Who are orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons typically focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues necessary for moving and performing daily activities.
There are mainly two types of orthopedists: surgical and non-surgical. There are two groups of orthopedists: orthopedic surgeons and non-surgical orthopedists.
An orthopedist typically works as part of a larger orthopedic treatment team. This team may include the following:
- Physician assistants
- Occupational and physical therapists
- Nurse practitioners
- Athletic trainers
Education and training of an orthopedic surgeon
An aspiring orthopedist must complete at least 13 years of education to become an orthopedic surgeon, which includes:
- A bachelor's degree
- A master's degree
- A five-year residency in orthopedic surgery at a major medical institution
- One year of education within an orthopedic subspecialty (optional)
For the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery to formally recognize a prospective orthopedic surgeon, they must practice in the field for two years following their 5-year residency and pass a final exam.
What are some of the subspecialties/areas under orthopedics?
As a whole, the field of orthopedics is diverse and includes numerous other specialties or subspecialties. The following are the most prevalent orthopedic subspecialties:
- Trauma Surgery
- Foot and Ankle Orthopedics (podiatry)
- Spine Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Joint Replacement
What procedures do orthopedic surgeons perform?
Procedures commonly performed by orthopedic surgeons include:
- Internal fixation: During this procedure (also called bone fracture repair), your surgeon uses pins, rods, screws, or plates to hold a broken bone in place while it is healing.
- Total joint replacement (TJR) surgery: This is one of the most standard elective surgeries in the U.S. During a TJR, the doctor removes the worn-out parts of the damaged joints and uses a prosthesis to substitute for a healthy joint.
- Bone grafting surgery: If your body cannot grow enough new bones, your doctor might perform this surgery to augment bone regeneration. During this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon will use bone from the patient or donor to strengthen and repair damaged or diseased bones. If natural bone grafts are unavailable, doctors use a synthetic bone substitute.
- Release surgery: This procedure helps treat carpal tunnel syndrome. There are two ways to perform this procedure - open and endoscopic release. For open carpal tunnel release, your surgeon makes a small incision near your wrist; for endoscopic release, they make a similar cut and insert an endoscope (a long, thin tube with light and a camera attached to it) that takes a video of the insides of your wrist. Next, they cut your carpal ligament to reduce pressure on the meridian nerve and close the incision with stitches.
- Spinal fusion: During this procedure, your doctor will fuse two or more vertebrae to rectify any spinal problems, allowing them to heal into a single, solid bone.
- Osteotomy: An osteotomy is a procedure in which your surgeon cuts a part of a bone and reshapes or repositions it. It helps treat arthritis, joint damage, and bone deformities.
What conditions does an orthopedic surgeon treat?
Orthopedic surgeons treat numerous musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions can be inherited, the result of an injury, or the natural aging process.
Some of the most common diseases that an orthopedist may treat are listed below:
- Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint pain from arthritis
- Bone fractures
- Bone cancer
- Overuse and sports injuries, including sprains, tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Back and neck pain
- Soft tissue injuries, including those that affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis
When to see an orthopedic surgeon?
Muscle and joint pain is often temporary and usually goes away on its own. However, if the pain persists for more than 12 weeks, it is important to consult an orthopedic surgeon near you. You may need to seek medical attention if you experience difficulties with movement, a reduced range of motion, feelings of instability while walking or standing, or if you struggle to perform daily tasks like walking or climbing stairs.
Swelling or stiffness in the body can also indicate a need to see an orthopedic surgeon. These specialists can assist in recovery and help prevent the progression of severe injuries. Common reasons to consult an orthopedic surgeon include torn or ruptured ligaments, broken tendons, broken bones that are not healing with just a cast, as well as spine or hip fractures.
Additionally, bone and soft tissue problems can arise from longer-term conditions such as bursitis, benign tumors, cancerous tumors that originate in the bone (sarcomas), metastatic tumors that spread to the bone, or blood cancers like multiple myeloma, which can significantly weaken bones. If you are affected by any of these ailments, you must opt for regular sessions with an orthopedic surgeon in your treatment plan for effective pain management.
What can you expect during a first-time visit to an orthopedic surgeon near you?
During your first visit, the orthopedic surgeon will discuss your medical history and current symptoms. Bring previous test results or medical records that you may have with you.
Your doctor might perform a battery of tests to determine your condition. Depending on your symptoms, these examinations may involve X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and physical tests may also be performed.
You might also receive a diagnosis from your orthopedic surgeon without any testing. In this situation, they might ask the question to ascertain the root of your illness.
Following a diagnosis, you and your doctor will go over your treatment options and choose the one that is best for you. Your treatment may involve surgery, a cast or taping system, or physical activity.
Tips to improving your orthopedic health
You can prevent severe orthopedic issues by making a few easy dietary and lifestyle changes:
1. Maintain a balanced weight: The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases by 36% for every 10 pounds you gain. The additional weight that obesity places on your joints can weaken your muscles and increase your risk of injury.
2. Get regular checkups: One good way to keep track of your orthopedic health is by visiting your primary care physician once every year. An orthopedic checkup is crucial for older adults, who are more likely to get injured and develop arthritis. A primary care physician can review additional preventive measures to safeguard your orthopedic and general health.
3. Build your core strength: Strong core muscles can help quickly balance your body weight. Yoga and pilates are two effective forms of exercise for building core strength and improving orthopedic health.
4. Keep it moving: Stretching, walking, swimming, and biking on level ground are all beneficial exercises for everyone, including those with some orthopedic conditions. Avoid activities like deep knee bends to keep your joints healthy. However, no matter your age, you should continue building muscle.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeons near you in Seattle, Washington
Finding a reputable orthopedic surgeon can be challenging. A good orthopedic surgeon should be knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate, and they should put you at ease during the consultation process. They should also be approachable and receptive to your queries and worries. While it can be challenging to find an excellent orthopedic surgeon, it is essential to take the time to look around and select the best one for your needs. Zocdoc can help if you are trying to find a reputable orthopedic surgeon in Seattle, Washington.
Zocdoc can facilitate your search for the best orthopedic surgeon for your needs. Start by creating a free account. Next, enter your location, specialist, and preferred time and date of appointment. The website will then generate a comprehensive list of the best orthopedic surgeons in Seattle, Washington, that you can browse with just a few clicks. On the Zocdoc platform, you can also read reviews from other patients. Using the preferred insurance companies, genders, and spoken languages of orthopedic surgeons can narrow your search.
With the help of Zocdoc, you can make appointments with orthopedic surgeons that work with your busy schedule. You can fill out the required paperwork and medical history on its user-friendly platform before your first appointment, saving you time and hassle. If you have a health insurance plan, you can select your insurance carrier and plan from dropdown lists to locate the best orthopedic surgeons near you who accept your plan.
If you have more than one insurance plan, you can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. If you possess multiple insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center.
All the bookings on Zocdoc are accessible, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics of orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic disorders prevalent in Washington
As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that about 420 orthopedic surgeons earned up to 0.14 employment per thousand jobs.
- Arthritis: As of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 63 million adults in the United States have arthritis. Even though there are numerous types of arthritis, they all result in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- Osteoporosis: This disease weakens the bones and raises the risk of fractures. According to the CDC, osteoporosis affects women more frequently. It affects nearly 20% (1 in 5) of women and almost 5% (1 in 20) of men who are 50 years or older.
- Sports Injury: According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,190 fatal work injuries were reported in the country in 2021, an 8.9% increase from 4,764 in 2020. The fatal work injury rate increased from 3.4 per 100,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) workers in 2020 to 3.6 in 2021, rising above the pre-pandemic rate of 3.5 in 2019.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
Penn Medicine
U.S. News & World Report
Aurora Health Care
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
University of Utah Health
