WHAT IS ORTHOPEDICS?

The field of orthopedic medicine deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments. Orthopaedic surgeons’ diagnose and treat patients of all ages, from infants and children born with musculoskeletal deformities, to young athletes requiring surgery due to sports injuries, to elderly people with degenerative diseases.

WHO PERFORMS THIS PROCEDURE?

Orthopedic surgeons have typically completed four years of undergraduate education and four years of medical school. They undergo residency training in orthopedic surgery. The five-year residency consists of one year of general surgery training followed by four years of training in orthopedic surgery. Many orthopedic surgeons elect to do further subspecialty training, or "fellowships", after completing their residency training. Fellowship training in an orthopedic subspecialty is typically one year in duration (sometimes two) and sometimes has a research component involved with the clinical and operative training. Examples of orthopedic subspecialty training in the United States are:

- Hand surgery
- Shoulder and elbow surgery
- Total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty)
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Spine surgery
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Surgical sports medicine
- Orthopedic trauma

Orthopedic surgeons are eligible for board certification after completing specialty residency training.

WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENTS ARE PERFORMED?

Surgical and non-surgical treatments are used by orthopedic surgeons to correct a series of injuries related to the musculoskeletal system including trauma, fractures, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital conditions.

Arthroscopy – Minimally Invasive

Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage of the interior of a joint is performed using an arthroscope, a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. Arthroscopic procedures can be performed either to evaluate or to treat many orthopaedic conditions including torn floating cartilage, torn surface cartilage, ACL reconstruction, and trimming damaged cartilage.
The advantage of arthroscopy over traditional open surgery is that the joint does not have to be opened up fully. Instead, only two small incisions are made - one for the arthroscope and one for the surgical instruments to be used in the knee cavity to fully remove the knee cap. This reduces recovery time and may increase the rate of surgical success due to less trauma to the connective tissue. It is especially useful for professional athletes, who frequently injure knee joints and require fast healing time. There is also less scarring, because of the smaller incisions.
The joints that are most commonly examined and treated by arthroscopy are the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, foot, and hip.

Arthroplasty – Joint Replacement

Arthroplasty (literally "surgical repair of joint") is an operative procedure of orthopedic surgery performed, in which the arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with something better or by remodeling or realigning the joint by osteotomy or some other procedure.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy provides services to individuals in order to develop maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout life. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Physical therapists evaluate, diagnose, and manage the physical therapy treatment plan, customizing it to each individual’s needs. Physical modalities such as exercise, heat, cold, electricity, and massage are utilized.

Drug Therapy

Drug Therapy is a non-surgical form of treatment that is used to reduce muscle or joint pain. Drug Therapy includes painkillers such as acetaminophen, narcotics, anti-inflammatory agents and injections.  

CONCLUSION

The musculoskeletal system is a very complex system which includes our bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. This system allows us to move, work, and be active every day. Therefore maintaining this system is very important to our day to day well being. Orthopaedic surgeons are dedicated to managing this system which involves: 1) the correct diagnosis of your injury or disorder, 2) treatment with medication, exercise therapy or surgery, 3) establishing rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength and function, 4) prevention provided to patients by giving information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of diseases. Each year orthopaedic surgeons spend many hours studying and attending continuing medical education courses to stay up-to-date in current orthopaedic knowledge and skills.

This Article Provided by: Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute