Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon, also referred to as an orthopedic doctor or orthopedist, is a medical specialist who can diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal issues. The musculoskeletal system encompasses your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, all crucial for everyday movement. Orthopedic surgeons' responsibilities include diagnosing orthopedic problems, recommending and administering treatments, and aiding in rehabilitation. They can also assist patients in developing long-term strategies for addressing conditions, disorders, and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedic surgeons can conduct various procedures, such as ankle, knee, hip, spine, hand, and neck surgeries. However, they typically strive to address musculoskeletal issues in the least invasive and most holistic manner possible, which may not always involve surgical intervention. The patient is expected to seek the services of an orthopedic surgeon after being referred by a primary care physician (PCP), who can help determine the specific type of orthopedic specialist needed for a patient's particular issue.
What kind of education and training do orthopedic surgeons receive?
Orthopedic surgeons undergo rigorous education and training to achieve proficiency in their field. In the United States, the education and training path for an orthopedic surgeon typically includes:
- Completion of an undergraduate program at a college or university lasts four years.
- Attending medical school for another four years to obtain a medical degree.
- A 5-year residency program focused on orthopedics, where they receive specialized training in the field.
- After the residency, orthopedic surgeons can further subspecialize by completing a fellowship in hand, foot, sports injuries, or other specialties.
Doctors must pass a certifying examination to demonstrate their proficiency in orthopedics. This examination is administered by either the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Furthermore, orthopedic surgeons must renew their board certification every ten years. This renewal process involves completing continuing education courses and passing examinations to stay current with the latest advancements and practices in orthopedic surgery.
What are the different types of orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons can choose to pursue a range of specialties. These include:
- Foot and ankle surgery: Surgeons specializing in this field treat a variety of bone, muscle, and tendon conditions affecting the feet (arthritis, flat foot, plantar fasciitis, etc.) and ankle (Achilles tendon injuries, cartilage injuries, recurrent ankle instability, etc.).
- Hand surgery: Hand surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow conditions, including trigger finger, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, upper extremity cysts and tumors, Dupytren's contracture, and osteonecrosis.
- Hip and knee replacement: Surgeons specializing in this area perform first-time hip and knee replacement surgeries, revise existing replacements, and help older adults regain mobility while reducing surgery risks.
- Orthopedic oncology: Orthopedic oncologists provide expert care to children and adults diagnosed with bone and soft tissue conditions like sarcomas, bone metastases, pathologic fractures, multiple myelomas, and tumors (benign and cancerous tumors).
- Osseointegration: Osseointegration specialists perform surgical procedures to ensure improved strength, mobility, physical function, and quality of life for people who have had an amputation. These procedures involve inserting a metal implant into the bones of a residual limb, attaching it to a prosthesis, and eliminating any socket-related issues.
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery: Pediatric orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat bone, joint, tendon, and ligament conditions in children.
- Shoulder and elbow surgery: Shoulder and elbow surgeons treat various conditions related to overuse, aging, or accidents. These include acromioclavicular joint injury, bicep tendon rupture, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, golfer's elbow, ulnar collateral ligament tear, and degenerative disc disease.
- Spine surgery: Spine surgeons treat a number of back and neck conditions, including chest-on-chest deformity, disc degeneration, scoliosis, herniated discs, myelopathy, kyphosis, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, spinal tumors (both primary and metastatic), and vertebral compression fractures.
- Sports medicine: Sports medicine specialists work with professional athletes and casual sports enthusiasts, providing treatments like joint arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, labrum tear repairs, meniscus tear surgery, percutaneous needle tenotomy, and osteochondritis dissecans treatment.
When should one visit an orthopedic surgeon?
You must consider consulting an orthopedic surgeon near you if you experience any of the following:
- Nerve-related symptoms like numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" feeling or sensation in your arms or legs.
- A noticeable reduction in joint mobility or range of motion, such as in your shoulder, elbow, or knee.
- Pain or inflammation in a bone, joint, or muscle that persists, recurs, or does not respond to home care.
- Difficulty in performing your daily activities.
- An injury to a bone or joint that requires specialized attention.
People commonly seek an orthopedic doctor's expertise when encountering movement-related discomfort. This includes joint, muscle, and bone pain, stiffness, or persistent swelling. Additionally, if you experience limitations in your range of motion, orthopedic doctors can assist in restoring your ability to move in specific ways.
Orthopedic surgeons are also valuable in cases of serious injuries, with a focus on recovery and injury prevention. This is why athletes often collaborate with orthopedic surgeons. Typical injuries that may necessitate orthopedic treatment include torn or ruptured ligaments, broken tendons, or fractures that cannot heal with a simple cast. Conditions such as spine or hip fractures due to osteoporosis may also require their expertise.
It's essential to note that seeing an orthopedic surgeon is not exclusive to injuries. Many people seek their services due to persistent aches and pains or a gradual loss of mobility. Such problems may develop over time, often related to old injuries or natural aging.
Orthopedic surgeons can treat bone and soft-tissue problems resulting from long-term illnesses, including arthritis, non-cancerous (benign) tumors, cancerous bone tumors (sarcomas), bursitis, chronic muscle and joint pain, metastatic cancerous tumors, and blood cancers like multiple myeloma that can weaken bones. Treatment may comprise physical therapy, medication, or surgery, depending on the particular condition.
What should one expect when visiting an orthopedic surgeon?
When visiting an orthopedic surgeon for the first time, it is a good idea to carry a list of your current medications and all relevant reports. Generally, here's what you can expect during the visit:
- Medical history and symptoms discussion: Your orthopedic surgeon will begin by enquiring about your medical history and symptoms.
- Diagnostic tests: Your doctor might recommend diagnostic tests to determine your condition. These tests can include X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on your specific symptoms. They may also conduct physical examinations as part of the diagnostic process.
- Diagnosis: Depending on the findings from your medical history, symptoms, and diagnostic tests, your orthopedic surgeon will provide a diagnosis. Sometimes, they may diagnose your condition through questions and discussions without additional tests.
- Treatment discussion: After diagnosis, your orthopedic surgeon will discuss the treatment options. You and your doctor will decide on the most suitable treatment plan. Treatment options may include surgery, casts or taping systems, or physical exercise programs tailored to your condition.
What are some common diagnostic tests used by an orthopedic surgeon?
Before an orthopedic surgeon can create a treatment plan, they need to identify the root cause of your musculoskeletal issue. This identification typically involves a comprehensive physical exam, a detailed medical history review, and a series of pre-ordained questions. Often, additional diagnostic tests are necessary.
Here are some of the most common tests orthopedic surgeons use:
- MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employs radio waves to generate detailed interior images of the body. MRI provides a superior picture of soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, and muscles compared to X-rays. Typically, an MRI scan takes 30 minutes to an hour.
- X-ray: X-rays allow your orthopedic doctor to scan your bones for injuries, fractures, and joint abnormalities. Modern digital systems provide enhanced image quality with less radiation exposure. If you need an X-ray, look for an orthopedic surgeon near you with an in-house X-ray machine and radiology tech. This way, you can get the X-ray during your initial visit and receive immediate results.
- Electromyography (EMG): An EMG measures and maps the electrical activity of muscles as well as the nerves to detect issues. This test uses tiny needles inserted through the skin into the muscle. Although needles might sound intimidating, many people find the test painless. Some orthopedic clinics can perform this test in-house.
- Joint aspirations: Joint aspirations allow orthopedists to analyze the synovial fluid in a joint, usually the knee, using a needle and syringe. This quick procedure can determine the type of arthritis you may have and has other diagnostic uses. Additionally, removing excess fluid can relieve pain and swelling.
- CT scan: Computed tomography (CT) generates detailed, cross-sectional images of your body using computer technology and X-rays. By moving in a circle around the body, CT scans provide more detailed information about bone tissue and structure than standard X-rays.
- Bone scan: There are three common types of bone scans for diagnosing bone conditions: DEXA, whole-body, and three-phase. DEXA is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan standard for diagnosing osteoporosis by detecting weak or brittle bones. Whole-body bone scans are a nuclear imaging procedure that uses a special camera to take images of your skeleton a few hours after injecting a radioactive tracer, helping diagnose a range of bone conditions. A three-phase bone scan is similar to a whole-body scan. It focuses on a specific body part and requires two sets of images—one during the tracer injection and another after some time.
If you're experiencing musculoskeletal issues, finding an orthopedic surgeon can help you get the proper tests and treatments quickly.
Tips for maintaining optimal orthopedic health
Here are some lifestyle changes that can help you keep serious orthopedic problems at bay:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts more stress on your joints. It leads to weakened muscles and an increased possibility of injuries. Experts claim that with every 10 lbs of weight gained, the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases by around 36%.
- Exercising regularly: Exercising is essential, even if you have orthopedic sensitivity. Staying active, whether walking, stretching, swimming, or biking on level ground, is vital. Working out to increase muscle mass, regardless of age, is the key to preventing diseases. However, avoid movements that stress your joints, like deep knee bends.
- Strengthening your core: A strong core helps appropriately balance the body's weight. Practicing yoga and pilates is a great way to strengthen your core and promote overall orthopedic health.
- Warming up before exercise: Warm up before working out helps the body prepare for it and prevents injuries like strains and sprains. For example, doing some good stretches helps increase flexibility and boost performance. If you lift weights or do high-impact aerobics, cooling down after the workout is equally important as warming up before it.
- Wearing comfortable shoes: Believe it or not, shoes make a great difference. Supportive shoes can contribute to proper alignment and balance, while uncomfortable ones can develop foot, knee, and back pain. Women who regularly wear high heels should be wary of this.
Besides, an expert like an orthopedic surgeon is essential for personalized care.
How can you find a good orthopedic surgeon near you in Detroit, Michigan?
Finding top-rated orthopedic surgeons in Detroit, Michigan, can be time-consuming. However, Zocdoc offers a convenient solution to quickly help you find the right orthopedic specialist.
To get started, input your location, specific symptoms, and any preferences you have. Zocdoc will then provide you with a list of highly-rated orthopedic surgeons in Detroit, Michigan, tailored to your criteria. Each listed professional comes with comprehensive details, including their educational background, licensing information, accolades, areas of expertise, experience, and patient ratings. You can refine your search using gender, hospital affiliations, language proficiency, and their ability to treat children.
To find your insurance plan details, check your insurance card, where the information is typically on either the front or back. You can also upload a photo of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will retrieve and display your insurance plan information (note that this service is not available for vision or dental plans).
If you need assistance uploading the image, contact the Zocdoc service team. For additional information and solutions related to insurance, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
To make a well-informed decision, you can read verified reviews from previous patients to learn more about your chosen specialist. Once you've found the right orthopedic surgeon in your area, you can easily schedule an in-person or online appointment according to their availability.
Depending on the orthopedic surgeon's availability, you can also book appointments before, during, and even after working hours. You can even book appointments during weekends and holidays if the surgeon's schedule allows.
Using Zocdoc to book appointments with an orthopedic surgeon near you is simple, free, and secure. It ensures you get the care you need.
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons and arthritis in Michigan
According to Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data from May 2024, Michigan had approximately 310 orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric). As per America’s Health Rankings data (2023), about 29.5% of the adult population in Michigan had some form of arthritis, higher than the national average of 26.3%.
The condition's incidence was highest in those 65 and above (54.6%). The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (36.7%) and those aged 18 to 44 (9.9%). Furthermore, women (33.8%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (25.1%).
Sources
Healthline
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings[1]
America's Health Rankings[2]
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center
Aurora Health Care
Johns Hopkins Medicine[1]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[3]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[4]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[5]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[6]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[7]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[8]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[9]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[10]
