Orthopedics is a specialty that deals with injuries and ailments related to the musculoskeletal system. Your primary care doctor may refer you to an orthopedic specialist if you’ve sustained an injury or have pain that’s not going away with other treatments. But you can also visit an orthopedic surgeon on your own. These doctors have advanced training and knowledge beyond your primary care doctor to treat a variety of skeletal problems. Some of them even specialize in specific parts of the body, like the knees, hips, and shoulder.
Orthopedists have up to 14 years of medical training, including four years of undergraduate studies and four or more years in medical school. They earn either a doctor of medicine degree (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy degree (DO). After medical school, they spend five or more years in an orthopedic residency, where they gain hands-on experience in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. They can also choose to subspecialize in areas such as sports medicine, hand surgery, or pediatric orthopedics.
The musculoskeletal system supports posture and stability, allows movement, protects vital organs, and circulates blood throughout the body. Yet with 206 bones, about 300 muscles, and almost every joint in the body, it’s nearly impossible to avoid musculoskeletal issues at some point.
Most musculoskeletal issues that require an orthopedist’s attention involve the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or nerves of the upper and lower extremities. Conditions such as sprains and strains, such as a pulled hamstring or strained wrist, often happen when you overexert yourself during physical activity.부산정형외과 An orthopedist can help you manage these types of injuries by suggesting rest, icing the injured area, over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy. For severe cases, they may prescribe a splint or brace, give you injections, or perform surgery.
Many orthopedists specialize in treating children, particularly with congenital musculoskeletal problems, such as clubfoot or hip dysplasia.부산족저근막염 They can also monitor the growth of children and use a range of treatments, including braces and casts, to correct abnormal bone development.
Surgeons who subspecialize in the shoulder, elbow, and fingers can treat conditions like tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome. They can offer non-surgical options, such as physical therapy and trigger finger injections, or recommend surgery to correct these problems, such as rotator cuff tears and ligament reconstruction in the shoulder and elbow. They can also provide advice on how to prevent future injuries by performing exercises and following proper safety tips.