Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedics is a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Physicians who specialize in treating injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are called orthopaedic surgeons or orthopaedists.

Although orthopaedists may perform surgery to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease of bones, joints, muscoles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or skin, they are involved in all aspects of health care pertaining to the musculoskeletal system. They employ medical, physical and rehabilitative methods as well as surgical methods.

The orthopaedist also works closely with other health care professionals and often serves as a consultant to other physicians. Orthopaedists, in particular, play an important role in the organization and delivery of emergency care and work as a team player in the management of complex multi-system trauma.

Scope of Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics is a specialty of immense breadth and variety. Orthopaedists treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including such common injuries as fractures, torn ligaments, dislocations, sprains, tendon injuries, pulled muscles, and ruptured discs. They also treat conditions such as low back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, bow legs, bunions and hammer toes. More recently great advances have occurred in the surgical management of degenerative joint disease with the replacement of the diseased joint by a prosthetic device (total joint replacement). Similarly, the application of visualizing instruments to assist in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of internal joint diseases (arthroscopy) has opened new horizons of therapy.

SECTION LINKS

> Overview
> Orthopaedic Surgery
> Physical Therapy
> MRI
> Radiology
> Pain Management
> Scoliosis Correction
> Pediatric Orthopaedic
> Osteoporosis Clinic