a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree
• A 5-year orthopedic surgery residency
• One year of study in an orthopedic subspecialty (optional)

An orthopedic surgeon must practice in the field for two years after completing their residency and then clear a final exam by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. They must also renew their board certification by completing continuing education courses and exams every ten years.

What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?

Orthopedists address a diverse range of musculoskeletal conditions, whether they stem from congenital factors, injuries, or age-related wear and tear. Common issues treated by orthopedists encompass joint pain linked to arthritis, bone fractures, soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and back, neck, and shoulder pain.

They also manage conditions like bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, overuse injuries, and sports-related problems such as sprains, tendinitis, meniscus, and ACL tears. Orthopedists are skilled in addressing congenital conditions like clubfoot and scoliosis and are crucial in treating bone cancer.

Some common disorders for which you can consult an orthopedic surgeon near you are:

• Osteoarthritis: This is a common joint disorder that affects cartilage and causes pain, swelling, mobility issues, and redness in the joints.
• Bursitis: It is an inflammatory disorder that affects the fluid-filled sacs surrounding the joints. It causes redness, swelling, and limited mobility, often resulting from injuries or repetitive movements.
• Fractures: These are hairline or bigger cracks or breaks in bones caused by trauma, overuse, or medical conditions. They cause pain, swelling, and loss of function in the affected area, often requiring medical intervention.
• Foot and ankle injuries: These are injuries to the lower extremities, including sprains, fractures, and ligament damage. They can result from accidents, sports activities, or overuse and cause pain and mobility issues.
• Limb deformity: This refers to atypical shapes or alignment issues in the arms or legs. These abnormalities can result from various causes, including genetics, injuries, or developmental conditions, affecting function and appearance.
• Spine disorders: These encompass multiple conditions, such as spinal disc problems, scoliosis, neck pain, sciatica, back pain, spinal stenosis, etc. They may lead to discomfort, limited mobility, and neurological symptoms.

What procedures do orthopedic surgeons perform?

Orthopedic surgeons can perform several treatments and procedures, including:

Nonsurgical therapies

These treatments are also known as conservative treatments. Before recommending surgery, orthopedic doctors will frequently prioritize nonsurgical treatments. These include the following:

• Immobilization: Sometimes, preventing further strain on an area can aid healing. Some examples of immobilization techniques are braces, splints, and casts.
• Exercises: Your orthopedic surgeon may advise you on specific activities or stretches that will assist you in maintaining or improving your strength, flexibility, and range of motion in a particular area.
• Lifestyle changes: Your orthopedic surgeons may also be able to assist you in making lifestyle changes. These can include modifying your physical activity, diet, and exercise to avoid aggravating an injury or condition.
• Medications: Your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms such as pain and swelling. Two examples are commonly prescribed over-the-counter medications: ibuprofen and aspirin.

Surgical procedures

Conservative measures do not always work to improve a condition or injury. In these cases, your doctor may advise you to have surgery. An orthopedic surgeon may perform the following procedures:

• Internal fixation: It uses hardware like pins, plates, screws, and rods to keep broken bones in place while they heal.
• Replacement of a joint: Joint replacement surgery involves replacing parts that have been damaged or diseased, usually due to arthritis. Knee and hip replacement surgery are two of the most common examples.
• Osteotomy: This is a type of surgery in which a portion of a bone is cut and then repositioned. It is sometimes used to treat arthritis.
• Soft tissue repair: This procedure repairs significantly damaged muscles, ligaments, or tendons. 
• Fusion: To connect two bones, bone graft material and some form of internal fixation are used. The bone tissue fuses into one bone as it heals. This method is frequently used in neck and spine surgery.

When should you consult an orthopedic surgeon?

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see an orthopedic doctor:

• Recurring, persistent, or unresponsive pain or swelling in a bone, joint, or muscle
• A significant decrease in a joint's mobility or range of motion, such as your knee, elbow, or shoulder, difficulty performing daily activities
• Nerve-related symptoms, including numbness, tingling, or a sensation of feeling "pins and needles" in your arms or legs
• A bone or joint injury that necessitates the attention of a specialist

Tips to prepare for your first orthopedic appointment 

Visiting an orthopedic specialist for the first time can be stressful, but it does not have to be. Once you have found the best orthopedic surgeon near you and booked an appointment, follow these tips to make the most of your time with the doctor:

• Arrive early: Try to get to your appointment fifteen to thirty minutes early, especially if it is your first time. Many practices let you fill out forms online before your visit, but it is still a good idea to reach the hospital early if there is any paperwork to complete.
• Dress for easy examination: Wear clothes that enable the doctor to examine the affected area quickly. For knee, hip, or spine problems, consider wearing shorts or bringing them with you. Wear a sleeveless top or a shirt with loose buttons for shoulder or elbow issues. Women should wear appropriate undergarments that allow for a thorough shoulder examination.
• Carry essential documents: To help the doctor understand your medical history, you may carry the following documents: 
• Government-issued photo ID 
• Insurance card 
• Copies of medical records and scans
• Progress letter from a physical therapist, if you have been seeing one
• Copy of your operation report if you have had surgery in the past
• List of medications you are currently taking, including their dosages
• Information about any drug allergies you have and the symptoms you experience
• Any other relevant medical information or reasons you've been admitted to the hospital in the past
• Your health insurance information
• Workers' compensation claim number, if applicable
• Bring X-rays: If you have X-rays related to your condition, even if another doctor ordered them, bring them.
• Cancel appointment in advance: If you need to cancel, please do so for at least one day. It allows the doctor's office to reschedule your time slot for another patient who needs treatment.

By following these simple tips, you can make your orthopedic appointment more efficient and

productive. 

Key factors influencing bone health and preventive strategies

Diet, physical activity, lifestyle habits, and genetics influence bone health. Insufficient calcium consumption is a major contributor to poor bone health, resulting in decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. Calcium is required for strong bones, and a lack of it causes bones to break easily. Furthermore, a lack of regular physical activity raises the risk of osteoporosis, characterized by weaker bones. Weight-bearing workouts like walking, jogging, and climbing stairs can help strengthen bones.

Substance abuse, such as excessive smoking and drinking, is detrimental to bone health. Smoking weakens bones, while regular consumption of more than one alcoholic drink per day for women or two drinks for men increases the risk of osteoporosis. Women, in general, are at a higher risk due to having less bone tissue than men, while people with smaller body frames or a BMI below 19 are more prone to bone issues as they have less bone mass to rely on.

Aging causes bone thinning, increasing the risk of fractures. Hormonal changes, such as reduced estrogen after menopause in women and low testosterone levels in men, further accelerate bone loss.

To maintain strong bones and prevent osteoporosis, it is essential to adopt several preventive strategies:

1. Adequate calcium intake: Adults aged 19 to 50 need 1,000 mg daily, increasing to 1,200 mg for women over 51 and men over 70. Eating calcium-rich foods such as dairy, almonds, broccoli, and fortified soy products should be prioritized.
2. Physical activity: Regular weight-bearing exercises help build and maintain bone strength, preventing osteoporosis and bone loss.
3. Sufficient vitamin D: Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption. Adults aged 19 to 70 need 600 international units (IUs) daily, increasing to 800 for those over 71. Sources include oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods, with sunlight aiding production.
4. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: To protect bone health, individuals should refrain from smoking and limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.

How to find the best orthopedic surgeon near you in Dallas, Texas?

If you need an orthopedic surgeon near you in Dallas, Texas, Zocdoc is here to help. With Zocdoc, you can quickly locate the top orthopedic surgeons near you who are board-certified and have the most expertise. Our website features a complete directory of the most qualified orthopedic physicians.

The process is straightforward: Create a free Zocdoc account. Next, select your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. The page will provide a list of doctors based on your search criteria. You can also use the Zocdoc insurance detector if you have queries about your insurance policy. 

If you do not want to submit your insurance information when arranging an appointment on Zocdoc, you can supply it later or indicate that you will pay out of pocket. Some providers may still ask for insurance information to confirm the visit. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can look for other physicians on Zocdoc who do not require this information. For more insurance information, go to Zocdoc's patient help center.

Zocdoc provides a profile for every orthopedic surgeon, which includes a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, patient reviews, and reason for a visit. Patients are requested to leave a review after their appointment. Therefore, reading updated patient reviews on Zocdoc is an excellent way to find trustworthy orthopedic surgeons in Dallas, Texas. 

If you are looking for a female or male orthopedic surgeon in your area, you can narrow your search results by gender. Moreover, you can filter by hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether or not the doctor treats children.

You can also use Zocdoc to schedule video appointments before in-person visits. Look for the purple video icon next to the doctor's profile or filter the video appointment selection. Bookings through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and completely free!

Statistics on orthopedic surgeons in Dallas, Texas, and the U.S.

There are around 27,000 active orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. About half of these surgeons report a sub-specialty, with sports medicine, hand surgery, and joint replacement as the most common. According to Healthy North Texas, in 2022, nearly 36% of Dallas residents have either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

As per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons survey, Texas had the lowest density of about 7.14 orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 people. The majority of these doctors are males (≈92.5%). As per America’s Health Rankings, in 2022, approximately 22.2% of the people in Texas had some form of arthritis. The highest numbers were reported in the age group 65 years and above (≈51.7%). In addition, females reported a higher number (≈26.4%) than males (≈18%).

Sources

Healthline

WebMD

Becker's ASC Review

Definitive Healthcare

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

America's Health Rankings

The Centers for Advanced Orthopedics

MedicalNewsToday

Shalby Hospitals

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Cincinnati Children's

Healthdirect

Healthy North Texas

Mayo Clinic

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.