Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon is a professional specializing in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. In addition to performing surgery, they have the training to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders using various methods.
What is the education and training of an orthopedic surgeon?
Before becoming orthopedic surgeons, aspirants complete a four-year bachelor's degree program, typically one year of biology and three years of chemistry. Upon completion, they enroll in a four-year medical program. They spend the first two years at school and the final two years working in hospitals. After this, they take the National Board examinations in their second and fourth years of medical school. Upon graduation, they receive a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
The osteopathic surgeon then enrolls in a residency program comprising four years of extensive study on the fundamentals of orthopedic surgery. They rotate among major subspecialties at several hospitals to get first-hand exposure to the various surgical techniques and technology. After residency, they must practice for one to two-years. Finally, they must pass the written and oral tests administered by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS).
What are some common orthopedic subspecialties?
Orthopedics is a highly diverse field. It covers a variety of subspecialties and additional specialties. The following are some of the most common orthopedic subspecialties:
- Hand surgery - Orthopedic surgeons can focus on particular body areas and related procedures, like hands. They diagnose and treat disorders like fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and others that affect the hand and upper extremities.
- Trauma surgery - Acute fracture care and stabilization, as well as post-traumatic reconstruction, are the areas of expertise of orthopedic trauma surgeons. This broad and diverse range of practice includes all anatomical regions and age groups.
- Joint replacement - These orthopedic surgeons focus on repairing worn-out or injured joints due to aging and wear and tear. Many surgeons specialize in the knee and hip, the most frequently replaced joints.
- Pediatric orthopedics - Pediatric orthopedic surgeons assist in treating children with problems such as shattered bones, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, etc. They understand the importance of development and growth and how to treat children in a way that makes them feel safe.
- Sports medicine - These orthopedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine can boost the performance of athletes and sportspersons. They also treat patients suffering from sports injuries with physical therapy and exercise.
- Spine surgery - Orthopedic surgeons can specialize in treating conditions and injuries affecting the spine due to disease, degeneration, or trauma.
- Foot and ankle orthopedics - These surgeons treat patients with problems in their feet and ankles, including complications related to diabetes.
Who should you visit for joint pain – a rheumatologist or an orthopedist?
If you are suffering from joint pain, knowing where to seek relief is essential. But which specialist, a rheumatologist or an orthopedist, is best suited to treat your joint pain? While both specialize in treating joint pain, you should know the key differences between these two fields to make an informed decision about the right provider for your needs.
The main distinction lies in their approaches: orthopedists focus on surgical solutions, while rheumatologists specialize in medical treatments like medications and other nonsurgical methods.
Rheumatologists focus on treating inflammatory autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions result from the immune system attacking healthy tissues instead of external disease agents. If you experience joint pain without prior injury, your primary care physician (PCP) may send you to a rheumatologist. Symptoms like fatigue, fever, rash, or stiffness alongside joint pain may also indicate an inflammatory disorder. Abnormal blood test results could further suggest a rheumatic illness.
Rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and autoimmune diseases. These conditions often affect joints, bones, ligaments, and other tissues. Diagnosing rheumatic conditions can be complex, and rheumatologists use their expertise to address these challenges.
Some common conditions treated by rheumatologists include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Gout
- Reactive arthritis
On the other hand, orthopedists focus on the musculoskeletal system, which comprises bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues. These specialists diagnose and treat bone and joint diseases and injuries, often using orthopedic surgery when necessary. If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain from a previous injury, your PCP may refer you to an orthopedist. They may also recommend an orthopedic surgeon near you if surgical treatment, such as a total knee or hip replacement, seems necessary to address your joint pain.
Orthopedists commonly treat conditions like osteoarthritis (the "wear and tear" arthritis), nerve pain, sports injuries, herniated discs, osteoporosis, and more. While orthopedic treatment often involves surgery, being referred to an orthopedic surgeon doesn't automatically mean you will require surgery to address your joint pain or injury. Orthopedic surgeons do carry out non-surgical methods of treatment such as physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation etc.
What to expect at your first orthopedic consultation?
On your first visit, your orthopedic surgeon will inquire about your medical history. They will ask you to elaborate on symptoms and take several X-rays and other procedures, including blood tests, to evaluate your physical health.
They will assess your lifestyle and may ask you to perform specific actions like bending down, lifting your arms, or walking. It will help them see how these actions affect your mobility. They might also inquire about your daily routine, eating habits, and job responsibilities. If required, they may advise you on adjusting activities that can worsen your health.
After evaluating your injury, they will prescribe and discuss an initial treatment plan with you. This plan may include medications to relax your muscles, massage therapy to relieve pain, etc. Some of the treatments may happen during your initial evaluation.
What are the procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating varied conditions, including fractures, sprains, and congenital abnormalities. They provide surgical and non-surgical treatments to help restore functionality and mobility, alleviate pain, and improve the lives of their patients.
Some standard procedures include the following:
- Joint replacement surgery:
Joints undergo natural wear and tear due to various reasons, such as rheumatoid arthritis, torn muscles, or trauma. To address this, orthopedic surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures for partial or total hip, knee, or shoulder replacement. They also conduct viscosupplementation, rotator cuff repair, knee meniscectomy, and arthroplasty. Moreover, they can perform same-day surgeries with shorter hospital stays and quick recoveries.
This surgery is performed to alleviate the symptoms of compression in the hand's median nerve. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome feel pain and discomfort, including tingling or numbness in the long or index finger and the thumb. This condition can occur due to hormonal, genetic, or environmental factors.
Back pain is among the most common issues people experience. Typically, managing back pain is challenging, and surgery often does not treat or cure it. Advancements in back surgery have enabled surgeons to opt for minimally invasive procedures for disk repair and replacement and spinal fusion. However, healthcare providers emphasize educating patients on preventive measures to tackle back pain. People can prevent back pain through lifestyle changes, such as exercising core muscles, losing weight, learning the right way to stretch and bend when picking things up, and stopping smoking.
It is a procedure that involves repositioning a part of the bone by cutting it. Orthopedic surgeons can perform osteotomy in various body parts, such as the feet, toes, knees, and spine, where two or more bones meet. This procedure is recommended to regain mobility and alleviate pain and discomfort. Moreover, it can help fix bone issues, repair damaged joints, or shorten or lengthen the bones.
- Pediatric cervical spine surgery:
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons perform this procedure in children who suffer from conditions or issues affecting the neck's bones. These conditions may be congenital (i.e., occurring since birth). Moreover, these conditions can affect the ability to perform normal motor activities, urinate, or walk.
How to recover quickly from an orthopedic surgery?
When faced with the possibility of orthopedic surgery, the most common concern is the recovery time it will take for someone to return to their day-to-day activities. A strong and active body, a healthy mental outlook, and proper nutrition go a long way in helping someone recover from surgery. Let's cover some key factors that may affect the recovery period after orthopedic surgery.
- Age and physical health: A patient's health and self-care habits substantially impact their recovery. Younger patients in good or average physical shape usually have a shorter and easier recovery than those with chronic symptoms or a higher body mass (BMI) and a sedentary lifestyle. These individuals often have a slower recovery. A patient's age impacts the quality of their body tissue and bone health, which plays an essential factor in recovery.
- Conditioning level: It is always ideal for anyone to have their body in optimal shape before surgery, making recovery easy and speedy.
- Mental preparedness and expectations: Sometimes, patients are mentally prepared for surgery before the body is physically ready. Patients dealing with chronic pain are found to be more receptive to the idea of surgery as they feel inwardly ready to get their injury fixed or their joint replaced. Additionally, mentally preparing yourself for the time it will take to heal your body is also very necessary as, for some, it may take a few weeks, and for some, it may take up to a year.
- Commitment to recovery: Lastly, a patient's recovery only begins when they leave the operating room. There is no recovery plan that is complete without therapy since it is such a vital component of your health journey. A patient's commitment to therapy can significantly impact their recovery time after surgery.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeon near you in Miami
Everyone wishes for unrestricted movement. It is critical to avoid orthopedic discomfort or a restricted range of motion that prevents you from living your best life. An orthopedic surgeon can diagnose your problems and recommend a course of treatment. However, finding the best orthopedic surgeon can be challenging.
Zocdoc aims to match patients with the best providers possible. For instance, Zocdoc can help you find a pediatric orthopedic surgeon if you wish to see a specialist who specializes in treating children. Based on your symptoms, preferred location and time, and insurance plan, you can search for top-rated providers on Zocdoc. You can also look for them based on language, gender, hospital affiliation, and whether or not they treat children.
You can link multiple insurance plans to your Zocdoc account, but you have to select one to use for each appointment booking. You can provide information about any additional insurance you have during the booking process or on the provider's intake forms. Contact Zocdoc's patient help center for queries on health insurance.
Each provider on Zocdoc has a profile that includes information on their training, background, specialties, recognitions, awards, certifications, and licenses, among other details. The platform also gathers and updates verified patient reviews and ratings. You can browse these reviews to locate the right orthopedic surgeon near you in Miami. Once you've shortlisted a surgeon, you can schedule an in-person or online appointment.
Zocdoc offers hassle-free, cost-free, and secure appointments.
Orthopedic statistics for Miami, Florida
The Occupational Employment and Wages report of May 2023 issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that Florida employed about 1,140 orthopedic surgeons, the third-highest number of employees in the United States.
According to America's Health Rankings Annual Report Edition 2021, approximately 24% of Florida adults had arthritis in 2020, with nearly 20.1% of men and 27.7% of women suffering from some form of arthritis. In addition, almost 45% of Floridians aged 65 and above, 7.4% aged 18 to 44, and 27.8% aged 45 to 64 had arthritis in 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2020, nearly 20.1% of adults in Florida aged 18 and above had arthritis, and it was more common in women (22.6%) than in men (17.2%).
In addition, approximately 30% of adults with arthritis were physically inactive. According to the same report, about 42.9% of adults reported work limitations in 2019, and nearly 39.6% reported severe joint pain due to arthritis. Additionally, data collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) by the Florida Department of Health indicates that in 2019, 25.1% of adults in Florida had some form of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sources
OrthoTexas
WebMD
Verywell Health
Pipeline Health
University of Utah Health
Healthline
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
United Health Foundation
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Florida Department of Health
Cleveland Clinic [1]
US News
Cleveland Clinic [2]
Mayo Clinic
Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida
