Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon focuses on diagnosing and treating issues of the musculoskeletal system — bones, tendons, joints, ligaments, and muscle disorders and injuries. They prescribe or perform treatments and help with rehabilitation. They aid in preventing the symptoms of an existing condition from worsening. Generally, they try to treat a problem in the least intrusive and holistic manner possible. They care for people of all ages, from infants to older adults.
What is the education and training of an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon completes a four-year-long bachelor's degree program. They may study biology, chemistry, and physics courses. Following that, they enter a four-year medical school. They spend the first two years in classroom training and the remaining two in hospitals. They must also take and pass the national board exams in their second and fourth years of medical school.
Aspiring orthopedic surgeons must graduate with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. They then enter a residency program that lasts four years. It consists of intensive orthopedic surgery studies. They rotate through various hospitals and work in varying subspecialties while gaining hands-on experience with different surgical procedures.
They can apply for an orthopedic fellowship after completing their residency. Following this, they must clear examinations conducted by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS).
What are the common orthopedic subspecialties?
Orthopedics is a broad field of medicine and encompasses various subspecialties. The most common orthopedic subspecialties include the following:
Pediatric orthopedics focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. These experts can treat or manage issues like broken bones, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, etc. Pediatric orthopedists better understand a child's musculoskeletal development and provide appropriate treatment that does not hinder the child's growth.
The subspecialty focuses on treating sports-related injuries and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. These experts help improve performance and apply exercise and physical therapy to treat injury and maximize mobility.
Spine surgery deals with injuries and disorders affecting the spinal cord due to degeneration, trauma, or diseases.
The hand surgery subspecialty focuses on treating disorders affecting the hand and upper extremities. These conditions could include fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigger fingers.
The subspecialty treats worn-out or damaged joints caused by wear and tear, overuse, or aging. Joint replacement surgeons most commonly perform knee and hip replacements.
- Podiatry (foot and ankle)
The podiatry subspecialty focuses on identifying and treating foot and ankle conditions. These could include sprains and strains, Achilles tendons, or diabetes-related foot disorders.
Orthopedic surgeons specializing in trauma surgery treat critical or severe musculoskeletal injuries or conditions in the trauma unit. These experts can conduct immediate essential procedures in accidental trauma and injury cases.
The subspecialty focuses on treating cancerous and noncancerous tumors and metastatic disease in adults and children. They also help patients recover after surgery or radiation therapy.
- Shoulder and elbow surgery
Shoulder and elbow surgeons specialize in treating arthritis, ligament tears, tendonitis, clavicle fractures, and rotator cuff tears. They help patients manage aging pain and help preserve their mobility.
When should you see an orthopedic surgeon near you?
If you experience pain, discomfort, or stiffness daily, consider seeing an orthopedic doctor near you. They can treat various conditions, from fractures and injuries to arthritis and chronic pain.
Here are a few indicators that you should see a specialist:
- Neck or back pain: Experiencing pain is typical for a few days, but prolonged pain can point to an underlying condition or disease.
- Hip, knee, or elbow pain: Pain in the joints of these areas is often a symptom of arthritis. An orthopedic surgeon will help to diagnose and prescribe the required treatment correctly.
- Sharp pain in the arm or leg occurs during daily activities due to a pinched nerve. Although it can go away in a few days, prolonged pain could be a cause of concern. It could lead to nerve damage or indicate an underlying disease.
- Limitations in range of motion: This means restricted mobility of an individual or difficulty in moving certain body parts, like joints. Over time, the joints may feel tighter as days progress and imply arthritis.
- Soft tissue injuries include concerns such as a busted wrist, twisted knee, or sprained ankle. If the condition doesn't improve after 48 hours, see an orthopedic doctor.
- Chronic pain: Any painful sensations lasting over 12 weeks could indicate a significant issue. Orthopedic surgeons can help manage and treat the pain accordingly.
You should see an orthopedic surgeon near you if you get injured during physical activity or in an accident. Older people are more prone to conditions related to the musculoskeletal system and should see an orthopedic surgeon if need be. They will help improve the range of motion and educate patients on preventing further damage to their bodies. In some severe cases, an orthopedic surgeon may also undertake surgical interventions.
How to prepare for an orthopedic surgeon appointment?
Making the most of your appointment requires planning. A few days before your visit, list everything you will need. It could include lab test results, copies of X-rays or other imaging tests, and medical records. As you prepare, create a list of everything you must inform the orthopedic surgeon about. It will help if you also think of ways to describe your pain to them precisely and state its duration, source, range, and nature.
An orthopedic surgeon aims to help you recover, so you should expect a comprehensive evaluation and additional tests. To prepare for these examinations, dress comfortably and wear supportive shoes. It is also best to call your orthopedic surgeon's office beforehand to inquire about additional requirements or dietary restrictions.
What procedures does an orthopedic surgeon perform?
Orthopedic surgeons recommend various treatments and procedures for the conditions they treat. They carry out the following:
The knee osteotomy surgical procedure involves cutting or fusing wedge-shaped pieces of bone to the thigh bone (femur) or shinbone (tibia). It helps the body redistribute weight away from the injured area of the knee joint and can also enable slow cartilage deterioration in the knee.
Knee replacement: This is commonly known as knee arthroplasty. It can help to ease pain and restore function in severely damaged knee joints. Orthopedic surgeons remove destroyed bone and cartilage from the kneecap, thigh bone, and shinbone. They replace it with artificial joints (prostheses) made of high-grade polymers, plastics, and metal alloys.
Hip replacement: This is an optional surgery conducted by an orthopedic surgeon when hip pain affects everyday activities. Additionally, it is performed when nonsurgical treatments do not work or are no longer effective. It can treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis.
Laminectomy: It removes bone spurs and tissues associated with spinal arthritis. Typically, it involves the removal of the back portion (lamina), or backbone, of the spine's small bones. The spinal canal enlarges during the procedure to reduce pressure from the spinal cord or nerves.
Spinal fusion surgery permanently connects two or more spine vertebrae and stops motion between them. It entails techniques designed to resemble the normal healing process of broken bones.
Diskectomy involves removing the damaged area of a spine disc whose soft center protrudes through the disc's outer layer. It relieves the pain caused by a pinched nerve, which radiates down the arms or legs.
Treatment options for arthritis
Arthritis is a medical disorder that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. Treatment aims to relieve pain and avoid further damage to the joints. Your primary care provider may suggest combining treatments to achieve the best results.
Arthritis treatment usually involves medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, weight loss, heat and cold compresses, and mobility assistance devices. Medications such as analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), menthol or capsaicin creams, steroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics help soothe pain and inflammation.
Supplements such as unsaponifiable avocado and soybean (ASU), fish oil, and turmeric may be beneficial in reducing arthritis symptoms. Before taking supplements, please consult the doctor to confirm they won't interact with your current medicine or pose any risks to your health.
Surgery may be an option if your arthritis is severe and affects your mobility. Joint replacement surgery replaces hips and knees. In the case of severe arthritis in fingers or wrists, joint fusion, where the ends of bones are fused, eliminates the joint and thereby eliminates inflammation, may be recommended.
Physical therapy is a critical part of arthritis treatment. It involves various exercises that strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve mobility, flexibility, and balance, and prevent falls. Your physical therapist may suggest exercises you can do at home to supplement your in-office appointments.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeon near you in Raleigh
Everyone desires to possess the ability to move freely. As a result, avoiding orthopedic pain or a limited range of motion that affects your lifestyle is critical. Orthopedic surgeons can diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan. However, finding the best orthopedic doctor near you in Raleigh who fits your needs can be challenging. Zocdoc's goal is to connect patients with the best provider possible.
On Zocdoc, you can search for a provider by entering your symptoms, preferred location and time, and insurance plan. You can also filter to find providers based on language, gender, hospital affiliation, and whether or not they treat children. If you can't find your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will automatically scan the image and display the plan that is most likely for you. This feature isn't available for dental or vision insurance cards. If you face any issues while uploading the image, don't hesitate to contact Zocdoc's Service Team for assistance. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's Patient Help Center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
Each provider on Zocdoc has a profile. It includes information about them, such as their education, experience, specializations, awards, certifications, and licensure, among essential details. Zocdoc also collects and updates actual patient reviews and ratings. You can go through it to find the top-rated orthopedic surgeon near you in Raleigh. On Zocdoc, you can schedule both in-person and online appointments. Look for a purple-colored video icon on the provider's profile to find providers who offer video consultations.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is hassle-free, cost-free, and secure.
Orthopedic health statistics of Raleigh, North Carolina
Orthopedic surgeons perform surgery, such as joint replacement, to treat severe arthritis that limits daily activities and causes pain. America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2021 shows that in 2020, nearly 25.4% of North Carolina adults had some form of arthritis. About 21.9% of these patients were male, and almost 28.7% were female. In North Carolina, roughly 31.5% of people aged between 45 and 64 and about 7.3% of those aged between 18 and 44 had arthritis in 2020.
The 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that about 4,490 private industry workers in North Carolina had musculoskeletal disorders. Among them, nearly 2,970 were male, and 1,490 were female. Musculoskeletal conditions were more common among workers aged 55 and 64, with approximately 1,090 affected. According to the same report, almost 200 state government workers in North Carolina had musculoskeletal disorders in 2020.
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