Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon treats the bones, tendons, joints, ligaments, and muscles of a human body's musculoskeletal system. They are also commonly referred to as orthopedic doctors or orthopedists.
Orthopedic surgeons undergo an extensive 13-year medical education. They can treat several conditions related to the musculoskeletal system surgically and non-surgically. Some conditions they treat are fractures, non-cancerous benign tumors, sarcomas or cancerous tumors starting in the bones, chronic muscle and joint pain, and bursitis.
What type of musculoskeletal conditions can orthopedic surgeons treat?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are extremely common and are the leading contributor to disabilities worldwide, affecting nearly 1.71 billion people. Certain chronic conditions can also lead to lifelong pain and restriction in mobility. An orthopedic surgeon is trained to treat several types of musculoskeletal diseases, including-
- Scoliosis is commonly diagnosed in childhood (at 10 or early teenage years). In patients with scoliosis, the spine develops a sideways curvature. Common indicators of scoliosis include a change in posture, uneven shoulders and waist, one side of the rib cage pushing forward, one side of the back poking while bedding forward, and one hip higher compared to the other.
Most surgeons would recommend a spinal fusion surgery if the spinal curvature is greater than 45 to 50 degrees. This curvature will likely worsen even after the body fully develops. The degree of correction from surgery depends on how flexible your spine was before the operation. The chances of correction are higher in more flexible spinal curves. Your orthopedic surgeon will likely measure your flexibility before surgery with X-rays called bending or traction films.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)-This condition occurs in the carpal tunnel, an inch-wide, narrow pathway in the wrist. It occurs when compression or pressure is put on one of the major nerves in the hand- the median nerve (traveling through the upper arm and passing through the carpal tunnel into the wrist). This results in pain and numbness in the forearm. If left untreated for long periods, CTS can worsen with time and cause weakness and loss of sensation in your fingers, possibly leading to permanent dysfunction of the hand. Early-diagnosed CTS can be relieved by wearing a wrist splint, exercising, and inserting steroid injections. Surgical procedures like "carpal tunnel release" can be done to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
- Arthritis- A widely prevalent condition characterized by pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints, arthritis is commonly experienced in the feet, hands, knees, lower back, and hips. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis, which is a degenerative disorder that occurs with increasing age. To treat arthritis, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend medication (to manage pain) and physical therapy. Surgical treatments such as fusion of two or more bones (joint fusion), joint repair, and joint replacement may also be recommended if a non-surgical approach does not provide relief.
- Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons or connective tissues between the bones and muscles. It can be acute or chronic and can occur almost anywhere in the body, including the base of the thumb, shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, and Achilles tendon. This condition is caused by repetitive physical activity, such as playing sports, poor posture, and rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Surgery is typically not required in tendonitis except in very severe cases.
What non-surgical treatments do orthopedic surgeons provide?
Orthopedic surgeons offer the following non-surgical treatment options-
- Medical devices or aids, such as slings or braces, that support bone structures or hold them together to hasten healing.
- Non-opioid medications that provide pain relief. For example- acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Physical therapy or therapeutic exercises to improve the strength of muscles or loosen stiff joints and muscles.
- Joint injections for pain relief. Examples include cortisone or other steroid medication or viscosupplementation (a procedure where a thick fluid called hyaluronate is injected into the joints to enhance the lubricating properties of the synovial fluid- a viscous liquid present between joints- thereby providing pain relief from osteoarthritis).
- Orthotics, i.e., foot pads or customized shoe inserts designed to treat various conditions of the feet and ankles. They also prevent, correct, and accommodate certain foot deformities.
What are some risks of orthopedic surgery?
Although rare, almost every surgical procedure has risks and complications. Orthopedic surgical procedures are highly effective and safe. However, before surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will explain 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
- Lung congestion
When should you see an orthopedic surgeon?
People often visit an orthopedic doctor when they experience restrictions in mobility and pain and discomfort in their joints, muscles, or bones. These medical professionals help people rehabilitate and regain their range of motion.
Meanwhile, if your body is stiff or swollen or you have an injury to the joints, bones (broken or shattered bones), muscles, or ligaments, consider visiting an orthopedic surgeon. They can help you recover from that and also prevent further accidents. That's why athletes approach them most of the time.
Apart from that, orthopedic surgeons have expertise in treating the following:
- Spine or hip fractures from osteoporosis
- Broken bones that don't heal with a cast
- Torn or broken tendons
- Torn or ruptured ligaments
Moreover, you can consult an orthopedic surgeon even if you do not have an injury. Many see them when they experience long-lasting loss of mobility, pains, or aches, usually caused by old injuries that one may have neglected for an extended period and have worsened over time.
Further, healthcare providers can perform surgeries for issues like severe chronic joint pain, joint deformity, and joint stability. Additionally, orthopedic surgeons can tend to various bone and soft tissues-related illnesses, such as:
- Non-cancerous tumors
- Cancerous tumors that spread to the bone from other parts of the body
- Cancerous tumors that originate in the bone
- Blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma
Depending on the diagnosis, the orthopedic surgeon may provide different treatment plans, including physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
What to expect at your orthopedic surgery consultation?
When visiting an orthopedic surgeon near you, expect them to discuss your symptoms, inquire about your medical history, and try to understand your lifestyle. This initial evaluation or consultation also includes asking for your previous tests, reports from any pre-existing medical conditions, and any other medications you have been taking. Seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not automatically mean you will need surgery. Your doctor may try some non-surgical therapies first. Orthopedic surgery is usually recommended only in cases where non-surgical options do not provide long-term relief.
During this visit, your orthopedic surgeon is also likely to perform a physical examination, which includes assessing your ability to move the affected joint in specific ways. They might order particular imaging studies to understand the present status of your injury or illness. These diagnostic tests usually include a CT scan or an MRI for detailed views of the affected area. When your condition has been diagnosed, your orthopedic surgeon will recommend the appropriate treatment.
In case of a non-emergency procedure, you can schedule it at a time specified by your provider. Emergency procedures for orthopedic trauma are typically done immediately. On the day of surgery, an anesthesiologist will administer general or local anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain during the procedure. After surgery, you may be moved to a recovery room where your healthcare team will keep you under observation for a few hours or days, depending on the type of surgery.
Your recovery plan may also include using braces, slings, casts, and splints to hold bones or joints in a specific position and aid healing. Joint injections may be used for conditions like tennis elbow. The duration of your orthopedic treatment plan depends on the severity and complexity of your problem. Your orthopedic surgeon will prepare a detailed follow-up plan and schedule as and when required.
Find an orthopedic surgeon near you in Philadelphia, PA
Losing your ability to move around and perform your daily activities can feel debilitating. Whether you suffer from pain in the joints and muscles, have sustained an acute injury that is hindering your movement, or have a rare bone cancer or tumor, an orthopedic surgeon can offer you surgical as well as non-surgical solutions that will help restore your functional independence.
If you have trouble finding a top-rated orthopedic surgeon in Philadelphia, PA, Zocdoc can help you find one in your area or neighborhood within minutes! Forget long waiting lines at the hospital or clinic. Simply visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, and insurance plan.
To find providers within your insurance network, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance details or choose your plan using the search filters. Alternatively, upload a picture of your insurance card from a smartphone or tablet. Our algorithms will scan the photo and display your likely plan. If you encounter any issues here, contact Zocdoc's service team. For further information on insurance-related queries, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Once you click "find," you can browse Zocdoc's extensive directory of medical professionals and select one based on your preferences. You can also filter the displayed search results by gender, hospital affiliation, languages spoken, specialty, and whether a provider sees children.
Further, Zocdoc provides each doctor's educational background. Click "view profile & reviews" next to a provider's profile to access this information. You should also be able to view the provider's availability for the next week or month, clinic location, insurance plans accepted, and verified patient reviews. You can also see whether the provider accepts new patients or not. Once you have chosen an orthopedic surgeon near you, book an appointment in the morning, evening after 5 p.m., or on the weekends (depending on the provider's availability).
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Statistics on orthopedic surgeons and arthritis in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 14,820 orthopedic surgeons are employed in the United States and 380 in Pennsylvania (as of May 2023). Furthermore, the metropolitan area of Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, has nearly 270 orthopedic surgeons.
According to data collated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 28% of the adult population of Pennsylvania aged 18 and above had arthritis in 2022. The prevalence of arthritis in females was higher (31.6%) than males (24.3%). Of those adults diagnosed with arthritis, many have pre-existing comorbidities. Nearly 31.9% are obese, 31.1% have diabetes, and 48.3% have heart disease.
The report also stated that an estimated 43.6% of the adult Pennsylvanian population diagnosed with arthritis have physical activity limitations, and roughly 30.8% suffer from severe joint pain. About 37.7% of adults have work limitations due to arthritis, and 31.2% are physically inactive. In 2021, approximately 11.9% of adults had taken a class on managing their arthritis symptoms. Nearly 25.6% of individuals had recorded fair or poor health due to arthritis.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[1]
WebMD
Healthline
Mayo Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Adventist Health
Mid-America Orthopedics
World Health Organization
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[4]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[2]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[3]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[4]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[5]
