Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in performing surgical interventions in orthopedics. It is a branch of medicine that deals with issues of the musculoskeletal system, which comprises bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Apart from undertaking diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgeons also help their patients regain movement, strength, and flexibility in affected body parts. They also devise treatment plans to avoid worsening chronic conditions, including arthritis and lower back pain.
You can visit an orthopedic surgeon near you to seek care for many conditions, such as bone fractures, muscle strains, joint or back pain, bone cancer, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and injuries to tendons and ligaments like tendonitis.
Educational background of orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons undergo rigorous training before becoming qualified to practice in the United States. After four years of medical school, they spend five years in an orthopedic residency program. They can also undertake a one-year-long fellowship training to subspecialize in an area of their choice. Some subspecialty areas of orthopedics include the hand, spine, hip and knee, shoulder, elbow, foot, and ankle, sports medicine, orthopedic oncology, joint replacement, and trauma surgery. They may also become experts in catering to particular age groups (pediatric orthopedic surgeons) or sexes (male/ female).
An aspirant must pass the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery examination to confirm their proficiency in orthopedics and get certified. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon must then renew their certification every ten years.
Conditions treated by an orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in managing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, addressing issues affecting bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Here are some common conditions they treat:
Arthritis
Arthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions joints deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. This condition commonly affects the hips, knees, shoulders, and hands, often due to aging or repetitive stress from physical activities.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis arises when tendons, which connect muscles to bones, become inflamed due to overuse. It typically affects areas like the knees, heels, shoulders, elbows, and wrists, with conditions like golfer's elbow and tennis elbow being typical examples.
Fractures
Fractures vary in severity. Minor fractures may only require short-term immobilization, but more complex ones often require surgical intervention. Orthopedic surgeons use pins, rods, screws, and sometimes prosthetic bones to repair broken bones and restore function.
Dislocations
Joint dislocations usually occur in highly mobile joints, such as the shoulders and knees. While mild dislocations may be treated non-surgically by realigning the joint, recurrent dislocations may require surgical intervention to tighten the ligaments and tendons.
Sprains
Sprains happen when ligaments are stretched too far or torn. These injuries are common in the shoulders, knees, and ankles. Mild sprains can be managed with rest and ice, but severe sprains may require surgery to restore joint function and prevent long-term damage.
Strains
Strains happen when muscles or tendons are overextended or torn. Treatment for strains is similar to sprains, focusing on rest, rehabilitation, and, in severe cases, surgery to repair the damaged tissue.
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat these conditions using non-surgical and surgical approaches to help patients recover and regain mobility.
Types of procedures orthopedic surgeons perform
An orthopedic surgeon may recommend various treatments, including, but not limited to, surgical procedures. Generally, they first suggest non-surgical methods. They may recommend surgery when conservative treatments do not show the desired improvement.
Examples of orthopedic non-surgical treatments include :
- Immobilization techniques: Some tools like braces, casts, or splints can prevent straining an injured area and speed up the healing process.
- Exercises: These can help maintain or improve strength, flexibility, movement, and range of motion.
- Medication: Prescribing over-the-counter and some prescription drugs can relieve symptoms like pain and swelling.
- Lifestyle changes: These may include dietary changes and physical activities to prevent worsening any existing injury or condition.
Examples of orthopedic surgical treatments include :
- Internal fixation: This involves pins, screws, plates, and rods to hold broken bones in place while they heal.
- Osteotomy: This technique consists of cutting a part of a bone and repositioning it. It helps in treating cases such as arthritis.
- Joint replacement surgery: This surgical intervention replaces diseased or damaged parts of the joint.
- Fusion: It involves internally fusing two bones and is often used in neck and spine surgeries.
- Soft tissue repair: This procedure entails repairing severely damaged muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
- Release surgery: This reduces pressure on the median nerve and is a surgical option for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
How do orthopedic surgeons differ from orthopedists?
An orthopedist or orthopedic doctor is responsible for helping patients with musculoskeletal system concerns by discussing and diagnosing their problems. They can diagnose issues, offer aids like braces, splints, and casts, and reset fractured bones. Based on their expertise, these doctors might suggest additional treatment, such as physical therapy. Your orthopedic doctor can offer counseling before and after surgery and help with recovery. However, it's important to note that orthopedic doctors cannot perform surgeries.
On the other hand, an orthopedic surgeon can perform the same duties as an orthopedic doctor while also undertaking surgeries. While some surgeons handle every aspect of care, including diagnosis and post-operative care, many specialize in surgery and are referred by orthopedic doctors. Depending on the diagnosis and required medical care, an orthopedic surgeon is usually consulted for significant problems such as ruptured discs, spinal stenosis, chronic back pain, bone tumors, arthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
When should you visit an orthopedic surgeon near you?
You can visit an orthopedic surgeon for issues with the bones, joints, or muscles that significantly impact your daily functioning. You must consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent pain or recurring swelling in a bone, joint, or muscle
- Significant decline in mobility or range of motion in joints such as the shoulder, elbow, or knee
- Bone or joint injury that needs specialized attention
- Tingling or numbing sensations in the arms or legs
How to prepare for a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon?
Planning is necessary to make the most of your orthopedic surgery appointment. You should note all your requirements a few days before your visit. Collecting any lab test results, copies of X-rays or other imaging tests, and your medical records will also be helpful. Additionally, you should maintain a journal or list everything you may need to tell the orthopedic surgeon. You must ensure to talk about all your symptoms, including their origin, extent, frequency, and duration.
Your specialist will perform a comprehensive physical evaluation and other clinical tests after you explain your medical history. This examination involves a general body assessment and a specific analysis of the joint or bone causing your symptoms. Therefore, wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes to prepare for these examinations.
Having a friend or family member accompany you during appointments is advisable. Doing so will also make remembering what your specialist advises easier. You should arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your appointment to complete the required paperwork. Through routine consultations, your orthopedic surgeon will aim to see you recover and regain mobility while building a long-lasting relationship with them.
How to find a reliable orthopedic surgeon in Glendale, California?
While an emergency like a broken bone would automatically lead you to an orthopedic surgeon, you can always book an appointment to discuss other musculoskeletal issues such as pain or swelling. You can also visit them if you have already been diagnosed with chronic conditions such as arthritis. Your orthopedic surgeon will help manage your symptoms better. Finding an expert in the field can enable you to receive proper treatment and recovery. With the help of Zocdoc, you can find top orthopedic surgeons in Glendale, California, from the comfort of your home.
Once you enter your location, symptoms or condition, and preferred appointment date, you will receive a list of the best orthopedic surgeons near you. You can filter these results by selecting your preferred gender, language, hospital affiliations, and whether or not the practitioner treats children. Depending on whether you need more specialized care, you can look for specific practitioners like a geriatric or pediatric orthopedic surgeon, etc.
Each provider's unique profile includes a detailed description of their education and training qualifications, licenses, ratings, and verified reviews. To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, ensure that the orthopedic surgeon you choose is part of your healthcare plan, and you can enter your insurance details while searching.
If your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you can try uploading an image of your medical insurance card (note that this option is not available for vision or dental insurance). Once uploaded, we will scan the photo and display your likely plan. If you're having difficulty uploading the picture, our service team is available to assist you. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related questions.
All these details can help you choose the right orthopedic surgeon near you, after which you may book an in-person or virtual appointment with them.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free.
Statistics on orthopedic conditions in California
With the impact on daily movement and activity, orthopedic conditions can be challenging. Data from the California Department of Public Health (2017) reported arthritis as the leading cause of disability, affecting over 52 million Americans and around 5.9 million Californians. It causes pain, swelling, reduced mobility, and stiffness. Other arthritis-related conditions, such as fibromyalgia, affect about 5 million adults in the US, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1.3 million adults. Reports by the National Library of Medicine (2022) show that carpal tunnel syndrome, a chronic orthopedic condition, has an annual incidence of nearly 1 to 3 persons per 1000.
Other musculoskeletal problems, such as spinal injuries and fractures, also require the specialized attention of an orthopedic surgeon. The University of California San Francisco records that approximately 282,000 Americans have spinal injuries and experience functional disabilities such as exaggerated reflex spasms and pain.
Zippia's data science team has reported that over 18,380 orthopedic surgeons are in the United States, roughly 65% females and 34% males. The most popular states for orthopedic surgeons in the US are New York and California.
Sources
Healthline
California Department of Public Health[1]
California Department of Public Health[2]
National Center for Biotechnology Information
UCSF Spinal Cord Injury Research at ZSFG
Zippia
AICA Orthopedics
Cleveland Clinic
Cary Orthopaedics
Center for Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
