Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon treats musculoskeletal problems, including pain or injuries in the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It is common to feel pain in these body parts, which is vital for all movement forms.
An orthopedic surgeon uses surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat these body parts. They are allowed to diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, chronic pain, infections, spine diseases, congenital diseases, and tumors. The branch of orthopedic surgery is vast, with many specializations. The hand, foot, and spine are common areas damaged due to sports or other accidents. Surgeons employ surgical skills and innovative abilities to solve and treat complex orthopedic problems.
Typically, you can see a primary care doctor or a family doctor, who will refer you to an orthopedist specialized in the type of pain you experience.
Reasons to see an orthopedic surgeon
Do you have continued joint pain? Or do you feel stiff and sore whenever you move your body after waking up? These are a few reasons to visit orthopedic doctors near you.
Pain manifests in different ways and can affect the quality of life. Sometimes, accidents trigger intense pain. Other pains may be results or symptoms of persisting diseases. Some pains may not have a definitive cause. Here's a list of common reasons to visit an orthopedic surgeon:
- To reduce pain: Orthopedic doctors can help reduce or eliminate pain. They understand different types of aches and are experts in creating a treatment plan to suit your needs. Musculoskeletal conditions like tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia can cause pain but are often treated or managed with the help of an orthopedic specialist. The doctor treats acute, chronic, dull, and sharp pain. Some common types of pain are knee pain, shoulder pain, neck stiffness, ankle pain, foot pain, hip pain, lower back pain, and headaches or migraines.
- To improve bodily movement: Pain, injuries, stiffness, and swelling can result in limited body movement, making it difficult to perform everyday activities. Orthopedic surgeons can work with you to improve your bodily movements and teach you exercises to maintain mobility.
- To prevent injuries and pain: Athletes, hikers, and other sportspeople often visit an orthopedic surgeon to help prevent future damage and enhance their performance. Physical therapy can help avoid dislocations and compression fractures. Surgeons can repair broken bones and improve the body's overall physical condition.
What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?
Orthopedic doctors usually work with other medical professionals like rehabilitation doctors, psychologists, and pain management specialists to provide a holistic treatment plan. These treatment plans optimize mobility and reduce pain. Orthopedic pain and injury addressed with either surgical or non-surgical treatments are:
- Sprains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fractures involving the hip, wrist, and kneecap
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fracture
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff tear
Depending on various factors - age, intensity, duration, lifestyle, and medical history - pain can severely affect the quality of life. Fortunately, treatments prescribed by doctors are usually effective in addressing pain.
What are some common orthopedic surgeries?
An orthopedic surgeon performs the following surgeries due to the wear and tear of joints, muscles, and bones. These surgeries help an individual function better and relieve pain.
Some of these common surgeries are as follows:
- Joint replacement surgery: The doctor removes the joint's damaged cartilage and bone during the joint replacement surgery and replaces them with prosthetic parts made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. The prosthetic imitates the contours and motion of a natural joint. In the case of an arthritic hip, for instance, the doctor replaces the damaged ball (the femur's upper end) with a metal ball attached to a metal stem that sits inside the femur. The doctor then replaces the damaged socket with a plastic socket implanted into the pelvis.
- Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy helps diagnose and treat joint disorders. The surgeon makes a button-sized incision and inserts a narrow tube connected to a fiber-optic video camera. A high-definition video display receives the view from inside the patient's joint. With arthroscopy, the surgeon can view the joints inside with minimum invasion. By making additional tiny incisions and pencil-thin surgical instruments, surgeons can even fix some types of joint injury during arthroscopy.
- Carpal tunnel release: In the wrist, the carpal tunnel is a small opening through which the tendons and the median nerves that control your fingers pass. Carpal tunnel release surgery treats and potentially heals the painful condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. The transverse carpal ligament at the top and the wrist bones at the bottom create the carpal tunnel. Any injury to this area could result in the swelling of the tissues inside the tunnel. It may put pressure on the median nerve. A surgeon performs a carpal tunnel release by severing the ligament that puts pressure on the carpal tunnel. This release allows the median nerve and tendons to travel freely through the tunnel.
- Trigger finger release: The trigger finger causes the finger to jam, stiffen, or snap in pain when straightened. This condition affects the thumb, too. A surgeon makes a tiny cut at the base of the patient's trigger finger. Then, they sever the fibrous tunnel's roof. This surgery lets the tendon move freely through the tunnel, eliminating stiffness and discomfort.
What are some factors that affect bone health?
When considering orthopedic health, it is vital to understand the multifaceted factors that contribute to maintaining strong and resilient bones. Numerous factors influence bone health, and understanding them is essential for improving and maintaining strong and resilient bones. One primary consideration is dietary calcium intake because insufficient levels can lead to diminished bone density and an elevated risk of fractures. Additionally, physical inactivity plays a significant role because a sedentary lifestyle correlates with a higher likelihood of osteoporosis than a more active lifestyle.
Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, also contribute to poor bone health. Gender is another important factor, with women being at a higher risk due to having less bone tissue than men. Moreover, individuals with smaller body frames or lower body mass may be more susceptible to bone-related issues. The aging process leads to thinner and weaker bones, making age a natural factor in bone health.
Genetic factors play an essential role, with individuals of white or Asian descent having a higher risk of osteoporosis. Having a family history of osteoporosis, especially if a parent or sibling has the condition, further elevates the risk. Hormone levels are crucial, with imbalances such as low testosterone in men or decreased estrogen during menopause affecting bone mass.
Certain conditions and medications can impact bone health. Conditions like eating disorders, being underweight, and undergoing surgeries such as weight-loss procedures can weaken bones. Additionally, long-term use of corticosteroid medications and specific drugs used for breast cancer, seizures, and acid reflux can contribute to bone loss.
How can you care for your bone health?
To maintain optimal bone health, consider incorporating the following practices into your lifestyle:
- Ensure an adequate calcium intake in your diet and consult your doctor about supplements if necessary.
- Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption. Aim for 600 international units (IUs) daily if you're between 19 and 70 years old and 800 if you're 71. Vitamin D-rich foods include oily fish, mushrooms, eggs, and fortified products like milk and cereals. Sun exposure also boosts vitamin D levels. Consult your doctor for supplement recommendations.
- To strengthen bones and slow bone loss, include weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or climbing stairs. Avoid substance abuse, including smoking.
If you want to enhance your bone health, consider incorporating these practices. For personalized advice, consult a reputable orthopedic surgeon near you.
Chronic pain and mental health
Pain is a biological complication that occurs when nerve impulses constantly alert the brain about damage in the body. This physical condition is strongly tied to social and psychological factors. These complex factors determine an individual's mental energy and might also affect their social activities.
Pain triggers negative emotions like depression and anxiety, making it hard for the individual to care for their well-being. Although chronic pain is invisible from the exterior, a person who experiences pain dwells in constant discomfort. Pain also increases feelings of aggression, sadness, melancholy, and irritability. Chronic pain affects all aspects of life; treating it medically and psychologically is crucial.
How can you prepare for your first orthopedic surgeon appointment?
If your provider has referred you to an orthopedic surgeon, you may be overwhelmed and stressed about the visit. You may have various questions: What will the orthopedic surgeon ask me? What should I carry to the appointment? Can I ask questions? You can find answers to these and other related questions in the comprehensive guide below:
- Carry details for paperwork: Arrive 15-20 minutes early with your photo ID, insurance card, personal and emergency contact information, and doctor's referral letter to complete the initial paperwork. Additionally, bring details of other providers in your healthcare team.
- Know your symptoms: Your orthopedic surgeon will begin the consultation with a brief discussion about your symptoms. Preparing answers to the most expected questions is a good idea: Where do you feel pain? How severe is your pain on a scale of 1-10? Can you describe the nature of your pain? How has your condition affected your everyday life? Does anything make the pain better or worse? What treatments have you tried?
- Bring your medical records: In addition to your symptoms, you must inform the orthopedic surgeon of any other health conditions or allergies you have. Moreover, you must know details of your past injuries, surgeries, or hospitalizations. Have you had any recent lab or imaging tests? Then, carry copies of your test results with you.
- Dress appropriately: The orthopedic surgeon will likely conduct a physical examination and lab and imaging tests during the appointment. So, you must wear clothes that allow easy access to the affected area. For instance, if you have knee problems, you can wear shorts, while if you have shoulder pain, you can wear a sleeveless top.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeons near you in Garden City, NY
It is a common misconception that pain is a symptom of a specific disease or illness. Pain is much more complex and can result in various health problems. Anyone who has experienced pain for a long duration of time might be suffering from a condition known as chronic pain. Identifying what kind of pain one suffers is challenging and much more complex to manage. Visiting an orthopedic doctor near you can help you determine the pain and practice preventive and restorative measures.
It may be an energy-consuming process to find a doctor who suits your needs. Zocdoc has an advanced filter option to help you search based on the symptoms you are experiencing, like "chronic pain," "knee injury," and "migraine." Or, based on your preferred location, such as "Garden City, New York," find a list of doctors. Further, every doctor has a unique profile where you can read about their academic background, medical experience, expertise, gender, languages they speak, etc.
You can also locate in-network providers by choosing your insurance carrier and health plan from the drop-down menu in the search bar. If you cannot find it, do not panic! Go to your account settings and upload a clear photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will scan it and display your likely plan. You can then continue looking for orthopedic surgeons nearby who accept your insurance. Please visit our patient help center page for any more related queries.
Consider looking at verified patient reviews and ratings to find someone who best understands your concern. Once you have shortlisted the doctors, you can book your appointment with the chosen provider.
All bookings made on Zocdoc with an orthopedic surgeon near you are simple, 100% free, and secure!
Statistics on pain and orthopedic surgeons in Garden City, New York
Fibromyalgia affects approximately 4 million U.S. adults. The causes of this medical condition are still unknown. In the U.S., almost 58.5 million adults have some form of arthritis - possibly fibromyalgia, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. In New York, nearly 3 million people have arthritis pain.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Research conducted by the New York State Department of Health in 2016 showed that the percentage of people with arthritis varied from county to county, with around 14.8% in New York and almost 38.0% in Montgomery. New York was one of four counties with the lowest prevalence of arthritis.
As per a 2016 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 20% of U.S. adults suffered from chronic pain, whereas 8% had high-impact chronic pain that negatively affected their lives.
Sources
WebMD
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Beaumont Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Healthdirect Australia
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Watauga Orthopaedics
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