What is orthopedics, and who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Your musculoskeletal system comprises bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It is usual to experience pain in these parts due to their frequent usage in everyday activities.
Orthopedics is the medical specialty that treats diseases and conditions in these regions. An orthopedic surgeon, often known as an orthopedist, is a doctor who specializes in orthopedics. They may perform surgery, diagnose problems, and cure them using alternative methods.
Since orthopedics is such a vast field, many orthopedic surgeons choose to specialize in a specific area. Hand, foot, and sports injuries are the most common orthopedic specialties.
Orthopedic surgeons are specialists in their field. Usually, primary care physicians refer patients to orthopedic surgeons near them and guide them on which type of orthopedic surgeon they should see for their problems.
Education and training of orthopedic surgeons in the U.S.
Orthopedic surgeons undergo at least 13 years of education and training, which includes:
- Four years of a bachelor's degree
- Four years of medical school
- A 5-year orthopedic surgery residency at a medical center
Some individuals may undergo an additional year or two of education in an orthopedic subspecialty. Orthopedic surgeons practice in the field for two years after completing their five-year residency. They then take a final exam to be formally recognized by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Which body parts do orthopedic surgeons operate on?
An orthopedic surgeon can conduct various surgical treatments on the hands, hips, ankles, knees, spine, and neck.
Orthopedic surgeons usually avoid surgery and aim to treat the problem naturally. However, in some cases, they perform surgeries in the following regions:
- Ankles: Ankle injuries are common among athletes and workers who do physical labor. Fractures are the most common type of injury. Workers may suffer a fracture due to falling or taking the wrong step on a ladder. Athletes might sustain a fracture when their ankle twists unnaturally during practice or performance.
- Knee: Orthopedic surgeons generally perform knee surgeries on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Standard procedures include knee replacement and meniscus surgery.
- Hips: The most common hip treatments are femoral neck repair, trochanteric fracture repair, and hip joint replacement.
- Shoulders: Arthroscopy is the most commonly performed procedure to repair a rotator cuff tear. Other treatments include shoulder decompression.
- Wrists: Carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as surgery to repair a broken wrist, are the most common types of wrist surgery.
What procedures does an orthopedic surgeon perform?
An injury or underlying medical condition may affect your musculoskeletal system, causing pain or limiting your range of motion. Orthopedic surgeons can perform the following procedures:
- Bone fusion: It refers to the use of a bone transplant to fuse two bones. When the bone tissue heals, it combines and becomes one single bone. Orthopedic surgeons use this treatment for vertebral surgery in the neck and spine.
- Debridement: A debridement technique is employed when tissue has worn away and needs removal. During this process, the surgeon removes the infected tissue, calluses, thicker skin, diseased skin, and dead tissue.
- Internal bone fixation: In this procedure, pins, screws, and plates connect bone fragments and maintain them together so the bone can recover adequately.
- Joint replacement surgery: A prosthetic or artificial joint replaces an injured joint during this surgery.
- Osteotomy: This surgery removes a section of a bone and realigns it. Orthopedic surgeons also use this treatment to relieve arthritis discomfort.
- Release surgery: It helps treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It also helps to alleviate symptoms and reduce pressure.
- Revision joint surgery: In this treatment, the orthopedic surgeons replace an old joint implant with a new joint replacement implant.
- Soft tissue repair: This procedure involves repairing severely injured ligaments or tendons.
Signs you need to see an orthopedic surgeon
When the symptoms you are experiencing become unbearable or start interfering with your daily life, paying attention to your body's natural warning signs is essential; they may indicate you need to consult an orthopedic doctor or surgeon. If you are unsure what to look for, here are five clear signs you should focus on and schedule a consultation appointment:
- Sudden onset of pain, swelling, or stiff joints
This is often one of the most apparent signs of an orthopedic-related issue. Pay attention to uncomfortable pain, swelling, or stiffness that does not improve with changes in activity, applying ice to the affected area, resting, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Increasingly achy or numb joints
Notice joint pain or numbness that progressively worsens when it interferes with routine activities such as holding a coffee cup, cleaning the house, or climbing stairs. Even simple routine activities can seem difficult to complete because of problematic joints.
- Muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries
These injuries often present with sharp pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and restricted movement or function in the affected area. You should consider a thorough evaluation if you hear or feel sensations of popping or catching in a joint or if the joint lacks stability and feels unsteady during movement.
- Pain that keeps you awake at night
It is commonly known as "pain-somnia," where difficulty falling or staying asleep occurs more frequently in people with joint pain and arthritis. Experts explain that joint pain often worsens at night, likely due to lying in one position for an extended time and the effects of circadian rhythm, which are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes occurring naturally within a 24-hour cycle. Consistently disrupted sleep can have serious adverse effects on your physical or mental health, which can, in turn, intensify joint pain symptoms.
- Infection near an injury with related symptoms
Symptoms of an infection include soreness, redness, warm skin to the touch, swelling, fever, and discharge or pus. You should not wait to address an infection, as it can quickly develop into sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to untreated infections considered a medical emergency. Seek medical care if you experience a rapid heart rate or weak pulse, persistent high fever, chills or feeling extremely cold, shortness of breath, severe pain or discomfort, and clammy or sweaty skin.
Benefits of consulting an orthopedic surgeon
People often seek a doctor only when their pain becomes unbearable, but this approach is not ideal. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent prolonged suffering and shorten the recovery period.
Here are some benefits of consulting an orthopedic surgeon near you:
- Reduce or eliminate pain.
Many people visit an orthopedic surgeon primarily to reduce or eliminate pain. The surgeon can diagnose the issue and recommend an effective treatment plan, whether due to injury or osteoarthritis. Pain management may involve reducing inflammation to protect joint health, including bracing, injection therapy, viscosupplementation, and physical therapy.
- Receive surgical treatment when necessary.
Orthopedic surgeons provide comprehensive care, including surgery when needed. While they prioritize conservative treatments, they offer surgical options if those treatments don't yield the desired results. These surgeons are experts in addressing musculoskeletal issues surgically, often performing advanced outpatient procedures that allow for same-day recovery at home.
- Enhance exercise and sports performance.
Orthopedic surgeons, often trained in sports medicine, have the expertise to diagnose and treat injuries in physically active individuals. These specialists help athletes recover quickly and maintain their performance at all levels. They can design personalized plans that enhance athletic performance while minimizing the long-term adverse effects of rigorous physical activity.
- Restore normal joint function.
Injury or disorders, such as arthritis, can induce soreness and decrease the range of motion in afflicted joints, significantly impacting daily life. Orthopedic surgeons diagnose these issues and recommend treatments to restore functionality.
When can I resume my routine following an orthopedic surgery?
Your healthcare provider will suggest activities you can and cannot do based on your surgery type. They will provide you with these instructions before and after surgery so you may plan for your recovery and ask for help from family and friends or caretakers during your recovery.
After your surgery, avoiding strenuous exercise, contact sports, and heavy lifting is best. Sports injury operations can take six to nine months before you can return to the field or court. Following your orthopedic surgeon's post-surgery advice is essential since overusing an injured or recently fixed body part may negatively impact your recovery.
Finding an orthopedic surgeon near you in Nashville, TN
Mobility or movement issues can cause pain and negatively impact your quality of life. With Zocdoc, a versatile online platform for locating healthcare professionals, you can find the best orthopedic surgeons in Nashville, TN.
Start by creating a free account on Zocdoc and use our convenient filters to find an orthopedic surgeon who matches your criteria. These filters can narrow your search by gender, location, and insurance coverage. Once you provide the required information, you can relax while our advanced algorithm scans an extensive database of healthcare professionals nationwide.
​​If you need help finding an orthopedic surgeon who accepts your insurance, our online patient help center is available. Zocdoc lets you link your medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment may only use a single insurance plan.
Provide your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes if you have several insurance plans. Furthermore, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can conveniently enter your secondary insurance information.
After obtaining the search results, you can click on each provider's profile for more details, such as their educational qualifications, areas of specialization, and board certification status. Our verified patient reviews and ratings are updated regularly, and they can help you learn more about the orthopedic surgeon before you make a choice. Additionally, with Zocdoc, you can book a virtual appointment before an in-person consultation to learn more about the expert. The application also allows you to see an orthopedic surgeon near you on weekends and outside regular business hours based on the doctor's availability.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons and musculoskeletal conditions in the US
Data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states there were around 19,060 orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. as of May 2022. The report also said that 200 orthopedic surgeons legally practiced in Tennessee, and this number did not include pediatric surgeons.
Some common conditions that orthopedic surgeons treat include fractures, injuries resulting from falls, and arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 3 million people in the U.S. visit the emergency department annually for fall injury treatment. While 800,000 people undergo hospitalization due to head injuries or hip fractures, the latter accounts for 300,000 yearly cases.
According to a report by America's Health Rankings, as of 2021, 30.1% of adults in Tennessee had arthritis. While the numbers were higher in people over 65 (54.4%), they were comparatively lower among adults aged 18 to 44 (11.7%). Women in the state (34.6%) were affected more by this disease compared to men (25.4%).
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
CHRISTUS Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
Movement Orthopedics
Gundersen Health System
