Who are orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal system disorders. The musculoskeletal system includes joints, bones, nerves, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It plays an important role when we move any part of our body.
Orthopedic surgeons, or orthopedists, can perform surgery. However, visiting an orthopedist does not mean you have to undergo surgery. They can also use rehabilitation and other non-surgical techniques to relieve pain or treat various conditions.
With over 200 bones in the human body, orthopedics is a large field, so orthopedists have areas of expertise in the musculoskeletal system. Along with being general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons have the following subspecialties at their disposal:
- Hand and wrist
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Spine
- Knee replacement and reconstruction
- Hip replacement and reconstruction
- Orthopedic trauma
- Orthopedic oncology (bone tumors)
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery
- Sports medicine
Different specialists may treat the same diseases, and some orthopedic surgeons may have multiple specialties. For example, surgeons specializing in hand and wrist surgery, elbow and shoulder surgery, and sports medicine operate on the elbow.
What kind of education and training do orthopedic surgeons receive?
It takes 13 years of study and training to become an orthopedic surgeon. Aspiring candidates enroll in a four-year medical program, where they learn to diagnose and treat various conditions. The first two years involve studying theory in classrooms and laboratories. Over the next two years, students work in hospitals and clinics, diagnosing and treating patients; this happens under the guidance of experienced doctors and specialists. Students undergo clinical rotations in various specialties in medical school.
Upon completing medical school, graduates earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree. After this, they must undertake a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery. Those who wish to specialize further in a branch of orthopedics must study and train for an additional year.
Orthopedic surgeons can begin practicing after passing a stringent state-level licensure examination. After practicing for two years and clearing a test, they can also be recognized by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
What are the significant differences between orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists?
While both these specialists treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, there are a few significant differences between rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons. While orthopedists can perform surgery, rheumatologists cannot. Orthopedics receive surgical training during their residency.
In addition, orthopedic surgeons focus on treating degenerative diseases (caused by wear and tear), congenital disabilities, and injuries. On the other hand, rheumatologists treat systemic diseases that affect the whole body. For example, rheumatologists treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and rare inherited disorders.
These specialists sometimes work together to provide comprehensive care to patients—such as in the case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?
Orthopedic surgeons mainly treat musculoskeletal pain. They repair injuries or correct a condition by performing surgery. They also use non-surgical treatments such as pain medication and rehabilitation. Moreover, orthopedists treat broken bones, bone cancer, and muscular dystrophy.
They also replace joints whenever necessary. They can also treat sports injuries, back pain, spinal stenosis, ruptured discs, and bone tumors. If you have orthopedic trauma, limb lengthening, hand injuries, hand arthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome, an orthopedist can help you.
Furthermore, orthopedists can treat hip dysplasia, arthritis (specific osteoarthritis), club foot, bow legs, osteoporosis, and Achilles tendon injuries. You can also visit them to treat foot and ankle injuries, benign soft tissue tumors, bursitis, nerve and lower back pain, and bunions. Orthopedists also treat strains and sprains, tendinitis, and scoliosis.
Types of pain
Pain refers to an uncomfortable sensation that generally signals an injury or illness. It is the body's way of telling that something isn't right. The perception of pain varies from person to person. One person might have a fracture and not even realize it, while another might feel extreme pain from that same injury. Pain is divided into five different types, including:
- Acute pain: The pain that lasts for a short duration, usually from minutes to around three or six months. It can be related to a temporary illness or soft-tissue injury, so it generally subsides after the injury or the illness is healed. Acute pain can sometimes evolve into chronic pain.
- Chronic pain: The pain that lasts for a longer duration, usually from months to years. It can be intermittent (that comes and goes) or constant. Causes often include health conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or concerns related to the spine.
- Neuropathic pain: The pain that occurs due to nervous system damage, usually nerve damage. The sensation is sometimes described as stabbing, shooting, or burning. Neuropathic pain may also affect sensitivity to touch and can make a person have difficulty feeling hot or cold sensations. It can be intermittent and severe, leading to mobility issues and difficulty even with normal movement.
- Nociceptive pain: The pain that is caused due to body tissue damage like an external injury. Common examples include hitting your elbow, stubbing your toe, twisting your ankle, or falling and scraping up your knee. It gives out an achy, sharp, or throbbing sensation. This pain is mainly experienced in the muscles, joints, skin, tendons, and bones. It can be both acute and chronic.
- Radicular pain: A specific type of pain that radiates from the back and hip into the leg(s) from the spine and spinal nerve root. It occurs when the spinal nerve gets inflamed or compressed. People with radicular pain may experience numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. Sciatica is one of the most common forms of radicular pain; activities like walking, sitting, and others can worsen it.
What is arthritis? How do orthopedic surgeons treat arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad disease characterized by pain, inflammation, and swelling in one or multiple joints. The joints are places where two or more bones connect, such as your elbow or knee joint. The joints may naturally wear down as you age. Some kinds of arthritis happen after injuries that damage a joint. Certain health conditions also cause arthritis. The condition is more common than you think. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and more women than men are likely to get it.
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body but is mainly present in the knees, hips, shoulders, lower back, feet, and ankles. There are over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. One of the prevalent forms of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis include gout or metabolic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (occurring in kids and teens aged 16 or younger), psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious arthritis. The causes of arthritis vary greatly depending on the type of arthritis you have. Factors like age, genetics, overuse of joints, obesity, weak muscles, bone density, and level of physical activity can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
If detected early, non-surgical treatment of arthritis can help maintain joint mobility, relieve pain, and improve strength. Your surgeon may initially recommend non-surgical management for arthritis. Treatments include assistive devices, medications to reduce inflammation, diet changes, weight loss, and physical therapy. If non-surgical treatment is ineffective, your orthopedic doctor may recommend surgical treatment. Orthopedic surgery is also an option for those individuals who have severe forms of arthritis. Before going for surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will need to decide if you are fit for surgery depending on factors like age, activity level, the current state of the affected joint, and the extent to which your osteoarthritis has progressed. Surgical procedures include joint replacement, osteotomy, joint fusion, and arthroscopy.
What are the non-surgical treatments for orthopedic conditions?
Orthopedic surgeons play a vital role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating orthopedic conditions, primarily affecting the musculoskeletal system, encompassing bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. To achieve an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan, orthopedic surgeons employ a comprehensive approach that involves several key steps:
- Assessment: They begin with a comprehensive evaluation, gathering your medical history and thoroughly discussing your symptoms.
- Examination: A physical exam evaluates the affected area's condition, looking for signs of pain, swelling, or limited motion.
- Imaging: Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, MRI scans, and ultrasounds, visualizes the issue in detail.
- Lab tests: Orthopedic surgeons may order blood tests to rule out underlying conditions or to assess inflammation.
After diagnosis, the orthopedic surgeon tailors a treatment plan depending on the specific condition and individual patient needs. Here are some common components of orthopedic treatment plans:
- Medications: Depending on the diagnosis, orthopedic surgeons may prescribe medications to alleviate pain and bring down the inflammation. These can encompass a variety of medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs like anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.
- Steroid injections: When oral medications prove ineffective, administering steroid injections directly into the affected joint or area becomes viable. This treatment can relieve pain and inflammation, and its effects may last several months.
- Nerve blocks: Orthopedic surgeons can administer nerve blocks for nerve-related pain conditions. These involve the injection of anesthetics or anti-inflammatory medications around the nerves responsible for the pain, providing temporary relief.
- Immobilization techniques: Orthopedic surgeons may recommend immobilization techniques if fractures or injuries require stabilization. These include using braces, splints, or casts to protect and support the affected area, aiding the healing process.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy is crucial in numerous orthopedic treatment plans. Physical therapists work with patients to formulate customized exercises and stretches to enhance their condition by boosting strength, increasing range of motion, improving mobility, and enhancing flexibility. These exercises not only relieve pain but also promote long-term recovery.
- Lifestyle changes: In addition to medical treatments, orthopedic surgeons often emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications. These may include adopting an exercise regimen, stress management techniques, maintaining a balanced diet, and, if applicable, quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption.
When should you visit an orthopedic surgeon?
You should visit an orthopedic surgeon near you for emergency care related to the musculoskeletal system, such as broken bones, an open fracture, or an injury that does not respond to ice or pain medication.
You should also visit an orthopedist if you cannot bear weight or have trouble standing or moving your limbs. Intense pain and fever, loss of consciousness, or severe bleeding can sometimes be reasons to visit an orthopedist.
What are the risks of orthopedic surgery?
Although rare, almost every surgical procedure comes with some risks and complications. Orthopedic surgical procedures are highly effective and safe. However, before orthopedic surgery, you can expect your orthopedic surgeon to explain to you the possible risks, some of which include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in the joints
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Hip dislocation after total hip replacement surgery
How to find a good orthopedic surgeon near you in Pasadena, CA?
You may have to visit an orthopedic surgeon in emergencies such as a bone fracture or a severe musculoskeletal injury. In such cases, finding the best orthopedic surgeon in Pasadena, California, can be challenging. Worry no more, for Zocdoc can help you here!
You can schedule virtual or in-person appointments with orthopedic surgeons or other healthcare professionals using Zocdoc. You can do this from the convenience of your home. Log in to the website and enter details like your ailment or symptoms, location, insurance coverage, and the day you want to see the doctor. Zocdoc will scan its massive database of healthcare professionals and provide you with a list of the top orthopedic surgeons.
If you cannot find your specific insurance plan on Zocdoc, you can upload an image of your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan your card and display an insurance plan that matches. Note that this service only applies to medical insurance cards. Vision and dental are excluded. If you need help uploading your medical insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team via email or chat, available 365 days to answer all your queries regarding the platform. For other insurance-related questions, check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each medical professional on the list will have a profile with details such as their education and training, gender, languages spoken, hospital affiliation, awards, specialty, location, and whether they treat children. Depending on the orthopedic surgeon's availability, you can make an appointment the same day, 24 hours in advance, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or even on the weekend. You can check the orthopedic surgeon's availability for the next month.
Additionally, you can see their office's location, the typical length of the wait, and whether or not they are currently accepting new patients. Zocdoc also provides verified patient reviews and ratings for each healthcare professional, helping you select the best orthopedic surgeon near you. To know more, you can read the FAQs.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is safe, easy, and free!
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons and arthritis in California
As per data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2,570 orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric) in California as of May 2023.
Orthopedic surgeons can treat arthritis and help in pain management. In 2023, according to America's Health Rankings, about 21.0% of the adult population in California was diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Women (approximately 23.9%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (close to 18.1%). Arthritis increased with age, with nearly 47.5% of those aged 65 and above diagnosed with the disorder. The percentage was much lower in those aged 45 to 64 (about 24.7%) and those aged 18 to 44 (just around 6.9%).
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, nearly 8% of Californian adults with arthritis had activity limitations, and an estimated 22.5% were physically inactive. In the same year, severe joint pain was reported to be higher among adult men diagnosed with arthritis (26.1%) compared to adult women (25.8%). Approximately 45.4% of adults (aged 18-64) had work limitations due to arthritis. Nearly 75.3% of arthritic adults received counseling from their healthcare provider for physical activity. Only 20.1% of adults took an educational class to manage arthritis symptoms.
Sources
WebMD
Penn Medicine
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Cleveland Clinic[1]
OrthoInfo[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
All-Star Orthopedics of Austin
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
OrthoInfo[2]
Arthritis Foundation[1]
Arthritis Foundation[2]
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Arthritis-health[1]
Arthritis-health[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Beaumont Health System
