Who are orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons are doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who have acquired training in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating injuries, diseases, or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Their care area revolves around the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons.
They employ surgical and non-surgical means to treat spine disorders, sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, infections, and tumors. The non-surgical route may include exercise, medication, and other rehabilitation or alternative therapies. Orthopedic surgeons only advise surgery when a patient does not react to such a conservative treatment. An orthopedic surgeon is essential in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative stages.
What kind of education and training do orthopedic surgeons receive?
To become an orthopedic surgeon, an individual must undergo a comprehensive educational journey spanning at least 13 years, which includes:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree program.
2. Graduation from medical school.
3. Enrollment in a 5-year residency program focused on orthopedic surgery at a reputable medical institution.
4. Completion of an additional optional year of education within a subspecialty of orthopedic surgery.
After completing their 5-year residency, aspiring orthopedic surgeons must practice in the field for at least 2 years. Subsequently, they must undertake a final examination administered by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery to attain official recognition as orthopedic surgeons.
Many orthopedic surgeons have specialized training in certain body parts like the shoulder, elbow, hand, foot, ankle, spine, and knee. Some also become experts in other medical specialties like oncology, trauma, reconstructive surgery, and pediatrics. For example, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon treats children with bone and joint issues like clubfoot, gait abnormalities, and scoliosis. Orthopedic surgeons also collaborate with other healthcare providers, frequently serving as consultants to other physicians.
How do rheumatologists differ from orthopedic surgeons?
Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, back pain, and osteoporosis. However, their approaches and areas of expertise differ.
Orthopedic surgeons perform surgeries and primarily address issues caused by injuries, congenital disabilities, or degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. In contrast, rheumatologists focus on systemic diseases that affect the entire body, such as lupus, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain rare inherited disorders.
These specialists often collaborate to provide comprehensive care. For example, someone with rheumatoid arthritis might benefit from the combined expertise of a rheumatologist and an orthopedic surgeon.
What procedures can an orthopedic surgeon perform?
Orthopedic surgeons can perform various surgical procedures, which may be open or minimally invasive. Your orthopedic surgeon will explain the specific surgery you need, what it entails, the risk factors, and alternative options. Some standard procedures may be:
- Knee replacement: Due to frequent use, the knee gets exposed to overuse and injuries. In such cases, the surgeon may perform a knee replacement surgery to replace some (partial replacement) or all (total replacement) parts of the knee with an artificial one. This surgery becomes necessary when the cartilage in a joint gets damaged, restricts movement, or becomes too painful to move. Some of these conditions include obesity, bursitis, trauma to the knee, etc.
- ACL surgery: The ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is an essential part of the knee that runs diagonally across its front. This ligament allows you to remain stable when you rotate your leg. Its tearing necessitates reconstructive surgery. Typically, it involves taking a part of a tendon from another part of the body and grafting it onto the part of the damaged ACL. This procedure is considered minor, and the patient is discharged from the hospital the same day.
- Hip replacement: Like the knee, the cartilage in the hip tends to get damaged or worn out over time. It can then be partially or entirely replaced, with the latter being the more common procedure. A Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) involves removing the damaged parts of the hip, but this is not always an option.
- Shoulder replacement: The shoulder regularly undergoes a lot of stress, which can affect the bones supporting it. In such cases, removing the damaged parts of the bone of the upper arm joining the shoulder to the elbow (the humerus) and replacing it with a metal ball is often required. The surgeon inserts a plastic component to replace the broken section of the socket. However, in cases where the rotator cuff may be damaged, the socket is replaced with metal. The plastic replacement is attached to the arm bone.
- Arthroscopy: The shoulder or knee are the usual targets for this minimally invasive surgery. It allows the orthopedic surgeon to insert a tiny camera inside the body, closer to the joint—enabling them to examine and acquire precise images of the damage. An arthroscopy often precedes a knee or shoulder replacement surgery, allowing the surgeon to ascertain the extent of damage and the future course of action.
- Joint fusion: A joint fusion procedure is often necessary for those with arthritis. It involves taking cartilage from a fit body part and grafting it into the area with the damaged cartilage. Subsequently, the bones on either side of the cartilage are fused to stabilize the joint. This procedure treats the feet, spine, ankles, or fingers.
As mentioned above, surgery is often the last resort. Orthopedic surgeons can improve most musculoskeletal issues through proper conditioning or rehabilitation. However, one must acquaint oneself with the right therapy to achieve that. Thus, educating yourself on the signs and symptoms and acting on the help and counsel of your orthopedic surgeon can significantly speed up your recovery.
Reasons to see an orthopedic surgeon near you
If your joints, muscles, or bones hurt, feel stiff, swell up, or have trouble moving, it's time to see an orthopedic surgeon. They are experts in treating these problems and can help you feel better.
Torn ligaments or tendons, broken bones that need more than a cast to heal, or fractures in your spine or hip due to conditions like osteoporosis are all reasons to visit an orthopedic surgeon. Athletes often see them for these kinds of injuries.
Orthopedic doctors can also assist if you notice your range of motion is not as good as it used to be. But it's not just injuries that should compel people to visit an orthopedic surgeon. Consulting one is also a good idea if you've been having aches, pains, or trouble moving for a while. Sometimes, these issues develop slowly from an old injury. Let your doctor know if you're feeling any pain or discomfort.
Orthopedic surgeons also treat problems caused by longer-term illnesses like arthritis, bursitis, chronic muscle and joint pain, and tumors in bones or soft tissues. They'll devise a plan to help you feel better, including surgery, medication, or physical therapy.
Healthy eating for orthopedic health
Food and nutrition are essential parts of life. Likewise, they play a vital role in your orthopedic health, too. While some foods are building blocks for healthy bones, others halt healing, resulting in inflammation and obesity.
Making healthier choices will keep your bones and body happier in the long run. Thus, it would help if you discussed these things with your orthopedic doctor. They can guide you better and help you understand your needs. Besides, here are some general nutritional food options that help in the building, maintenance, or functioning of the musculoskeletal system:
- Calcium: Milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon, and sardines are good sources of calcium, which is essential for bone tissue and strength.
- Vitamin D: Nuts, kale, beans, eggs, and cold-water fish are all vitamin D-rich foods. Its importance lies in the fact that it is a requisite for calcium absorption. Furthermore, the added Omega-3 in fish helps reduce triglycerides.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, and pistachios have monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for the body. Abundant in protein and fiber, they also help you lose weight.
- Beans: Pinto, black, and garbanzo beans are incredible sources of fiber, magnesium, iron, protein, and folic acid. Red kidney beans are also high in calcium.
- Whole grains: Foods like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain cereals reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the blood, which are signs of chronic inflammation.
- Protein: Protein is necessary for bone growth throughout childhood and adolescence. It also helps to preserve bone mass as you age. Some examples of quality protein are lean red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy, nuts, lentils, kidney beans, and soy.
- Fruits and vegetables: Studies have indicated that eating more fruits and vegetables, which are generous in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, has a positive influence on bone density. Hence, consuming spinach, swiss chard and collard greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, figs, and berries can be beneficial.
What should you expect during a visit to an orthopedic surgeon?
At your initial appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, they will look at your medical history and ask about your symptoms. It’s helpful to bring any medical records or test results you may have.
Depending on your symptoms, the surgeon may recommend tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or physical assessments to diagnose your condition.
Once your condition is diagnosed, you and your surgeon will explore treatment options to determine the most suitable approach. This might involve surgery, a cast or taping system, or a physical exercise regimen.
Does seeing an orthopedic surgeon mean surgery is inevitable?
Not necessarily. Orthopedic surgeons train extensively in both surgical and non-surgical treatments. While surgery may be the initial treatment for certain types of trauma or congenital conditions, most other issues are addressed first with non-surgical methods.
It’s common to try multiple non-surgical therapies, sometimes in combination, to achieve lasting relief. The surgeon may consider surgery only if other treatments do not alleviate your symptoms. Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss specific recommendations with you, outlining surgical intervention's potential risks and benefits.
Finding a top-rated orthopedic surgeon near you in Silver Spring, MD
Finding the right doctor who suits your needs can be tricky in a sea of medical practitioners. Zocdoc can help make this process easier. With our easy-to-use interface and advanced filters, you can easily access our extensive directory of qualified medical providers in minutes!
Enter your location details to filter out the best orthopedic surgeons in Silver Spring, Maryland. Alternatively, you can also specify your symptoms to streamline the search. Once done, a list of available provider profiles will appear based on your search criteria.
The provider profiles are unique to the individual and tell you about the practitioners' educational qualifications, areas of expertise, experience, and licensure. You can also learn about their awards, ratings, and accreditations. Zocdoc also allows you to filter your search results to find in-network providers. You can also check if they are qualified as pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Our online patient support center helps you locate orthopedic surgeons who accept your insurance. Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can include details about your secondary insurance in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can easily input your secondary insurance information.
Once you have shortlisted a few, you can rely on reviews left by previous patients to make an informed decision. Zocdoc regularly validates these reviews, making them reliable. After deciding upon a provider, you can book an appointment directly on the platform. With Zocdoc, booking an in-person or online appointment with the best orthopedic surgeon near you is simple, secure, and free!
Orthopedics statistics in Silver Spring, Maryland
Based on May 2021 data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 270 orthopedic surgeons were actively working in Maryland, excluding pediatric orthopedic surgeons. For every 1,000 people working in the state, about 0.11 were orthopedic surgeons. The report also found nearly 1,010 orthopedic surgery practitioners in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area.
The 2018 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons report states that there were around 667 practicing orthopedic surgeons in the state, with nearly 11.02 surgeons for every 100,000 people. The average age of orthopedic surgeons practicing in the state was about 56.25. Of all the orthopedic surgeons practicing in the state, around 7.9% were female, 90.0% were male, and 2.1% had not indicated their gender.
According to America's Health Rankings, in 2020, about 7.3% of people in Maryland aged between 18 and 44 suffered from arthritis. It also affected around 27.4% of adults aged between 45 and 64. The female population is more prone to bone and joint issues as their bone density decreases significantly post-menopause. Out of all the adults affected with arthritis in the state, nearly 27% were females, and 18.8% were males.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
America's Health Rankings
Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute
AICA Orthopedics
Puget Sound Orthopaedics
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
