Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, including disorders of the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These regions are prone to injury and pain as they are essential to body movement.
General orthopedic surgeons provide various surgical and non-surgical treatments to people of all ages. At the same time, some specialize further to become pediatric orthopedic surgeons who treat children, while geriatric orthopedic surgeons focus on musculoskeletal conditions common among adults over 65 years.
Education, training, & subspecialties for orthopedic surgeons
To become an orthopedic surgeon, one must undergo at least 13 years of training, which starts with a four-year pre-med bachelor's degree. They must then complete medical school and receive a doctorate in medicine (M.D.) or osteopathic medicine (D.O.).
Following this, they must complete a five-year residency program in orthopedic surgery. The program's first year trains all doctors in general surgery, and the remaining years involve in-depth orthopedic training. During the residency, doctors are expected to pass the three-part U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Next, orthopedic surgeons must practice for at least two years before taking the final certification exam conducted by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). Alternatively, some surgeons pursue specialized education by enrolling in fellowship programs that take 1-2 years to complete. They can pick from the specializations and become:
- Hand and arm surgeons
- Hip and knee surgeons
- Foot and ankle orthopedics surgeons (podiatry)
- Joint replacement and reconstruction surgeons
- Orthopedic oncology surgeons
- Pediatric orthopedic surgeons
- Shoulder and elbow surgeons
- Spinal surgeons
- Surgical sports medicine surgeons
- Trauma surgeons
All orthopedic surgeons must take recertification exams every ten years.
Types of treatment provided by an orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons can offer a range of treatments, including non-surgical and surgical options. The specific type of treatment recommended depends on the patient's medical condition and needs.
Orthopedic surgeons can administer non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications. Physical therapy may involve exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, while pain management treatments can include medication, injection therapy, or other interventions to relieve pain. They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as weight loss and stress reduction to improve overall health and manage musculoskeletal conditions.
When non-surgical treatments are not effective, orthopedic surgeons may recommend surgical interventions. Some common orthopedic surgeries include joint replacement, arthroscopy, joint fusion, and fracture repair. Joint replacement entails removing and replacing a damaged joint with a prosthetic one, while arthroscopy allows the doctor to visualize your joint to help diagnose and treat joint pain. Joint fusion is a permanent treatment option that assists in uniting the bones and alleviating pain in extremely severe conditions. On the other hand, fracture repair involves aligning and stabilizing broken bones to promote healing.
Some common surgeries performed by orthopedic surgeons
Sometimes, conservative treatment may not improve a condition or injury. In cases where surgery is advisable, doctors will discuss its advantages and disadvantages with the patient, considering their age, health, and activity level. Orthopedic surgeons are responsible for performing various procedures, including:
- Joint replacement surgery: During this surgery, damaged or diseased portions of a joint are replaced, typically to alleviate arthritis symptoms. Knee and hip replacements are common examples.
- Internal fixation: This involves placing hardware, such as pins, screws, plates, and rods, to keep broken bones in place while they recover.
- Osteotomy: This surgical procedure involves removing a section of bone and repositioning it. It can assist in treating arthritis.
- Soft tissue repair: Surgeons help repair specific muscles, ligaments, or tendons using this kind of surgery.
- Release procedure: Surgeons use this operation to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It alleviates pressure on the median nerve, relieving the symptoms.
Why should you consult an orthopedic surgeon near you?
Pain or discomfort during movement is the most common reason people visit an orthopedic surgeon. Stiffness, swelling, or injury in the joints, muscles, bones, or ligaments can cause this. An orthopedic surgeon can also help if your range of motion is affected. Sports injuries are another area where their expertise can come in handy. They can treat injuries like torn or broken tendons, ligaments, broken bones that don't heal with a cast, and spine or hip fractures caused by osteoporosis.
Long-term illnesses such as arthritis, non-cancerous tumors, chronic muscle, joint pain, and bursitis are other areas where an orthopedic surgeon could help. Additionally, you can consult them if you have sarcomas or cancerous tumors that start in the bone, metastatic or cancerous tumors that spread to the bone from elsewhere, or blood cancers that can weaken the bones.
The orthopedic surgeon may recommend diagnostic tests or procedures to know more about your condition based on your symptoms. The results will help them chart a course of treatment and recovery. Some standard treatment options include ACL reconstruction surgery, knee replacement, hip replacement, knee arthroscopy, ankle repair, and spinal surgeries.
How to prepare for your visit to an orthopedic surgeon?
Consulting an orthopedic surgeon near you for the first time can be stressful. Still, it can help if you research and gather the necessary information about your medical history before your appointment.
On the day of your appointment, carry your insurance card and any prescriptions or lab reports pertinent to your condition. The surgeon will inquire about your personal and family medical history and the reason behind your visit. List your symptoms without minimizing or exaggerating their nature. Also, mention how long you have been experiencing the symptoms.
Before concluding the appointment, you can ask your doctor one or more of the following questions to understand your diagnosis and treatment plan better:
- How is this procedure performed?
- Why are you recommending this procedure?
- Are there any non-surgical alternatives?
- What are the potential risks of this procedure?
- Can I do anything to avoid complications?
- How long will it take me to recover?
- How often will I have to follow up in the future?
Tips to follow when recovering from orthopedic surgery
You will naturally want to be up and about following your surgery. Factors that determine recovery time include the kind of surgery and your overall health condition. Your orthopedic surgeon can estimate the time it might take for you to recover from the surgery.
Simultaneously, there are some things that you can do to help speed up the process.
Proper nutrition, positive thinking, and healthy habits top the list of things to do. Eating the right food gives your body all the necessary nutrients to help you heal. Fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are some items to include in your diet. Moreover, maintaining a healthy weight ensures that you put no excessive pressure on the joints. Your body needs sufficient sleep to recuperate and repair. As a result, you should ensure you get adequate sleep every night. Also, keep checking your incision and keep it clean to prevent infection.
It is essential to keep moving as soon as your doctor says it is safe. You may require physical therapy after surgery as part of the rehabilitation process, and your therapist might suggest exercises for you at home. It would help if you followed your doctor's and therapist's recommendations regarding the recovery procedure. Being committed to the process will ensure you get there faster.
How do you improve your orthopedic health?
Here are the top tips for improving your orthopedic health.
A sedentary or inactive lifestyle is the root cause of major orthopedic ailments. Therefore, you must indulge in physical activity daily to keep your bones and joints healthy. Daily brisk walks and aerobic exercises are excellent ways to keep your body and bones healthy. Focus on exercises that build bone strength and joint resistance. Avoid rigorous exercises which may put unnecessary stress on the bones and joints. Do a thorough stretching routine before starting your exercise. Stretches enhance flexibility in the muscles and joints and prevent injuries during workouts.
It's not how much you eat but what you eat that makes the difference. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet can help improve bone and joint health and prevent orthopedic disorders. Maintain a balanced diet and eat healthy, nutritious foods at every meal. Calcium helps keep the bones healthy. Milk and milk products are the best calcium-rich foods. Vitamin D is also vital for the bones. Foods like fatty fish, egg yolk, and dairy products are rich in vitamin D. You can take the help of supplements if you cannot consume the required quantities of vitamin D and calcium.
- Proper clothing and footwear
You should wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement of your joints and bones. Too tight clothes can sometimes restrict joint movement and may lead to orthopedic issues. High heels significantly affect the natural body posture and may lead to various orthopedic problems. Therefore, wear comfortable shoes that balance your body and help you maintain health.
Adopting and practicing healthy habits consistently is crucial to maintaining optimum orthopedic health. Always maintain proper posture when sitting or standing. Keep a straight back and pull back your shoulders to maintain an upright posture. Avoid undue stress on the back joints and muscles. Use supportive pillows when sleeping and ensure the head and neck receive the proper support. Adopt sleeping positions that aid the natural curvature of the spinal cord.
Finding top-rated orthopedic surgeons near you in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Orthopedics is a primary medical specialty, and an experienced orthopedic surgeon can be helpful if joint or bone pain bothers you. Zocdoc can help make this a hassle-free process by finding the right doctor for your needs.
As a first step, create a free account on the Zocdoc platform and login. Streamline your search for an experienced orthopedic surgeon by using the many filters we have for you. Location, gender, and hospital affiliations are some criteria you could use. On the other hand, you can also filter your results based on specialty—geriatric or pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
With our insurance detector, you can find an in-network provider within easy reach.
If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of the insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Our advanced algorithm combs an extensive database of medical practitioners to give you possible matches. You can instantly learn about their educational qualifications, experience, subspecialty, and license status by clicking on the doctor profiles.
Verified patient reviews and ratings help you pick the right doctor. You can also book a virtual appointment before scheduling an in-person session. The easy booking process allows you to choose slots based on the doctor's availability and your schedule. You can find orthopedic surgeons near you who are available on weekends or outside regular business hours.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Prevalence of orthopedic disorders in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2021 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are about 16,260 orthopedic surgeons, excluding pediatrics, across the country. Pennsylvania tops the list of states with the highest employment levels for these professionals, with 1,760 practicing orthopedic surgeons. These surgeons can treat work-related musculoskeletal disorders and conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
Figures compiled by America's Health Rankings indicate that in 2020, a health professional told nearly 28.6% of adults in Pennsylvania that they had some form of arthritis. This figure stands at 24.5% at the national level. The number of adults aged 18-44 with arthritis was around 8.5% in Pennsylvania, compared to 7.7% in the country.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, in its report, 'Orthopedic Practice in the U.S. 2018', informs that the surgeon density per 100,000 U.S. population was 9.71 for Pennsylvania in 2018. The national level density is 9.25, which suggests that the state is in a better position than many others concerning the number of orthopedic surgeons available.
Sources
WebMD
Versus Arthritis
Logansport Memorial Hospital
OrthoTexas
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Medical News Today
Verywell Health
The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
AICA Orthopedics
Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Healthline
MediConnect
