Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons comprise your musculoskeletal system, which is integral to everyday movement. Orthopedic surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating problems of the musculoskeletal system. They use a holistic approach to prevent, diagnose, and treat issues in these regions and understand how they affect other body parts. They use medications, surgeries, and other complementary treatments to help their patients recover with minimal damage.
Appointments with orthopedic surgeons are often made through referrals from primary care doctors, although you can also independently schedule an appointment. They practice in both private and government hospitals and institutions.
It takes 13 years to become a certified orthopedic surgeon in the U.S., including four years of an undergraduate degree in sciences, four years of medical school, and five years of compulsory residency in orthopedic surgery at a recognized institution. They are then certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS).
Orthopedics is a broad field, and most orthopedic doctors specialize in a particular subspecialty, such as hand, foot, shoulder, elbow, or spine. You can choose from orthopedic doctors near you based on their subspecialty.
What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat various conditions such as arthritis, bone and joint fractures, strains and sprains, congenital disabilities, benign tumors, bone cancer, and chronic neck and lower back pain. They also manage sports injuries in athletes, bursitis (swelling of the fluid-filled sacs in the joints space), tendonitis (swelling of the tendons, which is the connecting tissue between the bones and muscles), and scoliosis (change in the curvature of the spine).
Let us understand some of these disorders in detail and the treatment offered by an orthopedic surgeon.
Arthritis occurs in the hands, feet, lower back, hips, and knees. It involves joint swelling or breakdown that results in severe and recurring pain, stiffness, redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the affected region. Orthopedic surgeons use physical examination, imaging studies, and blood tests (for rheumatoid arthritis) to diagnose arthritis. They are qualified to treat the condition using both non-surgical and surgical methods.
Conservative treatment methods for arthritis include medications for pain relief, physical therapy, and steroid injections. Commonly used surgical options are fusion surgery and joint replacement surgery. In fusion surgery, the surgeon joins two or more bones to reduce the pain caused by movements. In joint replacement surgery, artificial joints replace disintegrated joints. Common joint replacement surgical areas include the knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle.
It can either begin in the bones (primary bone cancer) or spread into the bones via the bloodstream or lymph nodes from other areas where cancer is present (secondary bone cancer). Common symptoms include severe weariness or exhaustion, joint discomfort, and swelling that causes fever and makes moving difficult.
Orthopedic surgeons play a critical role in diagnosing and treating bone cancers. They use imaging techniques and bone biopsy. They are involved in the team that performs surgical treatment for bone cancer patients. Surgery involves removing the area affected by the tumor and some healthy surrounding areas around it. Occasionally, the entire limb is amputated and then replaced with prosthetic ones.
- Congenital orthopedic disabilities:
They affect the development of a baby's bones, joints, and supporting structures while still in the mother's womb. Commonly seen orthopedic congenital disabilities are clubfoot, dislocated hip, scoliosis, and kyphosis. These defects are usually present as visible deformities in the hands, feet, and spine, brittle bones that break easily, and when combined, they cause difficulty in movement.
Orthopedic surgeons use blood and urine work, imaging studies, genetic tests, and biopsies for diagnosis. Some treatment options include physical and occupational therapy, braces or a cast to stabilize the bones, and operations to correct severe deformities.
What surgeries do orthopedic surgeons perform?
Orthopedic surgeons perform various procedures based on the diagnosis and location of the affected area. Moreover, they can also specialize in one of the following fields to perform the procedures. These include:
- Foot and ankle surgeries:
Orthopedic surgeons are often compared with podiatrists because they treat foot and ankle conditions. However, the extent of their practice varies depending on state regulations governing podiatric care. Orthopedic surgeons can perform procedures like total ankle replacement or fusion, plantar fasciitis release, hammertoe surgery, and bunion correction surgery.
- Hand and upper extremity surgeries:
Orthopedic surgeons can perform various surgeries for hand, shoulder, and elbow, ranging from minor to complex procedures. They can also undertake microvascular procedures depending on their fellowship training. Other surgeries they perform include trigger finger surgery, rotator cuff surgery, ganglion cyst removal, and carpal tunnel release. Additionally, they can perform complex procedures like digit replantation and tendon transfers.
- Joint replacement and reconstruction:
As adults and senior citizens age, they become more susceptible to various conditions that affect their joints, hips, knees, and elbows. Orthopedic surgeons can perform partial or total replacement surgeries for these affected areas, enabling patients to maintain their physical health and regain the ability to perform daily tasks.
Orthopedic trauma surgeons specialize in managing and treating acute fractures, stabilizing injuries, and performing reconstructive procedures following trauma. Such injuries can result from motor vehicle accidents, industrial mishaps, and related incidents. Common surgeries include dislocation repair, fracture fixation, and reconstructive procedures to address shattered bones or damaged joints. Additionally, orthopedic trauma surgeons provide care for complications such as malunion, nonunion, or bone infections following fractures.
Spinal surgery represents a complex and demanding field within orthopedics. Surgeons must stay updated on the latest techniques to treat various spinal conditions effectively. Subspecializations may include spinal deformity surgery and scoliosis treatment. Some spinal disorders may also require collaboration between orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Consequently, patients and doctors should discuss treatment dynamics with a local neurosurgeon. Orthopedic surgeons can perform procedures like spinal fusion, decompression, and laminectomy to address spinal issues.
When to visit an orthopedic surgeon?
People commonly seek orthopedic care for joint, bone, or muscle pain. You may look for orthopedic doctors near you if you have any discomfort relating to movements, such as pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints, bones, muscles, and ligaments. Some telltale signs are:
- Any pain that persists for a long time
- Trouble walking or standing
- Difficulty or inability to perform daily activities
- Limited range of motion
- Sprain or injury that has not improved within 48 hours
What to expect from your orthopedic appointment?
When you visit an orthopedic surgeon near you for the first time, remember to carry your medical records, lab test reports, and medication lists. Your doctor will ask questions covering your symptoms and medical history for a better understanding. They may order tests, such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to diagnose you. They may also conduct physical examinations to assess your movement. In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon may even give you a diagnosis without ordering any tests.
After diagnosing, your orthopedic surgeon will discuss treatment options with you. The usual treatment plans include surgery, cast or tape, and physical exercise. An ideal way to manage your treatment is to educate yourself about the condition that causes your symptoms.
Some common health problems also impact orthopedic health. For instance, weight gain stresses the joints, creating more pain and discomfort for heavier people. On the other hand, lifestyle habits such as smoking slow down bone healing and negatively impact the outcome of orthopedic treatment.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeons near you in Torrance, CA
Finding the best orthopedic doctors near you with the knowledge and experience in treating disorders affecting bones and joints is essential to receive prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Zocdoc can help you find the best orthopedic surgeons. Log onto Zocdoc and enter a few details — symptoms, kind of specialist, location, zip code, preferred date, and time for the appointment. Once done, you will find a curated list of orthopedic surgeons who match your requirements.
All doctors on Zocdoc have a profile page containing critical information like their training, qualifications, accreditations, awards, experience, expertise, and recognitions. You can further narrow the results based on the providers' gender, language, hospital affiliations, etc. The profile also includes detailed reviews and ratings from previous patients.
You can make both in-person and online appointments with orthopedic doctors near you using Zocdoc. Since orthopedic treatments are often expensive, having medical insurance is very helpful. Zocdoc also helps you know which orthopedic surgeons near you accept your insurance. Select your policy and plan from the drop-down menu, and Zocdoc will tell you if the specialist is in-network.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!
Orthopedics statistics in Torrance, California
Based on the May 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, about 19,060 licensed orthopedic surgeons were practicing in the U.S. Out of these, around 4,990 were in California, ranking it the highest in the employment of orthopedic surgeons.
The city of Torrance comes under Los Angeles County. According to the "Arthritis Stats Statistics" report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, the prevalence rate of doctor-diagnosed arthritis in California adults was nearly 18.3%. The prevalence rate was higher in women (20.64%) than in men (15.68%). Consistent with the low numbers in the state, Los Angeles County also had a low prevalence rate (about 17.6%).
The American Cancer Society published the "Childhood and adolescent cancer" report on childhood and adolescent cancer prevalence. Compared to other cancer forms in children till age 14, the incidence rate for bone cancers—osteosarcoma- was almost 0.4%, and Ewing's Sarcoma was approximately 0.3% per 100,000 patients between 2014 and 2018.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Children's National Hospital
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Cancer Society
OrthoInfo
VeryWell Health
Penn Medicine
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
